points of view

JPM from page 51

Commentary

Specifically, we're pleased that
Federation has made use of our
extensive community survey. As
Esther Allweiss Ingber wrote in the
Aug. 27 JN, "[Scott] Kaufman said
results of the committee's original
survey of what community members
most desired in a JCC helped to
determine what the new JPM entity
should include. The pool, for exam-
ple, is a much-utilized feature."
But we ask readers to have
a look at the survey at www.
Savetheoakparkjcc.com because it
provides a key to some of the anxi-
ety and consternation being widely
expressed, even in the wake of the
recent good news. Yes, the pool is
a high priority of many in the com-
munity (28 percent of respondents
want to make sure that it will include
open swimming for men and women,
40 percent that it will include sepa-
rate-sex swimming), but a far higher
priority and predictor of future
membership is a fitness center (47
percent) and indeed an executive
fitness center (42 percent), as well
as a kosher restaurant and/or coffee
shop (46 percent and 44 percent).
It has often been said that JPM is
the one place in Metropolitan Detroit
where Orthodox Jews and others
came together, mixed comfortably
and shared a sense of community.
This community took shape as we
mingled in the pool, fitness areas
and locker rooms, and restaurant.
Many of the members are dis-
turbed by what they have heard so
far from Federation because they
do not see how our community can
be reconstituted according to Larry
Wolfe's and Scott Kaufman's state-
ments.
Accordingly, we hope that plans
for the new JPM will be developed
with the survey in mind, and indeed
with the continued active participa-
tion of the community. We have even
proposed that Federation involve the
community directly in developing
ideas for, and even raising funding
for, a fitness center and health club
at JPM.
As grateful as we are to JPM's
new benefactors, we feel that a
flourishing communal center with
a health club will create a sense of
membership and encourage a strong
commitment of support from the
surrounding community. We look for-
ward to working toward this goal as
the future unfolds. ❑

Ronald Aronson and Aaron Tobin are co-

chairs of the Committee to Save the Oak

Park JCC. See a related story on page 10.

52

September 10 • 2015

DI

Why Sen. Levin Is Wrong About Iran

F

ormer Sens. Carl Levin and
John Warner's column "Why
Hawks Should Back The Iran
Deal" (Aug. 27, page 37) is
fundamentally flawed.
Their case is based on the
construct that any military
option against Iran would
be hindered by lack of allies'
support if the agreement is
rejected by Congress and
thus would weaken the deter-
rent value of America's mili-
tary option.
To refute their position,
it's important to understand
some key parts of the agree-
ment — and then consider
the military situation in
the near term (the first few years)
and then in the long term (after years
12-15).

Dangers Of The Agreement

The overall agreement including the U.N.
Resolution of Approval calls for lifting
restraints on intercontinental ballistic
missile (ICBM)-technology in year eight.
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and
Gen. Martin Dempsey in testimony on
July 7 told Congress that this technology
should not be given to Iran as it would
make the United States vulnerable to
Iranian nuclear attack.
What has changed? An ICBM is only
good for delivering a nuclear weapon.
After year 15, there are no constraints
on the amount of uranium Iran can
enrich and no constraint on the num-
ber of advanced centrifuges it can use.
President Obama has stated this puts the
breakout time close to zero.
Interestingly enough, the agreement
also provides Iran with the technology to
detonate a nuclear bomb per Paragraph
5 page 146:

"Review and approve in advance, upon
request by Iran, the design, development,
fabrication, acquisition or use for non-
nuclear purposes of multi point explosive
detonation systems suitable for a nuclear
explosive device and explosive diagnostic
systems (streak cameras, framing cameras
and flash X-ray cameras) suitable for
the development of a nuclear explosive
device."
This is the technology that they have
been trying to develop at their Parchin
military facility. Parchin is the facility
where there is a secret inspection agree-
ment with the International Atomic
Energy Association that was leaked to
the AP. The agreement has Iran, itself,
providing the samples for IAEA analysis.
This is like having a suspected drug deal-
er be able to submit samples for testing.

A U.S. Attack On Iran

Any attack on Iran to destroy Iran's
nuclear capability will be from the air.
America does not need sup-
port from P5+1 to carry out
this mission near-term or
long-term. America has the
B-2 stealth bomber capable of
carrying the required bunker
busters, jamming aircraft and
fighter bombers.
In the near term, Iran is
militarily weak with an obso-
lete air force. It may have the
Russian S-300 system in the
next year, which could hamper
our efforts slightly. In the out
years, Iran will have Soviet
S-300 state-of-the-art antiair-
craft systems, modern fighter aircraft
and a capable military on land, in the sea
and in the air to defend its nuclear facili-
ties and could significantly bloody our
attacking military.
Also, beyond year 10, Iran will have
ICBM technology and could potentially
launch a nuclear device at our cities or
produce a damaging ElectroMagnetic
Pulse crippling our infrastructure. We will
then need to think twice about attack-
ing Iran. Remember they continue to say
"Death To America:' which the admin-
istration claims is only for internal con-
sumption, yet wants us to believe that Iran
will live up to the agreement Preamble
Item iii: Iran reaffirms that under no cir-

The senators make the same point
as the president in different words.
However, given the agreement as written,
a future president will have a less viable
military option than today. Therefore, we
need to strengthen the agreement.
Under no circumstances can Iran
keep its present nuclear infrastructure
intact, have ICBM technology or multi-
point explosive technology, or advanced
centrifuges. If we are to test Iran's inten-
tions, it is best to do it now when we
have a relatively easy military task. In the
long term, Iran will be able to put up a
credible defense and an offense having
totally changed the military equation in
their favor. If Preamble iii is correct, Iran
should have no problem crossing out the
concerning items in the agreement that
were red lines two years ago.

Vote 'Nor On Deal
The present agreement must be voted
down and fixed. Those in Congress
agreeing to it must reverse their position
if our children and grandchildren are
to be kept from danger. It is up to us to
challenge Sen. Debbie Stabenow and U.S.
Reps. Sander Levin, Brenda Lawrence
and Debbie Dingell to reverse their deci-
sions — and encourage Sen. Gary Peters
to vote "no."
As Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) stated,
"... Congress has rejected outright or
demanded changes to more than 200 trea-
ties and international agreements ..."

❑

cumstances will Iran ever seek, develop or
Eugene Greenstein, Ph.D., is president of the
acquire any nuclear weapons.
Zionist Organization of America-Michigan
If Iran abides by Item iii, why does
Region.
Iran need ICBM technology and why
have Paragraph 5 on page 146?
If we believe Iran will abide
by Item iii, why are we teach-
HAPPY HOLIDAY!
ing Iran how to and helping
Iran to defend their nuclear
REVIEWING '
( PROIC11116'
WHAT NEXT
LAST WAR'S
facilities? No one would attack
WAR MIGHT
nIEWS Negrs
facilities intended for peaceful
CouLD BE
BRING COULD
f DEPRESSING.
BE SCARY.
purposes.

Dry Bones

Test Iran's Intentions
In the first few years of this
agreement, we have a military
option even if made more
difficult by Russian supplied
S-300s anti-aircraft systems. If
we trust Iran, then one must
wonder why President Obama
in his webinar to the Jewish
community on Aug. 28 stated
"fifteen years from now, the
president, whoever that may
be, will be in a stronger posi-
tion to respond to the threat of
Iranian nuclear weapons if the
current deal with Tehran is
adopted and implemented:'

...so I'm

7

PtANNING 10
CONC6gFRATE
ON lliE PRESENT
af RAVING.•.

www.drybones.com