More Proof of Iranian Meddling in Iraq

IED found in Iraq

For those of you who would like to give the Iranians the benefit of doubt when they deny providing weapons to insurgent groups in Iraq and Afghanistan, this story may make you think again.

An Iranian and four people from Singapore have been charged by a U.S. grand jury with smuggling thousands of radio transmitters to Iran, some later found in bombs in Iraq.

The five were indicted on charges that they evaded U.S. export control laws by buying 6,000 of the transmitters from a Minnesota company and shipping them via Singapore to Iran, where most U.S. companies are restricted from doing business.

The devices, which can be used for long-range wireless data transmissions, were bought between June 2007 and February 2008 under the pretense that they would be used to set up wireless networks in commercial offices. The indictment, filed in federal court, said the transmitters were sent to Iran and that U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq had found at least 16 of them in unexploded improvised explosive devices (IEDs) between May 2008 and July 2010.

The transmitter, when used with a particular antenna, can send a signal from as far away as 40 miles, enabling someone to remotely detonate a bomb. Such bombs have been particularly deadly against military forces in Iraq, causing scores of casualties and injuries. U.S. officials have previously accused Iran of meddling in Iraq, charges that Tehran has denied.

While I am glad to see that we are tracking down and holding people responsible for these activities, I would be happier if they were charged with murder for the deaths of our servicemen. I would also be a damned sight happier if the Administration would hold Iran responsible. I just can not understand why we continue to do nothing more than make accusations and threaten sanctions as the only consequence for Iran when our troops are being maimed and killed. It is really disgraceful –and Iran will not stop until the consequences are far more painful.

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On a completely different note, we are starting to see a lot of campaign ads. I guess we better get used to it -it's a long way to the Presidential election in November of next year and this is going to be one bitter, nasty fight. One way to make it a little easier is to sit back and make fun of the many ads that turn out to be just plain dumb or to get a good laugh at the more creative, fun ones. San Fransisco is in the middle of a Mayorial race and I happened across this ad on You Tube for Intrim Mayor Ed Lee. Not being a resident of San Fransisco any longer I have long since lost track of their local politics, so I have no idea about the issues or the candidates, but this ad is a whowl, with a lot of local celebreties getting in on the act. I could not resist sharing it with you. Enjoy...

Live Long and Prosper....