From Peace Action—High Tensions in the Persian Gulf Require ‘Maximum Restraint,’ Not ‘Maximum Pressure’:
In response to heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf resulting from recent attacks on oil tankers and escalatory U.S. policies towards Iran, Jon Rainwater, Executive Director of Peace Action, released the following statement:
“Recent attacks on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and the resulting increase in tensions in the region are deeply concerning. Contradictory reports and accusations surrounding these incidents highlight the need for thorough, independent UN investigations.
“If an independent investigation were to find that Iran is in fact responsible for any of these attacks, that is all the more reason to pursue diplomacy with Iran to immediately deescalate tensions and reduce the risk of war. Sadly, the administration has refused to engage in good-faith diplomacy, opting instead for threats, military posturing, and crippling economic sanctions that all make productive dialogue with Iran improbable.
“It’s critical to remember that the Trump administration’s policies towards Iran, beginning with the unilateral U.S. withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Agreement despite Iran’s verifiable compliance, are responsible for this crisis. It’s fair to say that Trump’s policy of ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran is achieving the opposite of its stated objectives—creating increased conflict and roadblocks rather than channels for renewed diplomacy. The administration should take this opportunity to reevaluate its policies and pursue a strategy of ‘maximum restraint’ as our European allies have called for. In the meantime, Congress should work to ensure that the president respects its constitutional authority over war by passing legislation to prevent an unauthorized war with Iran.”
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“There is nothing in the record of the past two years when both Houses of Congress have been controlled by the Republican Party which can lead any person to believe that those promises will be fulfilled in the future. They follow the Hitler line – no matter how big the lie; repeat it often enough and the masses will regard it as truth.” ~~John F. Kennedy (May 18, 1947)
TWEET OF THE DAY
BLAST FROM THE PAST
On this date at Daily Kos in 2004—Labor and the veep:
Conventional wisdom is that labor is pushing for a Gephardt veep nomination, and the CW is generally right. There's no doubt that Gephardt is the choice of most of the building trades and, especially, Hoffa's Teamsters. While many of us may groan at the idea of Gephardt as Kerry's sidekick, his nomination would put a charge in the efforts of many unions and their members.
But aside from that, Edwards is getting grudging acceptance amongst the old union set. Even Hoffa, who flirted with Bush the past two years, has said he would accept Edwards. His economic message (two Americas) resonates well with union audiences and has helped raise Edwards' veep stock even higher.
It's funny, everything I hear is that Edwards is increasingly the top choice of many party insiders, but that Kerry doesn't like Edwards and would have to be dragged into chosing him. It's the root of just about every rumor I hear -- "everyone wants Edwards, but Kerry is not convinced and doesn't much like him. Hence, he's taking a look at ---."
What's funny is that I don't think I've ever read anything indicating that Kerry, indeed, doesn't get along with Edwards.
On
today’s Kagro in the Morning show:
Greg Dworkin leads the evidence-based inquiry into the state of the 2020 race, and the undoing of the 2016 one. But as fans of the show know only too well, it'd be irresponsible not to speculate. So we do. Extensively. It’s easy to do when there is no law!