26 Senators Defy Obama, Back Iran Sanctions Bill

[karynnj]

38. I would imagine that Secretary Kerry who has regulary spoken with the Iranian FM and Obama

who has spoken to Rouhani both have a far better idea of the impact it would have. They have BOTH said it could derail the talks. It also has other bad problems. It is crazy for the US to pass a bill that says that we will support Israel if it PRE-EMPTIVELY attacks Iran. Now, the likelihood is that even with no such bill we would, but this is crazy. I don't know the degree to which it commits us - but I am 100% against giving another country the right to pull us into war. (Note - this is not the same as saying that - if attacked, we will support a country - as NATO says.)

That provision alone is reason to reject it. As to lining up immediate sanctions, it ties our negotiators hands. I think we should give Kerry and his team the latitude to work with our partners and the Iranians. Imagine if we are extremely close - and there is just one day left. Do we give up a little on the language to avoid this time bomb going off? Not to mention, it is really acting in very bad faith -- and ignoring that Congress could pass the very sanctions in that bill very quickly IF the talks actually fail or Iran does something to deserve it.

One question who would you trust more to look out for the US's interests - Secretary Kerry, a man of integrity and patriotism or AIPAC. A few years ago, there was a meeting with the Northern NJ AIPAC representatives at my then synagogue. They argued that, unlike J Street, they were not "perspective" . Pushed for a definition, they said it mean that they did not push ISRAEL on policy. They just supported Israel. From the heated discussion at the synagogue - it seems that they simply rubber stamped everything Likkud said. Even by their OWN definition, they are most concerned with Israel. In addition, they agreed when people pointed out that AIPAC had NOT backed more liberal Israeli Prime Ministers. So, they really are most in line with Likkud - rather than Israel as a whole.