Do You Think It's Time To Get Tougher With Iran?

MSNBC asked the above question today, and I found it infuriating. It's symptomatic of the way the media doesn't give the American people enough information to objectively evaluate world affairs and poses sensationalizing questions like this one to polarize people on opposite ends of the spectrum instead of taking an honest look at issues. Here's my feedback that I provided to MSNBC:

I think that the media is leading the American people down the wrong path, in the same way they did with the lead up to the war in Iraq, by automatically siding with the Bush administration to demonize Iran. The media is not questioning what rights the U.S. has to dictate whether Iran can generate nuclear energy for civilian use. The media fails to inform the viewing audience up the tenets of the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty, especially the following tenet: "The right to peacefully use nuclear technology." The media should focus on what evidence the IEA or the US has that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. The media should focus on the issues surrounding Iran's 20 year plan for energy security and not to be dependent on a dwindling fossil fuel supply in the world. The media should focus on other countries who have the rights to nuclear technology, use it for civilian use, and their plans to get off fossil fuels in the future (i.e. France, Germany, etc.). France derives approximately 70% of its energy from nuclear technology and a recent news article stated that no French train shall use fossil fuels by 2026.

The media should stop framing the debate as to what the US should do about Iran and referring to the issue as Iran's nuclear program or Iran defends Nukes program, alluding to the fact that it’s common knowledge that Iran wants to use this program to develop nuclear weapons. It's irresponsible reporting and if it continues, there should be no question in the future as to why US citizens believe that Iran is evil, it’s only agenda is nuclear weapons, and military action or extensive UN sanctions are justified. Give the people the full story instead of effort at sensationalism.