# Nuclear deal with Iran **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 14, 2015, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128 "2015-07-14T11:37:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 43
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/841 "2015-08-24T19:18:48Z")
Kind of a funny spin on the “war is the only alternative to this deal” talking point: [Support the deal because it makes it easier to bomb Iran.](http://www.politico.com/story/2015/08/iran-nuclear-deal-argument-bomb-121613.html?hp=t1_r) ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2015, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/842 "2015-08-24T22:01:11Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > The real GOP plan: Act tough, do nothing, threaten with bombs and sanctions, and eventually the heathens will convert to Christianity To be fair, Ann Coulter has a more direct approach: ["We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity.](http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/anncoulter167043.html)" ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2015, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/843 "2015-08-24T23:32:17Z")
Kill them, then bring them to Jesus. You just keep thinking, Annie, that’s what you’re good at. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2015, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/844 "2015-08-25T02:57:30Z")
That was from a decade ago. I’m sure she’s [del]moderated[/del] doubled down on her views since then. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2015, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/845 "2015-08-25T18:49:05Z")
Senator Patty Murray has announced [her support](https://medium.com/@PattyMurray/senator-patty-murray-s-statement-in-support-of-deal-to-prevent-iran-from-developing-nuclear-weapons-ba232c594628) for the deal. That makes 33 Democratic Senators supporting the deal – one more and a veto can’t be overridden (plus, it looks like enough Democrats in the House are supporting the deal to prevent a veto override as well). ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2015, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/846 "2015-08-25T20:39:52Z")
When’s the deadline for the vote? September something? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/847 "2015-08-26T03:32:54Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Senator [Debbie Stabenow](http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/2015/08/24/stabenow-iran-deal/32263195/) announced her support for the deal. For the Senate, the [whip count](http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/07/14/whip-count-where-the-senate-stands-on-the-iran-deal/) for supporters and leaners is up to 32. Supporters only need 2 of the 11 undecided Senators to prevent an overturning of an assumed presidential veto. I think it’s even possible Democrats will get more than the 40 required to filibuster any rejection of the deal, but that’s not even necessary. Yeah, it’s looking like it won’t be stopped and Republicans are reconciling themselves to that fact. Now what I’m going to be watching is for other Republicans to say, “I will pull out of this deal on Day One”. To me, that’s disqualifying. It’s an incredibly stupid thing to say, and a stupider thing to do. And I think most Repubilcan candidates actually know that, which means that those who say it are probably lying. Which is even worse. So the deal is done, hopefully it works, and hopefully the President faithfully enforces it if Iran gets shady. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/848 "2015-08-26T12:53:19Z")
The Washington Post’s [Senate Whip count](http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/07/14/whip-count-where-the-senate-stands-on-the-iran-deal/) has moved Susan Collins from the “lean no” category to the “undecided” category based on a statement this morning. That means right now, 33 are “yes” or “lean yes” (with 34 needed to sustain a veto and 40 for a filibuster); 56 are “no” or “lean no”, and the rest are undecided. I don’t think there’s much doubt remaining that this deal will go through. And really, considering that the Republicans agreed in advance to this unusual process with the President which makes it easier to pass the deal, I think they were all along pretty okay with the idea of the Iran nuclear deal, they just wanted to have their public fit about it. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/849 "2015-08-26T13:04:42Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > When’s the deadline for the vote? September something? I think it is around September 20th. > [@adaher](#): > > Now what I’m going to be watching is for other Republicans to say, “I will pull out of this deal on Day One”. To me, that’s disqualifying. It’s an incredibly stupid thing to say, and a stupider thing to do. And I think most Repubilcan candidates actually know that, which means that those who say it are probably lying. Which is even worse. Haven’t most of the candidates said something close to “I will pull out on day one?” ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/850 "2015-08-26T14:45:09Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Haven’t most of the candidates said something close to “I will pull out on day one?” Scott Walker has said [he’ll repeal the deal on “day one.”](http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/23/scott-walker-alec-iran-deal-obamacare-isis-climate-change) In [this heavily edited clip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UHydWC7RmY), Ted Cruz certainly _seems_ to be saying the same thing, but with so much editing going on I can’t say I’m 100% sure. Bush has said [he would _not_ do so](http://dailycaller.com/2015/07/17/jeb-bush-i-will-not-repeal-iran-deal-on-day-one/), not right away anyway. [Same with Christie.](http://hotair.com/archives/2015/07/06/chris-christie-no-i-wont-promise-to-undo-obamas-nuclear-deal-with-iran/) Don’t know about the rest of the gentlemen + lady. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/851 "2015-08-26T14:56:50Z")
Katich also said he [wouild not terminate the deal.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kasich-suggests-he-wouldnt-cancel-iran-deal-would-send-troops-to-fight-isis_55b4d696e4b0074ba5a4d17e) ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/852 "2015-08-27T02:37:54Z")
> **[Retired generals and admirals urge Congress to reject Iran nuclear deal](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/retired-generals-and-admirals-urge-congress-to-reject-iran-deal/2015/08/26/8912d9c6-4bf5-11e5-84df-923b3ef1a64b_story.html)** > > The letter by 195 former top military officers follows one last week that supported the nuclear agreement. A group of nearly 200 retired generals and admirals sent a letter to Congress on Wednesday urging lawmakers to reject the Iran nuclear agreement, which they say threatens national security. … The letter, addressed to Republican and Democratic leaders in the Senate and the House, is a response to one sent last week by three dozen retired senior military officers who support the nuclear deal. … Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney, who was vice commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, said he considers the agreement the most dangerous nuclear accord in U.S. history. … “I don’t think this letter will sway anything,” he said. “It’s just the opinion of people who have served their country. It’s an alternative view to what I consider a very weak letter put out by the administration implying generals and admirals support this agreement. But I don’t think it will have any impact.” ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/853 "2015-08-27T02:45:33Z")
Quite a distinguished group. One should look up the biographies of many of those signatories to get he full effect - I should suggest Macke, Boykin, and Poindexter for a start. It is interesting that those signatories signed under ranks that they were not permitted to retire at. Macke, for example, retired as a Rear Admiral but signed as an Admiral. Huh. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/854 "2015-08-27T02:50:28Z")
Sure. Remember those [340 rabbis](http://thehill.com/policy/defense/251263-340-rabbis-urge-congress-to-support-iran-nuclear-deal) that signed the J-Street letter endorsing the deal? Well, [750 rabbis](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rabbi-yonah-bookstein/over-750-american-rabbis-_b_8038508.html) signed the letter urging Congress to reject the deal. Maybe you can try to smear them as well. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/855 "2015-08-27T02:52:36Z")
Is it possible to smear John Poindexter? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/856 "2015-08-27T03:16:34Z")
Boykin? Isn’t he that guy who went to some sort of religious meet in full uniform to preach about how he defeated the Mooslims because his God is real and theirs isn’t. Resume mostly centers around intelligence duties. Mmm. Yes. Intelligence. Another All American bullet-headed Saxon mother’s son. Bless his heart. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/857 "2015-08-27T03:28:55Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Sure. Remember those [340 rabbis](http://thehill.com/policy/defense/251263-340-rabbis-urge-congress-to-support-iran-nuclear-deal) that signed the J-Street letter endorsing the deal? Well, [750 rabbis](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rabbi-yonah-bookstein/over-750-american-rabbis-_b_8038508.html) signed the letter urging Congress to reject the deal. Maybe you can try to smear them as well. Sure. They’re short-sighted fools, who put the interests of Israel ahead of the interests of world peace. That was easy. Bring on a real challenge next time. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/858 "2015-08-27T04:16:34Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Sure. They’re short-sighted fools, who put the interests of Israel ahead of the interests of world peace. > > That was easy. Bring on a real challenge next time. Good job. So are the 200 retired generals and admirals, right? ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/859 "2015-08-27T04:37:17Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Is it possible to smear John Poindexter? Obama lost Poindexter when he said that he wasn’t trading arms for hostages. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128/860 "2015-08-27T04:40:42Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > Obama lost Poindexter when he said that he wasn’t trading arms for hostages. > [@Ravenman](#): > > Is it possible to smear John Poindexter? Pathetic evasions. There are 200 retired generals and admirals that signed. You grab a couple and try to smear the whole letter by their association. What about the other 190+? You really don’t want to address the letter itself, do you? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128.md?page=42) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deal-with-iran/725128.md?page=44)