So why are Bush and Condi depending on him? Probably because they’re out of ideas of their own.

The US has no influence in Iran. Hence there is a need to “outsource” to someone who does (albeit not much more.) And Solana is one of those. It is precisely because, as you said, Bush and Condi are out of ideas of their own that they are “letting the diplomatic process take its course.”

Believe it or not, this is the best non-violent way to deal with the Iranians. What would you propose to do differently, other than bombing?

Another reason this outsourcing is taking place is because the decision to attack Iran has already been made but the preparations haven’t been completed yet, so Solana is merely being used to stall and make it seem like diplomacy is “given a chance” for a longer period of time.

Who knows…

So why are Bush and Condi depending on him? Probably because they’re out of ideas of their own.

Fire up the Raptors and Stealths… They can have that one for free. Call Putin’s bluff, whats he going to do; roll T80s through eastern Germany?

What are the odds that UN/EU gray man Xavier Solana is going to get Mahmoud and the mullahs to stand down on the nukes? Exceedingly slim, I’d say.

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen “exceedingly slim” stand in for “impossible.”

Yell menacingly and carry a wet noodle?

Bark and growl but keep some pudding close at hand?

But what is Bush supposed to do?

We’ve done pretty much what we can solo on the economic front, targeting banks in the latest round of sanctions. But the Euros won’t go along with anything more that might cost them more than $2 in lost contracts with Iran, and China and Russia will block anything we try in the Security Council.

The only thing left is to talk tough and send an aircraft carrier group to the Persian Gulf, but then every Dem in Congress starts screaming and undermines any leverage the military noises might have given us.

Chamberlain infamously declared in a radio broadcast on 27 September 1938:

How horrible, fantastic it is that we should be digging trenches and trying on gas-masks here because of a quarrel in a far away country between people of whom we know nothing. I am myself a man of peace from the depths of my soul.

And, two (2) years later, the bombs are falling on Coventry, London, Bristol …………..

The fact the Cofee Anan (sp who cares)was their hero tells me all I need to know. He was a poster boy for “Useless Politicians”.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neville_Chamberlain

Over the next four and a half years, he successfully introduced 21 pieces of legislation, the boldest of which was perhaps the Rating and Valuation Act 1925, which radically altered local government finance. The act transferred the power to raise rates from the Poor Law boards of guardians to local councils, introduced a single basis and method of assessment for evaluating rates, and enacted a process of quinquennial valuations. The measure established Chamberlain as a strong social reformer, but it angered some in his own party.

Chamberlain infamously declared in a radio broadcast on 27 September 1938:

How horrible, fantastic it is that we should be digging trenches and trying on gas-masks here because of a quarrel in a far away country between people of whom we know nothing. I am myself a man of peace from the depths of my soul.

Can’t ask the EU to send Chamberlain?

OhEssYouCowboys on November 7, 2007 at 2:05 PM

Perhaps Jimmy Carter was too busy.

Can’t ask the EU to send Chamberlain?

OhEssYouCowboys on November 7, 2007 at 2:05 PM

Chaimberlain sez “Hey dont associate me with these losers !”

Solana: You’re forgetting the most potent weapon in the arsenal of the EU– or, indeed, of any nation or state!

Jalili: [nervously] Oh… what’s that?!

Solana: [triumphantly] The moral authority of Europe!

Jalili: [unsuccessfully tries to stifle a giggle]

Solana: NO! I mean it!

Jalili: [bursts into hysterical laughter]

Solana: Stop that! We will publicly denounce you!

Jalili: [convulsed, and sobbing with laughter] Oh, no! Please! Not the moral authority!!

Solana: I can’t believe this undignified behavior! I…

Jalili: [now wetting his pants and rolling on the floor] Oh, by the beard of the Prophet!!

Also, why we keep pretending Russia and China have any interest in Iran suspending its activities, I have no idea.