Myth#1: Iran is manufacturing weapons that threaten the security of the USA.
The US intelligence establishment has not found Iran to be currently developing a nuclear weapon, or even making a decision to do so in the future. The last declassified US National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) in 2007 concluded that Iran does not have an active nuclear weapons program.[2] Reporting by Seymour Hersh indicates no conclusive change in judgment in the 2011 NIE, which remains classified)
Myth#2: Iran isn’t willing to negotiate with the United States.
Iran's calls for negotiations have been spurned and that we have had only two negotiations with Iran since 1979. The mainstream press has also mischaracterized Iran's responsiveness to negotiated proposals. For example, Brazil and Turkey, with President Obama's initial support, negotiated a plausible solution for the storage of Iran's nuclear fuel that was very similar to previous proposals advanced by the P5+1 (permanent members of the Security Council -- China, Russia, the UK, the US, and France -- plus Germany). Iran signed an agreement with Brazil and Turkey, but the plan was then rejected by the US, despite the fact that the agreement was based on a framework designed by the Obama administration.
Myth#3: Washington believes this is the best solution.
General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, said in a television interview that it was "not prudent at this point" to attack Iran, and "a strike at this time would be destabilizing".
Eight former high-ranking military, intelligence and State Department officials took out an ad in the Washington Post today urging President Obama to stand fast against political and lobbying pressure to attack Iran over claims it is trying to develop nuclear weapons.
The officers of the Washington-based, nonpartisan Arms Control Association, while sharing concerns found in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report, strongly advocate against military intervention. In their assessment, military strikes would actually " result in costly long-term consequences for U.S. and regional security and the U.S. and global economy."
Myth #4: There are no other viable solutions/resolutions at this time.
Rep. Barbara Lee of California has introduced H.R 4173. “Prevent Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons and Stop War Through Diplomacy Act (Introduced in House - IH)” For more info go to. http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h4173/text
Facts on Cost of War.
The Defense budget has grown 159% (85% adjusted for inflation) over the last decade (761 Billion USD). This money is being diverted from social services to fights wars over oil, and the perception of freedom in foreign countries. In fiscal year 2011, the Pentagon spent at least $158 billion in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have already spent over a trillion dollars in direct costs in these two countries since 2002 and many more billions in indirect costs. Many analysts believe that these wars, rather than making Americans safer, have increased the number of our enemies, thus making us more vulnerable. Safely redeploying our servicemen and women from Afghanistan and Iraq would free up billions of dollars annually with no loss to our security. A war with Iran will only continue this trend of inflated spending on war while the infrastructure of the United States crumbles
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