Not a game: Iran's defiance a test to see what will happen next ... show them

There is reason to be nervous about the fact that Iran seems to be ignoring warnings from the United States and the world that its development of a nuclear weapons program will not be tolerated.

In fact, this past weekend's tests -- and subsequent rhetoric that the testing sites recently discovered in the country are merely for peaceful uranium use -- are evidence that this is a country that cannot be trusted.

And right now, it doesn't seem to be too scared.

As wonderful as the idea is about dealing with rogue nations with an eye for diplomacy and not threats, when you let someone with no regard for logic and reason anyway think he or she has an "in," you are putting the world in danger.

It is time for a real smack-down on the Iranian regime -- a message that the United States and its allies are not fooling around.

Without that, there will be no way to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of what can only be described as a nut -- and to prevent him from selling them to someone whose mantra includes the words "Death to America."

President Barack Obama has to step up and put some pressure on China and Russia to actively join the effort and take a stand against Iran, now.

A strong show of force -- in whatever form it takes -- is obviously required.

Published in Editorials on September 28, 2009 10:09 AM