29 U.S. Scientists Praise Iran Nuclear Deal in Letter to Obama

[tabasco]

Source: New York Times

Twenty-nine of the nation’s top scientists — including Nobel laureates, veteran makers of nuclear arms and former White House science advisers — wrote to President Obama on Saturday to praise the Iran deal, calling it innovative and stringent.

The letter, from some of the world’s most knowledgeable experts in the fields of nuclear weapons and arms control, arrives as Mr. Obama is lobbying Congress, the American public and the nation’s allies to support the agreement.

The two-page letter may give the White House arguments a boost after the blow Mr. Obama suffered on Thursday when Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, a Democrat and among the most influential Jewish voices in Congress, announced he would oppose the deal, which calls for Iran to curb its nuclear program and allow inspections in return for an end to international oil and financial sanctions.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/world/29-us-scientists-praise-iran-nuclear-deal-in-letter-to-obama.html?&moduleDetail=section-news-1&action=click&contentCollection=Middle%20East&region=Footer&module=MoreInSection&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&pgtype=article

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[DavidDvorkin]

1. What do they know?

They probably think global warming's real, too.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

2. Yeah, what a bunch of mooks!

[kelliekat44]

3. Anyone else listen to or view the Committee on Banking hearing on this agreement? It was

confirmation for me that anyone in Congress who has been briefed on this agreement or who has read the agreement and says it's a bad deal for Israel and the US is being disingenuous to say the least. Cotten is an asshole and Schumer should be ashamed of himself for going against it. It's really truly is not about it being a bad deal or being worried about what Iran could do 15 years from now or even right now.

Wake up to the sad reality that it's all about being against this President, hating him to succeed. Obama has busted every stereotype of the black man that so many have held that comfortably allowed them to feel superior and maintain their own personal bigotry. On BOTH sides, whites just do not want this President to be successful; they don't want to admit that given half a chance a person of color could do as good a job, if not better, as any privileged white man. And Obama has proved that you don't need to be a SOB or disrespectful dick to handle the job either. Sad, really sad.

[6chars]

6. people often disagree

I want this President, to whom I donated a big chunk of $, time (walking, phone banking), and (2) votes, not to mention buying a Yes We Can cd, signs, bumper stickers, and hanging out an American flag after both his elections, to continue to succeed. I have concerns about the deal. DUers are calling people who express concerns about the deal traitors. They are saying Democrats who have concerns are betraying Obama. To me, this is ridiculous. Obama works for us, we do not work for him. I didn't like it under Bush when we were told we have to agree with the President or we are the enemy or traitors, and I don't like it under Obama.

[tabasco]

7. What are your specific concerns with the agreement? n/t

[6chars]

11. all the ways it's not perfect

Obama and Kerry and others acknowledge on their more more open days that it is far from perfect, but balance that by saying it is the best that can be done and better than the alternative of no agreement. none of us on DU (probably) are nuclear technical experts who can form independent judgments of any value on the science. we have to depend on what technical experts say. i am concerned when i hear the science (and the international relations and military consideratins) laid out with the tone of a sales pitch -- with certainty that this will work and that will work and don't worry about this other thing. My feeling is that the Obama administration has been in an uncharacteristically strong sales mode in this way. Although it was for different purposes, it reminds me of the Bush sales mode. So I suspect there might be ways Iran can sneak things in or put things together under some circumstances but this is not being discussed. the other things i am concerned about are simply the behavior of Russia and China, as well as Iran of course. Will Russia and China do a lot of winking while selling and playing nasty international military/political games? How well does the deal hold up if they do? Is Iran going to try to develop offensive weapons in spite of this or will they basically make a lot of chest-puffing internally but nothing externally? It's not a sure thing one way or the other, but I am maybe more skeptical than others. Basically, it may be a good deal but I feel that we are getting a sales job and deserve answers to penetrating questions. Trust and verify.

[tabasco]

13. That's a bunch of babble.

Try again.

[6chars]

15. we are not getting the full story.

i have concerns when we don't get the full story.

[kelliekat44]

16. lol nt

[kelliekat44]

17. The GOP and most of the anti-agreement folks seem to be more worried about Iran getting access to

their own money and becoming an economic force in the ME that could rival Israel economically and technologically. The Persians are extremely smart people and with any up-lift to their economic situation is sure to make them competitive to the other nations in the ME. I do not believe that Iran is suicidal. I believe that really want the nuke ability to use domestically for their economy and medical reason. Remember we criticize Japan for not wanting to raise a military and for their anit-war policies. I really do believe that Iran is more concerned with the welfare of their people.

[6chars]

18. what is the basis for these beliefs?

what makes you think people are concerned about Iran becoming an economic force rather than its military threat? have they said that?

what makes you think Iran wants to use nuclear ability for economic and medical reasons (and not military)?

and what makes you think they are more concerned with the welfare of their people (than with expanding their military influence)?

is this based on your confidence in human nature (except for the nature of the humans who are opposed to this agreement)?

i fully agree with you that Iranians are smart (highly educated) and capable of having a strong economy, and that Iranian people are not in some way more war-like than others, but Iran's government is literally and officially an Islamic theocracy.

[Lionel Mandrake]

4. The scientists are preaching to the choir.

The people who need to hear this message are those least likely to appreciate it: Republican legislators, many of whom have been waging war on science for a long time.

[geek tragedy]

8. This is aimed at wobbly Democrats. nt

[MBS]

10. I agree. n/t

[6chars]

12. the letter itself wasn't scientific

it was just a statement of support, basically. it's nice to know these smart people (who seem to come from across the political spectrum) were willing to sign the letter.

[GitRDun]

5. This is the kind of information that shows Schumer for what he really is...

An openly political shill for Israel, AIPAC.

Until regular people start to absorb what these disingenuous tools do time and again to our people, Schumer will be able to carry on as always.

[4lbs]

9. What do a bunch of nuclear scientists know? We all know that we should only be listening to

Chuck Schumer, AIPAC, and Israel.

Politicians always know better than scientists.

[Fred Sanders]

14. Logic and peace will win out over all the warmonger blabbering and war lies. The world hails Obama.

[bananas]

19. Just read about this today.

Don't know how I missed it.
Posted it in Good Reads, then scrolled through LBN to see if had been posted.
This is very significant, these are highly regarded scientists, and this is their field.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1016129712