Three extremely important threads on Iran nukes & the Bush agenda

[Nothing Without Hope]

Come on, DU! These threads are important but have received very little attention. None of them are on the Greatest Page, so few people have seen them. If you read them, I think you'll agree that this should change. We need to pay very close attention here.

The Bush administration is moving toward its planned "regime change" in Iran, and so they are trying to undermine the governments own National Intelligence Estimate that Iran is AT LEAST 10 YEARS FROM BEING ABLE TO BUILD A NUCLEAR BOMB. Their so-far all-too-effective method: If facts are inconvenient, turn on the propaganda. These three threads relate to the truth about Iran's nuclear capability and the coming flood of Bushie lies about it.

The first thread is on a Monday article in the Washington Post in which the NIE (National Intelligence Estimate) for Iran - the best intelligence available - has reported that Iran is at least 10 years away from having the components for building a nuclear bomb. I searched for DU threads on this article before posting and did not find any. Here's what I then posted:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1980753
Thread title: WaPo: National Intelligence Estimate says IRAN AT LEAST 10 YEARS FROM BOMB

Then we come to the second article, in which a front group for the Bush Administration tries to undermine the official NIE report. The "Iran Policy Committee" is, by their own statement, "comprised of former officials from the White House, State Department, Pentagon, intelligence agencies, the Congress, as well as experts from think tanks and universities." The statement from their Co-Chair attempts to deny the credibility of the NIE and says that much more attention should be given to the statements of Iranian dissidents. Sound familiar? Maybe Chalabi does Iranian "intelligence" too - such a pity that their favored mouthpiece Judith Miller is in jail.
Here's the second thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1672502
Thread title: IPC Co-chair Comments on Leaked U.S. NIE on Iran

Finally, here's the third thread, in which Ray McGovern sounds the alarm on the administration's Iran agenda and emphasizes the importance of the best evidence about the timing of that nation's acquisition of nuclear capability:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4251697#4252097
Thread title: Ray McGovern on foiling Cheney: "Timing makes all the difference."

It's so frustrating when DU doesn't respond to something one feels is important. I feel that these three threads, taken together, are an important indication of Administration plans for Iran. The IRC Co-Chair's statement needs to be researched) must be firmly rebutted. (I've googled the writer of the IPC's statement, Raymond Tanter, and as you might expect, this academic agrees with the Bush administration's Iran policy -http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1980753&mesg_id=1982306). You know that Cheney and the others will be pushing it as the real story as part of their warmongering. We must not be slow or unprepared to counter-push through the media and elected officials.

We cannot let them lie our country into another unjustified war!

[lynettebro440]

1. I see it this time

as we will have a little burp here in the US and then Cheney will haul out a massive war with Iran. I have a gut feeling.

[Nothing Without Hope]

2. Not long ago Jerome Corsi was telling everyone he could find on TV and

radio that Iran would be bombing the US very soon. he positively drooled over the terrible details he could give on what a dirty bomb in New York City would do. Here's a thread on his crusade:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1768708
Thread title: Is anyone watching Jerome Corsi saying Iran planning to nuclear-bomb

[90-percent]

6. August

I predict the United States launches a premptive nuclear strike against Iran because they could develop nuclear capacity 10 years from now.

This will cause a mere 5 point bounce in Bush's ratings, much less than hoped for.

-85%

[cthrumatrix]

102. Notice how the MEDIA have "stepped up" their opinion and war rhetoric

all propaganda...no opposing views...no review of our Iraq intelligence screw ups or LIES

Just another war for them and TPTB.

[Nothing Without Hope]

3. An important thread from May: “Robert McNamara - Apocalypse Soon”

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x123802

McNamara warns of the danger of the Bush administration turning to NUCLEAR BOMBS far too easily. It’s an important article that all of us should read.

And this editorial cartoon complements the article:
http://www.allhatnocattle.net.nyud.net:8090/englehart5505.gif

[Doctor_J]

4. Here's another question for you:

At this point, would Smirk's approval go up or down if he went thermo? A year ago I would have said down, but the wing nuts are getting loonier by the hour, and I think they're ready for Commander Chickenhawk to take the next step.

[Nothing Without Hope]

7. I think if they REALLY want to go thermo, there will be a nuclear 9/11

It doesn't take much reading between the lines in Jerome Corsi's feverish, gloating descriptions of what a nuclear bomb would do to New York City:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1768708
Thread title: Is anyone watching Jerome Corsi saying Iran planning to nuclear-bomb

I am fully convinced that the Bush Admnistration MIHOP or LIHOP on 9/11. And it worked - they got their war and high ratings too.

Why not try it again? And if they can stage a nuclear attack and pin it on the Iranians, what would stop them?

This is my great fear. Because so far, I haven't seen any evidence that there is a lower limit to how far they will dip into absolute evil to feed their greed.

[moodforaday]

85. Down if unprovoked

I think approval would fall way down if the attack on Iran were unprovoked - i.e., if it happened right now, say.

But if there's "another 9-11" in the offing, then approval ratings won't even be collected anymore, except as part of martial law propaganda, in which case you'll be seeing high nineties.

[leveymg]

5. The thought is so horrible, many don't want to contemplate a US-Iran war..

I know, I've been writing about the subject since last year, and have found that most media outlets are resistant to discussing the subject. Until it's too late, apparently.

Anyway, here are a couple of the reports:

http://www.williambowles.info/iran/osp_aipac.html

http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/view/321/1/71/

[Nothing Without Hope]

8. Thanks. This is why it's important that the Wash Post published on the NIE

That's the first article in the three I cite in the Opening Post - it was on the front page of the Washington Post on Monday:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1980753
Thread title: WaPo: National Intelligence Estimate says IRAN AT LEAST 10 YEARS FROM BOMB

We must make this very, very clear. This is the best REAL intelligence that exists. And we must also do everything we can to block any administration plans to manufacture "evidence" of Iranian nuclear capability or even stage a nuclear 9/11 to get what they want.

[leveymg]

9. That's why the CIA leaked it.

A lot of Agency and professional military people don't want to go through Iraq Times Ten. Not for the greater glory of Bush and his neocon helpers. By the way, a lot of people around the world are desperately looking for ways to stop the next Big Bloody One.

I have a related story posted on the DU Front Page today: http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/05/08/03_bolton.html

[Nothing Without Hope]

10. Very interesting article - Bolton's name does keep coming up with the

worst aspects of the Bush administration's Middle East policies.

And yes, clearly the Bushies haven't yet managed to purge every truly patriotic agent from the CIA. I wonder if they will go after this reporter to try to find the leaker?

[Emit]

34. Can you check your second link or repost it?

I would like to read your articles, and the link tot the second on is not working. Thanks!

[Nothing Without Hope]

11. Come on, DU! Please come to the three threads in the opening post

What is more important than avoiding another unjustified war - probably this time with nukes?

[jbnow]

21. Thanks for putting these together

I'd read just one. I wish OUR being aware would be enough to stop them, I don't know what does. I am hoping that the less wimpy press will make a lot more noise...
But still fear we will strike in response to an "attack" and consequences be damned. (And won't we need Syria too?)

I kept waiting to hear Iran blamed for London bombings.

I'll go read the other articles now.

[Nothing Without Hope]

12. kick n/t

[OneBlueSky]

13. "We cannot let them lie our country into another unjustified war!" . . .

and how we gonna stop 'em? . . .

BushCo's attitude is that they can do anything they damn well please -- invade foreign nations, hold people without charges, torture them, ignore the Geneva Conventions and other treaties -- and no one has been able to stop them yet . . . unless the Congress steps up and firmly tells them "No more!" (fat chance), they'll just keep on doing exactly what they want, with no consequences whatsoever . . .

the attitude of Congress and the American people seems to be "Oh, that's just George being George" . . .

[Nothing Without Hope]

14. There are promising signs. Here are some of them:

One is the fact that someone in the CIA must have leaked the info on the NIE Iran report and another is that the Washington Post actually printed it. There it is in black and white on the Front Page of the WaPo:

Iran Is Judged 10 Years From Nuclear Bomb

U.S. Intelligence Review Contrasts With Administration Statements

Another is that resistance to the Bush Administration's insanity is building even among Republicans:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1977795
Thread title: GOP/DEM DIPLOMATS HEAVYWEIGHTS UNITE AGAINST BUSH! MAJOR STORY!@!!!

Apparently even some Repubs will balk at the Bushies enthusiastically heading into a nuclear world war, which is what would happen if they use nukes in invading Iran and they evidently would like to do.

[Nothing Without Hope]

15. kick n/t

[Just Me]

16. Nominating this thread 'cause it pulls the three together!!!

Hey, Nothing Without Hope,...thank you and thank Understanding Life!! :hug:

[Nothing Without Hope]

24. YVW, JM! And thank paineinthearse for finding the thread on the Bush

front organization's (IPC) response to the NIE. Unbelievable - they are STILL saying we need to pay a lot of attention to "dissenters" with "intelligence." They truly believe that they can do anything at all with no strings attached in any way.

Insanity.

Let's hope more papers besides the Washington Post point out the TRUTH about the Iranian bomb capability. Now that the story is out, it will be important and interesting to see the response of the rest of the press. Will they try to bury it and allow Cheney et al. to continue their warmongering unopposed?

[Just Me]

25. Yup,...gotta' acknowledge paineinthearse, too!!!

We will not be silent as these tyrannical corporo-barbarians betray and exploit this country and all the American people in addition to the rest of humanity!!! :patriot:

[halobeam]

95. Isn't Halliburton now tied to selling Iran components for WMD

last April? IMO, that's their attempt to debunk the "ten years until they are able to make nukes" article. Now they have the weapons they say.

So Cheney sells them the WMD components and wants to invade because they have WMD'S and then profits from the invasion.

Oh and the die hard right still believes that Cheney has absolutely NOTHING to do with Halliburton and doesn't get a penny from them either, because Cheney says so.

The media will have to realize their own families might die before they print the freakin' truth. I'm shocked WP printed this. But wasn't that a week ago and most people aren't even talking about it?

This is truly not the way I want to go out of this life. This totally sucks. I'm raving pissed off right now.

Do we only media blast for DSM and the like? I know they are all connected, I know all this corruption and destruction is priority one ALSO.... BUT HOLY CRAP... Another war?????? I don't get the reason why the three threads didn't get much attention here either.

Maybe it's just all too much for anyone to take anymore. Damn.

[jsamuel]

17. We can't take any risks anymore...

We can't look away from something because we don't want to see it.

[shelley806]

18. Kick and recommended...n/t for now, BHNow!

[Emit]

19. Thanks for the heads up--been following it n/t

[shelley806]

20. Sorry; had your name confused w/ BHN...Be Here Now...Just realized that

you're Nothing Without Hope. I'm posting an e-mail that I received from La Rouche today; usually delete them without reading, but for reason I didn't delete this one...Cheney's Plans for August. The link is a pdf file, and I'll try to copy and paste it it if I can.

LaRouche Warns: Cheney's Guns of August Threaten the World
http://www.larouchepac.com/pdf_files/050727_guns_of_august.pdf
LaRouche PAC is now printing several hundred thousand copies of an international alert by Lyndon LaRouche. This alert warns of planning by the U.S. military, on orders from Vice-President Dick Cheney, for the use of tactical nuclear weapons against Iran during a likely timeframe of the month of August, while Congress is in recess. LaRouche warns, "With Congress out of Washington, the Cheney-led White House would almost certainly unleash a 'Guns of August' attack on Iran."
We have posted a pdf-formatted version of this mass leaflet on the website. Print it out and use it to make copies for wide distribution in your community. Join this mobilization to stop Cheney's attempt to divert attention from the financial and economic crisis through another war - this time, with nuclear weapons.

[Nothing Without Hope]

22. Wow - very scary stuff. You have to wonder how solid their evidence is.

For example, from this pdf file:

And finally, LaRouche identified a series of reports from highly qualified Congressional, military, and intelligence community sources, who have confirmed the essential features of the original American Conservative account of Cheney’s ‘Strangelove’ schemes for a preemptive nuclear strike on Iran. These sources have emphasized that these Iran plans are not merely military contingency studies, but represent the policy intentions of Cheney.

Has this been discussed by major media venues or officials or other people like Ray McGovern, whom we know and trust?

[bananas]

26. Is this CONPLAN 8022 ?

Some articles from wp and demopedia:
(edit: better quote from demopedia)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/14/AR2005051400071.html
Not Just A Last Resort?
A Global Strike Plan, With a Nuclear Option
...
In the secret world of military planning, global strike has become the term of art to describe a specific preemptive attack. When military officials refer to global strike, they stress its conventional elements. Surprisingly, however, global strike also includes a nuclear option, which runs counter to traditional U.S. notions about the defensive role of nuclear weapons.


http://demopedia.democraticunderground.com/index.php/CONPLAN_8022
The U.S. removes the Nuclear Brakes: Transforming the Nuclear Bomb into a "Legitimate Weapon" for Waging War by Reuven Pedatzur
...
CONPLAN 8022 is a series of operational plans prepared by Startcom, the U.S. Army's Strategic Command, which calls for preemptive nuclear strikes against Iran and North Korea.

[shelley806]

30. YES! This is Conplan 8022...had just googled, and you beat me to

WaPo article (I think printed in May?); this makes me feel a bit more trusting of LaRouche's conclusions.

[shelley806]

29. I am so glad you were able to copy this...I have trouble with pdf files...

I just did a google search on Conplan 8022...from reading, it sounds as if this gives the US an options for nuking Iran?..This is scary stuff. I'll post the google link, with pertinent snips (one will be a WaPo article from May; I didn't see that link in your post, but it might be a repeat of what was included in your other DU links...DU appeared in the google search on Conplan 8022, as did Wikipedia.) Be right back...

[Nothing Without Hope]

32. No, I haven't linked to it yet. My Mac can get text from a pdf file

so PM me if you want me to convert something for you.

[Just Me]

23. I seriously wish people would acknowledge that this cabal is prepared,...

,...to incite INCITE INCITE a world war.

IOW,...they are preparing to be THEE aggressors.

Geez. All people really have to pull their heads out of the clouds before it's too damn late. Please,...please.

[Nothing Without Hope]

27. Hans Blix ALSO says Iran is years away from a nuclear bomb

This is from a DU thread from June 23, 2005:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1574781

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Former chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix said Thursday it would take many years for Iran to achieve the capability to produce highly enriched uranium needed for an atomic bomb.

Blix also dismissed worries about a new nuclear reactor being built in Iran, saying it was not suitable to produce weapons-grade material.

"They have many years to go before they will be able to produce highly enriched uranium for a bomb and I believe there is plenty of room for negotiations," Blix said in an interview with Swedish Radio.

The U.S. has accused Iran of trying to make nuclear arms, but Tehran says its nuclear program is for generating energy.

[Nothing Without Hope]

28. Excellent article from May: "Nuclear Fundamentalism and the Iran Story"

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0505-20.htm
Published on Thursday, May 5, 2005 by CommonDreams.org

Nuclear Fundamentalism and the Iran Story

by Norman Solomon

(snip)

In 2005, it's bad enough that such history is scarcely on the U.S. media radar screen, while propaganda looms larger for an attack on Iran either by the Pentagon or by the U.S.-backed Israeli government. But in the present day, the hypocrisy of Washington's righteous finger-pointing toward Iran is extremely dangerous. Carter has it right when he now calls the United States "the major culprit" in erosion of the Non-Proliferation Treaty: "While claiming to be protecting the world from proliferation threats in Iraq, Libya, Iran and North Korea, American leaders not only have abandoned existing treaty restraints but also have asserted plans to test and develop new weapons, including antiballistic missiles, the earth-penetrating 'bunker buster' and perhaps some new 'small' bombs. They also have abandoned past pledges and now threaten first use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states."

The odds are good that if the Pentagon doesn't launch a major missile attack on Iranian facilities in the next year or so, the Israeli government will -- with a wink and nod from President Bush. Yet, unlike Iran's government, Israel is not even a signer of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. With a nuclear bomb stockpile now estimated at more than 200 warheads, Israel is fueling the nuclear arms race in the Middle East. But, from the White House to Capitol Hill to newsrooms across the United States, the Israeli nuclear arsenal draws scant mention let alone criticism.

A former U.N. weapons inspector in Iraq who previously served as Australia's ambassador to the United Nations, Richard Butler, astutely wrote on May 1 in the Sydney Morning Herald that the U.S. government "can be expected to seek to draw attention away from its policies and actions by attempting to insist that the most significant issue at the review conference should be the potential breakout by Iran and North Korea." Butler added: "In this context, it was remarkable to see the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, during his recent visit to President George Bush's Texas ranch, call on the U.S. to take urgent steps against Iran's nuclear weapons program -- the intelligence on which is quite divided. Neither side made any reference to the world's largest clandestine nuclear weapons program -- Israel's."

(snip)

[Nothing Without Hope]

31. And guess who gave Iran its nuclear technology? Come on, GUESS!!!

From the May 16 issue of The Nation, discussed in this DU thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1773720#
thread title: How Conveniently They Forget--WE helped Iran go "nukular"

(snip)

Stephen Zunes writes: Amid the blare of the Bush Administration's alarms about Iran's alleged nuclear weapons capabilities, few remember that the United States, from the Eisenhower through the Carter presidencies, played a major role in the development of Iran's nuclear program. In 1957 the United States and Iran signed their first civil nuclear cooperation agreement. Over the next two decades, the United States not only provided Iran with technical assistance but supplied the country with its first experimental nuclear reactor, complete with enriched uranium and plutonium with fissile isotopes. Despite the refusal of the Shah to rule out the possibility of Iran's developing nuclear weapons, the Ford Administration in 1975 approved the sale of up to eight nuclear reactors with fuel to Iran and, in 1976, approved the sale of lasers believed to be capable of enriching uranium. The Washington Post reported that an initially hesitant President Ford was assured by his advisers that Iran was interested only in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Ford's Defense Secretary was Donald Rumsfeld, his Chief of Staff was Dick Cheney and his man in charge of nonproliferation efforts at the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency was Paul Wolfowitz.

[shelley806]

38. This truly makes me ill...NEVER before this current administration did I

really believe that 'ignorance is bliss,' but that is what I wish for now. We have suppled Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran...North Korea? (the later probably not oil-rich enough.) If these evil people were just war hawks and ideologues, I could have some small understanding...but they are making billions...all of them...Nothing is more disgusting.

"The Washington Post reported that an initially hesitant President Ford was assured by his advisers that Iran was interested only in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Ford's Defense Secretary was Donald Rumsfeld, his Chief of Staff was Dick Cheney and his man in charge of nonproliferation efforts at the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency was Paul Wolfowitz."

[Nothing Without Hope]

33. Scott Ritter wrote in June "The US War With Iran Has Already Begun."

This is another must-read article for those following the buildup towards war with Iran. My brief excerpt cannot do it justice. It was discussed in this DU thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x133176
Thread title: The US war with Iran has already begun...By Scott Ritter

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0620-31.htm
Published on Monday, June 20, 2005 by AlJazeera

The US War with Iran has Already Begun

by Scott Ritter

(snip)

The reality is that the US war with Iran has already begun. As we speak, American over flights of Iranian soil are taking place, using pilotless drones and other, more sophisticated, capabilities.

(snip)

President Bush has taken advantage of the sweeping powers granted to him in the aftermath of 11 September 2001, to wage a global war against terror and to initiate several covert offensive operations inside Iran.

The most visible of these is the CIA-backed actions recently undertaken by the Mujahadeen el-Khalq, or MEK, an Iranian opposition group, once run by Saddam Hussein's dreaded intelligence services, but now working exclusively for the CIA's Directorate of Operations.

It is bitter irony that the CIA is using a group still labelled as a terrorist organisation, a group trained in the art of explosive assassination by the same intelligence units of the former regime of Saddam Hussein, who are slaughtering American soldiers in Iraq today, to carry out remote bombings in Iran of the sort that the Bush administration condemns on a daily basis inside Iraq.

(snip)

[AuntPatsy]

35. People should be worrying, when he goes on a so called

vacation, strange things begin to unfold behind the scenes. This is no vacation for him, of this I have no doubt, something is being prepared and he and his cohorts need privacy to fine tune whatever it is they have planned...

[ClayZ]

37. Patriot act Passed....

What is there he can not do!



Mercy on Earth!

[Nothing Without Hope]

41. Many people are concerned that when Congress is on recess, the invasion

of Iraq, maybe prefaced by a 9/11-style staged attack, will get under way. They're whispering about August.

[Nothing Without Hope]

36. kick n/t

[DemReadingDU]

39. thanks for your articles!

[robertpaulsen]

40. Kicked and recommended!

:kick:

[shelley806]

42. Here's the google results on conplan 8022...some snips.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=conplan+8022

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/14/AR2005051400071_pf.html
washingtonpost.com

Not Just A Last Resort?
A Global Strike Plan, With a Nuclear Option
By William Arkin
Sunday, May 15, 2005; B01
<snip>
Early last summer, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld approved a top secret "Interim Global Strike Alert Order" directing the military to assume and maintain readiness to attack hostile countries that are developing weapons of mass destruction, specifically Iran and North Korea. Global strike has become one of the core missions for the Omaha-based Strategic Command, or Stratcom. ... President Bush spelled out the definition of "full-spectrum" global strike in a January 2003 classified directive, describing it as "a capability to deliver rapid, extended range, precision kinetic (nuclear and conventional) and non-kinetic (elements of space and information operations) effects in support of theater and national objectives."This blurring of the nuclear/conventional line, wittingly or unwittingly, could heighten the risk that the nuclear option will be used. Exhibit A may be the Stratcom contingency plan for dealing with "imminent" threats from countries such as North Korea or Iran, formally known as CONPLAN 8022-02.... lead time to be effective. (Existing Pentagon war plans, developed for specific regions or "theaters," are essentially defensive responses to invasions or attacks. The global strike plan is offensive, triggered by the perception of an imminent threat and carried out by presidential order.)

CONPLAN 8022 anticipates two different scenarios. The first is a response to a specific and imminent nuclear threat, say in North Korea. A quick-reaction, highly choreographed strike would combine pinpoint bombing with electronic warfare and cyberattacks to disable a North Korean response, with commandos operating deep in enemy territory, perhaps even to take possession of the nuclear device.The second scenario involves a more generic attack on an adversary's WMD infrastructure. Assume, for argument's sake, that Iran announces it is mounting a crash program to build a nuclear weapon. A multidimensional bombing (kinetic) and cyberwarfare (non-kinetic) attack might seek to destroy Iran's program, and special forces would be deployed to disable or isolate underground facilities.By employing all of the tricks in the U.S. arsenal to immobilize an enemy country -- turning off the electricity, jamming and spoofing radars and communications, penetrating computer networks and garbling electronic commands -- global strike magnifies the impact of bombing by eliminating the need to physically destroy targets that have been disabled by other means.The inclusion, therefore, of a nuclear weapons option in CONPLAN 8022 -- a specially configured earth-penetrating bomb to destroy deeply buried facilities, if any exist -- is particularly disconcerting. The global strike plan holds the nuclear option in reserve if intelligence suggests an "imminent" launch of an enemy nuclear strike on the United States or if there is a need to destroy hard-to-reach targets.

CONPLAN 8022-02 was completed in November 2003, putting in place for the first time a preemptive and offensive strike capability against Iran and North Korea. In January 2004, Ellis certified Stratcom's readiness for global strike to the defense secretary and the president.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CONPLAN_8022-02

According to the Washington Post the United States Strategic Command contingency plan for dealing with "imminent" threats from countries such as North Korea or Iran is formally known as CONPLAN 8022-02. The plan was reportedly completed in November 2003, resulting in a preemptive and offensive strike capability.

http://www.larouchepub.com/other/2005/3221conplan_8022.html

This article appears in the May 27, 2005 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. U.S. Nuclear First Strike Doctrine
Is Operational
by Jeffrey Steinberg
<snip>
The Bush Administration has quietly put into place contingency plans for the use of nuclear weapons in pre-emptive attacks on at least two countries—Iran and North Korea. Confirmation of the new "global strike" plan appeared in the Washington Post on Sunday, May 15, in a column by William Arkin, a former Army Intelligence analyst. EIR has interviewed several senior U.S. intelligence officials, who have confirmed the essential features of Arkin's report. They link the accelerated drive to prepare for offensive nuclear strikes against Iran and North Korea to the failure of the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, and the dismal results of the use of "shock and awe" massive conventional bombings against Afghanistan and Iraq.

[Nothing Without Hope]

44. Wow, thank you for this! It's clear they're moving the pieces into place.

:kick:

[Nothing Without Hope]

43. Here's a recent DU thread on Cheney's "contingency" plan to nuke Iran:

Justin Raimondo story discussed in this July 25 thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4184180
thread title; Cheney's Plan: Nuke Iran (Justin Raimondo's "hair is on fire")

"The Pentagon, acting under instructions from Vice President Dick Cheney's office, has tasked the United States Strategic Command (STRATCOM) with drawing up a contingency plan to be employed in response to another 9/11-type terrorist attack on the United States. The plan includes a large-scale air assault on Iran employing both conventional and tactical nuclear weapons. Within Iran there are more than 450 major strategic targets, including numerous suspected nuclear-weapons-program development sites. Many of the targets are hardened or are deep underground and could not be taken out by conventional weapons, hence the nuclear option. As in the case of Iraq, the response is not conditional on Iran actually being involved in the act of terrorism directed against the United States. Several senior Air Force officers involved in the planning are reportedly appalled at the implications of what they are doing – that Iran is being set up for an unprovoked nuclear attack – but no one is prepared to damage his career by posing any objections."

Two points leap out at the reader – or, at least, this reader – quite apart from the moral implications of dropping nukes on Iran. The first is the completely skewed logic: if Iran has nothing to do with 9/11-II, then why target Tehran? As in Iraq, it's all a pretext: only this time, the plan is to use nuclear weapons. We'll wipe out the entire population of Iran's capital city because, as Paul Wolfowitz said in another context, "it's doable."

The other weird aspect of this "nuke Iran" story is the triggering mechanism: a terrorist attack in the U.S. on the scale of 9/11. While it is certain that our government has developed a number of scenarios for post-attack action, one has to wonder: why develop this plan at this particular moment? What aren't they telling us?

[AuntPatsy]

45. Why are they even acting like an attack would come from Iran?

[Nothing Without Hope]

47. Because they WANT to attack Iran. They just have to arrange it so the

government will go along with it like they did with the illegal Iraq War. I do expect another 9/11-like attack if all their other strategies for starting this war fail. The wording of the "contingency plan" make it clear that this would be the green light for a nuclear attack on the designated target.

[Imagevision]

52. so that we can defend ourselves auntie - Bush just looking out for

yaaaawnn..americans!

[Imagevision]

49. I believe Fitzgerald's report/indictments will figure into Iran scenario.

Bolton says we musn't allow Iran to continue to deceive us and recommends a nuke-hit asshole Bush comments that he has every confidence in the Ambassodor!?? -- that's it! it's an out of control Dictaorship and Bush is no different then Hitler. accept Hitler at least shot himself!

[Nothing Without Hope]

46. On March 18, the DoD made PREMPTIVE NUCLEAR ATTACKS the US policy

When it was posted, this extremely important thread got almost no attention at all. But it's a vital part of this story and must be included:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1686257
Thread title: DoD Releases the National Defense and the National Military Strategies

Apparently, even at DU few people were paying attention to this quiet but literally explosive policy change.

How about this time around, guys?

Looks to me they're poised to stage another 9/11-like attack, "find" an Iranian passport in the rubble like they did the last time, and then declare nuclear war on Iran.

[Nothing Without Hope]

59. Sorry - my error here - should be just PRE-EMPTIVE ATTACKS that are

the new policy, not necessarily nuclear ones. But there is other evidence suggesting that the Bush Administration has much less hesitation to use nuclear bombs than earlier in US history.

[Nothing Without Hope]

48. REPORT: ISRAEL IS READY FOR PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE AGAINST IRAN

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article6518.htm

Report: Israel ready for pre-emptive strike against Iran's nuclear facility

By Ellis Shuman

July 19, 2004 "Israel Insider" -- The Israeli Air Force has completed military preparations for a pre-emptive strike at Iran's Bushehr nuclear facility and will attack if Russia supplies Iran with rods for enriching uranium, Israeli officials said, according to a report in the London Sunday Times. Military sources said the raid would be carried out by long-range F-15I jets, overflying Turkey, with simultaneous operations by commandos on the ground.

(snip)

The Iranian nuclear threat has been on Israel's agenda for some time, and the issue was raised in talks between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington last year. The Washington Post reported in August 2003 that administration officials were increasingly concerned that Israel would launch a per-emptive strike against Iran.

In its report, the Sunday Times quoted a senior U.S. official warning of a pre-emptive Israeli strike if Russia continues cooperating with the Iranians. He said Washington was unlikely to block Israeli attacks against Iran.

The paper also quoted from a classified document on the Iranian threat, entitled "The Strategic Future of Israel," which was presented to Sharon earlier this year. The document allegedly advocates military action against "countries which develop nuclear weapons" and describes Iran as a "suicide nation" and recommends "targeted killings" of members of the country's elite, including its leading nuclear scientists.

(snip)

[Imagevision]

51. yeah! - did you read the piece about the US. delivering 500 bunker-

busting bombs to Israel last October. yeah, let Israel fuck with Iran plus their there already, then let them take over the oil biz in Iraq, the US. would still get their cut!

[Nothing Without Hope]

58. Here's a link. The bomb sale was timed AFTER THE NOVEMBER ELECTION:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/09/22/wnuke22.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/09/22/ixportaltop.html

Israel challenges Iran's nuclear ambitions

By Anton La Guardia, Diplomatic Editor
(Filed: 22/09/2004)

Israel admitted yesterday that it is buying 500 "bunker-buster" bombs, which could be used to hit Iran's nuclear facilities, as Teheran paraded ballistic missiles as a warning against attack.

The BLU-109 bombs, which can penetrate more than 7ft of reinforced concrete, are among "smart" munitions being sold to Israel under America's military aid programme.


The Shahab-3 ballistic missile, that has the range to hit Israel, on parade in Teheran
The US and Israeli governments did not comment publicly but Israeli security sources said the deal would go through. "This is not the sort of ordnance needed for the Palestinian front. Bunker busters could serve Israel against Iran, or possibly Syria," an Israeli source said.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said the sale would take place after the November presidential election.

(snip)

[ewagner]

50. Didn't Bolton

accuse Iran of "deception" today?

The SOBs don't waste any time do they?

[Nothing Without Hope]

54. They've been screaming about an Iranian nuclear attack for a long time:

To get a sense of the scope of the lies, I recommend this thread from May:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1768708
Thread title: Is anyone watching Jerome Corsi saying Iran planning to nuclear-bomb
There are videos and more in this May thread --the buildup to the portrayal of Iran as a dangerous nuclear bomb-wielding foe had been continuing for some time.

I believe they would not hesitate to stage another 9/11, or maybe just "capture evidence" that one was "planned by Iranians." They will want anything they can get to get this Iran war started.

If you look at my later posts in this thread, you'll see that Isarel may well start this war with pre-emptive strikes on Iran. It's called "Project Daniel," and the Bush Admnistration supports it.

I do recommend the earlier thread on Corsi cited above (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1768708)
Work through the replies and you'll learn a lot. By the way, he was with the Swift Boat Liars, wrote the infamous book about Kerry, "Unfit for Command," and here is the cover of his nice new book on Iran:

http://images.amazon.com.nyud.net:8090/images/P/1581824580.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[ewagner]

55. Yes I was aware

but I thought Bolton brought up the term "deception" today.

[Nothing Without Hope]

53. PROJECT DANIEL - Israel's pre-emptive strike at Iran, is ready to go and

the Bush Administration knows about it and supports it.

For example:

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=44107

1st strike on Iran 'gaining traction'

Report urges U.S., Israel to consider pre-emptive attack against Tehran
Posted: May 4, 2005

By Aaron Klein
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

(snip)

"Decision-makers at the very highest levels of government in Jerusalem and Washington as well as NATO have been briefed on Project Daniel. Sharon last month carried our urgent message directly to President Bush," said Dr. Louis Rene Beres, Project Daniel chair and a professor of international law at Purdue University whose books and articles are routinely considered by military officials.

Project Daniel recommends that with Tehran now developing the infrastructure that could allow the country to go nuclear, the United States or Israel should strike pre-emptively against Iran's nuclear installations if the diplomatic track fails.

"The group suggests strongly and unequivocally that conventional Israeli pre-emption against selected enemy nuclear infrastructures now in development be executed as early as possible and – wherever possible – in collaboration with the United States. Where America may be unable or unwilling to act proactively against these infrastructures, it is essential that Israel be able and willing to act alone," says the report.

Project Daniel urges Israel to strike Iran's nuclear facilities using covert operations, conventional weaponry and, if it can be reasonably assured of success, by targeting Iran's regime leadership.

(snip)

[dbeach]

69. villains best not use my holy name for their stinkin wars

Daniel

From the Hebrew name Daniyel meaning "God is my judge"

and my son is another..wife named him.. not me..

[Nothing Without Hope]

70. Looks llike they're preening about the "lions' den," not worrying about

judgement about their actions. For all their loud piety, I don't think God comes into their calculatoins except as a public relations tool.

[dbeach]

71. Angels baled out Daniel before

and history does repeat...

I think this ruckus being raised is gonna stop em BUT it gots to be louder...

neo-conthradals..chikenhawks to the every man..none served in war and most NEVER wore the uniform..

.."the lion shall lay down with the lamb.."

[Nothing Without Hope]

56. Here it comes: TRUTHOUT: "Media Flagstones Along a Path to War with Iran"

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/080305E.shtml

Media Flagstones along a Path to War on Iran

By Norman Solomon
t r u t h o u t | Perspective

Wednesday 03 August 2005

On Tuesday, big alarm bells went off in the national media echo chamber, and major US news outlets showed that they knew the drill. Iran's nuclear activities were pernicious, most of all, because people in high places in Washington said so.

It didn't seem to matter much that just that morning the Washington Post reported: "A major US intelligence review has projected that Iran is about a decade away from manufacturing the key ingredient for a nuclear weapon, roughly doubling the previous estimate of five years, according to government sources with firsthand knowledge of the new analysis. The carefully hedged assessments, which represent consensus among US intelligence agencies, contrast with forceful public statements by the White House."

By evening - hours after the Iranian government said it would no longer suspend activities related to enriching uranium - American news outlets were making grave pronouncements, amplifying the statements from French, British and German officials closing ranks with the Bush administration. On television in the United States, a narrow range of talking heads detoured around the USA's profuse nuclear hypocrisies.

(snip)

"This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous," President Bush told a news conference in late February. He added in the same breath: "and having said that, all options are on the table." Assembled journalists laughed.

[Nothing Without Hope]

57. Times (UK) op/ed jumps on the Bush bandwagon and IGNORES THE NIE:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,542-1720372,00.html

Nuclear storm

The United Nations must confront Iran over its weapons programme
August 04, 2005

All the ingredients are now in place for the perfect diplomatic storm: a new US Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, who has made no secret of his support for a much tougher, if not openly interventionist, American policy towards Iran; a new hardline Islamist President in Tehran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has promised to press ahead with Iran’s nuclear programme; and a group of frustrated European nations almost ready to abandon apparently pointless talks with Tehran.

Britain, France and Germany are preparing, yet again, a final package of incentives to be put forward at the weekend to persuade Iran to abandon its plan to resume limited nuclear fuel-cycle activities, suspended last November. Iran had defiantly announced that it would remove the seals on its nuclear installations yesterday, to coincide with the inauguration of President Ahmadinejad. But at the last moment it announced a delay of several days.

Such squalid haggling, more suited to peddling carpets in a souk, will deceive no one. The question remains: does Iran have any intention whatsoever of complying with its undertakings to the International Atomic Energy Agency? Or is it simply spinning diplomatic camouflage, protected by Russia and China, while it pursues the technology to produce nuclear weapons?

America is right to suspect that Tehran’s intentions are malign. It is nevertheless prepared, for just a little while longer, to indulge its European allies’ search for a deal. But it is hard to see the logic of compromise. Mr Bolton is among those who will argue forcefully that only international sanctions will curb Iran’s determination to intimidate its neighbours and upset global nuclear stability.

(snip)

Hello, you fools - the best available intelligence says that Iran is at least 10 years away from a nuclear bomb!!!!

[bloom]

60. What Ledeen is saying...

"It seems they have spat in the Europeans' faces once again on the farcical nuclear negotiations, having announced on Sunday that they were breaking the seal on the enrichment facility in Isfahan. That tracks with claims I have received in the past few days, saying that the last technical problems have been overcome, and that, in the next month or two, Khamenei will either announce that Iran has the bomb, or one will be detonated to remove any doubt. Time will tell, as it will tell if, as the mullahs hope, atomic bombs can protect them from democratic revolution. I think not."

http://www.nationalreview.com/ledeen/ledeen.asp

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4249044

[Nothing Without Hope]

61. They are ALL ignoring the NIE and trying to terrify people into war

Just as they did with Iraq - look at the cover of Jerome Corsi's new book:
http://images.amazon.com.nyud.net:8090/images/P/1581824580.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

THIS is what the liars are trying to do - terrify us into attacking Iran. And none of them are mentioning that the best available evidence - the official NIE - says that Iran is far, far away from a nuclear bomb. Hans Blix says it too (link upthread.)

[bloom]

62. Yes - it seems they have been trying to get people ready for this

for 6 months or more.

[Nothing Without Hope]

63. Looks like Israel will attack Iran, then the US will "protect" itself and

Israel from the counterattack. Escalation to nuclear warheads is quite possible. This could well take place in August, when Congress is not in session.

It's all set up.

[Nothing Without Hope]

64. I PROPOSE A LETTER-WRITING DU CAMPAIGN ON THIS - WE MUST ALERT

the public and press members of Congress to fight this rush to what would be a catastrophic war. The truth - the government's own National Intelligence Estimate - is being ignored and the terror-mongering is being stepped up.

I'm going to give the national media one more day to react to the leaked NIE in Monday's Washington Post. If there are not stories which feature it prominently in connection with the apparent moves against Iran and all the staged scary talk about Iranian nuikes, I'll write Skinner and suggest this subject as a DU Activist project. If anyone else feels as I do that few things are more important than this issue, I invite you to do the same.

[shelley806]

65. Kick...this is so depressing.

:kick:

[Nothing Without Hope]

66. kick - this forum really moves fast! n/t

[Nothing Without Hope]

67. How about emailing Keith Olbermann about this situation? Why is the

NIE being ignored by the other media and the Bush Administration being allowed to warmonger with lies all over again?

Here's Keith's email address:
[e-mail]

[Nothing Without Hope]

68. kick - come on, people, this is IMPORTANT n/t

[Nothing Without Hope]

72. kick for the early morning crowd - If you find the leaked NIE in any major

articles in the Thursday media, please give a llink here.

[Nothing Without Hope]

73. kick n/t

[moodforaday]

74. kick (n/t)

[moodforaday]

75. kick (n/t)

[Nothing Without Hope]

76. Kick n/t

[Nothing Without Hope]

77. kick n/t

[Just Me]

78. The BushCo/neoCON cabal are placing us in imminent danger,...

,...of being a nation which intentionally incites another world war. Sure hope those indictments are released very VERY soon.

[BamaBecky]

79. kick

[LibertyorDeath]

80. Yes they are turning up the propaganda on Iran right now

Ritter & Hersh have been warning people about it for months.

Russia & China must have some thoughts on this.

They should tell B**h if he attacks Iran they will view it as an attack on their vital national interests and respond accordingly.


Rec!

[bonito]

81. From another post today

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x144963

[Nothing Without Hope]

82. So - has anyone seen followups on the Iran NIE leak in other media yet?

Or is the Washington Post the only one that dares to state that the best intelligence says that Iran is at least 10 years away from a nuclear bomb?

If the answer is: everybody else is caving to the Bush lies, then we have to start moving. Letter-writing campaigns, every way we can think to get this issue into the open.

It would make sense, and there is plenty of reason to suspect, that they would want to start their next war by having Israel attack Iran while Congress is out of session. Maybe later this month or soon thereafter. (When does Congress reconvene?)

We can't just sit on our hands. We have to DEMAND that attention be given to the fact that there is fear- and warmongering pushing us into a war with Iran when all the evidence shows, just like last time, that it would be based on LIES.

So, has anyone been looking through all the media about coverage of the Iran propaganda vs. the true NIE estimate of their nuclear capability? What's the news?

[Nothing Without Hope]

83. What can we do to keep this thread, this topic from disappearing?

Zoom, 24 hours and it's gone, and the GD forum moves so fast.

This topic is too important to let it be lost among all the random threads.

[pitohui]

84. i see it and will bump yr thread as worthy of discussion

however i don't actually agree w/ your point

building an atomic bomb is something even a high school student can do given the right material, i find it hard to believe a nation as sophisticated as iran can't take the next step and build a nuclear bomb

sorry

don't think it is cause to invade them, any more than russia or china having the h-bomb was cause to attack them, it is actually cause not to invade them

i believe we would have attacked iran many yrs ago if not for fears that they might have a nuclear back-up or two


same w north korea

[Mnemosyne]

86. .

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[Nothing Without Hope]

87. I'll try to keep this kicked for a while - this is an urgent situation

with the escalating Bushie lies and propaganda to support an Iran War or justify and Israeli attack of Iran.

One day is not enough for this thread.

This is the single biggest weakness of Democratic Underground in my opinion: important and densely information-filled threads for major issues disappear just as fast and as permanently as much less important threads, and there's no easy way to find them again.

[Nothing Without Hope]

88. Another important article on the anti-Iran war-mongering - from Juan Cole

Juan Cole is a professor with special expertise in Middle-Eastern culture, history and politics and he is a canny political commentator. So we need to read and pay attention to what he is saying about the Bushies current propaganda campaign to push for invasion (perhaps first by Israel) of Iran.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4268043
thread title: Juan Cole absolutely nails the "shaped charges from Iran" news!

The bizarre report by Jim Miklaszewski of NBC news that US military sources are saying Iran is the source of more sophisticated bombs used by Sunni Arab guerrillas in Iraq seems so unbelievable because it is. Poor Jim is the victim of a high-level Department of Defense black psy-ops operation (or perhaps such an operation has been supplied by a sub-contractor). You wonder if it is Doug Feith's parting gift to the American people-- laying the groundwork for a war with Iran.

[AuntiBush]

89. It has this DUer worried sick. Sorry I missed this IMPORTANT thread.

Sorry. Read and w/all of you on this. And I'm very fearful, seeing these signs.

Frustrating doesn't cut-it. Lost for words. W/you. Sadly, so.

[hedda_foil]

92. Damn, Damn, Damn!

There are far too many signs to miss this one. And with *'s ratings in the trash, there's little doubt that he could recapture this nation's misplaced trust with a nice little dirty bomb attack right her in the "homeland." And then .... nuclear winter here we come!

[AuntiBush]

96. I hear ya "Hedda_Foil..."

Has me worried sick, as well. Sigh. I know how everything came to this with common deductions. "They" must have been planning this for an awfully long time, while we were living as close to a good, decent normal life as possible.

Then the question is "why?" Again, use your common deduction. Most of us come-up with the same thought and it's but one: They must have hated us for an awfully long time, while brainwashing those already filled with hatred.

So, how do we, the good-guys and gals win our country back? Everyone knows the good-guys always finish last. Sadder then sad, huh.

I'm trying to figure-out where to move to, far from where I am where the grass is greener; grow my own veggies, fruits and nuts, and try to afford a windmill, solar panels, well-water and (?) then what... a bomb shelter. I'm making my self laugh now.

[WeHoldTheseTruths]

90. kick n/t

[WeHoldTheseTruths]

91. Searching NIE Iran at Google news just now

Searching NIE Iran at Google news just now.
http://news.google.co.th/nwshp?hl=en&tab=wn&q=NIE%20Iran

About 38 hits going back to July 6 and Aug 1, at least a couple (Arizona) seemed to be trying to discredit the story. Almost nothing, especially in U.S. press, in the last few days.

Washington Times (paper of Rev. Moon of "moonies" fame) Aug 5 could sicken you . . .
http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/20050804-083245-9861r.htm

“Just how far is Iran from the bomb? The short and honest answer is: No one knows. Not the United States, despite an intelligence community that swallows up $40 billion a year in taxpayer money. Not the Israelis, who fear they will be on the receiving end. And least of all, the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is only allowed to see those facilities in Iran that the Iranian government chooses to let it see, and has no mandate to investigative weapons programs.

"The uncertainties and gray areas are so many that virtually any answer about Iranian nuclear weapons development has supporters within the U.S. intelligence community. Therein lies a grave danger to our national security.

“A recently completed National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran, leaked to a reporter hostile to the administration before its key policy-makers saw it Tuesday . . .” :banghead:

(Did this really fast on too long empty stomach. Hoping someone will follow up or do better.)

[H2O Man]

93. Let's keep this at the top.

DUers will find the cases against Lawrence Franklin, Steven Rosen, and Keith Weissman to be eye-opening. The plans for strikes against Iran are deeply rooted in the neocon control of a significant power base in Washington, DC.

[Nothing Without Hope]

94. kick - keeping it alive n/t

[Nothing Without Hope]

97. More people need to be aware of the facts in this thread. n/t

[Nothing Without Hope]

98. kick n/t

[Carla in Ca]

99. NWH, Thanks for this thread

It is late but I read everything posted here. Scary stuff and it needs to be talked about. How are we ever going to recover from this nightmare?
KICK! Everyone, please read.

[w8liftinglady]

100. That is an excellent assembly of articles.

It is particularly disturbing when you accompany it with what is going on behind the scenes
http://www.google.com/custom?q=iran&btnG=Google+Search&cof=S%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2F%3BALC%3A%23CC0000%3BLW%3A190%3BT%3ABlack%3BAWFID%3Abc7261f3381a1bd8%3B&domains=www.halliburtonwatch.org&sitesearch=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.halliburtonwatch.org

[Nothing Without Hope]

101. Congress out of session and the idiot stored in Texas - maybe Cheney wiil

make his move on Iran soon, perhaps with a pre-emptive strike from Israel. I am hoping very hard that the ruling cartel doesn't feel driven to set up a second 9/11-style dometic attack to get support for their Iran agenda. From what Jerome Corsi is continuing to say, there is a lot of thought being given to a nuke in New York City. Corsi, of course, claims on the basis of no evidence at all that Iran has nuclear bombs NOW:

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45567

Iran has nukes now – Let's quit fooling ourselves

Jerome Corsi
WorldNetDaily Exclusive Commentary
Posted: August 2, 2005
11:43 a.m. Eastern

© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

The Washington Post is running today an "undisclosed sources" article designed to surface a supposedly new "National Intelligence Estimate" that says Iran is 10 years away from having an atomic bomb. Here we go again. The leftist mainstream media has launched its own pre-emptive attack against the Bush administration, hot on the case of making sure we don't get tough with Iran.

Last month, I traveled to Israel where I addressed the Knesset about the nuclear weapons threat represented by Iran. I told the Knesset that Iran's nuclear program was a "clear and present danger," and I stressed that the time was short. Iran has everything it needs right now to build an atomic bomb.

While in Israel, I had discussions with intelligence officials in the Israeli Defense Forces and with the Ministry of Defense. These discussions confirmed my worst fears.

Israeli intelligence estimates are that once Iran begins enriching uranium again, the red flashing light should go off. Once the mullahs reach the "point of no return," they can produce bombs on a constant basis – not just one or two, but a steady stream of atomic weapons.

(snip)

[Nothing Without Hope]

103. kick n/t

[Nothing Without Hope]

104. kick n/t