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    Iran's Ali Khamenei Threatens U.S. and Israel with a 'Big Slap'

    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
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    COMMENTARY | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is supposed to be the spiritual leader in Iran, but no one would ever know that by the political rhetoric the man can spew, especially against Israel and the United States. And, in keeping with norms, he continued his blasts on Thursday by threatening a bloody war.

    Reuters reports that many Western media sources are expecting the United States or Israel to launch a pre-emptive strike against Iranian nuclear research facilities in order to eliminate the perceived threat that the Islamic regime is pressing ahead with developing a nuclear bomb. Between non-specific remarks out of Washington and the non-stop saber rattling by Israel, Tehran is getting a little antsy lately.

    Khamenei threatened retaliation against all the "enemies" of Iran should such an attack occur. Really? If the United States or Israel decided to bomb those facilities their air forces would be safely back at base before Iran knew what hit them -- assuming, of course, that aircraft were used at all. Khamenei's threats are more for the ears of his own people then they are for the rest of the world.

    As I have opined before, Israel is most likely the one who will act when they feel they are truly threatened. They've done it twice before: once against Iran in 1981 and in 1987 against Syria. Their military arsenals have significantly improved in the past three decades, so Israel is unlikely to be moved by Khamenei's latest threat.

    Khamenei said anyone who attacks Iran "should get ready to receive a strong slap and an iron fist," according to Associated Press report on Thursday. A "strong slap?" Seriously? If the United States or Israel decides to act with military force, Iran is sure to experience much more than a strong slap.

    All this military posturing is really sad in today's world. GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul called for engagement with the Iranians, and it would be a good way to start having a different type of conversation. Unfortunately, the Iranian government isn't accustomed to friendship -- they simply like being the bully on the block. Iran could learn a lesson by remembering that there are times when the biggest kid on the block meets an even bigger one. It applies to the world stage as much as it does to your neighborhood.

    Dan McGinnis is a freelance writer, published author and former newspaper publisher. He has been a candidate, campaign manager and press secretary for state and local political campaigns for more than 30 years.

     
    • Jimmy  •  Seattle, Washington  •  4 mths ago
      You are a stupid person. Please leave America and go to Israel.
    • I read  •  Bakersfield, United States  •  6 mths ago
      Get your facts straight Israel bombed the nuclear facility in 1981 in IRAQ, not IRAN.
      • zababafool 6 mths ago
        Also the US helped Iraq in the Iran Iraq war.
      • DERF 6 mths ago
        honest mistake was all
      • Joseph 6 mths ago
        If you look at the actions of Israel, Iran and the US how can you possibly call Iran a bully?... wow, going back to aljazeera.com
    • James  •  6 mths ago
      "They've done it twice before: once against Iran in 1981 and in 1987 against Syria."Dan McGinnis is a total #$%$ the 1981 attack was against Iraq not Iran. Does he even know the difference?
      • Mike 6 mths ago
        Who cares they are both SQUIDS!!!!!
    • Tracy  •  Honolulu, United States  •  6 mths ago
      Would someone PLEASE throw a SHOE at that guy
      • Tracy 6 mths ago
        I have a pair you can use....lol
    • morteza b  •  Sioux Lookout, Canada  •  6 mths ago
      I wish someone at Yahoo had checked this guy's article before publishing it. He thinks like a kid and seems to take everything literary! He doesn't even have his facts checked! As far as I can remember there was no strikes against Iran in 1981 as he claims here "They've done it twice before: once against Iran in 1981 and in 1987 against Syria." With morons like this guy no wonder it was so easy to convince the Americans to go to war on so many occasions!
      • Right view 6 mths ago
        All I can say is that I suspect after the Soviet was broken
        up maybe Iran bought some small nuclear bombs from
        these corrupted general so they can response to Israel,
        so if Israel decided to do away with Iran they should make
        sure all all Iran capabilities are wipe out 100% ! ( I am
        worry but what need to be done should be done with this
        sicko " devil looking president "
    • Dr. Whom  •  6 mths ago
      Obama should beat him to death with his nobel peace prize.
      • Dan 6 mths ago
        ROTFL!
    • Dan  •  6 mths ago
      I find it a little difficult to take the word of a man with a towel on his head and
      wearing a dress too seriously. We should air-mail him a tommahawk missile
      just in case though.
    • twinsuranceguy  •  6 mths ago
      Only Savage and Demonic leaders would allow of stoning their Women for petty offenses. It's their twisted sick Mulla's religion.....Off w/their bearded Heads.
    • Pat  •  Des Moines, United States  •  6 mths ago
      Religion has caused more death and wars.... I got an idea just treat others in same way you'd want to be treated. No more: my god is better then yours. You'll go to hell if you don't believe the same way.
      If your a murderering terrorist your just that, not the voice of god.
    • rar  •  Monroeville, United States  •  6 mths ago
      revolutionary guard will go across the border and suddenly become iraqi civilians
    • my_2_cents_4u  •  6 mths ago
      Only a petulant old woman like this turbaned Tehrani would have the imbecility to slap the USA; just ask bin Laden (now known as "Been Rottin').
    • Matt Helm  •  Providence, United States  •  6 mths ago
      There will not be a need for any troops in order to take out Iran's nuclear program, nor would there be a need to use nuclear weapons on Iran. Today's weapons, and, technology, are more than enough to annihilate all of the nuclear sites in Iran, they KNOW it, and, that's they only reason, that the leaders of Iran, are exhaling their empty threats of, retaliation. Israel, DOES have the capability all by itself, and, U.S. involvement would not be necessary. In any case, Iran KNOWS very well, that their program of attaining nuclear weapons, will NOT be allowed to become a Reality. COUNT ON IT !
    • Jeffrey  •  Simi Valley, United States  •  6 mths ago
      wouldn't it be great if the religious nut bags, greedy corporations, and the governments got together and had their fight without us reular people... Of course if they had to do their own fighting there would never be another war, but since we fight for them the wars go on and on and on and on....
    • Gary  •  6 mths ago
      History would lean toward Israel in matters of pre-emptive strikes........Back in Desert Storm, when Saddam was lobbing Scuds into Israel, Israel demonstrated their self control for the world to see. Though I don't know.........had Saddam gotten lucky with a scud, the manure might have hit the fan then............Quote the article.........

      "" Khamenei threatened retaliation against all the "enemies" of Iran should such an attack occur. Really? If the United States or Israel decided to bomb those facilities their air forces would be safely back at base before Iran knew what hit them.""

      Khamenei, Ahmahdinejad, -- the rest of the world encourages you to shut your pie-holes, and don't even contemplate starting anything you don't have a bloody prayer of finishing.
    • Mike.  •  Lima, United States  •  6 mths ago
      Israel & the U.S. are supposed to be scared now? Khamenei & Achmadinejad should just shut their pieholes. Just ONE Ballistic Submarine can & would take care of Iranian nuke sites & if they even think about blocking the Strait of Hormuz all bets are off & they will suffer.
    • Looking  •  6 mths ago
      "They've done it twice before: once against Iran in 1981..." It was IRAQ, not IRAN, McGenius. This negates the value of the article.
    • Alan G  •  Hazelwood, United States  •  6 mths ago
      Who cares? This coming from a Country that likes to threaten everybody they see fit. But then run and hide in their caves when they are attacked by the Countries they threaten. And claim they didn't do anything to deserve it.
    • Jim  •  6 mths ago
      Its hard to slap somebody when your nuts have been pulled through your mouth from the inside
    • davidH  •  Los Angeles, United States  •  6 mths ago
      A man of God threating a bloody war? I am sorry that does not compute. This kahameni is no man of God but a typical thug with a big mouth.Hopefully he dosen't cause a lot of innocent people in Iran to suffer the consequense of these Saddam and kadaffi like threats that will only bring sorrow to his reign.The US or Israel can whip Iran in a matter of minutes if it comes down to it.
    • Dee  •  San Diego, United States  •  6 mths ago
      Yeah Iran, you have us in the US shaking in our boots! Let's roll!!!
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