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Iran’s development of nuclear energy facilitates weapons creation

by Mason Woolley - 09/14/15 4:51 PM ET

In 2009 at Cairo University in a speech, President Obama stated, “And any nation — including Iran — should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.”

It has been advocated by the White House that all nations of the world including Iran have the right to develop nuclear energy; the development of nuclear energy facilitates and enables the creation of nuclear weapons.

{mosads}The Iran deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, is being proposed as a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear weapons development, and only limits enrichment and research of nuclear energy for 15 years and imposes a total of 25 years of inspections. The deal does not dismantle Iran’s nuclear facilities or prevent its government from developing nuclear weapons and gives Iran the power to develop nuclear energy.

On one hand, Americans can support the deal as a diplomatic and peaceful solution and hope an enemy will turn into a friend; on the other hand, Americans can question the wisdom of a deal that can enable our enemy and another nation in the world to possess the incredible destructive power of nuclear missiles.

The White House has shown no interest in engaging in public debate or discussion — it sought approval from the United Nations Security Council before the American people and nation; senators opposed to the deal, like Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), have been vilified; and fast-track authorization empowers the presidency by denying Congress the ability to amend the treaty or members of Congress to filibuster it. The approach of the White House is that the Iran deal is one that is morally right and best for the world; however, the White House is acting in a mistaken belief based on an authority it does not have. It is the prerogative of our country to decide the future of national security.

The Iran deal must be approved or disapproved with consent. There is false sense of urgency the deal must be voted on this month — Congress should immediately extend the date of the vote.

From Mason Woolley, Asheville, N.C.

Let’s join together and raise awareness for refugees like Aylan

The heartbreaking tragedies of the refugee crisis continue to shock, particularly with the haunting image of Aylan Kurdi who washed ashore on a Turkish beach (“Honor Aylan by making peace in Syria,” The Hill’s Congress Blog, Sept. 4). The atrocities and conflicts in Iraq and Syria and the spillover violence in the rest of the Middle East have become unbearable to the extent that thousands of migrants are forcing their way into Europe. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Greece has had 181,500 migrants arrive this year. But the numbers keep going up. From France to Serbia, people are trying to escape the horrors of home. Unfortunately, European countries are not being the most accepting due to their own instabilities and financial circumstances.

It is sad when we waste time solely on blaming Western interventions from the U.S. and the United Kingdom and the actions of autocratic leaders. Rather, we need to speak out and join together with other like-minded individuals from all over the world to raise awareness for people like Aylan. While the political factors are relevant, human lives are being lost by the lack of humanitarian action. East or West, Muslim or Christian, we can all find ways to fight injustice through our own activism, even if it is just through a simple prayer.

From Saira Bhatti, Centreville, Va.

Tags Chuck Schumer