Hillary Should Be Dismissed From The Democratic Party For Iran Comments

Nobody seems to have noticed that Hillary Clinton has broken international law by threatening Iran with 'obliteration.'

"I want the Iranians to know that if I'm the president, we will attack Iran," Clinton said in an interview with ABC. "In the next 10 years, during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them."

Why are alarm bells not ringing?

In chapter I, article II of the United Nations Charter, it states:

All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.

The U.N Charter was signed in San Francisco in 1945 by the United States along with 50 other countries. Each country is bound by its articles, and the treaty prevails over all other treaties (including 'special' relationships with other nations). In other words, regardless of any hypothetical attack on Israel, the United States is legally bound not to threaten Iran or any other country. This is also enshrined in the constitution. Article IV Clause II states:

This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.

It is incredible that public debate regarding Hillary Clinton's threat to annihilate Iran centers around campaign strategy rather than international law. I have been scouring the mainstream media to find anything criticizing Clinton's remarks for their illegality, but can find nothing other than comments like 'Clinton's tough talk on Iran' (taken from ABC News)

While most Democrats have kept quiet, Obama rightly denounced Clinton's remarks saying, "It's not the language we need right now, and I think it's language reflective of George Bush."

Obama is right of course (although he had his own moment with Pakistan), but still falling a few thousand miles short of calling it what it is.

"That is not a word gaffe," writes Robert Scheer. "It is an assertion of the right of our nation to commit genocide on an unprecedented scale."

Attacking Obama while pulling the entire Democratic Party down with her is one thing, but threatening to commit nuclear holocaust on another country is another matter all together. These outrageous remarks should not only be denounced, but punished appropriately by her party. If an Iranian public figure had stated the intention to launch a nuclear war on America, the United States would demand international condemnation or possibly launch another preemptive war.

Such reckless comments should not be tolerated by the Democratic Party, and if it took itself seriously, Clinton would no longer be a part of it.

Luckily for her, they don't.

Ben Cohen is the editor of www.thedailybanter.com and a contributing Mixed Martial Arts writer to www.espn.com. He can be reached at [e-mail]

Comments

[danceswithyids]

Wow shouldn't Iran be kicked out of the UN for saying this about Israel.
Iran heads talk about wiping Israel off the map, not as a retalliation, but as a first strike.
Clinton was actually making a statement based on how we would respond to a specific act of agression from Iran. Iran's leaders don't.

[TheSphinx]

LOL are you serious. You want to kick Hillary from the Democratic party so she can run as an Independant and syphon off half the votes and ensure McCain a victory. Great idea there chief.

-TS

[debrouillard]

There are times when doing the right thing and standing by principle is of utmost importance.Shld her supporters feel killing 70 million people(Obliterating Iran) is something concievable then,they are neither welcome to the democratic party. Bush atleast,did not seek to Obliterate Iraq. And when Bush becomes a lesser evil to someone,then u know ,the end of the world is right next door.

Or better still,tell me how oyu would have felt,had a politician in Tehran made a semilar comment about Obliterating America.

[belief08]

Take off those "rose colored blinders", she has already left the party by using the Republican/Rove handbook to destroy this party. We don't owe her a darn thing, she made her bed when she stayed with that poor excuse of a husband. She chose ambition over integrity, she deserves whatever she gets. I don't care how ambitious she is or how much of a feminist she is; integrity should out weigh any of that. Which is why the government is the way it is now and our economy is in jeopardy and that's the reality of this whole campaign.

[Alyscha]

thesphinx lighten up, the author just wants her to go away....and SO do i!!!

[lysistrata]

The whole thing was a WHAT IF question. The answer is a fact, we are ABLE to OBLITERATE IRAN.

Obama said he would retaliate NUCLEAR or OTHERWISE.

If they had said nothing, the Iranians would and do know it anyway. The whole world knows it, NOTHING NEW. What is the issue?

[piul05]

Unfortunately, the fact that there was hardly any indignation on MSM about Hillary's comment speaks louder about America's general attitude towards the rest of the World than about the desperate candidate herself.

To put it simply, it feels it has the right to threaten other countries - it can be judge, jury and executioner. There is a love affair with war because it's played out on someone else's soil. This cavalier rethoric is allowed because it's not American cities and towns that would feel the devastating effects of death and destruction.

It's no wonder that when American soldiers come back home - the hapless cannon fodder of such national delusion - they feel they don't belong. War was not supposed to be soul destroying - that is not what the cinema and TV shows us anyway; it was supposed to be about glory, righteous actions of the divine mandate kind; it was supposed to be about order and happy endings. But instead, they can't wash off the stench of burnt flesh and human excrement; they can't shake off the images of men turned into beasts, they can't block off the primal screams of pain and despair, or the requiem played by bombs, bullets and mortars.

While this macabre episode is played out domestically with the same detachment as a discussion about an infestation of termites, a horrified planet feels it's high time America were put on quarantine.

[obamagal]

Excellent. You nailed it.

[northcan]

Great comment and analogy of the reality that affect's us all.

[northcan]

Arrested?? Are you kidding me? While many of Clinton's crime spree for the last 30 years, perhaps longer, has been tolerated by a large portion of the Democratic Party, they have seen their closest ally's go to prison on their behalf, vowing never to point a finger at this unholy couple, while they abuse their country, sell it, seize it and profit. Giving them a lifestyle to these two intelligent bumkins from the sticks, uncultured, 'unworthy' of any political office and keep them in power for their own political survival. (It's reminisent of the Hitler movement), and that is exactly what it is.......from the baby boomers it is a 'movement', separate from the real democrats on the Hill.

I'm not saying being from the sticks or uncultured (I am), is bad, it's the pretence and their narcissism, arrogance, sense of entitlement that make's this couple of idiot's...the real 'elitist'. It is a shame the World has to suffer......SUFFER, from this anti-social couple that knowone trust's. Why do we talk about Venezuala leader when we have a couple of domestic war criminals in our own country that continuously grind this country into debt and war. Bush is no angel. I abhor his leadership and dishonesty, but he's almost out. Vote Obama, pray for change, let the world heal from foreign policies, Americans heal from politics that overlooks hunger, crime of politicians, lowered standard of living, politicians reeping all the rewards off the backs of American people. .

[edhillfiker]

At least there's consistency in Clinton's moral stance.

She has said she couldn't have attended Rev. Wright's church for 20 years, listening to that racist tripe. Nor can she abide the aggressive tripe of Iran's leader. Israel is our ally and has been threatened repeatedly.

The Iraq war was a blunder from day 1. 70 percent supported it then but a few had the guts to oppose it from day 1, while others, like Obama, flip flopped .

The Iraq war was wrong because Iraq was not a threat. Iran is!

The Iran leadership is a bigger threat to peace than our own nut case, Bush.

At least Clinton took a stance & issued a clear warning , unlike Obama, who has shown a 20 year tendency to tuck his tail between legs & duck instead of showing good judgment & taking a tough moral stance.

Oprah had more guts than Obama & if he allowed his daughters to sit in the pews of a parish which spewed anti-semitic,hate-filled propaganda then he can't be trusted to lead us in the face of hostility.

The most absurd expectation on the Obama end, is the one that asks us to believe 'I never heard those things. Well, yes I did. No, I didn't".

Obama has flip flopped more on this than he did on the war, and we scream lair at Clinton over Bosnia fire!?

The fact that he lied over this rings much louder alarm bells, but I suppose that's 'typical'

[RobertAndropolis]

Just like a Clinton supporter to not directly respond to a story critical of Clinton, instead turning the sights back on the biggest threat to her besides her hubris and congenital lying, Obama.

[obamagal]

Hallucinate much?

[DoninJoisey]

Do you make that stuff up? Do you believe what you posted?

You are calling Obama a liar and back Clinton? That's funny, and sad, at the same time.

The funniest part: "Clinton's moral stance..." - as if there was one!

Say anything, do anything.

She knew Bosnia was so dangerous that she took Chelsea along!

Hillary - the choice of lobbyists, the undereducated, feminists, bigots, and the senile...:-)

Just look at polls if you don't believe me...

[CruzanKenny]

So we should have invaded Iran instead of Iraq? Was this maybe a DOD typo?
We're in the wrong country!!

[Krikkit]

lol.

Hillary, up there, forgot to add that the Iranians ended their nuclear weapons program in 2003. She also forgot to add that both Ahmedinijad and Hillary both have a big mouth.

[lysistrata]

Informed people know, Iran has no nuclear weapons, she did not have to tell us. Obama did not tell us either.

[TNT2008]

This needs to be shouted from the highest mountain! Billboards! Let's call Hillary and ask her how to start a robocall group to inform Americans how to request her dismissal from the Democratic Party! She and Bill screwed up Gore's run for the presidency; they screwed up Kerry's run and now they are trying to screw up Obama's run for the presidency; and all because they wanted a four year term so they could make way for Hillary's run. They didn't count on Bush getting elected twice and now they want to help McCain cause he will definitely be a one termer. They started their quest long ago and I personally hope that we can be done with them. I voted for Bill twice and have lost all respect for he and hillary. Obama 2008

[obamagal]

... and yet still, so many wear blinders.

[DoninJoisey]

Well, the Goldwater girl comes out...
She's become Dr. Strangelove...
If Obama wins, she could always be VP with McCain - they see eye-to-eye...

[Caringthinkingperson]

BRAVO! For those who think this article does not apply to Hillary, think again. She is a member of the Armed Services Committee in the United States Senate. This makes her a representative of our government, and our military. She is accountable to us, and she is responsible for her actions. The question is, is there anyone who is willing to stand up to the Clintons, or will we have to wait for Obama to be elected?

[Susanfrom29]

I'm a big time Obama supporter, but I think this is a somewhat specious argument. Hillary Clinton is NOT the United States Government (not yet, anyway) and as such cannot violate the UN Charter on its behalf. Her comments are bombastic and inflammatory, but surely not illegal.

In any case, didn't George Bush earn reelection using the same technique? "Be very afraid, America, and remember, I am the only one who can protect you from the big bad world."

The press is letting her get away with a basic rerun of the Bush 2004 campaign because it gives them something with which they can fill the interminable hours of 24 hour news cycles.

[dmslv02]

yes while bo gets to run a 200o shrub campaign, except we do have agreemants with Isreal as do most of the nato countries to retalliate against any argression. Think maybe that's why Isreal is still on the map? You would think Mr Cohen would appreciate that long upheld promise. and the bringing together the arab countries around isreal to help defend Isreal, while making peace in the process between Isreal and the bo loved paleistians.
Having lived with people whom lived in Isreal looking over their shoulder constantly, watching everyone I can tell you right now that this is a positive thing. The obliterate portion would be the Iranian infrastructure for the military and goverment. Maybe a bonus would be the Mullah's who bilk the country of it's resources and live like kings instead of religious men they should be.

[rosal]

I think she already left the party. Her conduct is nothing but that of a Republican want to be. She agrees more with McCain's policies, than with those of any Democrat. Her conduct is this election cycle mimics Republicans to a t. I think she should just come clean and change parties. She would be happier, and more than half of the Democrat party would be so relieved!

[dmslv02]

How is being centrist and practical being like a republican? Being practical means balanced budget (a good thing). While BO wants the the sun the moon and the stars and his lucky charms.
He's too pie in the sky and has very little chance of 1 tenth of his ideas getting done. He's too super liberal he's as far left as bush is right. total turn off. I think in the fall we'll see all those R's voting for mccain not bo. I think also that while everyone has been so busy looking at R's voting for hillary that no on has stopped to ask why they are voting for the ubber lefty. He's frightening in too many ways, carter like damage long term mixed in with short term dukakais (88) if he loses. shiver 12 or 4 yrs of more R rule.

[debrouillard]

From the way the two campaigns have progressed,who wld u say has a balanced budget?
Well may be its only Hillary hoping the heavens was gonna balance her finances for her,as for Barack he has been practical which is why he has surpluses in the bank.

[aprilshowers]

Not only should Hillary Clinton be taken to task for her comments on obliterating Iran, she should have never been allowed to get away with saying her baldfaced lie on sniper fire during her Bosnia trip was just a "misspoke" and be able to joke about it on Jay Leno. This is exactly the kind of tactics and lies we have been listening to, and having to pay the consequences for, from George Bush for 8 years. I know the American people do not accept this kind of behavior as politics as usual. And we are not as gullible and easily led as Hillary Clinton thinks we are!

[dmslv02]

oh then there's B O and his i'm a church goer, but I never heard a thing like that when I was there. Where was he in that first sun after 9/11. And if Wright gives speeches to student groups and says similar things to people who don't goto his church you know he says things like that all the time in his church. B O is weak couldn't even stand up to him. Maybe the preacher knows something about B O that hasn't come out. She flubbed up prepared speeches written by others she should have checked it first(thats the totally honest answer) but she was tired. You think B O doesn't lie? god if that isn't the kettle (not going there I'll be called a racist).

[debrouillard]

Well,i will attempt to answer your statement. Rev Wright has preached for 30 years,3 sermons a week,each sermon atleast an hour and 30 mins long. Barack has been a member at that church for 20 years. Now ,no one i know will say for 20 yrs they have never missed a sermon nor been late at church. And because all they cld get was a 30 secs soundbite means its morethan posible that it happened on a day he was absent or late for church. And just so you know Barack doesnt attend services 3 times a week,but rather once a week. So it may have happened on a day when he doesnt usually attends church. By the way u are trying to attribute guilty by association to Barack and at the same trying to defend guilt by ones personal actions,are u out of your fucking mind? Its like a judge dishing out the same punishment to a murderer and a friend to a murderer who wasnt even present at the scene of murder nor even have a knowledge of it.

[woodchips]

"She flubbed up prepared speeches written by others she should have checked it first(thats the totally honest answer)"

Are you kidding? If you were running with your head down because you were afraid of being shot, do you think you'd have to go back and check your notes to see if it happened? That's the kind of thing you don't forget...ever.

On the one hand, you are condemning Obama for not walking away from his pastor because he said some inflammatory things during emotional sermons. On the other hand, you're ready to accept everything that Hillary says and every wild justification for "misspeaking" and continue to support her. Can you spell hypocrisy?

[SifSkade]

Ben, I'm pro-Obama, but I still have to say this: I do not believe that the thoughtless shit-talking of a random-ass junior senator from New York meets the U.N Charter definition of a threat. If she becomes president, we should revisit this issue, but right now this just qualifies as bluster, like John McCain's Beach Boys assininity. Hillary and McCain are both idiots, but they aren't officially dangerous unless they make it into the Oval Office. Speaking of which, there's plenty that the current Jackhole-in-Chief and Secretary of State have already said about Iran that violate the U.N. Charter, so focus on that.

[obamasOHangel]

You can't be serious? But a poster on HuffPo got a visit & verbal shakedown from the secret service for making a joke...not even a threat about Hilly getting hurt? You need to look up how many people who were considered "threats" to the Clintons either disappeared, committed "suicide" or were just plain "obliterated". Random ass my ass. If she was so random, why is she still in this race when all odds are stacked against her? We should ALL be held accountable if things are fair and balanced and with her being on the Armed Services Committee she definitely should be!

Blinders must be wonderfully soothing.

[GaiasChild]

O good God!!! I liked Ron Paul's observation in Missoula Montana when he heard she said this. The doctor said that comment shows she does not understand foreign policy. And besides, Israel can do that without us. They are much more comprehensively armed than is Iran.

Isn't there another felony charge twisting in the wind on her also? What's the timing on these things? There are so many good people who believe her. They probably aren't doing a lot of reading.

[BigMike75]

I have to laugh when I hear politicians or over zealous pundits make this assinine suggestion that Iran at some point in the next decade or so, would take it upon themselves to attack Israel. Iran hasn't attacked a country in hundreds of years, and as coocoo as their leadership seems they are not stupid. Iran knows that an unprovoked attack on Israel would not only draw the ire and wrath of the West, but the global community at large. As well many people seem to forget the Israel is a nuclear power themselves forever armed with this powerful military detterent. To me, Hillary saying what she did is totally out of character, and nothing more than speak in shock value, and doing anything she can to save her all but dead presidential aspirations.

[poshman]

The Clintons in the White House are worse than having the Adams Family occupying it.

[saveusfromobama]

and you think that the scary pacifist attitude of osama would be better?

At least hillary has the backbone to actually DO something about those towelheads, instead of saying he wants to hold their hands and sing a song of peace..

I guess its going to take a mushroom cloud with the iranian flag next to it saying GOTCHA before you left wingers get a clue,, these people dont care about whats right or wrong, they want us DEAD,,

Trust me if they had nukes they would have used them already,,

[obamagal]

..."and you think that the scary pacifist attitude of osama would be better?"

Freudian slip? It's OBama...

It's obvious Hillary's TOUGH personna impresses you? This is what impresses ME. I can't lay claim to the list, unfortunately. Here's the link:

http://agoni