Cheney Warns Iran Sea Lanes Must Be Open

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Cheney Warns Iran Sea Lanes Must Be Open

By TOM RAUM
The Associated Press
Friday, May 11, 2007; 8:52 AM

ABOARD USS JOHN C. STENNIS -- Vice President Dick Cheney issued
a warning to Iran while aboard an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf
on Friday, saying the United States would join allies to keep Iran
from getting nuclear weapons "and dominating the region."

With two U.S. carrier groups now in the region, the vice president
declared, "We're sending clear messages to friends and adversaries
alike. We'll keep the sea lanes open."

Iran exerts considerable control over the narrow passageway that
separates the Persian Gulf from the open waters of the Arabian Sea.
Roughly a quarter of the world's oil supplies pass through the Straits
of Hormuz.

-snip-

It was the latest shot in an escalating war of words, with both
Tehran and Washington seeking to increase influence over states
bordering Iraq. Cheney's visit comes just two days before Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was to visit Abu Dhabi.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/11/AR2007051100572.html

[rusty charly]

1. seeking to increase influence

unfortunately (for us), Ahmadinejad has more credibility than Cheney.

[Kikosexy2]

15. I am Darth Dick...

I rule the world!!!...By the grace of Satan, I will part the seas to open this sea lane!....and like Moses, he parted the sea...

[maxrandb]

22. Great Analogy

The aircraft carrier is like his Death Star.

[seemslikeadream]

2. "and dominating the region."

That's our job

[Mika]

4. Actually it should read: "and dominating their region"

Dominating their region is our job.

:sarcasm:

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Mika]

13. Ooops. Added sarcasm smiley on edit.

:hi:

[HereSince1628]

24. Exactly. That's a very public part of the NeoCon Nat'l Security Manifesto

The Neoconation can't allow a challenge to US economic & military hegemony.

[global1]

3. Sounds To Me Like Cheney Is Daring Them To Close The Shipping Lanes......

to cause more havoc in the region and further jack up the cost of oil.

A lot of breaking news coming out of Cheney this a.m. What gives?

[Demeter]

7. He's On the Loose Without His Keeper

And you thought Scooter was just for lying and covering up Cheney's misdeeds?

[Eurobabe]

9. Hopefully his CLOT is on the loose...

[Tyler Durden]

5. WILL SOMEONE PLEASE IMPEACH THIS ASSHOLE...

...BEFORE HE FINDS A WAY TO GET US ALL KILLED?????


I swear, if he can't live forever this fucker wants us all to die with him.

[Strelnikov_]

6. Nearly half of the petroleum export market passes through the Strait

Kind of important to a country that soaks up nearly 1/3 of said market.

[Donnachaidh]

8. Still Jonesing for that John Wayne Moment Dickie?

5 Deferment Cheney still wanting yet another WAR he can direct, but NOT participate in? Does he have any male relatives we can send to sit on the front line?

[Blackhatjack]

10. Everything Cheney says has a purpose, and this is no exception...

I have serious concerns over this type of proclamation by Cheney(that did not need to be said BTW) as it appears to be laying the groundwork for justification for an attack on Iranian interests.

Why say this now? The only way to accurately answer this question is to look back a couple of months from now and see what ensued AFTER Cheney made this statement.

Does everyone realize there has been a steady buildup of troop numbers in Iraq and the region for months now? The so-called 'surge' appears to be a cover story for the massing of the maximum number of troops available in the region.

If we are lucky, somehow Cheney will be deprived of the power to 'pull the trigger' on Iran. How? IT will take massive public opposition. However, the MSM is already 'calming' the public interest by saying that the 'surge' won't be reevaluated by the White House until Sept.

For those who attempt to read the tea leaves, Cheney's trips, comments and actions bear close scrutiny. I for one do not like what I am seeing.

[MGKrebs]

25. Agreed. This is a pre-emptive excuse to get in trouble.

Next, Iran ups the ante by accidentally dropping a bomb or a torpedo or something (harmlessly, just a hint), then we venture too close to shore causing another reaction, etc, etc. Then, when Iran scuttle a ship in the straits, we can say "we told you not to do that".

I also wonder where the "surge" troops are actually going.

Very scary. It's blatantly about oil now. They're not even pretending anymore. When he can say we can't allow a country in the region to dominate the region, it's pretty clear what the deal is. We are pirates, and we intend to take their oil if they won't sell it to us willingly and under our terms.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LeftHander]

14. Welcome to DU....

:>|

[MGD]

16. I understand that you're trolling for trouble. That's fine. You'll last maybe a day

Personally, I'm not opposed to hearing the conservative point of view if it is presented intelligently. Others will not be so understanding however and, since you have already identified yourself as a Republican/Conservative troll, I fear you have accomplished nothing more than wasting whatever time you spent gaining entry into this forum. Next time, try subtlety.

[Warren Stupidity]

17. Ugh. nt.

[Neverarepublican]

19. How about if you personally go over there and bomb them?

Why aren't you in the military if you think it is so important that we bomb Iran?

[MGD]

20. He can't fight in an internet forum let alone a war and, judging by his first post

I doubt he could pass the ASVAB anyways.

[karlrschneider]

21. You're an amusing little prick.

...

[Warren Stupidity]

18. Classic Gunboat Diplomacy

Eventually the world will grow tired of putting up with our arrogant bullying. We cannot fight everyone, but it appears that we intend to do just that.

[daleo]

23. That's how Cheney treats his lawyers too

"We're sending clear messages to friends and adversaries alike."

[HuffleClaw]

26. what a crock.

'keep them open'? they haven't been closed!

[Canuckistanian]

27. They ARE open, asshole

The Iranis are in NO WAY threatening the sea lanes.

It's the US who's the real danger in the region with all those carrier groups, taunting Iran to fire just that ONE shot.....