Ready for another war?

The drumbeat on the right has been increasing in volume for months now. The same people who talked up the unnecessary war in Iraq that has killed and maimed thousands of people, many of them Americans, are now panting to start such a war in Iran.

What is it about these people anyway? Why is their only way of dealing with the world to start a war? Iran is no threat to us. Even if they had a nuclear capability, they would be no threat to us. Furthermore, they have more than enough problems to deal with in their society. Why should they be looking for another one?

In fact, as far as I can tell from my reading, Iran is not looking for a war with anybody, least of all the United States, no matter what the right-wingers here and in Israel may be saying. The United Nations sanctions against the country seem to be working. Why would we not simply continue those and seek diplomatic solutions to any problems or disputes? Why would we want to jump in and kill thousands of innocent Iranians as we killed thousands of innocent Iraqis? And why would we want to put our own military service people in harm's way when there is no pressing need for it?

In the world that I grew up in, war was considered to be the very last alternative. Today, in the world of the neocons, it seems to be the first choice as a solution to any international problem. They seem to think that war is just like a video game and they crave the excitement of it. Of course, if war should come, you can bet your last dollar that the neocons won't be going to it and neither will their children. No, they'll still be here on the home front beating their war drums.

Fortunately, it seems that President Obama isn't intimidated by their drum and chest beating. As he told AIPAC (one of the chief sources of militaristic fervor) in his speech yesterday:
Already, there is too much loose talk of war.  Over the last few weeks, such talk has only benefited the Iranian government, by driving up the price of oil, which they depend on to fund their nuclear program.  For the sake of Israel's security, America's security, and the peace and security of the world, now is not the time for bluster.  Now is the time to let our increased pressure sink in, and to sustain the broad international coalition we have built.  Now is the time to heed the timeless advice from Teddy Roosevelt:  Speak softly; carry a big stick. 
Let's hope that he has the courage and good sense to continue to stand firmly by TR's admonition.

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