Not learning the lessons of history, or worse yet, refusing to learn the lessons of history, will always get us into big trouble. And one of the lessons we all should have learned by now is that appeasement against tyrants is never going to be helpful.
Indeed, whenever we try to cosy up to dictators and seek to appease those who have declared their hatred of us, all we do is ask for, and get, trouble – and lots of it. Chamberlain was not the only appeaser that comes to mind in recent history.
Sadly they are still around today. People like Ron Paul seem really quite clueless about the threats America and the West face, from radical Islam in general and Iran in particular. He seems to want to out Chamberlain Chamberlain as he makes apologies for Iran while denigrating his own nation.
In case you are not savvy as to Paul’s foreign policy credentials, just one paragraph from Joseph Klein helps explain why he is such bad news:
“Rep. Ron Paul believes the United States is a greedy, militaristic empire that brought 9/11 upon itself. He believes that Iran poses no threat to U.S. or Israeli security and that Iran deserves to have a nuclear weapon if it wants one. As for Israel, he does not think it should have ever come into existence as a Jewish state. Nevertheless, Ron Paul, whose crackpot beliefs would be disastrous for the United States and the free world if ever implemented, is a serious contender for the GOP presidential nomination.”
If someone like Paul ever made it into the White House, we would all be toast, beginning with Israel. Yet for some incredible reason there are people who consider themselves to be conservative Christians who absolutely love this guy, and think he is the Republican equivalent to the Messiah that Democrats have thought about Obama.
The truth is, Paul is not at all a conservative, but a rather radical libertarian who has all sorts of nutter ideas on all sorts of issues. But it is his utter naivety and cluelessness about our external enemies that is here under discussion. Fortunately we have some more sober-headed people who are fully aware of the dangers of militant Islam and a nuclear-armed Iran.
Consider the words of Gavriel Queenann who assesses some very recent words from Iran’s leadership: “Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday endorsed a new doctrine explaining why it would be ‘legally and morally justified’ to commit genocide and wipe Israel off the map.
“The article was written by Khameini’s close adviser Alireza Forghani and endorsed by the Supreme Leader whose writings played a critical role in its drafting. The article has since appeared on numerous Iranian government and military websites. ‘Israel is a cancerous tumor in the Middle East,’ the article in the ultraconservative Farsi-language Alef news site. ‘Israel is a satanic media outlet with bombers. Every Muslim is required to arm themselves against Israel.’
“‘I have already noted the usurper state of Israel poses a grave threat to Islam and Muslim countries. Islam and Muslim states must not lose this opportunity to remove the corruption from out midst. All of our problems are because of Israel – Israel of America. The first step should be the absolute destruction of Israel. To this end, Iran could make use of long-range missiles. The distance between us is only 2,600 KM. It can be done in minutes.’ The crux of the piece says Iran would be justified in launching a pre-emptive strike against Israel because of the threat the Jewish state’s leaders are posing against its own nuclear facilities.”
Melanie Phillips offers us the bigger picture to all this: “War with Iran is a truly fearsome prospect. Its likely consequences would include attacks on US air bases from thousands of Iranian missiles, the unleashing of terrorist attacks within the US and Europe, the rocketing of Israeli towns from the tens of thousands of missiles trained on Israel from Lebanon, the closing of the Straits of Hormuz thus paralysing western oil supplies, and doubtless other horrors.
“But however fearsome this prospect, that of a nuclear-armed Iran is worse. The consequences are simply insupportable. A regime which has seen itself at war with the west ever since it came to power in 1979, and which has been involved in arguably every major terrorist atrocity against it, will be equipped with nuclear weapons to bring the west to its knees. Working as it does through puppet rogue regimes and terror organisations, it could perpetrate acts of nuclear terrorism – or threaten to do so.
“It could mount its long-threatened attempt to wipe Israel off the map, thus provoking a nuclear response to prevent a second genocide of the Jews. Last but by no means least, it will spark a nuclear arms race throughout the region, thus ensuring that nuclear weapons come under the control of some of the most unstable and belligerent regimes on earth. To all these threats and more, the west will be paralysed by Iran’s nuclear capacity, just as it is currently paralysed over North Korea.”
She too cites Iranian leadership. They have made their aims perfectly clear, and we ignore these warnings at our own peril: “The deeper problem is the west’s assumption that the Iranian regime is capable of ‘coming to its senses’ – its assumption that these are rational actors who ultimately will act in their own interest. Few in the west understand that, on the contrary, the Iranian regime is impervious to reason. Educated, intelligent and cunning they may be – but they are religious fanatics driven by an entirely different set of considerations. That’s what makes this situation so terrifying.
“As I have written over and over again, from the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei downwards the Iranian regime is dominated by people (adherents of a sect called the ‘Twelvers’) who believe that the Shia messiah, the Mahdi, will return to earth either as result of or to bring about the apocalyptic end of days. It is that apocalypse that they are intent upon facilitating. That is why the argument that ‘they wouldn’t dare launch a nuclear attack because they know half of Iran would be obliterated as a result’ is so fatuous. They would be happy if that were to occur.”
Being naive about our enemies and seeking to appease them helps absolutely no one. And another important lesson of history is this: when someone says they want to annihilate you, you had better take them seriously. I close with a short video clip which I suggest you all watch. Douglas Murray seems to have more understanding in his little pinky than people like Ron Paul have in their whole body: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dBzslDdQ_g
And just in case that is not very convincing, I suggest you watch this even shorter video clip to see what we are up against here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs0xLdFqU_s&feature=related
Let me be the first to comment with a remark made by Benjamin Netanyahu:
“It’s 1938 and Iran is Germany. When someone tells you he is going to exterminate you, believe him – and stop him.”
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Psalm 2 (World English Bible):
Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath:
“Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”
I will tell of the decree. Yahweh said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become your father.
Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him. A Psalm by David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
Phillip Ellery
An alarming book (which I must read again) is Israel Under Fire: The Prophetic Chain of Events That Threatens the Middle East by John Ankerberg and Jimmy DeYoung.
The book includes interviews with prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, also Moshe Arens and Lt General William G. Boykin. I include the opening quotes here;
“The militant Shiites in Iran are … racing to develop nuclear weapons with the explicit goal of wiping Israel from the face of the earth … ” Benjamin Netanyahu. Press conference, Jerusalem, April 16, 2008
“We’re not only being told that we’ll be wiped off the face of the earth, but also that Iranian-backed proxies are establishing themselves at our doorsteps and rocketing our people.” Benjamin Netanyahu
“If no one will take [action] and Israel will have to take [action] on our own, we will have to consider and evaluate what we have to do.” Reuven Rivlin, Israel’s speaker of the Knesset
“I agree with those Israelis that have told you they fear Iran as their number one threat. I think that it is. I think Iran is the number one threat probably to the whole world.” Retired U.S. Lieutenant General Jerry Boykin
“Nuclear capability in the hands of the Iranians is not only a threat against Israel, it is a threat to the whole world.” Moshe Arens, Former Israeli Minister of Defense
Annette Nestor
Fantastic piece Bill. My dad is a conservative pro-Israel Christian & Ron Paul supporter. I’ve sent him this piece to warn him of Paul’s views.
Luke Collins
Sad to see Iran as it is today. Under Cyrus, as foretold by the Lord in Isaiah 45, it brought release for the Judean exiles in Babylon, promoted the rebuilding of the temple and then under Artaxerxes approved Nehemiah to reconstruct the walls of Jerusalem.
Stephen White
Who is this idiot? There is only one thing that raises my blood pressure more than despots like those running Iran – people like this Paul who live in the West, enjoy the prosperity of the West, enjoy the security of the West, in short – enjoy all the benefits of the West – and then proceed to have the disgusting gall to put the boot into the country that sustains his very welfare and existence. Try asking him to show how much he really cares by denouncing his US citizenship and moving lock, stock and barrel to Iran or the unstable Middle Eastern country of his choice. I think your chances of turning water into wine are better than convincing him to move!
Steve Davis
The problem with Ron Paul is that his views are based in ideology and not reality. Iran is indeed a threat and we should all be concerned. Its frightening really.
Peter Sanderson
You can read and view more on what Iran is up to here:
Thanks for this Bill! There are too few reminders and little attention given to these developments. All of this is fitting together like a tv mini-series with Bible prophecy as its script. It brings Psalm 83 to life.
Mihael McCoy
Bill, I saw that speech by David Murray, it was absolutely brilliant, I wonder if there was a reponse to that and if so are you aware of it and would you know if it is on Youtube?
Steve Davis
Seals it for me. Any enemy of Israel is an enemy of God.
Dan Collins
While I agree with your article on the most part and we should be doing something to alleviate external threats. The bible makes it clear that a much more dangerous threat lies within, in the very depths of Christendom. See Matt 7:15, 2 Thes 2:3, 2 Thes 2:7, Rev 13:6-7 and many others for example.
Luke Belik
Thanks Luke
Yes Jesus, Paul and the entire NT warn often of internal threats. But they also warn often of external threats. So it behooves us to be on our guard against every threat we face. All are dangerous, and all need to be confronted. We don’t need to choose here. Whenever an attack comes – whatever the source – we must rise to the challenge.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
See what Charles Krauthammer has said on this:
“I think Israel will strike because it cannot live under the threat of annihilation from Iran. Unless something intervenes, I cannot imagine the Israelis are going to allow Iran to go nuclear and to hold the Damocles sword over 6 million Jews all over again. Israel was established to prevent a second Holocaust, not to invite one.”
I think Israel will strike perhaps in a manner not at all expected by the West or even Iran (Remember Entebbe when another dictator was left with egg on his face, and sadly where the more intelligent Netanyahu a Colonel in the IDF died). I think also watch the actions of Britain and France,not really friends of Israel-they who duped the latter into the Suez Crisis of 1956. Britain, who signed the Balfour Declaration and then spent years trying to stop Jews getting into Palestine.
Wayne Pelling
Let me be the first to comment with a remark made by Benjamin Netanyahu:
“It’s 1938 and Iran is Germany. When someone tells you he is going to exterminate you, believe him – and stop him.”
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Psalm 2 (World English Bible):
Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath:
“Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”
I will tell of the decree. Yahweh said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become your father.
Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him. A Psalm by David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
Phillip Ellery
An alarming book (which I must read again) is Israel Under Fire: The Prophetic Chain of Events That Threatens the Middle East by John Ankerberg and Jimmy DeYoung.
The book includes interviews with prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, also Moshe Arens and Lt General William G. Boykin. I include the opening quotes here;
Annette Nestor
Fantastic piece Bill. My dad is a conservative pro-Israel Christian & Ron Paul supporter. I’ve sent him this piece to warn him of Paul’s views.
Luke Collins
Sad to see Iran as it is today. Under Cyrus, as foretold by the Lord in Isaiah 45, it brought release for the Judean exiles in Babylon, promoted the rebuilding of the temple and then under Artaxerxes approved Nehemiah to reconstruct the walls of Jerusalem.
Stephen White
Who is this idiot? There is only one thing that raises my blood pressure more than despots like those running Iran – people like this Paul who live in the West, enjoy the prosperity of the West, enjoy the security of the West, in short – enjoy all the benefits of the West – and then proceed to have the disgusting gall to put the boot into the country that sustains his very welfare and existence. Try asking him to show how much he really cares by denouncing his US citizenship and moving lock, stock and barrel to Iran or the unstable Middle Eastern country of his choice. I think your chances of turning water into wine are better than convincing him to move!
Steve Davis
The problem with Ron Paul is that his views are based in ideology and not reality. Iran is indeed a threat and we should all be concerned. Its frightening really.
Peter Sanderson
You can read and view more on what Iran is up to here:
http://www.wnd.com/2012/02/ayatollah-kill-all-jews-annihilate-israel/
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Thanks for this Bill! There are too few reminders and little attention given to these developments. All of this is fitting together like a tv mini-series with Bible prophecy as its script. It brings Psalm 83 to life.
Mihael McCoy
Bill, I saw that speech by David Murray, it was absolutely brilliant, I wonder if there was a reponse to that and if so are you aware of it and would you know if it is on Youtube?
Steve Davis
Seals it for me. Any enemy of Israel is an enemy of God.
Dan Collins
While I agree with your article on the most part and we should be doing something to alleviate external threats. The bible makes it clear that a much more dangerous threat lies within, in the very depths of Christendom. See Matt 7:15, 2 Thes 2:3, 2 Thes 2:7, Rev 13:6-7 and many others for example.
Luke Belik
Thanks Luke
Yes Jesus, Paul and the entire NT warn often of internal threats. But they also warn often of external threats. So it behooves us to be on our guard against every threat we face. All are dangerous, and all need to be confronted. We don’t need to choose here. Whenever an attack comes – whatever the source – we must rise to the challenge.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
See what Charles Krauthammer has said on this:
“I think Israel will strike because it cannot live under the threat of annihilation from Iran. Unless something intervenes, I cannot imagine the Israelis are going to allow Iran to go nuclear and to hold the Damocles sword over 6 million Jews all over again. Israel was established to prevent a second Holocaust, not to invite one.”
http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/11/krauthammer-israel-will-strike-iran-to-prevent-a-second-holocaust/
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
I think Israel will strike perhaps in a manner not at all expected by the West or even Iran (Remember Entebbe when another dictator was left with egg on his face, and sadly where the more intelligent Netanyahu a Colonel in the IDF died). I think also watch the actions of Britain and France,not really friends of Israel-they who duped the latter into the Suez Crisis of 1956. Britain, who signed the Balfour Declaration and then spent years trying to stop Jews getting into Palestine.
Wayne Pelling