Cor,

"In the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, the IDF looked the other way when their Christian militia proxies murdered captured unarmed Palestinian and Muslim fighters. This well-documented barbarity was known as the "Sabra and Shatila Massacre" and was the nascence of Lebanese Hezbollah. The previous Shia movement "Amal" was too weak and ineffective in resisting the Israeli invaders. Israeli DM Ariel Sharon was at first punished for allowing this war crime, then brought back into government as a minister-without-portfolio."

Well...how about this?

Did you know in the early 1800's Persia (Iran before name change) tried to form an alliance with France under Napoleon?

They signed agreements to work together against Russia and Britain.

Then Napoleon turned around and made peace with Russia instead, leaving Persia on its own.

The alliance collapsed.

Is it any wonder Iran has difficulty trusting anyone?

Clown,

"what does Islam have to do with anything"

In Iran...everything.

You're most used to America where religion and the government were purposely setup to operate separately.

In Iran, the government is led by their religious leaders and their interpretation of Islam.

Islam is in everything in Iran.

Eff,

"Iran is the Good Guys, if there are Any."

I doubt anyone is blameless, I'll say that.

"good guys"...hmmm...killing their protestors pretty well negates that.

Eff,

"I hope Israel is destroyed as a 'Jewish State.'"

I know you don't like this, but do you really think the US would allow that to happen?

There are deep political and cultural ties that make that outcome extremely unlikely.

Eff,

"The Europeans were convinced that everything was going fine, Obama was convinced everything was fine. Biden was Convinced everything was fine."

I love how you used, "were convinced".

As if that makes it true.

Even you know it wasn't true, and had to qualify your claim before you said that everything was fine.

Speak,

Religion is a driving force around the world.

But that's not the issue here.

We're talking about Iran and a regime driven by a specific, aggressive interpretation of Islam.

And when that leadership consistently deflects blame, justifies its actions, and refuses accountability, it limits the workable options for resolving conflict.

If Trump is going to bring this to a close, it may require actions Iran has not seen before.

I don't envy the people in Washington having to decide whether that price is worth paying.

Eff,

"The Clear Bad Guys are Not the Iranians."

I agree.

It's a specific interpretation of Islam that is driving the government.

That's the problem.

Eff,

"Iran was Negotiating in good faith both times."

Come on...you believe that?

Talks have repeatedly stalled or collapsed without agreement.

Have they ever actually negotiated in good faith?

Don't expect a serious response or to be taken serious with a claim like that.

Real negotiating might require you to pretend you believe it to move things forward, but this isn't that kind of interaction.

Dan,

"Alex Pretti on line #1 for you.
Renee Good on line #2."

That's been hashed and rehashed.

They're still dead.

Now on to something else.

Eff,

"if Iran Survives as an Islamic Republic will you Admit Israel/US Failed and Iran Won the War?"

Does "Islamic Republic" mean they must seek the destruction of Israel or anyone for that matter?

And why does it have to include killing their own people?

To Americans, that is barbaric and a government that is out of control.

Iran can de-escalate this war if they want to.

But they don't seem to want that.

If your "Islamic Republic" is brought down in Iran, whose fault is that?

I don't see anyone trying to eliminate Iran. Just their current aggressive policies.

Truth,

"Israel killed 19,000 Palestinian children. Why do you support them?"

I have absolutely no desire to continue that topic.

The situation in Palestine is long winded and multifaceted.

Eff,

"Also the 30,000 figure is clearly ridiculous."

What number do you believe is more accurate?

Truth,

That response was for Eff.

I'm not interested in going down your rabbit hole.

It's pointless.

Truth,

"Your selective outrage is noted."

Only those countries? Why not add more if we're playing that game?

Afghanistan
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Belarus
China
Cuba
Eritrea
Equatorial Guinea
Myanmar
Nicaragua
North Korea
Russia
Syria
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Venezuela

Eff,

Do you support Iran's regime that's currently in power?

A simple yes or no will suffice.

Is your hatred for Trump greater than your outrage toward a regime that is killing anyone who speaks out?

If you're going to claim the US is doing the same thing, then prove it or stop throwing out nonsense.

Eff,

Iran slaughtered thousands of innocent protesters wanting regime change?

Where was your outrage for that?

Eff,

"he loves being the center of Attention here."

I never noticed I ever have been.

Truth,

Why should I care more about these deaths than all the others?

War creates victims. Always has.

Do you care more about these 165 than everyone else who's died?

What I'm not impressed with is you using these lives as political fodder as if the rest somehow matter less.

Corky,

"Of course you don't care"

Don't assume that either.

Corky,

Don't assume I agree with you.

Matt,

You could say that.

Donner,

The reason I stopped plonking is the very people I want to plonk, I also prefer seeing what outrageous accusations they make about me.

I've been surprised how people twist words around and have me claiming things I never meant.

I've also been surprised how angry are people now, if you have a differing opinion.

And it's getting worse everywhere. Not just liberal sites.

Laura,

Out of curiosity, how many times a day in conversations do you say Trump?

I have a neighbor, because I had Obama signs in my yard, assumes I didn't vote for Trump.

Everytime you talk to her she brings up Trump.

And she gets herself riled up.

That has to be making her life miserable.

Laura,

Your mind is poisoned with hatred.

I see liberals consumed with it.

And you'll likely live out your life that way.

Hatred destroys from the inside.

I don't like some people but hatred is energy draining and a waste of time.

Laura,

"They should have been notified of the impending bombing of Iran."

Its really sad.

The lack of patriotism from the left.

The people who died for America.