Iran Agreement – A Suspect Side Deal
In a previous column, I noted my opposition to the proposed Iran deal, as well as the opposition of Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and several other notable Democrats. At that time, I identified several of my concerns: Why did the Administration negotiate this deal without having included the handful of American prisoners being held in Iran? How is this not a treaty? What are the secret side deals?
The Associated Press last week reported that “Iran will be allowed to use its own inspectors to investigate a site it has been accused of using to develop nuclear arms, operating under a secret agreement with the U.N. agency [the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA] that normally carries out such work…” The site referred to in that quote is the Parchin nuclear site, described by NBC News as Iran’s “most sensitive known military complex.”
Also noted in the Associated Press report: “The Parchin agreement was worked out between the IAEA and Iran. The United States and the five other world powers were not party to it but were briefed by the IAEA and endorsed it as part of the larger package.” CNN reported that the specifics of the Parchin inspections “were not included in the nuclear agreement.”
This ‘side deal’ – allowing Iran to inspect itself – is unusual at best, and foolish at worst. When I apply for a life insurance policy, the insurance company verifies the health information, including taking their own samples. The United States should not assume Iran will tell us the truth.
Meetings with Local Officials
Last week, in a series of meetings held throughout the district, I had the opportunity to visit with local officials from each community in the Ninth District. It is important to me that communication with them, me, and my office be a two-way street.
The meetings were not only opportunities for me to acknowledge these officials for their service and the important role they play in their communities, but to also discuss their expectations for the future, their successes, any issues they may be facing, and how my team and I may be helpful.
Though a wide range of issues were discussed, several came up on more than one occasion. Among those issues: Internal Revenue Service issues, the United States Postal Service, pipeline and energy issues including the Obama Administration’s proposed Power+ Plan, water and sewer projects, transportation and roads including rail to the New River Valley and Bristol, education issues, drug abuse and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, and ID theft.
We are happy to work with local officials and any other constituents, and urge all of you to be in touch with my offices if we can help.
Individuals Make a Difference
As I have been driving throughout the Ninth District, I have been listening to a fascinating series of historical lectures. Many folks seem to think individual people do not make a significant difference in history. I don’t think that’s so.
Consider, for example, Elizabeth Everest, who served as Winston Churchill’s nanny or “governess.” The two were very close – Churchill later wrote of her, “My nurse was my confidante. Mrs. Everest it was who looked after me and tended all my wants. It was to her I poured out all my many troubles.”
That alone would make Everest worthy of note.
But as we know, Churchill’s career had many ups and downs, such as when he was defeated by the Labour Party and replaced by Clement Attlee nearing the end of World War II.
What does this have to do with Elizabeth Everest?
Well, Attlee was younger than Churchill. After Everest’s time with the Churchill family, she served as nanny to another British family – the Attlees.
One woman cared for two young men who happened to be future British Prime Ministers. The odds of that occurring are astoundingly small. There must have been something remarkable about Elizabeth Everest.
None of us grew up in Victorian England and, like you, I did not have a nanny. But our teachers often fill some of that role. As our children are starting school, we have to believe many of our children’s teachers will leave indelible, positive impacts on their students. Let us hope that some of them are like Elizabeth Everest – though their work may not be seen for decades, their students may go on to shape the modern world.
As always, if you have concerns or comments or wish to inquire about legislative issues, feel free to contact my offices. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.
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