Time to get a bit more serious

Iran denies inspectors access to site. (AP)
VIENNA, Austria – Iran has turned away U.N. inspectors wanting to examine its underground nuclear site in an apparent violation of the Nonproliferation Treaty, diplomats and U.N. officials said Monday. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the confidentiality of the information, told The Associated Press that Iran’s unprecedented refusal to allow access to the facility at Natanz could seriously hamper international efforts to ensure that Tehran is not trying to make nuclear weapons.

Just to remind you (not that you need reminding), here is a time line of our conflict with Iran.

1990-1991 Persian Gulf War (Desert Storm/Desert Shield) US Invades Iran

# Iraq invades Kuwait, Aug. 2, 1990.

# Operation Desert Shield begins, Aug. 7.

# First U.S. forces (F-15 Eagle fighters from Langley Air Force Base, Va.) arrive in Saudi Arabia, Aug. 7.

# First Operation Desert Shield-related U.S. death, Aug. 12.

# President George Bush authorizes first call-up of Selected Reservists to active duty for 90 days, by executive order, Aug. 22. (Call-up widened in subsequent authorizations; period of service extended to 180 days on Nov. 12 by executive order.)

# Operation Desert Storm and air war phase begins, 3 a.m., Jan. 17, 1991 (Jan. 16, 7 p.m. Eastern time).

# Iraq attacks Israel with seven Scud missiles, Jan. 17.

# U.S. Patriot missile successfully intercepts first Scud, over Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 17.

# President Bush authorizes the call-up of up to 1 million National Guardsmen and Reservist for up to two years, Jan. 18.

# DoD announces deployment of Europe-based Patriot missiles and crews to Israel, Jan. 19.

# Iraq creates massive oil slick in gulf, Jan. 25.

# Iraqis attack Khafji, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 29.

# Iraq captures first U.S. female prisoner of war, Jan. 31.

# Award of the National Defense Service Medal authorized, Feb. 21.

# Iraqis ignite estimate 700 oil wells in Kuwait, Feb. 23.

# Allied ground assault begins, 4 a.m., Feb 24 (Feb. 23, 8 p.m. Eastern time).

# Iraqi Scud destroys U.S. barracks in Dhahran, killing 28 U.S. soldiers, Feb. 25.

# Cessation of hostilities declared, 8:01 a.m., Feb. 28 (12:01 a.m. Eastern).

# Cease-fire terms negotiated in Safwan, Iraq, March 1.

# DoD announces first troop redeployment home, March l7 (24th Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.)

# Award of the Southwest Asia Service medal authorized, March 13.

# President Bush announces U.S. relief supply airdrops to Kurdish refugees in Turkey and northern Iraq, April 5.

# Iraq officially accepts cease-fire terms, April 6.

# Task Force Provide Comfort forms and deploys, April 6.

# U.S. transports deliver 72,000 pounds of supplies in first six Operation Provide Comfort missions, April 7.

# Cease-fire takes effect, April 11.
Information courtesy of The Defense Department

Do we really want this unstable country to have nuclear reactors and to be capable of creating nuclear weapons? I think not.

I am not a proponent of war. I wish there were other ways to bring about peace. I personally believe we have been in Iraq far too long. I have personal reasons for disliking this current conflict we are in. My best friend leaves for a year long tour of duty in Iraq in just a few short weeks.

The thought that a former enemy such as Iran with nuclear capabilities goes beyond my peaceful tendencies. I realise there will always be conflicts between countries. It is a basic fact of human nature. The world revolves around a distinct set of self beliefs: Love and Hate.

Think about it. We procreate for love and kill for hate. You can pretty much apply these two words as the basis for everything we do, say and think. Religion tends to make some go too far. A misinterpretation can either bring peace or war.

The Bible and the Koran both promote peace… “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD” – “And Allah invites to the abode of peace and guides whom He pleases into the right path.(Koran)”.

Paul said “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end… And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” (NRSV, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13)

The Prophet Mohammed promotes love:

Islam is a message for the salvation of humanity. It is to save not to destroy people. Islam is not terrorism. It is not for self revenge. It is not hate, it is love. Law of Islam is based on The Holy Quran and Sunnah. It is not what others do. There is a strict code of Law even in wars. Those Muslims who commit crimes against the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) have to face Allah T’ala one day and answer to the Almighty. We all do! There is a Day of Judgment for all mankind! Let us be true followers of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)

I believe that if Iran is allowed to continue with their nuclear program (beyond what has been approved) then we will end up in a nuclear war. There are already “unstable” countries with this capability. Enough is enough. I want a safe world for my son and and my grandchildren to live in, not a world of fear and hate.