Iran? Tentacles? We can't afford to be histrionic. The Iranian students who led the revolt against the Shah expected that America would approve of their populist revolt. Iran is the only voting democracy with a functional government right now. Iranians bear no inate ill will against Americans, in fact, they like us.

So why start a war with them?

What is more, strategically, I cannot make it any clearer: if we fight a war with Iran we will lose. If we don't have the ability to win in disorganized and conflicted countries like Iraq or Afghanistan, what makes us think we could conquer a developed and militarized nation bristling with nationalism?

Jingoist fantasies are fun for armchair gener...

Iran? Tentacles? We can't afford to be histrionic. The Iranian students who led the revolt against the Shah expected that America would approve of their populist revolt. Iran is the only voting democracy with a functional government right now. Iranians bear no inate ill will against Americans, in fact, they like us.

So why start a war with them?

What is more, strategically, I cannot make it any clearer: if we fight a war with Iran we will lose. If we don't have the ability to win in disorganized and conflicted countries like Iraq or Afghanistan, what makes us think we could conquer a developed and militarized nation bristling with nationalism?

Jingoist fantasies are fun for armchair generals, but before we commit any more young American lives to lost causes, we owe them at least a sincere look at whether or not the war we are starting is even winnable.

We cant look at ourselves and see how intolerant we
are of any other idea. And if they don't go along with
our plans we blow them up. Grow up you fools. We are
not the might thats right. We are just bullies pushing
3rd world people around. Nothing to be proud of in that
nonsense.

And Iran is sending tentacle`s all over the world? What do you call what we are doing? We have military bases in every country we think we can control. And we don't want Iran to have nuclear power when we have over 400,000 nuclear warheads. Some of which has been flying over our heads without our knowing it.

And as far as the president of Iran not liking us. Do you know how many other countries don't like us?
But ...

We cant look at ourselves and see how intolerant we
are of any other idea. And if they don't go along with
our plans we blow them up. Grow up you fools. We are
not the might thats right. We are just bullies pushing
3rd world people around. Nothing to be proud of in that
nonsense.

And Iran is sending tentacle`s all over the world? What do you call what we are doing? We have military bases in every country we think we can control. And we don't want Iran to have nuclear power when we have over 400,000 nuclear warheads. Some of which has been flying over our heads without our knowing it.

And as far as the president of Iran not liking us. Do you know how many other countries don't like us?
But then with the attitude that the Neocons have. We
can just kill anyone who doesn't like us.

Pathetic little warmongers.

How is criticizing a bad policy, "utter insane hatred" unless you believe that mere criticism is a sign of hate. Destroying the village in order to save it never actually saves the village.

And if we follow your line of thinking then Truman should have nuked China and the Soviet Union because Chinese soldiers and Russian pilots killed U.S. soldiers in Korea or their weapons where used against U.S forces in Vietnam or Russia had the right to launch a nuclear strike because it was American weapon systems that killed Russian pilots and soldiers in Afghanistan. In fact by that same line of thinking, both Iraq and Iran have a right to kill American soldiers since both received funding (from the...

How is criticizing a bad policy, "utter insane hatred" unless you believe that mere criticism is a sign of hate. Destroying the village in order to save it never actually saves the village.

And if we follow your line of thinking then Truman should have nuked China and the Soviet Union because Chinese soldiers and Russian pilots killed U.S. soldiers in Korea or their weapons where used against U.S forces in Vietnam or Russia had the right to launch a nuclear strike because it was American weapon systems that killed Russian pilots and soldiers in Afghanistan. In fact by that same line of thinking, both Iraq and Iran have a right to kill American soldiers since both received funding (from the hand of Rumsfeld himself in Iraq, from the CIA Iran/Contra operation for Iran) and weapons that where used to kill one another.

In fact that was one of the justifications for 9/11, that the U.S. was funding, aiding and abetting regimes and nations that where killing Muslims.

When you get off your hallow nationalistic high horse and see the situation for what it is, your statements are purely emotionally driven but not very logical or even sane.

Besides most of the terrorist of 9/11 came from Saudi Arabia, and many of the volunteers to fight jihad come from that country and through Syria. Except for one lunatic Republican congressman, nobody has suggested turning that country into glass. I wonder why?

The next 10 to 30 years will be unlike anything you can imagine.

I think it's going down sooner than that, Willhelm. I think things will really heat up after the 2008 elections (US and elsewhere like Russia).

Would that include wiping Iran off the map with nukes Willhelm? What happens then?

Debbyski, did you read willhelm's earlier remarks? (emphasis mine)

War with Iran is insanity. Maybe, and that is a big maybe we should bomb their nuclear capability - big MAYBE. However, we can beat Iran without war. If we go to war with Iran, we may alienate the Iranian people who love America.

As far as I can tell Willhelm is not advocating ...

The next 10 to 30 years will be unlike anything you can imagine.

I think it's going down sooner than that, Willhelm. I think things will really heat up after the 2008 elections (US and elsewhere like Russia).

Would that include wiping Iran off the map with nukes Willhelm? What happens then?

Debbyski, did you read willhelm's earlier remarks? (emphasis mine)

War with Iran is insanity. Maybe, and that is a big maybe we should bomb their nuclear capability - big MAYBE. However, we can beat Iran without war. If we go to war with Iran, we may alienate the Iranian people who love America.

As far as I can tell Willhelm is not advocating using nuclear bombs, or even going to war. Sometimes I think people misinterpret what Willhelm says on purpose. He seems to be the whipping boy for the CM conservative voice. It's tired. Perhaps everyone can take turns flogging me for awhile. I'm sure he could use a break.

I did read the earlier comment BNM and it was one of those rare moments when Willhelm and I actually agreed. I was simply responding to this comment, with a reasonable question.

I hope we take whatever action we need to take to respond to Iran's
killing of American troops in Iraq before Bush leaves office.

But let's see, I have been called utter insane, full of hatred, and incapable of rational thought by Willhelm and that was just in this particular clip.
Willhelm is most certainly not my whipping boy; I would just like to see him argue his logic without all the emotionalism he adds by name calling. Name calling just seems to me to be trying to intentionally ...

I did read the earlier comment BNM and it was one of those rare moments when Willhelm and I actually agreed. I was simply responding to this comment, with a reasonable question.

I hope we take whatever action we need to take to respond to Iran's
killing of American troops in Iraq before Bush leaves office.

But let's see, I have been called utter insane, full of hatred, and incapable of rational thought by Willhelm and that was just in this particular clip.
Willhelm is most certainly not my whipping boy; I would just like to see him argue his logic without all the emotionalism he adds by name calling. Name calling just seems to me to be trying to intentionally invoke anger in others. And what is the point of that?
I welcome all sorts of differing opinions on my public clips and I go out of my way to try to never respond to Willhelm in a manner that is not polite and respectful when making my points. I really think that was a cheap shot at me BNM, and Ratifar made an excellent point by saying how is criticizing a bad policy "utter insane hatred" unless you believe that mere criticism is a sign of hate.

Debbyski, My point is that you are incapable of ANY rational thought as it pertains to GW Bush. You are entirely intolerant of any conservative view. You are hateful to Bush in a way I would never be toward ANY political figure. You show a gross misunderstand of any issue you comment on, and you are constantly focused on irrational thinking. Then, you follow up with some expression of how "tolerant" and "loving" you are. BOVINE SCATOLOGY!

The truthfulness and thoughtfulness of your comments are regularly as truthful and thoughtful as your contention that I "blame Clinton for everything". Remember that outright lie?

Your description of my emotion is as off-target a comment as I have ev...

Debbyski, My point is that you are incapable of ANY rational thought as it pertains to GW Bush. You are entirely intolerant of any conservative view. You are hateful to Bush in a way I would never be toward ANY political figure. You show a gross misunderstand of any issue you comment on, and you are constantly focused on irrational thinking. Then, you follow up with some expression of how "tolerant" and "loving" you are. BOVINE SCATOLOGY!

The truthfulness and thoughtfulness of your comments are regularly as truthful and thoughtful as your contention that I "blame Clinton for everything". Remember that outright lie?

Your description of my emotion is as off-target a comment as I have ever seen you make. You have no clue about my level of emotion. In fact, nothing I write is ever based on emotion. I base everything I say on knowledge and logic.
I am, however, expressive! It is important to be expressive in the context of written communication. I am not hateful. I do not use foul language and I do not regularly attack individual politicians in the hateful way so many on the LEFT and the RIGHT do. It is so idiotic.
Anyone can say I call people names all they want, but the fact is when someone makes a comment that displays ignorance, they are either stupid (which I have never called anyone) or ignorant (which is rampant here it Clipmarks). Ignorance is not a slur. I am ignorant about many things. I just do not comment on those things.

I do NOT comment here to change anyone's opinion. That is futile and frankly I do not care. The ONLY reason I engage in comments at CM is to challenge my own thinking.
Ignorance is misery and misery loves company. I guess that is the appeal of CM for so many on the Left.
Mousie, thanks, I guess, but I do not mind being the "whipping boy" simply for having an unpopular opinion, in CM world, and expessing it in an un-apologetic way. My skin has thickened quite a bit in the last 18 months.

Should I bother? Probably not.

The emperor has no clothes. He doesn't now and he didn't in the past. It has all been lies and deception. All the swiftboating in the world will not change the fact that your leader is a COWARD and a LIAR. Your old swiftboating tricks will not work now. You have been caught out lying with your master too often.

Intellectually, you are incapable of logical argument. You've had no practice. We have, lots of it. Crap is attracted towards crap. In the case of one crapper, I've decided not to waste my time and any intellect that I have, arguing with someone who is incapable of getting anything, anything correct.

Check back on the 20 plus comments here if you d...

Should I bother? Probably not.

The emperor has no clothes. He doesn't now and he didn't in the past. It has all been lies and deception. All the swiftboating in the world will not change the fact that your leader is a COWARD and a LIAR. Your old swiftboating tricks will not work now. You have been caught out lying with your master too often.

Intellectually, you are incapable of logical argument. You've had no practice. We have, lots of it. Crap is attracted towards crap. In the case of one crapper, I've decided not to waste my time and any intellect that I have, arguing with someone who is incapable of getting anything, anything correct.

Check back on the 20 plus comments here if you doubt me. Do you want MORE war? With who? Iran? Syria? Venezuela? All together? Nuclear? While losing in Iraq! Yes, it could blur the issue and maybe loose him the title of the worst American president ever if Bush could start another war with Iran. Is that what you want to save this shit? Your sons and daughters dead! THINK, before you write any further warmongering crap.

This was already covered in Fox News, but with a twist. You should read the full article.

With a failing economy and a poor result in Iraq, how better to to take away the bad press than to invade Iran.
Couple that with a court ruling against Iran for the Hezbollah bombing of the marine base in Lebanon,
it is a foregone conclusion.

However I was amazed at the audacity of Fox propaganda to blame the German government at the US failure at diplomacy.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296450,00.html

Just because the German government do not want to put the interests of the Bush government before everyone else's, it is their fault that military action will be taken against Iran.

What a croc...

This was already covered in Fox News, but with a twist. You should read the full article.

With a failing economy and a poor result in Iraq, how better to to take away the bad press than to invade Iran.
Couple that with a court ruling against Iran for the Hezbollah bombing of the marine base in Lebanon,
it is a foregone conclusion.

However I was amazed at the audacity of Fox propaganda to blame the German government at the US failure at diplomacy.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296450,00.html

Just because the German government do not want to put the interests of the Bush government before everyone else's, it is their fault that military action will be taken against Iran.

What a crock of horse shit.

I do not believe for a second that rational people exist in the US political system any more.

How convenient to blame everyone else, when your own blundering stupidity through the years has led to this situation.

Ponder on this;

Every Muslim nation in the world is gearing for war.
Indonesia has just signed a 1 billion dollar Weapons deal with Russia.

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Syria, Egypt, Libya, etc, etc are doing the same with various other nations.

Iran has mountainous terrain, Russian Missile technology, 12 million armed men and years to prepare for the Invasion.

God bless your stupidity.

Wow, it looks like the issue of Iran is pretty hot, while intelligence on Iran is pretty scarce. It feels to me like we are fighting this war with ourselves, in our own minds.

In the real world, I hope everyone is alert enough to realize: America does not have the strategic military power to defeat Iran in armed struggle. Not even with nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons work well against densely populated urban countries. Nukes would be totally useless in a desert country like Iran or Afghanistan or Iraq. It would only make them really angry.

Arifsali has a point. When I say the Iranians have no ill will towards us that is something that could change quickly. Iranians would resent an invasio...

Wow, it looks like the issue of Iran is pretty hot, while intelligence on Iran is pretty scarce. It feels to me like we are fighting this war with ourselves, in our own minds.

In the real world, I hope everyone is alert enough to realize: America does not have the strategic military power to defeat Iran in armed struggle. Not even with nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons work well against densely populated urban countries. Nukes would be totally useless in a desert country like Iran or Afghanistan or Iraq. It would only make them really angry.

Arifsali has a point. When I say the Iranians have no ill will towards us that is something that could change quickly. Iranians would resent an invasion, they are fiercely nationalistic. Alexander the Great invaded Iran 2,500 years ago, and they still hate him for it.

But, Bignosemousie, you aren't exactly right, Ahmadinajad doesn't hate us. He hates having to bow to a superior power. He talks about one day where Iran stands equal to nations like America. He wants to erase the imbalance of power between the two countries. This is uncomfortable to many Americans who would prefer the rest of the world remain on their knees, but it isn't as diabolical as mass media makes it out.

Remember this: America and its grass-roots populism was a key inspiration for the Iranian students in the 70s, and it still retains much of its admiration. Interestingly enough, many Iranians believe that the US is currently acting this way at the behest of the British, who they tend to blame for all the world's problems (another old grudge.)

I am struck by how many people are willing to bomb Iran these days, while so few know anything at all about the country.

Provoking a future nuclear power is a bad idea, I agree. That's why I think we should stop doing it.

It would do everyone a LOT of good to actually sit down and talk with a few Iranians, even though they are "the enemy" you might be surprised to find that they aren't that different from you or me. They can be reasoned with, and the things they want aren't so unreasonable.

Americans routinely resent, and flaunt mandates from the UN and the international community on the basis that America is an independent nation beholden to no one. Americans would not assent to placing American soldiers under foreign commanders in international missions, and always insist that either we are in charge or ...

Provoking a future nuclear power is a bad idea, I agree. That's why I think we should stop doing it.

It would do everyone a LOT of good to actually sit down and talk with a few Iranians, even though they are "the enemy" you might be surprised to find that they aren't that different from you or me. They can be reasoned with, and the things they want aren't so unreasonable.

Americans routinely resent, and flaunt mandates from the UN and the international community on the basis that America is an independent nation beholden to no one. Americans would not assent to placing American soldiers under foreign commanders in international missions, and always insist that either we are in charge or we don't do it at all.

So if the US refuses to obey international regulations, why should we expect Iran to? This is what I mean by equality. They want an end to a humiliating double standard, which I think is reasonable, although I believe the solution is a little more humility on our part, not more hubris on theirs.

Can anyone tell me what Iran's agenda is, if not this? Murder and mayhem? Can't we see when we've dehumanized our enemies to the level of absurd caricature? And don't we realize the enormous strategic risk such naiveté poses?

Ouyangwulong, It is impossible to suspect that sitting down with those in power in Iran would be worthwhile. The words of Ahmedinejad along with the words and actions of the powers-that-be in Iran shows they are NOT like you and me.
Given the state of the Iranian economy, it would seem they would be conciliatory. They are not. The have been irrational and bent on their own desires for the region. You should not rally the opposition to standing up to Iran based on confusion between the Iranian people and those that rule the Iranian people.
Despite the common leftist rhetoric about the opposition between al qaida and Iran, it is common knowledge they have joined based on common interests (R...

Ouyangwulong, It is impossible to suspect that sitting down with those in power in Iran would be worthwhile. The words of Ahmedinejad along with the words and actions of the powers-that-be in Iran shows they are NOT like you and me.
Given the state of the Iranian economy, it would seem they would be conciliatory. They are not. The have been irrational and bent on their own desires for the region. You should not rally the opposition to standing up to Iran based on confusion between the Iranian people and those that rule the Iranian people.
Despite the common leftist rhetoric about the opposition between al qaida and Iran, it is common knowledge they have joined based on common interests (Read the 9/11 Comission Report). Iran is responsible for a large number of American deaths in Iraq, they have funded the massacres in Darfur, they fund and control the actions of Hezbolloh. They are deeply confrontational and determined to push the hand of the US, threaten the regions oil security, and threaten Israel.
Now, if you carefully read my comments, you will know that I certainly am not for going to war with Iran. But peace is much more than just the absence of war.

Actually, Willhelm, I am in total agreement with you, that we must resolve this conflict with Iran, and although I think connections between Al Qaeda and Iran is prorbably more whistful thinking, it isn't as if that connection is even necessary to make the case that the Iranian government represents a live wire that threatens the stability of the middle east.

My point is in fact much in line with your comments, and that is to say that we must in fact find a diplomatic solution to the problem. The question of whether or not it would be good to militarily conquer Iran and install a new government as I see it is a moot point, a jingoist gedanken experiment.

The point I stress above all else ...

Actually, Willhelm, I am in total agreement with you, that we must resolve this conflict with Iran, and although I think connections between Al Qaeda and Iran is prorbably more whistful thinking, it isn't as if that connection is even necessary to make the case that the Iranian government represents a live wire that threatens the stability of the middle east.

My point is in fact much in line with your comments, and that is to say that we must in fact find a diplomatic solution to the problem. The question of whether or not it would be good to militarily conquer Iran and install a new government as I see it is a moot point, a jingoist gedanken experiment.

The point I stress above all else is that we must tone down our rhetoric and find non-war solutions (as you say) because it is very simple: we would not win if we attacked Iran. Nobody has presented a credible military strategy for the invasion of Iran, and I doubt anyone will. So why do our leaders continue to bully Iran as if we have the military upper hand?

Nationalism runs high, and we shouldn't presume Iranians would greet us as liberators, no matter how much they admire the virtues of our society. The Persians can hold a grudge like few other people on earth. The only way to conquer them would be to kill all of them. No nation has the will to do that, so we shouldn't make bluffs when they are ready to call us out.

For me this is not an issue of left or right, it is an issue of reality versus stupidity. At no time in our nation's history have we prepared to fight a three front war, and why now, when we are already struggling to maintain ground on two fronts Bush charges ahead towards adding a third is totally beyond me.

OK. I suspect my position has been clouded by my sarcasm directed at Debbyski.
Arifsali, I understand your point. With all due respect to your level-headedness, I think it is irrelavent, and in the context of what was faced in WWII, rather naive.

Ouyangwulong, In my opinion, there is nothing to gain from sitting down with Iran other than biding our time. I do not support war. I do not support "dialogue". I support economic sanctions that catastrophically crush Iran. The Iranian people will rise up and see two forming democracies on each border, and perhaps follow suit.

I wholeheartedly believe the current powers in Iran are the embodiment of evil and I think the over-riding problem ...

OK. I suspect my position has been clouded by my sarcasm directed at Debbyski.
Arifsali, I understand your point. With all due respect to your level-headedness, I think it is irrelavent, and in the context of what was faced in WWII, rather naive.

Ouyangwulong, In my opinion, there is nothing to gain from sitting down with Iran other than biding our time. I do not support war. I do not support "dialogue". I support economic sanctions that catastrophically crush Iran. The Iranian people will rise up and see two forming democracies on each border, and perhaps follow suit.

I wholeheartedly believe the current powers in Iran are the embodiment of evil and I think the over-riding problem is the fact that peace is not part of the Iranian agenda on anyone's terms but their own.

I could be wrong. We may not convince each other. I think my comment at least highlights the clarity of our disagreement.

Who am I?

I love people. I hate humanity. I love free speech and expression. I love idealism over materialism. I love facts and clarity. I hate distortion and ignorance. I love peace, but peace is more than the absesnce of war. I love learning and reading. I am an artist, musical and visual. I am a Christian that beleives each person is created equal so we do not need your materialist experiments to "help" society. I think responsibilities are more important than rights, because without responsibilty rights are lost. I use my brain to reason and my heart as a guide. I am a recovering alcoholic, a devout Christian, an ecstatically happy husband and father. I have more success in life than ...

Who am I?

I love people. I hate humanity. I love free speech and expression. I love idealism over materialism. I love facts and clarity. I hate distortion and ignorance. I love peace, but peace is more than the absesnce of war. I love learning and reading. I am an artist, musical and visual. I am a Christian that beleives each person is created equal so we do not need your materialist experiments to "help" society. I think responsibilities are more important than rights, because without responsibilty rights are lost. I use my brain to reason and my heart as a guide. I am a recovering alcoholic, a devout Christian, an ecstatically happy husband and father. I have more success in life than I thought I would ever attain by my age. I live simply. I love nature and the outdoors and spend much time enjoying nature. I thinf environmentalists have an irrational faith. I think you are a war hero and a vile person. That's just a little about me.

How about you?

Willhelm:
I found in one of your posts a compliment to me on my woodturnings. Glad to see you noticed. If you are interested in Taking this craft up, you should go here.

http://www.woodturnersresource.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl

In your previous post. You stated this.
I think you are a war hero and a vile person. That's just a little about me.

A war hero I am not. I volunteered to fight for a country that I (at my young age) thought was honest and was just. I found It was all lies. And now 40 years have gone by. And I see its Corruption , can now destroy the entire world. If I were to be Silent to this debacle. I would be going against my military Vows. Those being to defend against all en...

Willhelm:
I found in one of your posts a compliment to me on my woodturnings. Glad to see you noticed. If you are interested in Taking this craft up, you should go here.

http://www.woodturnersresource.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl

In your previous post. You stated this.
I think you are a war hero and a vile person. That's just a little about me.

A war hero I am not. I volunteered to fight for a country that I (at my young age) thought was honest and was just. I found It was all lies. And now 40 years have gone by. And I see its Corruption , can now destroy the entire world. If I were to be Silent to this debacle. I would be going against my military Vows. Those being to defend against all enemies of the Constitution.

And if I am vile. It is because I have seen mans inhumanity towards man. In ways you could never imagine. And when I Hear warmongers and their vile speak. Or the pretend warriors Who say they served this country. Only to find them pathetic Liars. Vultures perched near the innocent. Only to attack if They think they can get away with it. Then I become very Vile towards them. Because they are nothing but chicken hawks.

A soldier who knows what war is like. Will avoid such a hell. One who never fought a war, and never has to. Thinks it is a game.
Why must we play the games of fools?

Skwirl, you joke about them wanting to "fix" Pakistan, but Dick Cheney already suggested doing just that! And there are many other conservative war-hawks out there who see no reason why we shouldn't go ahead and invade Pakistan as well, followed by Uzbekstan, Tajikstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, China, Burma, heck, even France.

Reasons why:

1. They won't have to fight. The army is made up of poor kids from the south these days. The chicken-hawks agitating for war stay safely on their sofas.

2. This IS a war against Islam. The Christian right has been very enthusiastic about the war on Terror, because it views Islam as the enemy. We are governed by Evangelical Christian politicians, many of whom...

Skwirl, you joke about them wanting to "fix" Pakistan, but Dick Cheney already suggested doing just that! And there are many other conservative war-hawks out there who see no reason why we shouldn't go ahead and invade Pakistan as well, followed by Uzbekstan, Tajikstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, China, Burma, heck, even France.

Reasons why:

1. They won't have to fight. The army is made up of poor kids from the south these days. The chicken-hawks agitating for war stay safely on their sofas.

2. This IS a war against Islam. The Christian right has been very enthusiastic about the war on Terror, because it views Islam as the enemy. We are governed by Evangelical Christian politicians, many of whom share a belief in Dispensational Eschatology.

This means it is their spiritual goal to make the whole world Christian, and destroy all other faiths, and eventually, destroy all non-believers in a violent apocalypse which they are working hard to bring about ASAP. McCain would rather have a Christian president, but if they believe in dispensational eschotology, I'd rather not!

3. Bush is a war president. He uses the urgency of war to expand the executive branch, overstep his constitutional authority, and polarize America. He draws his power on Chaos and Fear. For him, war is a good thing, especially because he's never been in one.

4. Bombing is easier than talking. Rather than challenge their own preconceptions about the world by engaging in dialog with people who are different, they seek to insulate themselves from them by removing all diversity from the world that might challenge their world view.

This is why they are so emphatic about prayer in schools, banning homosexuality, ending affirmative action, locking up political dissidents (ops, I mean "terrorists") in Guantanamo, withdrawing the US from the UN, and regarding all other countries with a combination of condescension, suspicion, and outright paranoia.