Alfonse D'Amato

Senator Schumer and Mr. Joel, Long Island thanks you

Posted

Last week, two New Yorkers, Sen. Chuck Schumer and rock star Billy Joel, made New Yorkers and Long Islanders proud.

I’ve made no secret of my disapproval of President Obama’s proposed nuclear deal with Iran. The good news is that I’m a Republican and I’m out of office, so I can freely voice my opinion.

That isn’t the case for my successor, Schumer, a strong supporter of the Obama administration and its policies.

But last week, Schumer announced that he would oppose the Iran deal. “To me,” he said, “the very real risk that Iran will not moderate and will, instead, use the agreement to pursue its nefarious goals is too great.”

Bravo, Senator Schumer!

New York state has the highest percentage of Jewish people in the country: They comprise almost 10 percent of the population. And Schumer has always been one of Israel’s greatest advocates.

New Yorkers have been vocal about their discontent with the Iran deal, and Schumer has been listening. That’s why people elect representatives — to respond to their needs and fight for them.

Obama has backed us into a ludicrous agreement that weakens our power in the Middle East and strengthens Iran. When America doesn’t lead, the world is a tumultuous place. Iran isn’t a country with which we should negotiate. It is an evil and potentially destructive force. If Obama negotiated with Iran and gave up so much so early, I wonder, will he also negotiate with ISIS? What will he give them?

How could the president agree to ease up on sanctions without first verifying Iran’s compliance with the deal? Schumer noted that the agreement has “serious weaknesses” in the first 10 years. After only eight years, Iran can buy ballistic missiles. And then there’s the 24-day delay before inspectors are allowed in, and the U.S. cannot demand inspections unilaterally. What kind of deal is that? It’s certainly not one that I would ever support.

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