Jailed Ohio Politico Bob Ney: Was He Secret Agent Double-Oh Crook?

CLEVELAND (TDB) -- Former Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Ney is locked up in a federal prison on corruption charges involving a Washington lobbying scandal. Between his dirty deeds, the Ohioan may have been a go-between in a secret and unsuccessful peace initiative between Iran and the United States.

Trita Parsi, a Johns Hopkins adjunct prof who heads the National Iranian-American Council, presents some cloak-and-dagger details in a 384-page book published by Yale University Press. The book is called Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran and the United States, and Parsi contends Ney was the conduit who got a back-channel peace feeler from Tehran delivered to the White House. The Iranians wanted to become America's buddies, and the story turns up on page 247 in a passage about secret dealings.

There is more about the unusual route of the peace feeler, which Parsi says was real but has yet to be confirmed. Others detect the scent of a self-promoter and note that Parsi has been close to Ney over the years.

Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist Tom Suddes points out that Ney does have Iranian connections -- he taught English in that nation until shortly before the Shah fell. Suddes doesn't try to throw much cold water on Parsi's claim that Ney was involved in international intrigue. Suddes writes:

"According to Parsi, not long after Baghdad fell to coalition troops in 2003, Iranian officials channeled a peace feeler to Washington . . . Iran feared Washington's inner-circle war hawks might keep the feeler from Bush, so the Iranians sent a copy of their offer to Ney. Ney, Parsi wrote, had one of his U.S. House employees hand-deliver the Iranian message to Karl Rove, Bush's White House Rasputin. Rove -- according to Parsi -- vowed to deliver the 'intriguing' message to the president. To State Department officials, the Iranian offer, according to Parsi, 'was a no-brainer' because Iran was offering the United States, then at high tide militarily, big concessions. But nothing ever happened at the Washington end."

Parsi contends Vice President Dick Cheney and former Defense Secretary Don Rumsfeld intervened. They would not consider a deal. Why? Iran was just too evil.

OH-02 Republican Phil Heimlich On Iran: Let's Get Ready To Rumble

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- President Bush spoke last month of the need for a global effort to block Iran from developing nuclear weapons and launching a conflaguration could quickly become World War III. Republican Phil Heimlich, who is seeking his party's nomination in Ohio's 2nd Congressional District, apparently thinks the U.S. should be getting ready for a future rumble with Iran that could include mushroom clouds. He contends everything, up to and including America's nuclear arsenal, should be on the table for a military showdown. Unlike the president, Heimlich doesn't mention World War III; he says the U.S. should "take whatever steps may be necessary" to end all threats from Iran if diplomacy fails.

In diplomatic-speak, the phrase "whatever steps may be necessary" is often translated as meaning armed conflict, or we'll go to war if you don't stop your aggressive behavior. Heimlich is running against U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt in the March 2008 GOP primary.

At the moment, Iran does not have any nuclear weapons. But it appears to be developing them. Bush caused a worldwide stir in mid-October when he remarked during a White House news conference that a nuclear-armed Iran might attempt an attack on Israel. Said the president:

"We've got a leader in Iran who has announced that he wants to destroy Israel. So I've told people that if you are interested in avoiding World War III, it seems you ought to be interested in preventing them from having the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon."

Heimlich said he would be a staunch defender of Israel if elected to Congress, and made the comment about Iran near the end of an issues piece that is now posted on his campaign Web site. He said:

"The United States must join with Israel and the international community in achieving economic and diplomatic sanctions to stop Iran from further developing its nuclear weapons program. Most experts agree that Iran has the technology, and certainly the will, to develop a nuclear weapons capability. Iran exhibits an increasingly hostile attitude toward the U.S., Israel, and the West in general. In Congress, I will be a consistent and firm voice for the policy that the U.S. must continue to lead international pressure to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear threat, and take whatever steps may be necessary to protect the region and the world from Iran’s aggressive and hostile actions.

Making The World A Safer Place? Iran Promises Syria Jets, Tanks And Weapons

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- More instability in the Middle East is ahead if Iran actually delivers $1 billion in military aid for Syria. This appears to be a sign that no matter what the current U.S. administration says it is doing to make the world safer, it actually may be destabilizing a volatile part of the globe world and endangering allies.

When Saddam was in power, the Baathists were fierce foes of Iran. Now they are friends. The Jerusalem Post story says the Iranian aid includes support for chemical research that might be turned into WMDs.

International Pension Divestment In Ohio: What About Honda?

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Japanese motor vehicle manufacturer HONDA apparently does some business in Iran through an affiliate. Two Ohio lawmakers plan to offer a bill that forbids state agencies from holding investments in companies that have dealings with terrorist states -- a designation that fits the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Is it possible the bill could do serious damage to Ohio's prospects of drawing in international corporations with far-flung affiliates and operations and units that trade around the globe? And is it possible companies that do nothing to help terrorists would get caught up in a bit of anti-Iranian legislation? For example, would the bill -- which has not yet been introduced -- risk damaging Ohio's close relationship with Honda, one of the state's corporate jewels? Would it mean that Ohio cannot invest in a major company with a major presence?

JMZ at Writes Like She Talks is following the issue. Right now, there seem to be more questions than answers. Whatever happens at the Statehouse must be sure to guarantee that it does not rip a hole in Ohio's economic development programs, or cast the state as negative on foreign investment. In a global economy, Ohio lawmakers must tread with caution.

In 2004, there was a gala that celebrated Honda's arrival and growth. Some of the details of the state's laudatory package follow:

"A recent study by Honda highlighted the economic impact of Honda in Ohio:

"Honda currently employs 16,000 Ohioans.

"Since 1979, Honda has invested $6.1 billion in its Ohio facilities.

"Honda purchases $7 billion in parts and materials from Ohio suppliers annually, $2 billion of which goes to Honda facilities in other states.

"There are 154 Honda suppliers in Ohio. There are Honda suppliers in 52 of 88 Ohio Counties

"Honda suppliers employ nearly 41,000 Ohioans."

Former Democratic Gov. Dick Celeste, who served from 1982-1990, took part in the 2004 fete, noted the importance of the economic relationship and pointed out that Ohio had invested heavily in Honda, an investment that paid off handsomely.

“Clearly, Honda has found success in Ohio and Ohio has found success in Honda. Ohio’s investments in Honda over the years have been repaid many times over.”

"Investments by the State include $27 million in direct incentives and $64.4 million in related roadwork improvements. For every dollar in direct incentives, Honda has invested $226 in its Ohio operations."

Bruce Johnson, who was economic development director under Bob Taft, also was effusive about the Tokyo-Ohio ties. His remarks:

"Honda is proof that strong relationships, targeted incentives and continual nurturing can combine to produce a significant return on investment. The presence and growth of Honda of America over the last 25 years is the perfect economic development success story, demonstrating how good things result from investing in good companies. Johnson called Honda’s decision to produce its new Acura SUV in Ohio good jobs news, pointing out that both the engine and transmission would also be produced in Ohio."

Hillary Tells AIPAC: Iran Is A REAL Danger

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- AIPAC had a big gathering in New York this weekend where Sen. Hillary Clinton strongly denounced Iran. Although she did not mention going to war -- as many have suggested President George W. Bush is planning -- Clinton used undiplomatic language and described the nation's leaders as contemptuous.

A brief item appeared on AIPAC's Web site under the headline, Sen. Clinton Calls Iran Threat to United States and Israel.

"Senator and presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) told a crowd of more than 1,700 AIPAC supporters that Iran is a danger to the United States and one of Israel's greatest threats.

"The senator's remarks took place during AIPAC's Annual New York Dinner, which included an address by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY). Other guests included presidential candidate John Edwards, former Gov. George Pataki, several House members and at least two dozen state and local officials.

"Sen. Clinton called the Iranian administration "pro-terrorist," and said Iran's Holocaust denial places its leadership in company with the most despicable bigots and historical revisionists.

"Karnit Goldwasser, wife of kidnapped Israeli soldier Ehud Goldwasser, also addressed the dinner guests, thanking America's pro-Israel community for standing by Israel. Her husband is one of two Israeli soldiers being held captive by Hizballah."

[Ed Note: Of interest and no important note is that AIPAC called her Hillary Rodham Clinton. Who else uses "Rodham" these days? Hasn't she dropped her maiden name.]