Sunday, April 01, 2007

Newt on Iran

NEWT

Plunked down in the middle of a stiffish discussion,“What Should Britain, the U.S., and Europe Do About Iran?,” is this dialog between Newt Gingrich and Hugh Hewitt. Does any other presidential possibility seem capable of tactical clarity on this level?  I think not. Bold action and quivering supplication are inimical, so that eliminates any Democrat straight away. McCain ought to have tactical and strategic insight, but has never displayed any with even a modicum of consistency. Giuliani? Maybe. Newt's always been a big idea guy, which makes him a moving target for media snipers. Too bad. He was smart enough to destroy the Evil Empire in 1994, so maybe he can devise a way to destroy the NeoCom media that's killing the nation.

HH: Now let's get to the first major issue of the day, which is Iran. Mr. Speaker, if the United Kingdom feels obliged to use force, if diplomacy fails to get their people back, will you applaud?

NG: I think there are two very simple steps that should be taken. The first is to use a covert operation, or a special forces operation, to knock out the only gasoline producing refinery in Iran. There's only one. And the second is to simply intercede by naval force, and block any tankers from bringing gasoline to Iran ...

HH: Would you do? Would you urge them ...

NG: And say to the Iranians, you know, you can keep the sailors as long as you want, but in about 30 days, everybody in your country will be walking.

HH: So how long would you give them, to give them that ultimatum, the Iranians?

NG: I would literally do that. I would say to them, I would right now say to them privately, within the next week, your refinery will no longer work. And within the following week, there will be no tankers arriving. Now if you would like to avoid being humiliated publicly, we recommend you calmly and quietly give them back now. But frankly, if you'd prefer to show the planet that you're tiny and we're not, we're prepared to simply cut off your economy, and allow you to go back to walking and using oxen to pull carts, because you will have no gasoline left.

HH: I agree with that 100 percent. Would your recommendation to the United States president be the same if Iran seized our forces?

NG: Absolutely. I mean, the reason I say that, it is the least violent, least direct thing you can do. It uses our greatest strength ... you know, the mismatch in naval power is absolute. And so you don't have to send troops into Iran. Everybody on the left is waiting for conservatives to say things that allow them to run amok and parade in San Francisco, and claim that we're warmongers. I want to avoid war by intelligently using our power to eliminate the option of sustaining an economy, so that the Iranian dictatorship will be shown to be the hollow dictatorship it is, so the people of Iran decide they'd like to have a decent government with real electricity and real gasoline, so they overthrow it. And I want to do that without risking a single American life, or being engaged in a single direct confrontation. And naval power lets you do that."
Jack Hamilton

11 comments:

hotspur666 said...

Loved that Mark 15 Phalanx chain gun's effect on the Iranian's suicide speedboats in the Gulf...turned them into pink mist...

Anonymous said...

THE KEFT WILL STILL CARP, PROTEST AND YELL ABOUT WAR MONGERING, BUT REALLY, WHO CARES? (OR, RATHER WHO should CARE WHAT THOSE LEFTIST FREAKS HAVE TO SAY?)
I imagine it might tip the disafected Persians over the edge.
RAK

hotspur666 said...

[quote]the mismatch in naval power is absolute[/quote]

All that is needed is the will.

Here's a video of the Phalanx...scary, man!!!

http://www.digg.com/videos/people/Anti_Everything_Gun

Anonymous said...

another work of C&S art with that image.

there are many problems with Newt, who talks the talk, but failed to walk the walk. Newt is smart enough to say what Conservatives want to hear, when speaking with the mighty HH.

Tom Delay referenced how Gingrich, foolishly having some affair while Bill was being impeached, actually hurt the Conservative effort behind the scenes in the 90s.

Self Interest was the big problem, or should we say, big ego?

Enjoyed reading his insight on Iran, and do agree mostly, but concerned Gingrich is a true populist opportunist in the Conservative arena these days.

Remember his tired photo op with Hillary?

Remember his advocation for the Iraq Invasion, only to pull the weak 'mistakes with management' excuse, to distance himself from the Mission when it became unpopular?

How about how NEWT DID NOTHING about illegal immigration in the 90s, or the threats of Radical Muslim Militants who were killing throughout the World at the time (including attacking the WTC in 1993), and let Bill-Hillary Clinton dog him while he was Speaker?

I see a lot of posers, who proclaim to be super tough, true Conservatives, etc., who failed to get the job done, when they were in the game. Newt's never had 'CEO' experience, and he basically left Congress as a failure.

Greatly appreciate Newt's public advocation, but I don't want a fine public orator, whos fails to match his conviction, or cannot get results.

Would rather have someone who lets the actions speak for themselves. I often ask myself, who would have the guts to invade Afghanistan, or Iraq after 9-11 as POTUS, and I cannot safely say Newt's on that list. But that list, of those with that sort of strength these days, is very small.

It is so easy to drive from the backseat.

Anonymous said...

IMO Rudy would have and wouldn't have pussyfooted around either. Who else? Hmmm, I'm afraid my list is shorter than HNAV. Maybe Newt, maybe McCain. Fact is we need a thick skinned(that ain't Newt or McCain) swinging dick that ain't going to take any crap off the MSM or the dems in Congress and when I pull the lever, it still is coming up 3 Rudys.

Certainly Newt's proposal is correct, if nothing else, he does have a big brain.
MM

Rodger the Real King of France said...

I have several problems with Newt, not the least of which is he loves FDR. He also admitted to being hypnotized by Bill Clinton. Eek. His best service to the nation will be to suggest to future presidents a course of action and hope he's dealing with one who will act on the good ones, like this one. Arte you listening Mr.President?

Anonymous said...

I do notb really think Newt will Run I se his roll as being an adviser. But he is 100% correct on his assessment of this situation. All great leaders are men or women like Maggy Thacher and all are flawed. I believe that Newt has learned some very hard lessons and has the best interest of the country at heart.I still think I can see Fred in our future. While I would vote for Rudy above Hillary He is by no means a conservative and his personal life reads like something from the Borgia's. Hell at least Newt's kids and even his ex wife is on his side. Rudy's kid wont even vote for him.

Anonymous said...

Newt definitely will run. He hasn't announced, because he's smart enough to stay below the radar through the summer when the MSM has nothing to write about, so they won't be rehashing their slams on him. He's one televised Republican debate away from being the front-runner, OK two.

I only quibble with one of his points. There's no need to put anyone on the ground to blow their gasoline refinery. It's a perfect target for air power.

Anonymous said...

Hell Jack, my ex sure won't vote for me. I support Rudy ehthusiatically, because on THE most important issue, he will kick ass. If and when Fred enters, and convinces me he'll do the same, than we'll see.

I heard Fred doing Paul Harvey last week and he sure talked the talk on illegal immigration. Sad to say, Rudy is squishy, I don't like that at all.

I agree with the last post, both Fred and Newt know it is just too damn early.
MM

Anonymous said...

I like Newt: he'd make a great president and he'd scare the bejeesus out of our ennemies: they'd think twice before acting. I wish he'd run for President but I don't know if he'd have a serious chance. Newt as Prez and Rudy as vice-prez, that'd work for me.

Of course, given a real choice I'd go for Vlad the Impaler as Prez. That's what we need right now.

Anonymous said...

"He also admitted to being hypnotized by Bill Clinton."

forgot that one...

well said.

MR. S is outstanding...

thanks.

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