Recently Iranian Army General Hossein Salami claimed that Iran had infiltrated the United States with orders to attack America from within should the U.S. or Israel attack Iranian territory.A clear reference to our concerns about Iran’s nuclear research facilities, which are widely suspected of conducting research into the development of nuclear weapons.
It certainly is plausible, considering our porous borders, that Iranian agents may well have entered the United States with instructions to wreak havoc in America.But when I hear boasting and threats such as this coming from the Islamic Republic of Iran, I think back to an exchange that occurred between a U.S. Marine fighter pilot and Iranian air traffic controllers during the Iraq War:
Iranian Air Defense Radar: “Unknown aircraft you are in Iranian airspace. Identify yourself.”
Aircraft: ‘This is a United States aircraft. I am in Iraqi airspace.”
Iranian Air Defense Radar: “You are in Iranian airspace. If you do not depart our airspace we will launch interceptor aircraft !”
Aircraft: “This is a United States Marine Corps FA-18 fighter. Send 'em up, I'll wait.”
Iranian Air Defense Radar: (total silence)
Iranian bellicosity has been a regular occurrence in public pronouncements by the Iranian leadership since the revolution in 1979 that removed the Shah of Iran from power, and replaced his government with a gaggle of fanatics led by a belief in some mythological Twelfth Imam.
Americans may shudder hearing such things, but it’s not that we shudder from the threats made by some pompous Iranian general.Instead it’s from a realization that sheer stupidity on the world stage isn’t unique to members of the Obama Administration.Iran thinking they can bluff or intimidate average Americans is certainly not a wise move on their part, but might work against the Obama Administration.And contribute further to instability in the Middle East.
Unfortunately it also makes for a very dangerous world when stupidity is confronted by appeasement, as Iran is experiencing right now with the Obama Administration during the current negotiations over the Iranian nuclear program.
One thing is for certain, Iran will learn a hard lesson if they ever try to carry out attacks inside the United States.Iran doesn’t understand that they will then be dealing with the American people then, not the Obama Administration.
As Japan learned during World War II, when you throw a rock at a hornets nest you’re certain to get stung.While the Obama Administration may practice a policy of appeasement, Americans on the front lines of the War on Terror are much less inclined to back down when confronted with threats.
And Americans at home can be just as determined and courageous. We can be thankful we have men and women of honor serving with distinction in harm’s way around the world, and defending American ideals here in the Homeland.
So the Iranian leadership and their military generals can bellow and threaten as loudly as they choose.But they would be much wiser to take to heart an American slogan from our rich and proud history.A slogan depicted on a flag flown on flagpoles in many front yards of homes all across America.A flag with a very simple message, “Don’t Tread on Me”.
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