Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum implied that Iran would drop a nuclear bomb in the United States if it had the capability.
At a campaign stop in Missouri, Santorum told a crowd that a nuclear Iran would pose a direct threat, even to Missouri. “Once they have a nuclear weapon, let me assure you, you will not be safe, even here in Missouri,” he said.
Santorum’s warmongering rhetoric is very far removed from reality. Iran does not possess nuclear weapons and the consensus view within the U.S. military and intelligence community is that their nuclear enrichment program is for civilian purposes only.
All 16 U.S. intelligence agencies concluded in 2007, and again in 2011, that there is no military dimension to Iran’s nuclear program. And despite the hyperbolic reporting on it, the latest report from the IAEA said, “the Agency continues to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material.”
Furthermore, the notion that Iran would nuke the United States even if it did have nuclear weapons is absurd and not a single person knowledgeable about the situation or of international affairs generally believes it to be true. The United States has thousands of nuclear weapons (compared to Iran’s arsenal of zero) and would immediately retaliate on Iran if a nuclear weapon was launched.
What conceivable benefit bombing the United States Santorum thinks the Iranians perceive, is a mystery. He seems to think the regime in Tehran has an apocalyptic religious determination to destroy the United States or Israel, yet he refuses to believe such religious rigidity extends to the regime’s fatwa, or religious ruling, against the use or possession of nuclear weapons.
Iran’s nuclear policy is probably designed to signal to its aggressive adversaries (the U.S. and Israel) that they have the technological capability to build nuclear weapons in case they are attacked. Mohamed ElBaradei, former head of the IAEA, said in 2009 that he did not “believe the Iranians have made a decision to go for a nuclear weapon, but they are absolutely determined to have the technology because they believe it brings you power, prestige and an insurance policy.” This is a deterrence strategy, as opposed to a desire to actually attain nuclear weapons.
Santorum’s blind, jingoistic nationalism makes a sober look at Iran, and the entire Middle East, impossible. Referring to Iran, he said, “These are folks who have been and are at war with us since 1979. This is a country that has killed more troops in Afghanistan and Iraq than the Iraqis and Afghans.” Santorum is of course incapable of recognizing the hundreds of thousands of civilians the U.S. has killed in those two unnecessary wars along Iran’s east and west borders.
Sure, sure, Santorum. Iran hasn't invaded any one since 1857 yet he expects us to believe that Iran would just nuke the US. Of course, it would be too much to expect Santorum to know anything like that.
And his kind of religious zealotry is no different…rest assured that IF he could have ever become President, he surely would nuke them…so, Rick, the difference between you and them is…?
No, Ricky, there is no difference…except…they don't have a suicidal tendency so they most likely would not use a nuke…but you still would, wouldn't you? That makes YOU the wacko, religious fanatic, not them. Friggin' idiot. And there are people out there who would willingly vote this clown into the White House.
Seriously, what give these people like Santorum and Bachmann and Newtie even the slightest idea that they might ever become President? Seriously. Maybe Santorum has been drinking the Fracking poisoned water in PA.
santorum needs to lighten his dose of crack…..
….or increase his dose of lithium
Ye ye ye, then the heaven will open up and eat all the Muslims, Hindus, Jewish, atheist, and above all non believers because Santorum like many of his colleague have problems with self reliant and created paranoia believing that someday Jesus will arrive without informing them with which airline he would arrive and which airport he would land, don't worry Mr. Santorum and colleagues, we have the airport and national security officers standing by they well inform you which prison you need to go to visiting him.
Such an incredible jackass is this thing what america has produced. We all know that all america has for presidents for are war criminals.
Santorum speaks backwards – America nuke would Iran
Talk about Ahmedijenad talking absurdities. Rick the "gay masher …abortion is killing Social Security" is talking imbecilities. It may be time political parties vet their candidates IQ's before allowing them to run for office.
It's a circus you don't need a high I.Q. to perform or to be a member of the audiance.
Imagine SANTORUM and his likes aspiring for the post of US President Americans should do whatever it takes to see RON voted he seems to be the only most suitable candidate who is in his right senses
the guy is a doorknob and less useful
His funding is showing.
Ain't that the truth.
Good lord. Is there anything more to be known about this lunatic? Why are the "crazies" the ones the GOP forces to the top? Does GOP stand for "Gathering Of Psychotics"?
Not sure if you're just asking rhetorically… One reason might be controllability; e.g. someone really prefers loose screws in their candidates as insurance against independent thought. Another might be that this is really what they think appeals to –or further corrupts –some target audience; it would be weird if that audience hadn't developed by now…given what network TV has put out for years.
What he should have said: Israel would nuke America.
Or: Iran would nuke America… if I were President of Iran.
What a friggen nutter! He belongs in the cracker factory.
Santorum cannot see past his own spittle covring his face
"Santorum: Iran Would Nuke America"
It's a shame to see a stupid man thinking that the public is stupid enough to believe his fear mongering. I marvel at his idiocy.