A Reuters article starts with this opening paragraph:
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton warned Tehran on Tuesday that if she were president, the United States could “totally obliterate” Iran in retaliation for a nuclear strike against Israel.
I’m surprised to hear the left speak this way, with all the talk about trying to understand our enemies.
There’s no doubt in my mind that the course of action she describes would be the the right one, but I wonder about putting it out there in such plain terms.
People and countries say many things, and comparatively few of them follow through. It’s extremely important to follow through on your words if you want to be believed. On the other hand, you’re far less predictable if you do not broadcast your intentions in advance. This also has the advantage of not committing you to a course of action you may not want to take.
Peter White
There is no left in US politics. They have a middle right and an extreme right. Clinton and Obama are both right wingers and would feel very comfortable with the beliefs of Canada’s Stephen Harper.
Rick
I agree, and I don’t agree. The cause is the centre in the U.S. is in a very different place than it is in Canada. They certainly do have a left and a right, but they both fall to the right from a Canadian perspective. I’m not sure I’d put their left as far right as you do, however.
Unconsciously, I tend to shift my view to their outlook when talking about their politics and shift back when talking about ours.