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Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Warns West of Soaring Oil Prices
In an undated photo provided by the Energy Department, a crude oil is delivered by tanker to the Reserve at an undisclosed location on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Crude futures fell Friday but the market continued to fret over the potential impact of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Guardian Unlimited: Iran issues stark warning on oil price
War of words over trade sanctionsIran stepped up its defiance of international pressure over its nuclear programme yesterday by warning of soaring oil prices if it is subjected to economic sanctions. As diplomats from the US, Europe, Russia, and China prepared to meet today in London to discuss referring Tehran to the UN security council, Iran’s economy minister, Davoud Danesh-Jafari, said the country’s position as the world’s fourth-largest oil producer meant such action would have grave consequences.
“Any possible sanctions from the west could possibly, by disturbing Iran’s political and economic situation, raise oil prices beyond levels the west expects,” he told Iranian state radio.
Any short-term increase in oil prices is worth the price if it eliminates Iran’s nuclear program. Long term price increases will motivate the Democrats in the U.S. Senate to allow more domestic oil production.
If the Iranians would prefer, the United States could blockade their sea access and shipping lanes.
Mr Danesh-Jafari’s comments echoed fears voiced by energy market analysts after crude oil prices last week rose above $64 (£36.50) a barrel as hopes faded of a diplomatic solution to the dispute.
Last week, Manouchehr Takin, of the Centre for Global Energy Studies, argued that crude prices could hit $100 a barrel if Iran stopped exporting. “Supply and demand are very tightly balanced,” he said.
Mr Danesh-Jafari’s warning added weight to veiled threats by Iran’s president on Saturday. Iran had a “cheap means” of achieving its nuclear “rights”, Mr Ahmadinejad said, adding: “You [the west] need us more than we need you. All of you today need the Iranian nation.”
The Iranians should not test the resolve of the American people and President George W. Bush.
Although Britain has ruled out military moves against Iran, two American senators yesterday said the US might undertake a strike of “last resort” to prevent Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. The Republican John McCain told CBS: “Everything else has to be exhausted, but to say under no circumstances would we exercise a military option would be crazy.” Democrat Evan Bayh urged diplomacy, but said there were elements of Iran’s nuclear programme which, if attacked, “would dramatically delay its development”.
There is bipartisan political support in the United States for Iran economic sanctions and military action if Iran does NOT stand down their nuclear program.
This story continues to develop……
Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: West Has Acquiesced to a Nuclear Iran?
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Says Give Diplomacy a Chance
Iran Nuclear Watch: United Nations Security Council Referral Will NOT End Nuclear Development
Iran Nuclear Watch: President Bush and German Chancellor Merkel Urge U.N. Action on Iran
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens to End Random Nuclear Inspections
Iran Nuclear Watch: Israel Wants West to Deal More Urgently with Iran
Iran Nuclear Watch: Kofi Annan – Iran Interested in “Serious and Constructive Negotiationsâ€Iran Nuclear Watch: Condoleezza Rice Calls on United Nations to Confront Iran’s Defiance
Iran Nuclear Watch: TALKS = DEAD END
Iran Nuclear Watch: “Highly Probable†Iran Referral to United Nations Security Council
Iran Nuclear Watch: Britain Calls for United Nations Security Council Action Against IranIran Nuclear Watch: Rafsanjani – Sanctions FUTILE
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Removes United Nations Seals on Nuclear Facilities
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Ready to Remove UN Seals at Nuclear SitesIran Nuclear Watch: Iran Confirms Resumption of Atomic Fuel Research
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Will Resume Atomic Fuel Research
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Resumes Nuclear Fuel Research
Iran Nuclear Watch: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – “Israel Completed Holocaustâ€
Drudge Report Watch: ‘United States planning a military strike against Iran’
Iran Nuclear Watch: Is Washington Planning a Military Strike?
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Says Still Wants to Enrich Uranium in IRAN
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russians Helping with Missle Threat to EuropeIran Nuclear Watch: Holocaust Is a “MYTHâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Israel Readies Forces to Strike Nuclear Iran
Technorati Tags: Iran, Russia, Israel, JavadVaeedi, MahmoudAhmadinejad, PeterGoss, Turkey, AliLarijani, GlobalWaronTerror, France, Italy, Austria, ArielSharon, UnitedNations, InternationalAtomicEnergyAgency, CondoleezzaRice, Mohamed ElBaradei, JacquesChirac, MohammadSaidi, JackStraw, AkbarHashemiRafsanjani, AngelaMerkel, GeorgeWBush
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George Galloway Watch: Maverick or FOOL?
In this image made available in London by Channel 4 television, Thursday Jan. 12, 2006, independent British Member of Parliament George Galloway imitates a cat, with the aid of actress Rula Lenska, on the reality television show ‘Celebrity Big Brother’, at Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, England. Politicians from other parties have called for Galloway, 51, who founded the Respect Party after being expelled from the Labour Party for opposing the Iraq war, to be censured for his appearance on the show.
Media Guardian: From firebrand to pussycat: Galloway’s TV transformation
Respect MP’s stunt draws jeers from opponents and alarms supportersHe purred and mewed, his greying whiskers giving his face the appearance of a Cheshire cat. Next, George Galloway, the Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, and scourge of Capitol Hill, got on all fours and pretended to lick milk from the cupped hands of the once-famous television actor Rula Lenska. She rubbed the “cream” from his “whiskers” and stroked his head and behind his ears.
When he steps out into the real world, Mr Galloway may regret his decision to accept the producer’s challenge to mimic a pet on live television last night. He may feel his flirtation with a reality TV youth audience was not worth the loss of credibility that many of his critics claimed yesterday was an inevitable consequence.
The firebrand parliamentarian earned the grudging respect of even his political enemies through his performance before the US Congress last year. But yesterday viewers only saw rolling footage of the cat performance. Commentators called it excruciating and his own supporters said it was an indignity.
Galloway was proven a CORRUPT MORON when he testified before Congress last year.
And now is just reprising his performance as a MORON.
Flap hopes they censure him……but big deal.
Galloway is just MORONIC CORRUPT SCUM.
The Video of this MORON is here.
Michelle Malkin wonders how long before Walter Cronkite ends up on celebrity big brother with Galloway.
Left-wing firebrand George Galloway, seen here, will get to stay in the “Big Brother” house after prime-time viewers voted to eject a buxom blonde glamour model from the reality TV show instead.
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George Galloway Watch: Hitchens Calls Galloway’s BLUFF
George Galloway Watch: “I am Ready to Fly to the US Todayâ€
George Galloway Watch: May Face Criminal Charges for Givng False Testimony Under Oath to U.S. Senate
Technorati Tags: GeorgeGalloway, BigBrother, Moron, Scum
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Iran Nuclear Watch: West Has Acquiesced to a Nuclear Iran?
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Scotsman.com: West resigns itself to a nuclear Iran
WESTERN governments face defeat in their attempts to stop Iran from pursuing its drive to become a nuclear power.
Officials in London and Washington now privately admit that they must face the painful fact that there is nothing they can do, despite deep suspicions that Tehran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons under cover of researching nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
But behind the scenes there is no stomach for a fight. The US is the only country that could take military action. But with the US military already seriously overstretched in Iraq and with the mid-term congressional elections approaching there is no impetus in the White House or in Congress for another military adventure.
“Iran would be a far tougher country to try to attack than Iraq. It is three times as big and has highly motivated armed forces,” a Foreign Office diplomat said yesterday.
With military action off the agenda, several senior European officials expressed the view last week that there is widespread pessimism that diplomatic attempts to persuade Tehran to dismantle its nuclear programme stand any chance of success.
This piece underestimates the resolve of President George W. Bush, the American people and the State of Israel.
Iran’s development of fissionable material for nuclear weapons WILL NOT be allowed to continue.
Captain Ed over at Captain’s Quarters: Have We Given Up On Iran?
Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Says Give Diplomacy a Chance
Iran Nuclear Watch: United Nations Security Council Referral Will NOT End Nuclear Development
Iran Nuclear Watch: President Bush and German Chancellor Merkel Urge U.N. Action on Iran
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens to End Random Nuclear Inspections
Iran Nuclear Watch: Israel Wants West to Deal More Urgently with Iran
Iran Nuclear Watch: Kofi Annan – Iran Interested in “Serious and Constructive Negotiationsâ€Iran Nuclear Watch: Condoleezza Rice Calls on United Nations to Confront Iran’s Defiance
Iran Nuclear Watch: TALKS = DEAD END
Iran Nuclear Watch: “Highly Probable†Iran Referral to United Nations Security Council
Iran Nuclear Watch: Britain Calls for United Nations Security Council Action Against IranIran Nuclear Watch: Rafsanjani – Sanctions FUTILE
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Removes United Nations Seals on Nuclear Facilities
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Ready to Remove UN Seals at Nuclear SitesIran Nuclear Watch: Iran Confirms Resumption of Atomic Fuel Research
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Will Resume Atomic Fuel Research
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Resumes Nuclear Fuel Research
Iran Nuclear Watch: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – “Israel Completed Holocaustâ€
Drudge Report Watch: ‘United States planning a military strike against Iran’
Iran Nuclear Watch: Is Washington Planning a Military Strike?
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Says Still Wants to Enrich Uranium in IRAN
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russians Helping with Missle Threat to EuropeIran Nuclear Watch: Holocaust Is a “MYTHâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Israel Readies Forces to Strike Nuclear Iran
Technorati Tags: Iran, Russia, Israel, JavadVaeedi, MahmoudAhmadinejad, PeterGoss, Turkey, AliLarijani, GlobalWaronTerror, France, Italy, Austria, ArielSharon, UnitedNations, InternationalAtomicEnergyAgency, CondoleezzaRice, Mohamed ElBaradei, JacquesChirac, MohammadSaidi, JackStraw, AkbarHashemiRafsanjani, AngelaMerkel, GeorgeWBush
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NSA Surveillance Watch: Specter Skeptical of Domestic Spy Program
Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Arlen Specter (R-PA) during the confirmation hearing of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Capitol Hill, January 11, 2006.
ASSociated Press: Specter Skeptical of Domestic Spy Program
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee expressed skepticism Sunday over President Bush’s domestic eavesdropping program, joining a chorus of Republicans and Democrats who are questioning its legal justification.
Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who will hold hearings next month on the decision to allow the National Security Agency program without court approval, said he has told Bush administration officials that he believes they are on shaky legal ground.
Bush has pointed to a congressional resolution passed after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, that authorized him to use force in the fight against terrorism as allowing him to order the program. The program authorized eavesdropping of international phone calls and e- mails of people deemed a terror risk.
“I thought they were wrong,” Specter said on ABC’s “This Week.” “There still may be different collateral powers under wartime situations. That is a knotty question.”
First, Senator who the FRACK cares what you think. The President has greater responsibilities to protect the United States from Al Qaeda and he has done a good job. Wouldn’t you say that has been the case? Damn, we have to ask the Senate Judiciary Committee to be protected from terrorists?
Second, Senator, if you have a REAL concern file a lawsuit and litigate the issue. Flap doesn’t think you will win – nor do you.
A number of members of Specter’s committee, including GOP Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, have expressed doubt about the administration’s legal basis. The hearings, planned for early February, will feature Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
Specter, speaking in general terms, noted that impeachment and criminal prosecution are possibilities in the event a president acted unconstitutionally.
But Specter added: “I don’t see any talk about impeachment here. I don’t think anyone doubts the president is making a good-faith effort. He’s acting in a way that he feels he must.”
Right, Senator let’s impeach the President.
Let’s do it now…….Good Grief but you are a MORON.
Previous:
NSA Surveillance Leak Case Watch: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to Testify
NSA Surveillance Watch: AP Poll- Most Say U.S. Needs Warrant to Snoop? – RECYCLEDNSA Surveillance Leak Case Watch: Vice President Cheney Strongly Defends Eavesdropping Operation
Cox & Forkum: One Man’s Whistleblower
Global War on Terror Watch: Why the NSA Monitors Communications of Al-Qaida
NSA Surveillance Leak Case Watch: President Bush Defends NSA SurveillanceNSA Leak Case Watch: New York Times’ Reporter James Risen
NSA Leak Case Watch: Justice Deptartment Probing Domestic Spying LeakNSA Surveillance Watch: President Had Legal Authority to OK Taps
NSA Surveillance Watch: Calls for Congressional Hearings
Technorati Tags: NationalSecurityAgency, NSA, AssociatedPress, NSASurveillance, NSALeakCase, NewYorkTimes, RasmussenPoll, ArlenSpecter
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Samuel Alito Watch: Senator Dianne Feinstein Warns Against Filibuster
Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito takes his seat as his son Philip passes behind him during the third day of his Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, January 11, 2006.
ASSociated Press: Feinstein Warns Against Alito Filibuster
A Democrat who plans to vote against Samuel Alito sided on Sunday with a Republican colleague on the Senate Judiciary Committee in cautioning against a filibuster of the Supreme Court nominee.
“I do not see a likelihood of a filibuster,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. “This might be a man I disagree with, but it doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be on the court.”
She said she will not vote to confirm the appeals court judge, based on his conservative record. But she acknowledged that nothing emerged during last week’s hearings to justify any organized action by Democrats to stall the nomination.
“If there’s a filibuster of this man based on his qualifications, there would be a huge backlash in this country,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. He is one of 14 centrist senators who defused the Senate’s showdown over judicial filibusters last year, saying such a tactic is justified only under extraordinary circumstances.
No, Senator Graham it would mean that if you do not have a political philosophy palatable to the minority Democrats and their amen choir special interests – spelled abortion industry that a citizen has NO chance of sitting on the United States Supreme Court.
If the Democrats filibuster, the Gang of 14 would vote cloture with the majority Republicans enabling an up or down majority vote. And, yes, there would be a backlash.
But Feinstein, who said she was concerned about Alito’s conservative record on abortion rights and deference to executive power, acknowledged the 15-year appellate judge had the legal credentials to serve on the Supreme Court.
“I was impressed with his ability to maintain a very even demeanor,” she said on CBS'”Face the Nation.”
“I think there is an additional weight you must give to his background, his qualifications and his ability,” she said.
Additional weight? Feinstein is a clueless partisan who must appease the Democrat special interest groups who will fund her re-election campaign in California this year. Judge Alito is a especially well qualified jurist with over 15 years on the federal appellate court bench.
But, then again, she really could self-fund her own re-election campaign since her husband’s (Richard Blum) company received that $600 million Iraq War contract – sheesh.
Feinstein is floating/promoting this trial balloon so that her special interest friends will not squander their resources on television ad buys when Feinstein and the Democrat caucus are resigned to the fact that Alito will be confirmed.
Captain Ed at Captain’s Quarters has more on the Democrat White Flag of Surrender on Alito: Feinstein: Forget The Filibuster
Dianne Feinstein stuck a fork into Democratic plans to delay the Alito confirmation earlier today, officially running up a white flag in the Democrats’ war on judicial nominations for the time being. The California Senator and one of the few Judiciary Democrats to not embarrass herself during the hearings disregarded the advice of her leadership and declared that Samuel Alito deserves his up-or-down vote from the full Senate….
Technorati Tags: SamuelAlito, SupremeCourt, DianneFeinstein, LindseyGraham, RichardBlum
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Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Says Give Diplomacy a Chance
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks at a news conference in Tehran January 14, 2006. Iran said on Sunday diplomacy was the only way to resolve the impasse over its nuclear programme but that it would not reverse its widely criticised decision to resume atomic research after a break of more than two years.
Reuters: Iran calls for atomic talks
Iran said on Sunday diplomacy was the only way to resolve the impasse over its nuclear program but that it would not reverse its widely criticized decision to resume atomic research after a break of more than two years.
“Diplomacy is the only clear answer to the current situation,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told a weekly news conference.
“There is no legal basis for referring Iran to the Security Council. But if that were to happen Iran is not afraid.”
Britain will host talks between Foreign Ministry officials from the United States, Russia, China and the EU3 on Monday to discuss Iran’s nuclear case.
Asefi said the meeting should avoid using threatening language against the Islamic Republic.
“Better results will definitely be achieved by resorting to negotiations and using respectful language rather than using the language of threats and intimidation,” Asefi said.
More bluster and STALL………
But, will the European Union have any cajones to ACT? Doubtful……
Asefi declined to clarify whether Iran planned to carry out small-scale uranium enrichment — the most sensitive part of the atomic fuel cycle — as part of its research work.
The UN International Atomic Energy Agency has said Iran had told it the research would involve small-scale enrichment.
“Iran’s decision to resume nuclear research activities is irreversible,” he said.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Saturday that Iran would not be deflected from its drive to develop nuclear technology if it was referred to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.
Asefi said it was best to let the talks with the EU3, Russia China and the IAEA proceed instead of prejudging Iran’s next step.
“Let the negotiations with different sides continue. Later we can make judgments,” Asefi said.
The Western powers have so far avoided saying they will ask the UN Security Council to put further pressure on Iran by imposing sanctions.
Agreement from Russia and China, which both have veto powers, is far from certain, and few countries would wish to risk any disruption of Iran’s energy exports at a time of robust demand and high prices.
“We are ready for negotiations, but it is up to the Europeans how logically they respond,” Asefi said. “It would benefit the Europeans to be logical about this matter.”
Iran insists the resumption of research on nuclear fuel, which increased international consensus against Iran, is separate from actually producing nuclear fuel itself.
The United States and Israel are ALONE in dealing with the Iranian Nuclear program. George W Bush was not elected to allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons. Iraq, Iran and North Korea are the Axis of Evil.
Iraq and Saddam Hussein have been neutralized.
Next……Iran………
Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: United Nations Security Council Referral Will NOT End Nuclear Development
Iran Nuclear Watch: President Bush and German Chancellor Merkel Urge U.N. Action on Iran
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens to End Random Nuclear Inspections
Iran Nuclear Watch: Israel Wants West to Deal More Urgently with Iran
Iran Nuclear Watch: Kofi Annan – Iran Interested in “Serious and Constructive Negotiationsâ€Iran Nuclear Watch: Condoleezza Rice Calls on United Nations to Confront Iran’s Defiance
Iran Nuclear Watch: TALKS = DEAD END
Iran Nuclear Watch: “Highly Probable†Iran Referral to United Nations Security Council
Iran Nuclear Watch: Britain Calls for United Nations Security Council Action Against IranIran Nuclear Watch: Rafsanjani – Sanctions FUTILE
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Removes United Nations Seals on Nuclear Facilities
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Ready to Remove UN Seals at Nuclear SitesIran Nuclear Watch: Iran Confirms Resumption of Atomic Fuel Research
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Will Resume Atomic Fuel Research
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Resumes Nuclear Fuel Research
Iran Nuclear Watch: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – “Israel Completed Holocaustâ€
Drudge Report Watch: ‘United States planning a military strike against Iran’
Iran Nuclear Watch: Is Washington Planning a Military Strike?
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Says Still Wants to Enrich Uranium in IRAN
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russians Helping with Missle Threat to EuropeIran Nuclear Watch: Holocaust Is a “MYTHâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Israel Readies Forces to Strike Nuclear Iran
Technorati Tags: Iran, Russia, Israel, JavadVaeedi, MahmoudAhmadinejad, PeterGoss, Turkey, AliLarijani, GlobalWaronTerror, France, Italy, Austria, ArielSharon, UnitedNations, InternationalAtomicEnergyAgency, CondoleezzaRice, Mohamed ElBaradei, JacquesChirac, MohammadSaidi, JackStraw, AkbarHashemiRafsanjani, AngelaMerkel, GeorgeWBush
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Day By Day by Chris Muir on the Alito Hearings
Technorati Tags: DaybyDay, ChrisMuir, SamuelAlito, TedKennedy, SupremeCourt, DianneFeinstein