Eric N

Objectivism is a philosophy, not a party platform. Fundamental ideas from the philosophy of Objectivism can be taken and extrapolated to answer the question of whether or not people have the right to bear arms. Explain why you think it is compatible with Objectivism for the government to restrict the weapons that private citizens are allowed to own.

The problem with presenting a case for war to the American people is that there has not yet been a direct attack on America by the state of Iran. In World War II, the Japanese state used a surprise attack that made it clear to the American people that they meant war. The issue is a matter of time. In World War II, America began to fight after being attacked. With Iran, Bush would have to make the case that in the future, Iran will attack America and thus America should deal with the threat sooner than later.

With American forces spread thin across the globe as they are now, a full scale war similar to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars is not a viable option. Putin knows his country can get away with supplying Iran with nuclear materials as there is no country capable or willing to respond in such a manner as a full out war. The U.S. is stuck with diplomatic measures unless something similar to Israel’s bombing of a nuclear reactor in Iraq in 1981 is to take place. Of course, it need not be Israel that carries out such an attack. America is quite capable of such a tactical strike, just so long as such a strike does not lead to exacerbated operations. On the topic of a possible American invasion of Iran, there are already two other threads on this forum: Will US invade Iran? Inside Iran?

Yes, it is Putin’s ignorance of America, the influence the Soviet Union still has on him, and his inconsistent foreign policy relating to nuclear issues that makes him dangerous. This article, dated 1/24/05, from CNN.com discusses how Bush and Putin had come to an understanding that neither North Korea nor Iran should possess nuclear material. Today, Russia and Iran have signed an agreement in which Russia will supply Iran with nuclear fuel. What makes you say that it is likely that America will go to war?