How long before Iran is faced down about its threats to America and the world and ordered to change?

How long will a troublesome nation like Iran be allowed to go its hostile way? Many contend Iran is a greater danger than Iraq to the security of America and its people. An Iranian athlete refused to compete against a man from Israel in the current Olympic games because, in the minds of his people, Israel does not exist and does not warrant recognition of any kind. Olympic officials allowed the man to withdraw without even a hint of retribution for such a move.

The Olympic committee either should have disqualified all the Iranian entries in the Olympics or sent home the Iranian officials who allowed such an 11th-hour tantrum and permitted the other Iranian athletes to compete under the Olympic flag.

We see growing signs of increased peril to America from Iranian sources yet do too little to combat such an attitude.

According to U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bolton, Iran has claimed it can produce enough uranium to make a nuclear weapon within a year and it might do so unless European countries back down on demands for Iran to give up its nuclear program. Bolton says Iranian diplomats made the claim recently, referring to talks in Paris last month among Iranians and counterparts from Germany, France and Britain.

Iran continues to say publicly that it is acquiring nuclear technology only to generate electricity for its research. Yet there is persistent evidence that nation is aiding anti-American terrorist groups in their training, financing and transportation.

How long before the United States and other nations face down Iran on issues of peace and security and take steps to lessen the dangers it poses? It would seem that European nations should be just as concerned about the Iranian nuclear project as America since they are in far closer proximity to the potential weapons.

Much emphasis has been placed on Afghanistan, Iraq and North Korea who also are rattling a lot of nuclear sabers. But Iran is just as much a threat to the United States, and its neighbors, as any of these. Allowing it to continue on its present courses unchallenged and unimpeded is asking for major trouble down the line.

Is the absence of any direct action by Uncle Sam influenced by the upcoming elections and how advisers for Bush and Kerry think action against Iran would affect the Nov. 2 vote? Are we doing what is right or placing more emphasis on winning the election?