Sure beats bomb, bomb, bomb.

'Bomb, bomb Iran.' That's the chant of stupid Republican Senator John McCain. And he really means it. As do many conservative American politicians. Of which there are far too many. But I'm a political liberal. And I see the Middle East political dilemma differently. To me,  Iran looks like a potential ally and friend. Yes, the Iranian leadership tends to be strongly anti-American. Which is all right. America deserves to be taken with a high degree of suspicion and skepticism. For its chants of 'Bomb, bomb Iran.' Of course, bombing and warfare would be a horrible way to resolve political issues. Diplomacy and negotiations would be far better. Obama and the more liberal elements of American politic are trying that. Especially when it comes to taming Iran's desire to develop a nuclear bomb. Iran seems willing to work out a deal. In which there's compromise, aka reasonable give and take. Of all the political players in the Middle East, Iran seems to be the most civilized. The most willing to act sensibly. The most willing to send in troops to oppose and combat the Islamic State. Oddly, that puts Iran on the same side as the Americans. Imagine that. Americans having reason to look at the Iranians as  the good guys. Plus the fact that the Iranians seem willing to make a deal. On curtailing their nuclear ambitions. Plus, many young Iranians have an affinity for Americans.  Yes, the relations between Iran and America went awry. In the 1970s. When Iran seized American hostages. And held them for a long time. But the hostages came out. Alive. And imagine now. If the Islamic State held American hostages. They'd  come out with their heads chopped off. Murdered in cold blood. Like I say, the Iranians seem a bit more civilized. Let' talk, talk, talk. Sure beats bomb, bomb, bomb. --Jim Broede