"Reg, what makes you think I care about what Scott Ritter has to say?"

Nothing, I quoted Ritter because I would refer to him as somebody with a background that indicates he knows what he's talking about. Since 1984 he has been involved in intelligence or weapons inspections in the Middle East and done extensive work relating to Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan. He also happens to be somebody that's real easy to find a quote from and or video on out on the internet...so I did sort of take the easy way out quoting him. Of course I did also quote him because obviously he clearly articulates what I was trying to say. Was I lazy providing quotes from only one guy...yup...but as you said my reply seems "long winded" as it is and I thought Ritter clearly covered what I was trying to point out.

Also Gene, I was trying to get the point across to you in that post that I have nothing against Israel but there are clear reasons to have issues with their government. You know, it is sort of depressing to me that you see me as a proponent of anti-semitism because I have issues with the Israeli government. One thing has nothing to do with the other and although I have repeatedly told you where I stand and how I feel you persist with telling me I "don't like Israel" which lumps me in with anybody and everybody that has any sort of beef with Israel. Not only does that bother me personally but I think it is the reason why American politicians steer well clear of making any comments that may be critical of the Israeli government. If a politician said what Ritter said an army media types, special interest groups, and other politicians would descend on him or her labeling them an anti-semite and run them out of town on a rail. So, how is it possible to deal with those issues?

I do agree with you that we need to keep an eye on Iran and if they are going to have a nuclear power program they will need to submit to the regular inspections that program requires. Where the United States gets its balls cut off is when it insists on something like this for Iran but says nothing about Israel. This is also a big reason why animosity builds toward the United States in these Muslim countries. We are one sided and it is so obvious it's outrageous. We have no credibility as long as this goes on and there will continue to be the same stand off between these countries and everybody in the Middle East will be looking to obtain weapons. Israel will continue to be the beautiful nagging wife of the United States...getting everything her way and irritating a lot of people in her wake. At some point our government needs to grow a pair and put her in her place by saying "Hey, there are not two sets of rules and if the rest of the Middle East must play by this set, so do you." We should be able to do this because Israel is our friend but as it stands now every time she farts we blame it on the dog...that dog has teeth and is pretty fed up at this point.