Ken Wood: Hour Resolution 1905 a prelude to war?

On December 14, 2011 the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved HR 1905. Four hundred eleven members of the House voted for the bill and only eleven members opposed it.  The bill is now before the Senate for approval.  Section 601 of this bill could be the prelude to another American war in the Middle East.

Section 601 of HR 1905 not only increases sanctions against Iran but also prohibits United States officials and Diplomats from having any discussions with members of the Iranian military or Iranian government.  When both parties to a conflict want to avoid war they communicate to find resolution such as in the Cuban Nuclear Crisis of 1962.  When a party prohibits all levels of communication they begin preparing for a military solution. Remember Iraq.

During the worst times of the Cold War the United States maintained open channels of communication with the Soviet Union.  In fact it was through the open channels of communication during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 that the world was speared a nuclear war.

Most Diplomats and Conflict Resolution Specialists would attest to the need to have dialogue with the group you are in conflict with.  Absence of communication leads to war preparation.  Once you prepare for war – war is going to happen.  Witness the massive troop build-up prior to the American war in Iraq in 1993.  That war cost us just shy of one trillion dollars.  Deficits?

Members of The House of Representatives on December 14, 2011, not able to address our serious unemployment and budget issues, somehow did miracously find the time and unity between parties to move us closer to war with Iran by passing HR 1905 essentially ending communication between Iran and the United States leaving military intervention as the only option. This war would lead to higher oil prices (huge profits for whom) increase our deficit and negatively impact our employment problem.  Why war????

Before listening to all the hype about Iran going Nuclear and presenting the biggest risk to peace in the Middle East review the history of the three players in this conflict – the United States, Israel and Iran.  In the past 100 years Iran is the only country that has never invaded or occupied another country.

Iran has never been in a war with Israel.  Of the wars Israel has fought with its neighbors none of them involved Iran.

In 1980 Iran was attacked by Iraq.  They fought a brutal war for 8 years.  Tens of thousands of people died.  The United States supported Iraq and Saddam Hussein in this war. Yes we supported Saddam Hussein.  Prior to that Iran was invaded by Britain and the Soviet Union in 1941 and occupied by them till 1946.

Israel has been in about 6 wars since 1948 and the United States has been in approximately14 wars since World War 2.  Iran’s only war since World War 2 was in 1980 when attacked by Iraq.

Iran has a military budget of approximately nine billion dollars approximately seventy-five million people and zero nuclear weapons.  The United States has a military budget of approximately seven hundred billion dollars, three hundred million people and approximately 2,000 nuclear weapons.  Israel has a military budget of approximately sixteen billion dollars, approximately six million people and approximately 200 nuclear weapons.

All of the of above information can be verified on Wipedia.com the online encyclopedia.  Source of HR 1905 search HR 1905 on line and read section 601.  This legislation was passed on December 14, 2011 by the House and will soon be going to the Senate.  It was not reported by any major newspapers in the United States.  It was passed when we Americans thought the members of the House were busy working on legislation to address our sorry and pathetic economy.  But no, Congress was busy working on laying the groundwork for yet another war.

If the facts above are true why do we want to attack Iran?  Why were members of the House working on legislation that could lead us into another Middle East war? Iran could never defend themselves against the United States Military.  What is their threat to us?  Why would they ever think they could attack us or Israel?  Israel is the super power of the Middle East and the United States is the super power of the world and we are joined at the hip.

Who is behind this legislation, who is marketing war as the only solution to the Iranian problem, and what is the problem?

Ken Wood
Boulder