Please and sign to help an ADPi Dad!

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

Our government has made inquiries, but they have not put the pressure on Iran that they should.

I'm afraid I have to say it, though I know it won't be popular: This is what bothers me about this petition, or one of the things that bothers me.

How do we know that the government is or isn't doing all it can, and how do we know what pressure it should or shouldn't be putting on Iran? When it comes to the pressure that should be put on Iran, a nation doing what it can to develop nuclear weapons, we're talking about things that have the potential to affect diplomacy and national and international security. There are layers of issues and considerations at play. In all likelihood, few people if anyone outside the FBI and the State Department know the extent of what is or isn't being done, and how or why.

FWIW, here is a FBI page on Levinson from last year.

Of course I want Levinson to be released, and of course I feel for his family. I simply can't imagine what the last five years have been like for any of them. But I do have a problem with the seeming assumption that the government isn't already doing what it reasonably can and should do. And frankly, that last part of the last sentence -- "We the people of the US wish to bring this man home no matter what it takes" -- is a deal breaker for me when it comes to signing.

[Socalparent]

My cousin who was several years older than me was one of the 52 hostages held by Iran in 1979 to 1981 for 444 days. His captivity took a toll on him and his immediate family (divorce, heart attack) although he takes pride in not focusing nor dwelling on it. He rarely talks in depth about his experience. One comment he made recently is that 30+ years ago Iran was THE wild card in the Middle East and he doesn't believe that has changed. What makes them even scarier now is their nuclear capability (or potential depending on who you talk to).

I believe the US is trying to bring this unfortunate man home. I also believe we are dealing with a mindset that Joe and Jane Blow will never truly understand.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I'm afraid I have to say it, though I know it won't be popular: This is what bothers me about this petition, or one of the things that bothers me.

How do we know that the government is or isn't doing all it can, and how do we know what pressure it should or shouldn't be putting on Iran? When it comes to the pressure that should be put on Iran, a nation doing what it can to develop nuclear weapons, we're talking about things that have the potential to affect diplomacy and national and international security. There are layers of issues and considerations at play. In all likelihood, few people if anyone outside the FBI and the State Department know the extent of what is or isn't being done, and how or why.

FWIW, here is a FBI page on Levinson from last year.

Of course I want Levinson to be released, and of course I feel for his family. I simply can't imagine what the last five years have been like for any of them. But I do have a problem with the seeming assumption that the government isn't already doing what it reasonably can and should do. And frankly, that last part of the last sentence -- "We the people of the US wish to bring this man home no matter what it takes" -- is a deal breaker for me when it comes to signing.

What I am about to say may also be unpopular: I also believe it takes 10 seconds for you to sign this petition and give this family some hope that people care. But I understand if you're too busy and I thank you just the same.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

What I am about to say may also be unpopular: I also believe it takes 10 seconds for you to sign this petition and give this family some hope that people care. But I understand if you're too busy and I thank you just the same.

It's not a matter of being too busy. Nor is it a matter of being uncaring.

It's a matter of not signing my name to petitions that say things that I cannot fully support. If this were a petition that said "I join in supporting the Levinson family and in urging the government to do all that it can to bring Robert Levinson home," which I imagine is the sentiment behind the petition, then signing wouldn't be a problem.

But that's not what it says. It says "rescuing Levinson should be top priority right now for our country," and that we want to bring Levinson home "no matter what it takes."

As much as I'd like to join in showing support for the Levinsons, I can't sign a petition that says those things.

It is quite possible to want to support the Levinsons and at the same time believe that this petition is not the way to do it.