47 Senate Republicans Write Letter to Iran, Undermine US Foreign Policy

[TurkeyOnRye]

Fourty-seven US Senate Republicans sign a letter drafted by Tom Cotton which was explicitly intended to undermine negotiations with Iran. This was made very clear in a speech by Cotton, referencing the letter:

"The end of these negotiations isn't an unintended consequence of congressional action. It is very much an intended consequence. A feature; not a bug, so to speak."

Many are suggesting that the letter breaks Logan's law...which it probably does. Some say it's treason, which may be true depending on the definition, but I've seen almost no one disagree that the letter was completely unacceptable.

The letter written by congressional Republicans can be found here:
http://go.bloomberg.com/assets/cont...309-Cotton-Open-Letter-to-Iranian-Leaders.pdf

Article here:
Senator Who Organized Letter To Iran Has Said He Wants To Sabotage Negotiations

Congressional behavior, particularly that of the Republicans, no longer ceases to amaze me. I have long since washed my hands of any affiliation with either party. Their behavior is completely insane.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Wow. If I were an American voter, that one act would have a major impact on my voting.

 

[TurkeyOnRye]

Wow. If I were an American voter, that one act would have a major impact on my voting.

I can't imagine anyone who signed the letter would have a shot at a presidential nomination. Yet a few of them are hopefuls. One has to wonder what bizarre thought processes would lead them to such behavior.

 

[Sunstone]

It's possible the Republicans will get away with it for the most part -- except perhaps, in purple states like Colorado. But -- on the other hand -- it just might unite Independents and Democrats.

Time will tell.

 

[Augustus]

Tom Cotton also recently received $1million from Bill Kristol's pro-Israel lobby group Emergency committee for Israel.

Probably just a coincidence though, almost certainly completely unrelated. Nothing to see here, keep moving along...

 

[philbo]

Wow. If I were an American voter, that one act would have a major impact on my voting.

^WHS

Though I've noticed a really quite staggering tendency in some Republican supporters to be able to swear blind that black is white, so that they'll probably be saying before too long that what these senators have done is the patriotic thing, and Obama's the traitor. Poe's law is looking ever more like Poe's Amendment to the US Constitution

 

[MysticSang'ha]

People are surprised by this?

It's a political move to galvanize neo-conservatives, who see Obama as Hitler and the Anti-Christ combined. Elections will be approaching. Constituents are sought to vote at the polls. Politicians want their vote. For neo-cons, they want Obama's blood. This will please them.

 

[philbo]

People are surprised by this?

It's a political move to galvanize neo-conservatives, who see Obama as Hitler and the Anti-Christ combined. Elections will be approaching. Constituents are sought to vote at the polls. Politicians want their vote. For neo-cons, they want Obama's blood. This will please them.

Huge irony that people who criticize Obama's patriotism are doing more to undermine their country for party-political ends than anything that Obama ever has. Irony squared that these people will never recognize that irony.

 

[BSM1]

Wow. If I were an American voter, that one act would have a major impact on my voting.

Obviously you don't realize what a crappy, one-sided deal that Obama is trying to make with Iran. This deal is bereft of any input from Congress. (It could also have dire consequences for you country also.)

 

[metis]

Obviously you don't realize what a crappy, one-sided deal that Obama is trying to make with Iran. This deal is bereft of any input from Congress. (It could also have dire consequences for you country also.)

You have no clue what the deal may include and nor do I as there's little that has been disclosed, plus negotiations still are continuing. Also, we're only one of the countries that are involved with negotiations, and no agreement even if made is somehow perpetually binding on us.

 

[TurkeyOnRye]

People are surprised by this?

It's a political move to galvanize neo-conservatives, who see Obama as Hitler and the Anti-Christ combined. Elections will be approaching. Constituents are sought to vote at the polls. Politicians want their vote. For neo-cons, they want Obama's blood. This will please them.

You're probably right about that. In fact, there's a short video with Noam Chomsky talking about this exact thing right here:

What doesn't make sense to me is the fact that overall, it seems--or would seem to be--an ineffective maneuver overall. About 90% of the feedback I've been seeing from Americans, at least online, is that they are embarrassed, angry, or at least disapproving over what the party has done, both Democrats and Republicans. Only the extremist hardliners who absolutely hate Obama seem to approve of this.

 

[Akivah]

I'm Republican and I think the writers of that letter were way out of line. It isn't their job to negotiate with foreign governments. That is the State Department and the President's job. That letter looks like a pure boneheaded action to me.

 

[Revoltingest]

Since the Logan act was made law (1799), there has been one indictment (1803), & no prosecutions. There have been many opportunities (eg, Hanoi Jane, George McGovern, Jesse Jackson), but no substantive results. Everyone knows this. Both parties have used it to make hay, but it doesn't go anywhere.

Some Pubs oppose where negotiation is leading. Perhaps they think this well quash Iran's cooperating, but Iran has nothing to lose by continuing to bargain. Dems likely believe they can make political hay from this, but it won't sway anyone regarding negotiation. And the violation aspect is technical & will quickly die. Tis a tempest in a teapot.

Note: I favor peaceful negotiations with Iran.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Obviously you don't realize what a crappy, one-sided deal that Obama is trying to make with Iran. This deal is bereft of any input from Congress. (It could also have dire consequences for you country also.)

Personally, I think that is beside the point. Members of the government can argue the issue as much as they like, but stepping outside the bounds of their own government and directly negotiating with a foreign power is effectively stepping outside the democratic process they dwore to serve.

 

[YmirGF]

If only the Obama Regime was not in such dire need of a political win on the stage of foreign affairs. If only John Kerry was locked in a small room throughout the discussions, unable to attend any meetings. Then, I wouldn't be concerned about this so-called "deal". My guess is the mullah's can hardly stop laughing...

 

[metis]

Maybe the Dems are as desperate about the 47 as the Pubs are about Hillary's e-mails? Gee, I wonder which is worse?

 

[Revoltingest]

Maybe the Dems are as desperate about the 47 as the Pubs are about Hillary's e-mails? Gee, I wonder which is worse?

I predict the same dissipating future for both.

 

[CMike]

Fourty-seven US Senate Republicans sign a letter drafted by Tom Cotton which was explicitly intended to undermine negotiations with Iran. This was made very clear in a speech by Cotton, referencing the letter:

"The end of these negotiations isn't an unintended consequence of congressional action. It is very much an intended consequence. A feature; not a bug, so to speak."

Many are suggesting that the letter breaks Logan's law...which it probably does. Some say it's treason, which may be true depending on the definition, but I've seen almost no one disagree that the letter was completely unacceptable.

The letter written by congressional Republicans can be found here:
http://go.bloomberg.com/assets/cont...309-Cotton-Open-Letter-to-Iranian-Leaders.pdf

Article here:
Senator Who Organized Letter To Iran Has Said He Wants To Sabotage Negotiations

Congressional behavior, particularly that of the Republicans, no longer ceases to amaze me. I have long since washed my hands of any affiliation with either party. Their behavior is completely insane.

Good, the Obama foreign policy concerning Iran is dangerous for the world.

 

[CMike]

Huge irony that people who criticize Obama's patriotism are doing more to undermine their country for party-political ends than anything that Obama ever has. Irony squared that these people will never recognize that irony.

It's Obama and his administration that are undermining the US, constantly.

 

[CMike]

Maybe the Dems are as desperate about the 47 as the Pubs are about Hillary's e-mails? Gee, I wonder which is worse?

Her emails are much worse.

Who knows what american intelligence was hacked by the enemies and what she was trying to conceal as Sec. of State.

Actually the letters are good. Allowing Iran to get nukes and to continue the world wide funding of terrorism is pretty close to evil. That's what the Obama deal would do.