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MN GOP PRESS RELEASE: ASHWIN MADIA: “STILL REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IRAN IS A THREAT”
By Michael B. Brodkorb | September 23, 2008
St. Paul- Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey today released the following statement regarding Ashwin Madia’s refusal to characterize Iran as a “threat.â€
“Despite Iran’s bellicose actions, pursuit of nuclear weapons, and active support of terrorist organizations, Ashwin Madia still refuses to acknowledge Iran as a ‘threat.’ In response to a question posed at Tuesday’s JCRC Third Congressional District debate, Madia said he stood by his previous statements that Iran does not constitute a threat. For a candidate to suggest the world’s most active state sponsor of terrorism is not a threat begs the question: what will it take for Ashwin Madia to consider Iran a threat?â€
Madia: “Iran Is Not A Threat.†“The short answer to the question is no, Iran is not a threat. However, Iran is still a concern. It is true they still do have the capability to enrich Uranium; it’s true they still need more transparency in their nuclear process. It’s true they fund Hamas in Hezbollah. It’s true they are not partners for peace in the Arab/Israeli situation.†(Ashwin Madia, Iraq Forum, December 11, 2007)
“But Madia, a military veteran who served in Iraq, stands by his statement.” (Curtis Gilbert, “Minn. 3rd District Candidates Spar on Taxes, Foreign Policy,†Minnesota Public Radio, September 23, 2008)
A Primer On Iran:
Iran Has Test-Fired A Missile That Can Reach Israel. “Iran test fired a new missile today that can deliver a 1-ton warhead on Israel or U.S. bases in the region, hitting a nerve in the tense Middle East as well as in nervous oil markets. The televised firing of Iran’s new Shahab 3 missile, which Iran says can travel 1,250 miles, was a blatant warning that it can retaliate against Israel and the United States if it is attacked. Israel and Iran have been engaged in an escalating war of words, with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saying Israel should be wiped off the map and Israel warning that it may have to carry out an airstrike to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear arsenal.†(Jonathan Karl, “Iran Fires Missile, Stokes Global Jitters,†ABC News, July 9, 2008)
Iranian General: “Our Hands Are Always On The Trigger.†“Iran launched nine missiles during war games today near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that carries 40 percent of the world’s oil supply. One of the missile launches, broadcast on Iranian TV, was a new version of the Shahab 3 missile. ‘Our hands are always on the trigger, and our missiles are ready for launch,’ Gen. Hossein Salami, the Air Force commander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, told Iran’s official IRNA news agency today.†(Jonathan Karl, “Iran Fires Missile, Stokes Global Jitters,†ABC News, July 9, 2008)
The State Department’s Recently Released Annual Terrorism Report Says That Iran Is The World’s “Most Active” State Sponsor Of Terrorism. “Iran remained the most active state sponsor of terrorism. Elements of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were directly involved in the planning and support of terrorist acts throughout the region and continued to support a variety of groups in their use of terrorism to advance their common regional goals. Iran provides aid to Palesti nian terrorist groups, Lebanese Hizballah, Iraq-based militants, and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.” (“Country Reports On Terrorism,” U.S. Department Of State, Office Of The Coordinator For Counterterrorism, 4/30/08)
Ahmadinejad Referred To Israel As A “Stinking Corpse” And Said It Was “On Its Way To Annihilation.” “President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Israel a ‘stinking corpse’ that was doomed to fail, and warned countries that they would ‘burn in the fire of their people’s hatred’ if they helped Israel, the news agency IRNA reported.’Today the reason for Zionist regime’s existence is questioned, and this regime is on its way to annihilation,’ he said in a speech on the 60th anniversary of the Jewish state.” (Nazila Fathi, “Iran: A Hate Note On Israel’s Birthday,” The New York Times, 5/9/08)
Ahmadinejad Previously Said Israel Should Be Wiped Off The Map And Denied That The Holocaust Occurred. “Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said in the past he wants to wipe Israel off the map and dismissed the Holocaust as a myth.” (Nick Wadhams, “Israel: No Greater Threat To World’s Values Than The Leaders Of Iran,” The Associated Press, 9/21/06)
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Tags: Ashwin Madia
Topics: Ashwin Madia | 39 Comments »
39 Responses to “MN GOP PRESS RELEASE: ASHWIN MADIA: “STILL REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IRAN IS A THREAT””
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September 23rd, 2008 at 3:19 PM
He has acknowledged they are a threat. He has not said that he will vote to bomb them on his first day in the house.
If you want to play semantics, play semantics, but at least have the decency to admit that you are forced to lie in an effort to make Eric Paulsen look less out of step with CD3.
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Leroy,
When did he acknowledge that Iran a threat?
Not that you’d tell lies or anything.
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Speaking of lies, Paulsen claimed he never voted for, or supported, Intelligent Design.
What a crock of bullshit, from the biggest bullshitter in the 3rd CD.
Paulsen lacks the courage of his convictions, and is running as fast as he can from his rightwingnut record.
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Gee, Chestnut. Maybe in TODAY’S PAPER?
“Calling Iran “a menace that needs to be dealt with,” Madia said the United States should defer to Israel on the threat Iran poses to Israel, but he also advocated using “every tool in our toolbox” before exploring a military option.
“As a Marine, when someone says threat, you attack. I’m not there yet,” Madia said.”
So, if you are saying that Eric Paulsen considers Iran to be a threat that needs to be invaded at once, then I think he owes it to the voters to say that. Otherwise, you should stop being a tool for a semantically challenged candidate, and admit that Eric Paulsen is a hack.
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:58 PM
“As a Marine, when someone says threat, you attack. I’m not there yet,†Madia said.â€
I guess he want to be a marine and not a representative. Who knew. *shrugs*
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Iran is not a threat to the united states. Nor is it a threat to Israel. It is sufficient to note that Israel has yet to attack Iran and Israel doesn’t mess around with actual threats. The reality is that Iran’s military is hardly a match for either the US or Israel and Israel is more than capable of defending itself.
Let’s now discuss the real issue that Americans focus on and specifically Paulsen’s bone head belief that apparently everyone regardless of income apparently dollar for dollar receive the same benefit from the Bush tax cuts. Specifically,that rolling back the top 2 percent’s tax cuts would only net a 2 percent savings. Is he that dumb and ignorant to our tax system?
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:16 PM
So how should we attack Iran?
Nuclear weapons? Air strikes? Ground forces? Senator John McCain singing?
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Candidates seem to think that their military service, no matter what that might have been, automatically makes them experts in military tactics.
Madia is a lawyer.
His duty post was an office, in the rear, with the gear. He did what he was told to do, like everyone else, but I seriously doubt that he ever saw a combat mission any closer than YouTube.
When we need a leader that knows about the UCMJ, Madia can be our go-to guy. But when it comes to military tactics, especially strategic tactics, he is no more knowledgeable than any other grunt that set foot in Baghdad’s Green Zone.
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Madia has all along said he supports “aggressive” diplomacy (like the Bush administration currently) in dealing with Iran.
Our experience in Iraq shows that attacking/invading a country as a “first resort” without trying other options — such as high level diplomatic talks, economic sanctions (in conjunction with other countries), not doing business with companies that do business with Iran, having a strong presence in the Persian Gulf, up to a full naval blockade — is not a well thought out or wise decision.
Israel is threatened the most by Iran being so close and you don’t see them rushing into Iran.
Paulsen’s view scares me and appears to be another Bush cowboy move. “I’m scared of Iran so let’s attack.”
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:43 PM
“Let’s now discuss the real issue that Americans focus on and specifically Paulsen’s bone head belief that apparently everyone regardless of income apparently dollar for dollar receive the same benefit from the Bush tax cuts.”
Please cite that source.
Let’s also discuss liberals LIE that the rich received the biggest tax cuts.
In fact, if you pay taxes you got a tax cut. And “the poor” (who pay the least) received the largest cut of any income group.
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Swiftee, just because you’re a dumb(cheney), doesn’t mean Madia is.
That said, even though you are, he isn’t.
Go get your mop, swabbie.
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Chestnut, numbers don’t lie, but liars like you use numbers.
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:47 PM
“Our experience in Iraq shows that attacking/invading a country as a “first resort†without trying other options…”
Are you really that stupid? What, you think 30 some odd UN Resolutions against Iraq wasn’t “high-level diplomatic talks”… you think over a decade of economic sanctions weren’t “economic sanctions”… do you know about the oil for food program (as corrupt as it was)… that was an economic sanction that was conducted in concert with the entire world you stupid twit.
JHC, you fucking liberals have re-written history so badly, you can’t decipher reality from your cooky, fucked up rhetoric.
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Tommy,
It’s a fact. The rich received a smaller percentage cut than anyone else.
If the poor didn’t get a cut, it’s because they don’t pay taxes. That’s just facts.
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Chestnut, you got a real case of dumb)cheney) goin’ on – AGAIN.
The “plan” all along was to depose Saddam; and the fact you refuse to see it only goes to show how far your head is up your ass.
Thankfully, you losers will be in Permanent Minority Status come November 5th, as thinking people know know you republiCons are pathetic liars that cannot govern.
You’ll never see another government with GOP Majorities in your life-time, for the old-fashioned reason: you EARNED IT.
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:13 PM
Chestnut,
“Mr. Madia can’t have it both ways. You can’t say you’re against a $2.3 trillion tax cut and then say you’re for 98 percent of it,” said Paulsen. “That doesn’t make any sense. What’s 98 percent of $2.3 trillion?”
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/23/3rd_district/
This quote demonstrates a complete misunderstanding of the tax structure and makes the flawed assumption that dollar for dollar each tax payer pays in the same amount of money.
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Before you are tempted to respond to Cheeto boy’s assinine spew, take a moment to consider that he shares a blog (“mnblue”) with the other two biggest blithering idiots in the Sorosphere.
And that, my friends, is saying something.
Tom Johnson, Eric Pussy and Grace Kelly are the Three Stooges of political blogs. They are to be laughed at, not engaged.
The best that can be said is that at least the other two dolts are smart enough to stay safely inside their own little rubber room, but Cheeto boy can’t help but take his asshat dance on the road.
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:51 PM
You’re to be pitied, Scrotee.
You claim to be a “Family Values” kind of man, and then post a picture of full-frontal male nudity of a man, here on MDE.
But, WT(C)? The smaller your Small Tent party backed by white trash bootlickers like you gets, the louder your anger and hatred sounds, and the happier you’ll be.
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:39 PM
Still love the term “Bush`s tax cuts.” As i remember from grade school civics class, doesn`t congress, composed of both Dems abd Reps., vote on bills that become laws? Oh wait-they do!
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:51 PM
Israel is threatened the most by Iran being so close and you don’t see them rushing into Iran.
Israel won’t ‘rush’ into Iran until the US gives its ok and more importantly its airspace. Once the US gives that ok, they have given the OK for war.
And Israel will be brought into a war which the US wants more than they do, and Israel will be the one to play.
Woohoo way to go guys! only problem is McCain will keel over from all of the excitement of war, and good ole SP will be in command. Woot wonder if she’ll bring the whole crew including her future grand-child and son-in-law to live in the WH and help her make decisions about the new war.
Looking forward to it!
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:23 PM
“Still love the term “Bush`s tax cuts.†As i remember from grade school civics class, doesn`t congress, composed of both Dems abd Reps., vote on bills that become laws? Oh wait-they do!”
They are given that term because, as I learned in my civics class, the president can propose a budget to the Congress for which the Congress approves and the President signs. But, if you want to use the term “republican” tax cuts, fine.
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:03 PM
““As a Marine, when someone says threat, you attack. I’m not there yet,†Madia said.—
Gotta love that one. For a first-time candidate, this guy can spin with the best of them.
Excuse us silly citizens at-large for not understanding Marine-speak. I guess when I hear that someone is the threat, I don’t attack. Call me silly.
He could use this line for nearly any issue and we would never know!
“Mr. Madia, didn’t you say that malpractice lawyers don’t cost the healthcare system anything?”
“Well, ah, I guess that as a Marine, when someone says ‘cost’, it means that it will bankrupt our nation. I’m not there yet.”
This could become a very useful tactic.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:00 PM
Well, DtM – Madia used to be a GOPer.
Sometimes, those nasty habits that were second nature when we were GOPers, come back to haunt us reformed GOPers.
But those nasty habits still comes natural to assholes like you.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:22 PM
I like how republicans are campaigning proudly behind their ability to stand in the way of any progress. It is almost as if they are admitting that they know they don’t ever get anything done, and they hope that they can get re-elected to continue the gridlock with semantics and smoke and mirror shows.
The American people have grown weary of politicians who collect checks simply to grind progress to a halt. Eric Paulsen is a Norm Coleman clone in this respect, and I can’t wait for them each to hear the message loud and clear on November 4 that change is on the way.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:32 PM
Leroy,
Stopping Democrats from enacting their socialist agenda IS progress.
Speaking of stopping progress… isn’t it wonderful how Democrats, including Clinton, Dodd and Obama blocked key legislation that would have headed off Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s meltdown.
Yeah, gotta love those progress-oriented Democrats who did the bidding of the banking and mortgage industry lobbyists who give them sweetheart loans and millions in campaign contributions… they obstructed every effort to provide more effective oversight.
Get a clue Roy.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Chestnut, the American people know you’re full of shit.
This is a GreedOverPrinciples party problem, and you’e either a liar, or a stupid (cheney)in’ bootlicker that swallowed GOPer koolaide.
I’d bet on the latter; you don’t seem real bright.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Chestnut-
Which is it? Does the market preform best when not hampered by government intervention, or does it work best when strictly controlled by government?
Because seriously, you can’t make the same argument one day, and a totally different one the next.
If the market should be allowed to run unobstructed to allow companies to reach their full potential, then we should live by that plan and let companies crash on their own as well.
If, on the other hand, government needs to oversee business to make sure companies don’t fail, then we should get some sort of compensation from the companies for said protection from failure.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Leroy, republiCons believe in things, until they don’t. But even then, they were “right” before they flip-flopped and decided the final crisis in the misAdministration of Boy Blunder And The Plunderers would result in the nationalization of the banking industry.
But, do they care? Not a bit. The “achievers” achieved the biggest financial heist in world history, but the important thing is it was GOPers pulling off the heist, so that makes it OK.
Just like Gonzo claiming The Constitution doesn’t guarantee habeas for US Citizens didn’t bother them a bit.
September 24th, 2008 at 6:50 AM
Tommy Johnson said:
“but the important thing is it was GOPers pulling off the heist”
That bit of misinformation is only “important” to Democratic party interests.
I’m sure you will try to justify your lies accusing others of deceit, Tommy Johnson. Someday, perhaps when you grow up, you will learn that excuses are not justifications. Good luck on achieving moral maturity.
September 24th, 2008 at 7:35 AM
Troy, your party was in charge of the US House from 1994 until 2006; in charge of the Presidency for 28 of the last 40 years; and had control of the senate for all but 2 years for the period of 1995 to 2007.
And now you have an allegedly “conservative” president proposing the most massive reward for incompetence, and theft ever – using taxpayer money to essentially nationalize the banking industry.
Yet assholes like you blame Democrats?
Enjoy your Small Tent Party, pal – it’s full of dumb(cheneys) just like you.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:19 AM
“Which is it? Does the market preform best when not hampered by government intervention, or does it work best when strictly controlled by government?”
Judging by this latest FAILURE OF REGULATION, it works best when not hampered by gov’t intervention. And yes, I object to much of the bailout. I also object to most of the government intervention that got us into this mess.
The McCain legislation that Democrats defeated would have reduced gov’t's role in reducing the risk for taking bad investments.
Democrats blocked it though. Nice job, dip shit.
“If the market should be allowed to run unobstructed to allow companies to reach their full potential, then we should live by that plan and let companies crash on their own as well.”
You won’t find a disagreement from me. Unfortunately, Gov’t was in the business of encouraging risky investments by eliminating the potential for loss. Gov’t caused this. Not free markets.
“If, on the other hand, government needs to oversee business to make sure companies don’t fail, then we should get some sort of compensation from the companies for said protection from failure.”
If this is how the buy out goes, you won’t see an argument from me. I agree that the Execs who ran those companies should be penalized. And I agree that gov’t should take the stake and work dilligently to control tax payer exposure.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:20 AM
Democrats were bought and paid for by the financial interests who caused this mess. Democrats blocked the measures that would have stemmed it.
Way to go shit for brains.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Chestnut, you’re full of shit.
You guys controlled the House from January 1995 until January 2007, and the Senate for all but two of those years. You had the White House for this whole decade.
Yet you blame Democrats??!?
Thinking people understand republiCons simply cannot be trusted to tell the truth – which you prove daily.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Before you are tempted to respond to Cheeto boy’s assinine spew, take a moment to consider that he shares a blog (â€mnblueâ€) with the other two biggest blithering idiots in the Sorosphere.
And that, my friends, is saying something.
Tom Johnson, Eric Pussy and Grace Kelly are the Three Stooges of political blogs. They are to be laughed at, not engaged.
The best that can be said is that at least the other two dolts are smart enough to stay safely inside their own little rubber room, but Cheeto boy can’t help but take his asshat dance on the road (he thinks we’re laughing *with him*!).
September 24th, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Regulation is at the root of this problem.
Government regulations are subject to manipulation by politicians wishing to reward political donors or pander to their targeted voting blocs.
When the Democrats passed the “Community Reinvestment Act” in 1977, the mechanism was put in place that allowed unsound lending practises to become part of the status quo.
Along the way, just about *everyone* played a roll in creating the mess we’re in today. Not the least of which are the hopelessly stupid people that signed up for outrageously bad adjustable rate mortages.
But of course, stupid people are the very people that the Democrat party counts on to get their scrubs elected. So they’re here to stay.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Tommy Johnson said:
“And now you have an allegedly “conservative†president”
This president is “conservative”? You are either ignorant or deceitful, Tommy Johnson. Please, whine more about naughty Republicans doing thing you obviously think are just fine.
September 24th, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Say, Troy?
Before you are tempted to respond to Cheeto boy’s assinine spew, take a moment to consider that he shares a blog (â€mnblueâ€) with the other two biggest blithering idiots in the Sorosphere.
And that, my friends, is saying something.
Tom Johnson, Eric Pussy and Grace Kelly are the Three Stooges of political blogs. They are to be laughed at, not engaged.
The best that can be said is that at least the other two dolts are smart enough to stay safely inside their own little rubber room, but Cheeto boy can’t help but take his asshat dance on the road (he thinks we’re laughing *with him*!).
September 24th, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Troy, wake the (cheney) up, will ya?
And if you don’t understand the word “allegedly”, ask the nice playground lady – she’s used to speaking down to chumps, er, ‘scuse me, “children” like you.
September 24th, 2008 at 6:34 PM
“You guys controlled the House from January 1995 until January 2007, and the Senate for all but two of those years. You had the White House for this whole decade.
Yet you blame Democrats??!?”
Yes. Because in a straight party-line vote, Democrats killed the bills that would have prevented this.
Barak Obama helped kill the reforms. Barak Obama, EEOC candidate, is part of the problem.