The surprising end of the New American Century

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

By Mike Whitney
Online Journal Contributing Writer

http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_1233.shtml

<snip>

Recent reports suggest that the Bush strategy is going forward, despite warnings from high-ranking officials at the Pentagon and respected members of the foreign policy establishment. A recent article in Time magazine by Michael Duffy outlines a realistic scenario for the initial phase of the conflict:

“It will take a few days with thousands of sorties, satellite and laser-guided bombs will be aimed at targets -- 1,500 already planned by the Pentagon -- and will try to infiltrate armed concrete, under which some of the nuclear sites are hidden . . . The sites are spread across the country, some of them exposed, some operating under the guise of regular plants, and others buried deep under the ground. . . . The military offensive requires activating nearly all types of planes in the army’s possession: Warplanes and stealth vehicles, F-15 and F-16 aircrafts taking off from the land and an F-18 which takes off from an aircraft carrier.

"Such an attack requires satellite guided weapons and laser-guided ammunition, as well as spy-planes and unmanned aerial vehicles. Since, many targets are hidden underground and are reinforced with armed concrete, they will have to be hit once and again in order to guarantee that they are destroyed, or at least seriously damaged.”

US Air Force Colonel Sam Gardiner, who taught strategy and military operations at the National War College and who just finished a paper entitled “Considering the US Military option for Iran,” appeared on CNN this week and said: “The order has been given (to strike Iran) In fact, we’ve probably been executing operations for at least 18 months . . . I’ve talked to Iranians (and they tell me) we’ve captured some people who worked with them (American Special-Ops) We’ve confirmed they’re there.” Gardiner added that “US naval forces have been alerted for deployment. That’s a major step . . . And the (battle) plan has been sent to the White House.”...

[zeemike]

1. OMG I hope they don't do it.

Are there no sane people in the government?

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

2. This is madness and apparently the inmates...

...are running the asylum.

[rodeodance]

13. 'something happening'

[POAS]

3. "I am a war president", saith the dear leader.

[Dogmudgeon]

4. How can you oppose military action ...

... after what Iran did to us on September Eleventh?

:sarcasm:

This kind of thing scares me. One "blunder", the world can eventually overlook, given enough time and money. But two recreational wars? It would give the Islamic world a clear, justified casus belli for most of the century.

The gang in the White House can't even manufacture evidence. How will they quench the fury of half the world's people?

--p!

[Joe Bacon]

5. Chavez is right! Bush is insane!!!!

President Asshole really believes that HE is Gawd's Chosen to usher in Armageddon. That ass REALLY believes the end times are here and it is his duty to usher them in.

That asshole actually thinks that J.C. and his Sonshine Band are at the Howard Johnsons in Alpha Centauri. As soon as JC Finishes his clam roll and a scoop of Peppermint Stick Ice Cream, he and the band will get into their VW Bus and head for Earth where JC will let every rich white Republican fundy participate in THE GREAT FLOAT OFF®! Yes, All those rich white people are gonna get into the J. C. VW and float off to heaven, leaving all them gawdless Democrats and non-whites behind to mop up the mess.

I honestly believe we're on the verge of the end of the United States. This ass has planted the seeds for secession among the blue states. If he continues on this asinine path, there will be no more United States, they will break apart faster than a dissolving Alka Seltzer tablet.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

6. I don't think China will sit still for it either.

[razors edge]

11. what about russia?

they still own and man the reactors that will be targeted. how will putin not side with iran after russian nationals are killed by the most out of control country on the planet?

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

16. Good question. Russia and Chia both have...

...vital interests in stopping U.S. imperialism---I wonder if they aren't already quietly meeting behind closed doors.

[annabanana]

7. The Air Force...

Is this the place where the Academy is run by nut-job dominionists? Would they actually DO that?

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

9. Yes, and yes.

[Joe Bacon]

12. So Long, Mom, I'm Off To Drop The Bomb!

Tom Lehrer's lyrics are even more accurate today than they were 50 years ago!


So long, mom,
I'm off to drop the bomb,
So don't wait up for me.
But while you swelter
Down there in your shelter
You can see me
On your TV.

While we're attacking frontally
Watch Brinkally and Huntally
Describing contrapuntally
The cities we have lost.
No need for you to miss a minute of the agonizing holocaust. Yeah!

Little Johnny Jones, he was a US pilot,
And no shrinking violet was he.
He was mighty proud when World War III was declared.
He wasn't scared, no siree!

And this is what he said on
His way to Armageddon:

So long, mom,
I'm off to drop the bomb,
So don't wait up for me.
But though I may roam,
I'll come back to my home
Although it may be
A pile of debris.

Remember, mommy,
I'm off to get a commie,
So send me a salami
And try to smile somehow.
I'll look for you when the war is over,
An hour and a half from now!

[izzie]

8. I hope he does not do it

Something are not for it. It would raise the price of gas so it would have to be after Nov. unless he feels every one would vote for the party in power if we were in another war. I am sure a draft is not in the works until after the next GOP is President.

[annabanana]

10. k&r. . . . n/t

[AZCat]

14. Time to watch "Dr. Strangelove" again...

and hope that it stays fiction.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

15. Fiction you say? Hmmmmm...

Here's one of the many great scenes from Dr. Strangelove (7 min):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RLqCnZAurZo