The Coming War with Iran

[Generator]

On Scarbourgh country now-a guy I can't stand-a show I never watch-bleed over from Olbermann. When the Republicans have it figured out and are talking about what a danger Bush is, I think we have a problem, Houston.

CHRIST. You can't say we weren't warned. We have been fearing this on DU-with the help of Seymour Hersh's reporting for years. Talking about embassy raid as a act of war too!

[magellan]

1. I wish I had a tv in my office

What are they saying? And has it been determined yet precisely what sort of diplomatic building (or not) this was we sacked in Irbil, and the status of the 5 or 6 who were detained?

[eleny]

2. They're saying it's the Iranian embassy in Northern Iraq

[Dhalgren]

3. From the report I heard on NPR (they were interviewing a Kurdish

government spokesperson), they said that it was the Iranian consulate in Irbil and that the Iranians were diplomats and that they were "kidnapped" by the Americans. The Kurdish government spokesman said several times that this was a "kidnapping" of "protected diplomats". This is getting way freaky...

[magellan]

5. That's what I heard, a consulate

But I heard the liberal media refer to it today as a "diplomatic mission" and even more sinister, "a liaison office". And the Pentagon denies it had any diplomatic standing at all (which suggests it did).

I googled earlier and was able to find only one document referring to this place prior to today, and it was described as a consulate. The article's from August on what appears to be a Turkish site: http://www.yorturkvakfi.com/english/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=161

[Generator]

7. The Pentagon's denying it's status?! well that figures but finally

the TV media is not on board. It was not presented that way on CNN or MSNBC. Joe Klein from TIME clearly presented it as a taunt to Iran but that the Iranians were smarter than that to take it further.

[magellan]

8. It was CNN or MSNBC who called it a "liaison office" this morning

That's what had me so angry -- I'd already been on here and read it was more likely a consulate, then heard that. If they've corrected themselves since then good...but they do so much damage with their spin!! I could just see the casual viewer going, "A liaison office, that sounds like a place where people meet to plot bad things, glad they caught those damn Iranians". Never suspecting this was a consulate!!

And yes, the Pentagon were denying the place had any diplomatic status earlier. I don't know what their story is now. Honestly, it's the same thing again. Most people haven't time to keep up with shifting facts...and these bastards know it.

[Strelnikov_]

9. "Pentagon denies it had any diplomatic standing at all"

Isn't it the Kurds call as to what standing they may have had.

My bet, the US had intel on the Iranian intelligence chief working out of this consulate (just like our CIA working out of US embassies) and decided to make a snatch and run. If Iran started firing back, all the better as far as the neocons are concerned.

[magellan]

12. Isn't it the Kurds' call -- you'd think so!

Seeing as Iraq is supposedly a sovereign democratic country!

Cooler heads prevail for the moment but you can bet Bush** will keep playing Russian roulette with Iranian patience. I have no doubt how Bush** would react if Iran overran one of our consulates.

[brettdale]

4. I dont think war with Iran will happen

There has been talk the past three years here that war with Iran is soon, I don't see it happening.

[sendero]

6. I look at it this way...

... if it does happen, it will be the end of the Republican party in our lifetimes because it will be a disaster for America.

Because they will bring it HERE, Americans will finally get to lose their detachment from the effects of their voting decisions.

[roamer65]

10. Israel and Saudi Arabia want this...

The Saudis know they can't beat Iran alone and read Cheney the riot act, saying they would get involved in Iraq. Cheney and Bush know the Saudis would lose to the Iranians and that would end our access to Saudi oil. Iraq is about to explode into a regional war, which will lead to World War III upon disruption of the oil supplies.

Bush said last night that "we" would have to sacrifice. That means disrupted oil supplies and probably rationing.

[baldguy]

11. Like being forced to watch a re-run of a really bad movie.

Hated it the first time.

You know you'll hate it the second.