EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!
Have ya heard the latest?
A group of 47 Republican Senators are trying to thwart international negotiations with Iran! What fun! You know, the ones where we are trying to prevent them from developing and holding on to nuclear weapons?
In “An Open Letter to the Leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran” this gang of traitors announced:
“It has come to our attention while observing your nuclear negotiations with our government that you may not fully understand our constitutional system … Anything not approved by Congress is a mere executive agreement,” the senators wrote. “The next president could revoke such an executive agreement with the stroke of a pen and future Congresses could modify the terms of the agreement at any time.”
Among the signers of this letter were three GOP Senators who are running or are expected to run for president in 2016: Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. And naturally, former GOP Presidential nominee John McCain signed it as did his shadow, Lindsay Graham.
Because, as you know, we can’t have peace. And we can’t have anything positive come out of the evil Obama Administration, now can we.
But more importantly to voters of this country, this group of Senators has no real idea of how either international agreements work. They don’t they quite have the details of the Constitution down, either. It’s kind of like when you sneak the keys to the car from your parents and take the car out on the road before you know what you’re doing.
It was a good thing that somebody else understood how American international agreements work, though. And what powers the Executive Branch of the U.S. Guv’ment has under the Constitution. And what ones are given to the Legislative Branch. Yup. It’s a damn good thing. Here is the schooling these boys received from a source that likely sits in their craw (as it should):
Asked about the open letter of 47 US Senators to Iranian leaders, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Dr. Javad Zarif, responded that “in our view, this letter has no legal value and is mostly a propaganda ploy. It is very interesting that while negotiations are still in progress and while no agreement has been reached, some political pressure groups are so afraid even of the prospect of an agreement that they resort to unconventional methods, unprecedented in diplomatic history. This indicates that like Netanyahu, who considers peace as an existential threat, some are opposed to any agreement, regardless of its content.
Zarif expressed astonishment that some members of US Congress find it appropriate to write to leaders of another country against their own President and administration. He pointed out that from reading the open letter, it seems that the authors not only do not understand international law, but are not fully cognizant of the nuances of their own Constitution when it comes to presidential powers in the conduct of foreign policy.
Foreign Minister Zarif added that “I should bring one important point to the attention of the authors and that is, the world is not the United States, and the conduct of inter-state relations is governed by international law, and not by US domestic law. The authors may not fully understand that in international law, governments represent the entirety of their respective states, are responsible for the conduct of foreign affairs, are required to fulfil the obligations they undertake with other states and may not invoke their internal law as justification for failure to perform their international obligations.
The Iranian Foreign Minister added that “change of administration does not in any way relieve the next administration from international obligations undertaken by its predecessor in a possible agreement about Irans peaceful nuclear program.” He continued “I wish to enlighten the authors that if the next administration revokes any agreement with the stroke of a pen, as they boast, it will have simply committed a blatant violation of international law.
I would say that these Senators were “caught with their pants down,” because we haven’t had a good sex scandal in a while. Penis problems however, don’t start wars. Stupid actions by traitors do.
And that what this is. Members of the Senate, including some who have or who plan to run for the highest office in the United States, try to interfere with international agreements to stop wars. These folks don’t even know how our government works, and have to learn about it from the very folks they are trying to threaten. And they want to be in charge. Hell, they are in charge of too much already.
Which song do you prefer?
Or this one:
* * *
I would like to write good things about the current crop of Republicans. Really I would. Feel free to send me links to anything good they have done. Anything that helps people. Anything that helps our country.
ELECTIONS MATTER
FiftyFourandAHalf 
Pingback: Separated at Birth? | FiftyFourandAHalf
I like both songs, love them both, actually, but for very different reasons. I think they should both be heard. One makes me want to get up and dance or at least move around the room to it, the other makes me weepy. Every time. Guess some things never change including the damn wars.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. That’s what I thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m with valentinelogar … I read this the other day, and couldn’t even formulate words for how disgusted I am with this act of treason. Not only does it reflect badly on international negotiations in the broader sense, but it’s ridiculously hostile and ignorant at the same time. My biggest fear (well, okay, ONE of my biggest fears) is that people will not get out there and exercise their right to vote, primarily because they have become so bored with the complicated tangle of political agendas, and they have grown immune to how important it is to speak up and resist, even if it is only with something as simple (and so freaking necessary) as their vote. It doesn’t help that I live in Texas, where I am constantly subjected to folks who don’t mind sharing their political rubbish to anyone that will listen. Just this week I had the displeasure of overhearing a long and drawn out conversation about Obama being a terrorist planted in the White House by the Iranians, and how EVERYONE KNOWS he’s really a Muslim in sheep’s clothing, as well as a Communist intent on destroying America. What’s even worse was that there were people in the group nodding in agreement, as if this was fact. On days like that, I can barely tolerate people.
Glazed said it well: “It feels a bit unsettling when I consider that a leader from Iran seems more rational than 47 leaders from our own country.” The fact some of these people have aspirations to hold the office of President of the United States is enough to make me weep. Or vomit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Often weeping and vomiting go together don’t they?
But i didn’t realize that the Iranians put Obama into office! I thought it was the Kenyans. Politics and international relations are so complicated…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been staring at this story and wondering how to write about it. I cannot even draw breath without rage being my next emotional response. My thought is, all 47 of them have committed treason and should be arrested, tried and committed to prison for the rest of their natural lives, or until they are shot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. Completely. I read somewhere (not sure where or I’d link) that really all this gang of 47 has done is encouraged the Iranians to hurry up and make the bomb … I think that’s true. And according to McCain, they rushed it because of snow. Wonder how they would feel about nuclear winter …
LikeLike
They would be ecstatic, are you kidding. Them thinking they would all have a place in the bunker, they would be ecstatic.
LikeLike
You know, that’s probably right. Just like they refuse to regulate guns but have oh so many security checkpoints between them and their constituents …
LikeLike
People are nuts, eh? Both songs rock, though I like Mr. Springsteen’s version of War.
LikeLike
I’ll have to look that up!
LikeLike
Whaaaat… you haven’t heard it??? Springsteen savages it, nails it perfectly.
LikeLike
I respect you so much, Trend, that I just found and watched the YouTube. You’re absolutely right. Nailed it.
LikeLike
I just am watching the whole thing too, he has such conviction. Hatred to conflict and lies. I love his opening monologue, especially when he says “blind faith in your leaders or in anything will get you killed”. When Springsteen sings it, I believe. Thanks for reminding me of this, also great to see the E-Street band in full swing, they were so so awesome. But holy crap, the Boss… he rules.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Be a Good Neighbor and Get Inspired by the Neighbors –Blogging 101 | Carol's Random Travel Thoughts
I can’t breathe . . . I don’t know how the Prez keeps his cool. I’d be apoplectic! The good thing I can say about Republicans are that there were a group that did not sign the letter. There might be some hope yet for them. Sigh!
P.S. Well written–I had been looking for the response of the Iranians. Superb. I heard that most of their leadership was educated in the UK and USA (Cambridge, Oxford, U of Berkley, etc.). Supposedly, they are collectively better educated than all of President Obama’s cabinet. So you can image how much smarter Foreign Minister Zarif is than Senator Cotton.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He may well be apoplectic — I agree I would be too! But only 7 republicans didn’t sign it. All the candidates did. All the leadership did. Disgusting.
It would be hard to find a group LESS educated than these dumbasses.
LikeLike
So true, so true . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s really sad that our congress cannot get anything positive done for the people. I am so tired of them trying to stop anything that the President would like to do for us the people or for peace. I have never seen anything like this ever! Just disrespectful! I agree with Rosemarie..yes Norman Bates, I thought he looked like someone but couldn’t but a name with it.
Blogging101 Carol
LikeLiked by 1 person
“The world is not the United States”. Wow. These a-holes probably don’t even know that they’ve been smacked by some
LikeLiked by 1 person
Arrgggg… As I was saying before I hit “publish” by mistake: The 47 a-holes probably don’t even realize that they’ve been smacked by someone who is apparently smarter and better educated then they are. I guess they just need to be smarter than the people who vote for them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t you hate it when that happens?!?! But I agree. We are becoming a nation of dopes. Including (if not especially) the ones in office.
LikeLike
Both songs have a similar message but would reach different demographics. They both have their place and I might chose either one to make a point depending on who my audience is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe”Eve of Destruction” would be a better fit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They’re all about destruction, never creation. They’d let the country sink like the Titanic if it meant they got their way and their side won.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes — Or if they could stay afloat just a little longer. Reprehensible.
LikeLike
Yesterday, New York Daily News ran a series of photos of some of the more prominent signers of that letter on the front page with a big, bold, black headline that said TRAITORS.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw that and I agree completely. They should be prosecuted. They won’t be …
LikeLike
Not only will they NOT be prosecuted, they might win an election.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Probably. Terrible precedent
LikeLike
You know I can’t even wrap my head around this insanity. I love how the letter starts off like a fucking inner office memo! If I was the recipient of that letter my first thought would be …. “I’m not going to listen to a lecture on how to run MY country from a group of men who can’t get their own shit together.”
“The world is not the united states” and these assholes don’t represent my views.
I love both songs, but the second one really makes me want to smoke a joint.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a funny reaction!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know I’m sitting here looking up train schedules to DC to smack the crap out of these fossils in person. You like to get my blood going!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. B
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just to confuse things further, I think every American should write an official-looking letter to the Iranian government, explaining their position on the agreement. My cat has already agreed to be a co-signatory for my letter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great idea. Let’s ask Fox News to get the word out
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, although I doubt the Iranians would phrase it quite this way.
LikeLike
A pathetic act … and as soon as I heard the news, I sought the names of those not signing.
LikeLike
The fact that 47 did — including McConnel is so deeply disturbing. They are such amateurs and they hold seats of power. They make me want to scream!
LikeLike
Games … politicians are always playing games.
LikeLike
What these Republican senators did was incredibly ignorant (and deserving of a smackdown by the Iranian foreign minister). But I think it borders on treason, deliberately going around the president, undermining delicate negotiations of a treaty, and interfering with the foreign policy of the country. I’m aghast.
LikeLike
I think it qualifies as treason, actually. They should be prosecuted for aiding and abetting. They won’t be, of course.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, they should be. But you’re right, they won’t be.
LikeLike
I do hate being right, sometimes.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Most Americans do not know even the basic facts about American history or the Constitution, let alone the nuances. One would think, however, that these supposedly well-educated representatives of “the People” would have a better than average understanding of the laws of our land (foreign and domestic). I’m sure this was, indeed, a publicity ploy and an example of sheep following the blinded shepherds. Dear Lord, don’t let the facts get in the way of their message!
LikeLike
It used to be that there was bickering on domestic issues and uniformity on foreign policy. Yeah, like that’s how it is now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s embarrassing and dangerous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oy…
LikeLike
I think the Iranians would phrase it a little differently! Probably not in Yiddish!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
LikeLike
Man, I just don’t get it. How could those idiots issue a statement that is 180 degrees from the official government statement- isn’t that treason? It really makes the Republicans look stupid when an Iranian who is obviously smarter than they are, has to tell them what international law is, and where the bear shit in the woods. And he is right. Where have all the smart people gone? Methinks they have left the Republican Party and the door is swinging in the wind, allowing idiots to enter at will.
Lord, that is so bad on so many levels that it is making me speechless – what if world powers see this as a statement that the US gov’t no longer speaks for the country. Oh Lordy. this is so bad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They couldn’t accept Bill Clinton so they impeached him. They can’t accept Obama so they will undermine whatever he does. Economic policy. Military policy. International relations. It doesn’t matter. They are,before all else, sore losers.
LikeLike
What bothers me is that the world may not see it as simple internal bickering – they may see it as a weakness. The Republicans have just taken it away from a dinner table disagreement and went down to city hall to complain. We neighbors are a little concerned.
LikeLike
Yeah. I understand how uncomfortable it is. We,at least some of us, at least elected these bozos. You didn’t.
LikeLike
There is a new drama show called Madame Secretary on CBS. This is its second season (the first was short) and the premise is a woman in the office of the Secretary of State and the shit that goes on. There has been an ongoing underlying story running through it, that had the previous Sec assassinated in a plane crash, but it was ruled an accident and no one seems to be able to figure out how or why it was done, if it was an assassination. Anyway, bits and pieces of this keep coming through the storyline and this week the good guys discovered that there was a sort of second government operating within the US elected gov’t. And that shadow organization was republican (they didn’t mention any party affiliations) and was intent on stopping any peace talks with Iran. They were manipulating world politics through the CIA and other clandestine organizations that had members who were dedicated to a hard-line conservative shadow gov’t. And they had killed the previous Sec of State because he wanted peace talks with Iran.
And of course, our heroine also wants peace with Iran as supported by the elected US president. The shadow gov’t is killing both Americans and Iranians who are advocating peace talks.
The clips from next week’s show see her caught in a bomb explosion at talks with other world politicians — no idea if she lives or dies.
Stay tuned to see if the republicans get to run the official US gov’t and if they do, how they will wage war on the Middle East.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m still seething over this news. Not that I like Harry Reid (he’s been such a huge disappointment for me), but I did like that he pointed out yesterday that with all his disagreements with GW Bush, he never took foreign policy into his own hands like that. And where is Henry Kissinger to openly condemn this? Dean Acheson is rolling over in his grave. Thanks for at least a smile or two…
LikeLiked by 1 person
That right there is the difference between today’s Dems and the GOP.
LikeLike
wait… it’s give peace a chance??? I thought it was give peas a chance… like eat our vegetables…
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s Yokohama talking about Veggies. John was totally into peace.
LikeLike
who isn’t?
LikeLike
Yoko. Yoko. Sneeze spellcheck!
LikeLike
HA… I thought you were being clever… and maybe a little racist…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope But spellcheck is racist.
LikeLike
I knew it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post — wish I’d said that! (sulking)
LikeLike
There’s still time ;). But not much.
LikeLike
I like both songs, but I think the graphics in the War song tell a persuasive story. It feels a bit unsettling when I consider that a leader from Iran seems more rational than 47 leaders from our own country.
LikeLike
Yes — exactly. Shouldn’t the folks in THE SENATE understand our government better than the Iranian Foreign Minister? Oy vey.,
LikeLiked by 2 people
When I read that in the paper this morning, I cringed, and my tea soured in my mouth. To undermine the president like that, especially by individuals who would like to be president themselves come the next election, is not only tacky but dangerous. I hadn’t seen Zarif’s response so thanks for bringing me up to speed. A definite backfire there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it horrible? They are in the middle of negotiations on nucs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So horrible it’s hard to believe.
LikeLike
Well, THAT will be a short post!
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
With the folks who are currently in office, it sure would be.
But in truth, I long for the day when I can write good things about the GOP. Because that will mean we have a functioning democracy again.
LikeLike
You are so right. Their actions are an outrage. And the one who penned the letter is that freshman senator from Arkansas. You know, the one who looks like Norman Bates in Psycho. Rosemarie
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could never figure out who he looks like. Yup — you nailed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person