One Minute to Hell: Senate Threatens Military Means Against Iran

Never underestimate the stupidity and perfidy of a senator. In a 76-22 vote, the following senators have just passed the Kyl-Lieberman amendment and given what Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) has correctly said can be interpreted as permission to take out Iran:

Akaka (D-HI)
Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kohl (D-WI)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Lott (R-MS)
Martinez (R-FL)
McConnell (R-KY)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Roberts (R-KS)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Schumer (D-NY)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)

The amendment threatens to “combat, contain and [stop]” Iran via “military instruments.”

Cheney is playing the whole country like a tune. Senators Hillary Clinton, Diane Feinstein, and Harry Reid deserve special denunciation for choose political self-interest at what I think is incalculable risk.

The land of the free and the home of the brave? Not. More like the land of the blind mice.

And all it took was one terrorist attack. One. If, given its experience during WWII, Europe looks on us as whimpering spoiled brats, I can’t cry “foul.” We abandoned all principle and reason on 9-11. And all it took was one terrorist attack.

My God, what will we do if Bush declares martial law? Fall into collective catatonia?

So, now we are one irrevocable step closer to bombing Iran. The consequences will be limitless in time and effect, especially if the weapon Bush chooses is nuculer—er, nuclear. European nations that are in bed economically with Iran will be hurt, as will China, Russia, and North Korea, its allies. This won’t be good. The Muslim world will have irrefutable proof that we intend permanent domination of the Middle East. We do. This won’t play well. The Saudis, Turkey, and Jordan will be forced out of whatever affinity they retain with the United States. Not good. And Israel? If the Arab States don’t see to it that Israel takes the first hit, I’ll be very surprised. As soon as that happens, Katie, bar the door.

If anyone’s left standing when all the dust settles, this will be looked upon as the moment the Clock moved to 1 minute to Hell.