# Kerry Shooting Himself in the Foot Already. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 3, 2004, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063 "2004-08-03T02:01:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/101 "2004-08-04T00:47:48Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > That _onager_/ass pun. Erudite, but nonetheless unspeakable. Glad it moved you! 😃 > [@](#): > > I know a smartass when I see one, I’ve met several. Several? Ha! Around this board, you can’t swing a cat without hitting one, if _that_’s your idea of a good time. ::waggles eyebrows:: ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/102 "2004-08-04T01:01:14Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > Is there anyone on this planet who honestly believes that Iran, awash in oil, needs nuclear power for its energy needs? Iran, which exports about twice as much oil as it uses at home? Well, upon my superficial analysis it seems that if nuclear fuel can be produced more cheaply than the oil can be sold then it would mightily behoove Iran to sell their oil rather than burn it for and forgo the additional cash (the difference between the price to produce nuclear energy and the price oil can be sold at). If you you have a more thorough analysis that shows why it’s foolish for Iran to use nuclear energy rather than burn their #1 cash crop, please share it with me. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/103 "2004-08-04T01:13:14Z")
> [@Starving Artist](#): > > you do not know, of your own personal knowledge, that Bush lied about anything. So spare me. I know that was addressed to **Shayna** , but WTF are you saying? Are you saying that we can only evaluate the truth or falsity of words we hear in person, rather than over the TV or radio, or that we read in the newspapers? And we can only do that if we personally see the evidence of truth or falsity with our own eyes? What a crock of shit. At least, around here. (You want to try this argument out elsewhere, it’s between you and whatever naifs you can find who might buy your crock of shit.) I mean, you know why people say stuff like “Cite?” all the time, right? It’s because we assume that we can evaluate sources, and (within reason) depend on their veracity. So yeah, by the time-honored standards of proof in place on this board, **Shayna** is perfectly justified in calling Bush a liar. [Here’s a little light reading if you don’t believe me.](http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/they_knew_0802/) And they cite _their_ sources, in showing that the Administration knew the claims about Saddam’s nuclear program, the African uranium, the aluminum tubes, the al-Qaeda-Saddam connection, the Prague meeting, the chemical and bio-weapons - that they didn’t have a leg to stand on in support of any of these claims. Ergo, they lied when they said they did. Enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/104 "2004-08-04T01:17:55Z")
I’d still like to know how much, if any, refining capability Iran has. I don’t know a hell of a lot about petrochemicals, but I’m pretty sure the oil they suck up out of the ground isn’t much use as a fuel source until its been pretty heavily processed. Can Iran do this processing on its own, or does it have to sell its oil to the West and then buy it back as gasoline? The fact that Iran is a net exporter of oil doesn’t really say anything about their ability to meet their energy needs. ---
**Author:** ![glilly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/48db29/32.png) [@glilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glilly)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/105 "2004-08-04T01:26:01Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I’d still like to know how much, if any, refining capability Iran has. I don’t know a hell of a lot about petrochemicals, but I’m pretty sure the oil they suck up out of the ground isn’t much use as a fuel source until its been pretty heavily processed. Can Iran do this processing on its own, or does it have to sell its oil to the West and then buy it back as gasoline? The fact that Iran is a net exporter of oil doesn’t really say anything about their ability to meet their energy needs. Well, even if heavy refining is needed, which I am not sure about, I am sure that it would be far easier, cheaper, and faster to build oil refineries than uranium refineries. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/106 "2004-08-04T01:42:22Z")
According to the 2004 edition of the [CIA World Factbook on Iran](http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ir.html) Iran is currently consuming approximately 33% of its own oil production (based on 2001 estimates). When combined with the following statement, it would appear that a shift to nuclear power would substantially increase Iran’s export cash: > [@](#): > > Iran’s economy is marked by a bloated, inefficient state sector, over reliance on the oil sector, and statist policies that create major distortions throughout. Most economic activity is controlled by the state. Private sector activity is typically small-scale - workshops, farming, and services. President KHATAMI has continued to follow the market reform plans of former President RAFSANJANI, with limited progress. Relatively high oil prices in recent years have enabled Iran to amass some $22 billion in foreign exchange reserves, but have not eased economic hardships such as high unemployment and inflation. With no other industry on which to fall back, anything that enhances oil revenues would appear to be a plus. Here are the [OPEC figures on Iran production and export](http://www.opec.org/Member_Counrties/Iran/Iran.htm). ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/107 "2004-08-04T01:50:21Z")
Hit SUBMIT when I meant to hit PREVIEW. The crude and refined numbers are: > [@](#): > > Crude oil production > (1,000 b/d) 3,742 > Refinery capacity > (1,000 b/d) 1,474.0 > Output of refined products > (1,000 b/d) 1,344.7 > Consumption of refined products > (1,000 b/d) 1,284.8 > Crude oil exports > (1,000 b/d) 2,396.3 > Exports of refined products > (1,000 b/d) 333.2 So they appear to be consuming the vast majority of their refined output which is near the maximum of the capacity they have. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/108 "2004-08-04T01:56:42Z")
> [@glilly](#): > > Well, even if heavy refining is needed, which I am not sure about, I am sure that it would be far easier, cheaper, and faster to build oil refineries than uranium refineries. Well, that’s actually my point. Is Kerry talking about selling them nuclear fuel, or petroleum fuel? If Iran doesn’t have enough oil refineries to meet its domestic energy needs, then it would make sense to buy oil from them, refine it ourselves, and then sell some of it back to them at cost. From **tom** ’s cite, it looks like they are meeting their requirements, but only just. An influx of cheap gas might make it easier to expand their infrastructure, or help bring down prices on consumer products across the board, raising the standard of living for the average Iranian, and hopefully making them not hate us quite so much. Sounds like a plan to me. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/109 "2004-08-04T02:12:35Z")
It would be better for Iran to use nuclear power, IMO. It would be cheaper and allow them to generate more revenue from oil sales. Why dick around with paying the US to refine their oil when they can just go nuclear and sell more oil for more profit? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/110 "2004-08-04T02:22:18Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > It would be better for Iran to use nuclear power, IMO. It would be cheaper and allow them to generate more revenue from oil sales. Why dick around with paying the US to refine their oil when they can just go nuclear and sell more oil for more profit? Probably. My only point is that it is not beyond the realm of the possible that Kerry is talking about selling them normal, conventional, petroleum-based fuel. There still seems to be a decided dearth of cites in this thread that show Kerry was talking about nuclear fuel, as claimed by the OP. ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/111 "2004-08-04T02:38:18Z")
Guys, Kerry _is_ proposing offering nuclear fuel to Iran. It’s a gambit based partly on the old adage “keep your friends close —and your enemies closer”, but mainly on the entirely sensible idea that such a deal would be contingent on close, verifiable international monitoring of the nuclear facilities in question. From Kerry’s campaign website ([the nuclear proliferation section under “National Security”](http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/national_security/strategy.html) ), as part of the “Prevent Iran From Developing Nuclear Weapons” sub-bullet: > [@](#): > > Iran claims that its nuclear program is only to meet its domestic energy needs. John Kerry’s proposal would call their bluff by organizing a group of states to **offer Iran the nuclear fuel they need for peaceful purposes** and take back the spent fuel so they cannot divert it to build a weapon. If Iran does not accept this offer, their true motivations will be clear. Under the current circumstances, John Kerry believes we should support the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) efforts to discern the full extent of Iran’s nuclear program, while pushing Iran to agree to a verifiable and permanent suspension of its enrichment and reprocessing programs. If this process fails, we must lead the effort to ensure that the IAEA takes this issue to the Security Council for action. > > (bolding added) Now, if you’re a Bushite, you may (hypocritically) take issue with Kerry’s desire to go to the Security Council instead of taking unilateral action, but you really show your ignorance if you deride the overall proposal on the basis of practicability. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/112 "2004-08-04T03:13:17Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > I know that was addressed to **Shayna** , but WTF are you saying? > > Are you saying that we can only evaluate the truth or falsity of words we hear in person, rather than over the TV or radio, or that we read in the newspapers? And we can only do that if we personally see the evidence of truth or falsity with our own eyes? Oh, ye of little analytical ability…lemme 'splain it to ya. Of course I’m not saying we can only evaluate truth in words we hear in person. What did I say that indicated to you I believed that? And of course I’m not saying we can only evaluate falsity with our own eyes. Where did I say anything that would indicate I was saying that? And while the tone of your post would ordinarily generate a more vituperative response, I promised **EddyTeddyFreddy** I’d be good, so here goes: _ **If you want me to answer questions you have regarding my posts, you’re going to have to limit your claims to what I actually said.** _ (I may adopt this as my signature line.) I said Shyla did not know (and could not know) that Bush was lying. Not unless she was a mind reader. Bush believed the same things that most of Europe believed, that most of the Middle East believed, that Russia believed, that the U.N. believed (damn, I get tired of having to go through this litany), that the CIA believed, that the FBI believed, that Bill Clinton himself believed, but no…Bush knew better than them all that what they believed was untrue but deliberately decided to take advantage of the fact to lie to the American people by telling them the same things they were already being told were true were in fact true when he knew they weren’t. Pretty ridiculous, don’t you think? A classic example of bias and hatred at work. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/113 "2004-08-04T03:14:54Z")
Thanks for the link, **xenophon41**. I owe **Sam Stone** a rather large apology. I apologize, **Sam**. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/114 "2004-08-04T03:53:32Z")
No problem. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/115 "2004-08-04T04:45:41Z")
More one Iran’s energy use: [Iran -EIS.gov](http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:ZURaZQepnLQJ:caspiancenter.org/info_ir.shtml+%22Fuel+Share+of+Energy+Consumption+(2001E):+Oil+(51%25),+Natural+Gas+(47%25),+Coal+(1%25),+Hydroelectric+(1%25)%22&hl=en) **Fuel Share of Energy Consumption (2001E):** Oil (51%), Natural Gas (47%), Coal (1%), Hydroelectric (1%) > [@Metacom](#): > > Yes, Kerry probably isn’t talking about his policy because he either doesn’t have one (that’s different then Bush’s)… and > [@El Cid Viscoso](#): > > Apparently, his Secret Plan is pretty much “Stay The Course But Suck MORE Cock.” > ack Kerry is a polished, pro-Israel/pro-Wall, on-message man, and he’s got a hard-on for Saudi Arabia. I’ve been afraid to look. While I’m not convinced that Kerry’s any better than Bush, I’m not ready to be forced to relinquish hope that he’s at least no worse. > [@Starving Artist](#): > > It has always seemed to me that Republicans seem guided by an innate sense of right and wrong, and by their core moral beliefs, and they will hold to these beliefs even to their politcal detriment. I know I do. > [@Sam Stone](#): > > So… > Anyone think giving nuclear fuel to Iran is a really good idea? > Or even offering it to ‘call their bluff’? Is this a bluff that needs to be called? What happens if they accept? > Let’s hear the defense. Does it eliminate an excuse for Iran to be to buying dual use technologies related to processing (and reprocessing) nuclear materials so that the amount of nuclear fuel in the hands of Iranians is easier to monitor than if Iraq goes into the business of making its own nuclear fuel? If this were so, then it may actually be a preferable alternative to Iran pursuing its own nuclear technology. It would also be preferable to the costs of military action it would take to stop Iran in its pursuit of nuclear technology. > [@elucidato](#): > > Iran is currently claiming entire innocence as regards weapon intentions. Our crack intelligence services asssure us this is not so. This may be just a reflexive matter on behalf of the Iranian government. Protestations of innocence spring full formed from the mouths of politicans everywhere everytime their brain reboots. > [@Sam Stone](#): > > In the meantime, now that the loophole is closed, we’ll provide their nuclear fuel for them, as long as they promise, cross-their-hearts to give back the bomb material they’ll have in their possession at the end. Is this based on an assumption that Iran won’t acquire nuclear fuel on its own? Cause it seems inevitable that Iran will one way or the other. If it is indeed the case that Iran will eventually acquire nuclear fuel, then we are behived to find the best possible set of circumstances as judged by our national interests that this inevitability should come to pass. If we supply them with the fuel, then Iran has no need of the dual sue technologies needed to manufacture their own nuclear fuel. Then imports of dual use technologies would be automatic warning bells. > [@duffer](#): > > Bush looked around the world, trying to decide where to start taking the war to terrorists that want to kill all of us hedonistic Westerners. > He found a dictator that ran a country full of victims in many ways as Hitler did. What about the terrorists? What happenned to these terrorists who wanty to kill all of us hedonistic Dopers? Why’s he off fucking with a little third rate Hitler-wannabe while there are terrorists who want to kill us hedonistic Dopers? What kind of fucked national priorities are those? > [@duffer](#): > > Here’s an idea. What if it’s a plan to get democracy a foothold in the middle east? What if it’s a wake-up call to the other countries that the rest of the world won’t tolerate this shit? Then they have bungled it very, very, very badly. AFAICT, thery bungled it from the front end and have been playing catch-up ever since. > [@duffer](#): > > I’ll offer as a cite Hussein paying families of suicide bombers in Palestine. What is this a citation for? It’s not very clear from its context in the paragraph. the immediately proceeding staements involve the spread of democracy and a clarion call of the West. This bit about Hussein and the Palestinians doesn’t seem related. > [@duffer](#): > > I think this war is giving pause to Iran and North Korea about how many buttons they want to push before they happen to get the phone in DC to ring. We’ve proven that we’ll answer it. As if we were ready to engage in another major military committment. If anything, Iran is making out like a bandit. Their influence in the region has grown by leaps and bounds now that Iraq cannot present any sort of counter balance. And Iran’s prestige has grown immensely in recent months now that it has come out that they suckered the Great Satan by way of their intelligence agents amongst the Pentagon’s darlings, Chalabi and the Iraqi National Congress. How’s that for counting coup? Trick the leaders of history’s most powerful nation. > [@sevastopol](#): > > SimonX is a good example on this board. It is kind of an adult pleasure. I don’t think that I’m comfortable with _ **you** _ referring to me and ‘adult pleasure’ in the same context. You shouldn’t oughta do that. > [@E-Sabbath](#): > > two kinds of nuclear fuel. One can be used to make big bombs that blow up and hurt people. That’s the kind Iran would make, left to their own devices. > The second kind is the kind that, while producing power, will not make the big bombs that blow up and hurt people. That’s the kind that Kerry wants to give to Iran. What’s with the facts, jack? > [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Because he will be polite, friendly, and not Bush who told them to fuck off. Showing willingness to change should really be enough to do it. I don’t think that ‘please’ really is a magic word. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/116 "2004-08-04T05:02:41Z")
If it is indeed the case that Iran will eventually acquire nuclear fuel, then we are behived to find the best possible set of circumstances as judged by our national interests that this inevitability should come to pass. shoud read If it is indeed the case that Iran will eventually acquire nuclear fuel, then we are behooved to find the best possible set of circumstances (as judged by our national interests) in which this inevitability comes to pass. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/117 "2004-08-04T05:28:18Z")
**SimonX** says: - Quote: Originally Posted by Sam Stone So… Anyone think giving nuclear fuel to Iran is a really good idea? Or even offering it to ‘call their bluff’? Is this a bluff that needs to be called? What happens if they accept? Let’s hear the defense. \* Does it eliminate an excuse for Iran to be to buying dual use technologies related to processing (and reprocessing) nuclear materials so that the amount of nuclear fuel in the hands of Iranians is easier to monitor than if Iraq goes into the business of making its own nuclear fuel? If this were so, then it may actually be a preferable alternative to Iran pursuing its own nuclear technology. It would also be preferable to the costs of military action it would take to stop Iran in its pursuit of nuclear technology. [/quote] Except that Iran IS trying to build weapons, and they aren’t about to give up their weapons program. This is the essential problem with the Kerry ‘plan’. Iran would either reject it outright if they couldn’t figure out a way to use it to their advantage, or they’ll game it. This is the same problem you have with North Korea. Neither have a reputation for keeping their word when it comes to matters nuclear. In the meantime, proposals like this give you the illusion that you’re accomplishing something, while Iran keeps saying “nice doggie” until they can find a big stick. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/118 "2004-08-04T05:36:11Z")
Iran has the same rights to build nuclear weapons as the US does. They have the same right to defend themselves, and the US has no moral authority to dictate what sort of technology another country may or may not develop. I am FOR Iran getting the bomb. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/119 "2004-08-04T06:01:41Z")
> [@SimonX](#): > > Well, upon my superficial analysis it seems that **if nuclear fuel can be produced more cheaply than the oil can be sold** then it would mightily behoove Iran to sell their oil rather than burn it for and forgo the additional cash (the difference between the price to produce nuclear energy and the price oil can be sold at). > > If you you have a more thorough analysis that shows why it’s foolish for Iran to use nuclear energy rather than burn their #1 cash crop, please share it with me. Should read: if nuclear _energy_ can be produced more cheaply > [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Iran has the same rights to build nuclear weapons as the US does. They have the same right to defend themselves, and the US has no moral authority to dictate what sort of technology another country may or may not develop. > > I am FOR Iran getting the bomb. What the fuck does a moral right have to do with anythng in this instance? It doesn’t matter if we have a moral right to dictate what sort of technology. We have a national imperative to do certain things. If we can figure out anacceptable way to prevent Iran from getting The Bomb then we shoud by all mean do so. the question arises when one begins to consider the cost benefit rations of differing strategies for doing so. I mean, we could nuke Iran til it looks like Iraq. It’d be a big, fat, fucking, hairy-ass (like elucidator) deal if we did though, so we look for a way to accomplish the same goals but in a less expensive or ideally a beneficial way. Cooperation among players in this sort of an open ended game can be beneficial for all involved. What’s best for the US is what the US needs to worry about? Screw other nations ‘rights’ to weapons. They have whatever it suits us to let them have. If it becomes an issue, we go to war. But this is an extremely expensive and destructive course of action. This keeps it from being as good of a choice as otehr less expensive means. Only war profiteers benefit from war. War’s a racket. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063/120 "2004-08-04T06:03:43Z")
Again with the corrections: What’s best for the US is what the US needs to worry about? should read What’s best for the US is what the US needs to worry about. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-shooting-himself-in-the-foot-already/258063.md?page=7)