Is the U.S. government really concerned with Iran's nuclear power program?

Iran may be a a couple years from acquiring the enriched uranium it needs to arm a nuclear warhead. But with a little help from Iranian-American citizens, that country may be able to close that gap. And though the U.S. government says that Iran's nuclear program is a "concern", it's words and actions say two very different things.

U.S. District Court Judge Neil Wake (below). In December 2008, a federal court in Arizona sentenced naturalized U.S. citizen Mohammed Reza Alavi following his conviction of the illegal transfer of software to Iran. He was convicted in May 2008 as part of a plea bargain. Alavi worked for the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, the largest nuclear power plant in the United States. He told federal agents that he stole software designed for training in nuclear power operations.

"We are pleased that both a jury and the judge recognized the serious nature of these crimes," U.S. Attorney Diane Humetewa said.

Alavi left Palo Verde in 2006, but not before downloading the training software to his personal laptop. The software was then relayed to Iran. "A prison sentence is entirely appropriate to punish this defendant for his stealing of sensitive materials, given the potential threat to the security of information relating to a nuclear power plant," Ms. Humetewa said.

Palo Verde officials have said the software did not contain enough information to pose a security threat. "I have only myself to blame for these actions and I accept full responsibility," Alavi said. "I love America and would never do anything to hurt this country."

Here's the kicker. 15 months. That's what Alavi got in prison. Can't be too "serious of a crime", can it? An American citizen giving information to Iran? Isn't that considered spying? Treason? 15 months?

Wait - another article said Alavi got two, 15 month sentences and that U.S. District Court Judge Neil Wake ordered that Mohammad Reza Alavi's two sentences be served at the same time.

Pathetic. I again repeat our judicial system sucks. They oughta put Judge Wake in prison too. Pussies.