A remarkable message from freshman Rep. Ken Buck posted to Youtube today, warning in the scariest terms he can muster against the proposed treaty between the “P5+1” group of nations–China, France, Russia, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States–and Islamic Republic of Iran to prevent the latter nation from obtaining nuclear weapons:
Iran is a threat to Julesburg, a threat to Jerusalem. A global threat to everyone, everywhere. @BarackObama http://t.co/AfoSKtuWsB #IranDeal
— Ken Buck (@BuckForColorado) August 1, 2015
For those unfamiliar with rural Colorado geography, the town of Julesburg, population 1,225, is located in the northeast corner of the state near the Nebraska border about 185 miles from Denver. Julesburg’s chief claims to fame were a former Pony Express stop and serving as the seat of Sedgwick County (population 2,380), before becoming known since last year as the most convenient location for Nebraskans to buy weed.
Needless to say, we have trouble imagining Julesburg on a list of targets for an Iranian nuclear attack.
With that said, ginning up opposition to the Iran treaty appears to be a significant goal of Republican political strategists for the August recess just now getting underway. The most recent round of public opinion polls on the proposal suggest that weeks of shrill scare tactics like Rep. Buck’s above have significantly hurt support for the treaty with the voting public. These latest polls are a major departure from polling earlier this year, which showed Americans overwhelmingly in support of the same treaty.
Much like Obamacare, the “failed stimulus” that didn’t actually fail, and so many other objectively good things that Republicans have managed to demagogue into undeserved unpopularity, this erosion of support for the Iran treaty is the direct result of agenda-driven partisans placing political goals above the nation’s best interests. The sheer repetition of talking points gives them validity, to the point in this case where Americans appear willing to reject a treaty negotiated not just by President Obama, but a group of the most powerful nations in the world. Although Republicans want to lay this treaty solely at the feet of Obama, they’re really telling Americans to give the rest of the world the finger to placate one faction of Israeli politics.
And as Ken Buck demonstrates better than we ever could, it’s getting ridiculous.
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I would expect Greeley or Fort Morgan to be more likely targets.
Silly Ken, Julesberg isn't the target. It's Cederedge.
As a conservative, I'm not a big fan of this proposed agreement. But I'm also smart to realize that it is the best possible deal that the six powers could get Iran to agree to. I also continue to notice that those who oppose the agreement have no alternative.
"placate one faction of Israeli politics…." That's an understatement. Netanyahu has a majority of one vote. His coalition has 61 of 120 seats in the Knesset.
And also interesting is the plan, this fall, to release on parole convicted spy Jonathan Pollard, who spied on the US for our good friend and ally Israel.
Wonder why Obama brings up freeing Pollard, a traitor who should have been executed if not to divide those that support Israel..
To me Iran with sanctions and not billions more for arms is safer for the US than Iran, more money and bogus restrictions.
Look who crawled out from under his rock. Better check first with spin central.
Pollard is scheduled for parole under Federal guidelines. He is no longer in a position to commit the crimes he committed against this country, and he’s been a model prisoner. The Parole Board really doesn’t have much of a case to make any other recommendation.
If it weren’t for the Iran deal, his release would only be notable because of the infamy of his past crimes.
Iran was a country with sanctions that was only a few months away from nuclear capabilities. Your choices are:
1) Iran with sanctions, no billions for arms – and a nuclear weapon and possible war
2) Iran with sanctions, no billions for arms, no nuclear weapon – and a full-fledged ground war far larger than either Iraq or Afghanistan
3) Iran with some sanctions (and all sanctions if they violate the deal), billions for arms (or whatever else they want to spend it on – the government was elected to fix the economy…), no nuclear weapon, and no war.
Carnholio, have you boofed your mother yet?
I did!
I'm sure his choice of Julesburg was more alliterative and less thinking it's an actual target for attack. Doesn't make it any less a stupid argument.
Of course; that only underscores how silly and irresponsible it was.
What's he trying to do, shore up the Jewish vote in Sedgwick County?!?
Both of them?
Nah, remember that the fundies need the Jews until they all get slaughtered or convert to Jesus. It's in Revelations, which most Jews haven't read. If they had they might think twice about welcoming these nut jobs into the Zionist fold.
Sums it up nicely.
If there are two they have three opinions on the subject. At least that's what Bubby always said.
Ken Buck can see Iran from his front porch!
Or, is that Boulder? No difference…
No, Cuba can be confused with Boulder. Colorado Springs is more like Iran.