Dear Mr. Obama,
I am sorry to say that I am disappointed with your recent moves towards the political right. As soon as you won the Democratic primary, you went to AIPAC to pledge your allegiance to the Israeli right wing. And just yesterday you went back on your commitment to public financing. But really, the icing on the cake came when you recently indicated that you support the FISA bill that legitimizes wireless surveillance. You certainly are amazing.
What’s really interesting is your stance on Iran. In 2004, you said that America might need to launch “surgical airstrikes” against Iran and its nuclear program. But by 2007 you had reversed this position, instead favoring direct diplomatic negotiations. Not to worry, just this month you announced that you had changed your position once again and were no longer committed to negotiations without preconditions. In addition, you recently called Iran a “threat,” telling a pro-Israel audience that the “military option” is not out of the question.
Where’s the difference between your position and that of Senator McCain? Gone is the Obama who, during the Democratic primary campaign, warned about the consequences of a war with Iran. You don’t mention the issue in your speeches anymore, and you don’t seem so concerned about the possibility. Your new position on Iran is unfortunate, but who can expect anything different from someone who has recently changed his views on a whole multitude of issues?
So, I ask you: Do you honestly believe that there is a military solution to the standoff with Iran? Do you really think that Iran is such a threat to the security of Israel (A country that, by the way, possesses 150 nuclear weapons and is the world’s 8th largest arms exporter)? And are you willing to reject the current U.S. stance towards Iran and instead make a genuine effort for peace and cooperation? So far, the answer to these questions appears to be a clear “No,” as you seem genuinely committed to continuing the policies of warmongering, occupation, and profiteering.
