The Daily Beast reports:
Defying the wishes of President Obama, six Republican senators Tuesday proposed an amendment to a defense spending bill that would introduce a new round of sanctions on Iran on the eve of diplomatic talks the president hopes will end Iran’s quest for a nuclear weapon.
The amendment, offered by Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Il.) and co-sponsored by five other Republican senators, including Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) as well as Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), would target the remaining money Iran has in overseas bank accounts, most of which comes from the sale of oil. […]
The move from Kirk and his fellow Republicans is a direct challenge to President Obama. For nearly a month, the president has asked Congress hold off on any new sanctions bill in order to allow the Geneva negotiations an opportunity to succeed.
Senator Kirk then spins a nice Orwellian tale:
“Sanctions remain the best way to avoid war and prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability.”
In other words, let’s commit an act of war, in order to avert a war. Such logic is very reminiscent of George W. Bush’s famous “I’ve abandoned free market principles to save the free market system”.
Obama, despite his countless faults, has thus far averted a war with both Syria and Iran. He has became the first President in over 30 years to take Ron Paul’s advice to actually talk to Iran. However peace and the war machine do not go hand-in-hand. Obama is surrounded by legions that are itching to start dropping bombs.
The best advice for President Obama comes from RPI Advisory Board member Lew Rockwell:
Mr. President: go down in history as a peacemaker. Fly to Tehran.
