Juan Cole: Clinton's Iran Comments "Monstrous"

Informed Content:

I had complained at the time that this diction is monstrous. I mean, it is surreal to have Democrats discussing whether it is appropriate for the US to "totally obliterate" another country. It would be one thing if she had threatened the Iranian military. Targeting civilians, who would be included in the "total" obliteration, is a war crime.

Clinton stood by her remarks: "I don't think it's time to equivocate. [Iran has] to know they would face massive retaliation. That is the only way to rein them in." The premise that "they" only understand the language of massive violence is in fact a rightwing premise more characteristic of W. and Ariel Sharon than of the Democratic Party tradition.

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Comments

[citizenxyz]

Hillary will say or do anything to get elected. She is divisive- we do not need any more of this negativity at the helm of our govenment.

[obamagal]

Who is he?

Here's his curriculum vitae:

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jrcole/jcpers.htm

Now, may we please see yours?

[obamagal]

I meant to link this as a reply to "Independe­ntjunkie".

[shubes61]

obamagal is pro-obama.

independentjunkie is anti-obama.

who are you?

[itsbushstupid]

OH!
MY what an impressive guy to give a headline too.
damn, how deep did yall have to dig to find him?
OH, WOW,
WELL, you got me there.

dude, progressives have done NOTHING about bush, the war.....anything.
progressives back a man that stands for NOTHING in defending our country.
His courage is sooo lacking, o won't even debate.
wow, what a man.

[Sabreen60]

As someone else said, I don't need anyone to tell me that you don't tell another country that you will obliterate it. I don't think Hillary meant that comment to slip out. I bet it she wasn't running her mouth non-stop and had thought before she spoke she would not have said it. However, being the person that she is she will never say she made a mistake. We will not have peace with this kind of mentality in the White House. Maybe you don't travel outside of the area in which you live, but I am so tired and actually uncomfortable with the way some folks act in different countries when you tell them you're from America. You sound like you need to get out and see the world, or at the very least read about the world. Sen. Obama will be a wonderful peace keeper.

[ImpressedByHonesty]

attack the messenger. And hasn't there been more than 20 debates?

[obamanation31]

This woman is scary. I would not want her finger on the red button.
I would not want her answering the call at 3:00 am. She has to poll first before she decides what to do.

[ImpressedByHonesty]

Not sure she polled before the 'obliterate them' comment. Sounds psychotic, if you ask me.

[Charmed]

Hillary is NOT a democrat so it's perfectly fine for her to say such things.

[Independentjunkie]

LOL who is this putz and why do we care what goober says?

[ClydetheCat]

He just one of the most respected and quoted political analysts out there.

Your ignorance is appalling.

[HumeSkeptic]

Just goes to show how ignorant you are. You must be a Republican.