US ready to hit Iran, Hard.

[Pharaoh]

Nothing is clear, yet. For months, I have told interviewers that no senior political or military official was seriously considering a military attack on Iran. In the last few weeks, I have changed my view. In part, this shift was triggered by colleagues with close ties to the Pentagon and the executive branch who have convinced me that some senior officials have already made up their minds: They want to hit Iran.

I argued with my friends. I pointed out that a military strike would be disastrous for the United States. It would rally the Iranian public around an otherwise unpopular regime, inflame anti-American anger around the Muslim world, and jeopardize the already fragile U.S. position in Iraq. And it would accelerate, not delay, the Iranian nuclear program. Hard-liners in Tehran would be proven right in their claim that the only thing that can deter the United States is a nuclear bomb. Iranian leaders could respond with a crash nuclear program that could


http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=3416

[madokie]

1. And it appears theres nothing we can do to stop it.

I wouldn't put it past the rat bastards to not use the big bombs either, Nuclear.

[Pharaoh]

3. no doubt about it

tactical mini nuke bunker busters......

shock and awe 2

[GregD]

4. I beg to differ

We can stop this but it will take the sort of resolve we have seen anywhere but here in the US. Take the recent French demonstrations, or go back to the Ukraine elections.

If people really want to stop a strike on Iran, and all the other madness, it's not going to be easy but there is a way.

[texastoast]

13. Oh, you mean, like, doing something?

Taking it to the streets en masse? Protesting like the kids this week have shown can be done? Being civilly disobedient?

[Radio_Guy]

18. I think that is a good idea

If hundreds of thousands of people were to protest en masse, our voices will be heard. Lets grind the economy to a halt be calling a nationwide sickout where we don't show up to work, don't buy anything, and protest the war. They will have no choice but to listen.

[tocqueville]

17. there is no tradition of demonstrations in the US

to get to the same foreign level compared to the population of the US, you'll need to have simultaneous "uprisal" of about 5% of the population. That means 15 millions on the streets + general strikes.

all this demand a high level of preparedness, mobilisation and organisation. The potential is there in theory, but the leaders aren't. Besides the ruling classes would be very surprised if that happened and the situation turn very nasty.

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. This is a good time for those DEMS in Congress...

who claim to have been 'misled' on Iraq to SPEAK OUT now against repeating the catastrophe of 'preemptive' war.

I'm referencing particularly the majority of the NY State DEM congressional delegation, especially Clinton , Schumer and Weiner.

Speak now or don't speak at all.

[sendero]

5. And anyone who believes they will..

... please call me. I have a great deal on a bridge I need to sell!

As we've seen YET AGAIN TODAY, the Dems in the Senate aren't going to to jack squat about anything. I'm getting to where I respect them just as much as I do the Republicans.

[Pharaoh]

7. you said it sendero

I might send money to Feingold but not to the DNC.........

[NYCGirl]

10. And as I said in another post just today, the DNC doesn't represent the

Senate. It's the DSCC you have a problem with.

The DNC is a WHOLE DIFFERENT ANIMAL. They fund the grassroots, so we can get NEW senators in the future.

Edited to add link:
http://www.dscc.org/

[Pharaoh]

11. yes i'm behind dean too

the dem establishment it what pisses me off.....

[NYCGirl]

12. Well, then you shouldn't try to starve the DNC. It's all about getting NEW

people in office.

[Pharaoh]

16. agreed

but i'm putting my wallet on the sidelines for now till I see some spine and backbone in someone other than Feingold and Dean...

[NYCGirl]

19. Well, you're certainly free to do what you wish, but it really has nothing

whatsoever to do with Howard Dean. It's about what the DNC is doing for the party — not the Senators.

[DELUSIONAL]

6. My guess -- the nukes will be delivered by US subs

Cruise missiles will deliver the nukes -- I believe that some subs were tested firing Cruise missiles during the shock and awe phase of the Iraq invasion. This was reported in the media -- I remember seeing a graphic showing the location of the sub and the target hit in Iraq.

[Pharaoh]

8. That sounds about right

they have'nt played with those toys yet..

[katty]

9. agree

[MGKrebs]

14. And it most likely would happen right before the election.

Can't have a possible win by the terrorist-loving Democrats derail the plan. And if it happens to help some strong-on-"defense" republicans, hey, it's a bonus.

[stop the bleeding]

15. Yep along with Strategic air strikes that base off of Naval ships and

other bases in the region, kinda like in boxing

jab - airstrikes
uppercut - nukes from subs


No troops on the ground

[FloridaPat]

20. Here's a scenario: * tells us he's going to test bomb in Nevada.

Planes navigational system is screwed up and accidentally drops bomb on Iran. * "oops", apologizes, and then send it what troops aren't in Iraq to take over Iran. See, it was just a mistake.

[Pharaoh]

22. sounds like a bush plan to me

[SmokingJacket]

21. Wow, this guy has serious credibility, too. nt

[Benbow]

23. Then a nuclear bomb would be dropped on the US

Is no one thinking about the reprisals - like, the same day? Other countries will see the US drop one on Iran and, fearing that they will be next, will launch a pre-emptive strike against America. Don't think that the reprisal won't come until Iran is ready to deliver it.

[TheBaldyMan]

24. with respect, that would be impossible.

Firstly , let me state that I have posted a great many times on this subject.

Once again, the US cannot launch any kind of attack anywhere within Iran without several preconditions. Primary amongst these would be an attack on Iran would be an act of war that would require previous sanction by congress. Also restitution of a draft, tax rises, catastrophe in an already highly instable situation in Iraq and complete isolation from the international community would be the only outcomes.

The invasion of Iraq was about oil, pure and simple, witness the permanent bases being built there. The object is to secure Iraq's mineral wealth for the West. Any action that leads to a widening conflict would negate all possibility to remain there. As things stand in Iraq the occupying forces can barely maintain a presence outside of the 'Green Zone' and other heavily fortified positions, let alone get the oil supply flowing.

To summarise - no attack on Iran.

[Pharaoh]

25. HA HA HA!

Like these guys obey the laws?

Laws! we don need no stinkin laws!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[TheBaldyMan]

27. not a question of laws its a question of feasibility

and there aren't enough troops, the US is broke and the occupation is an abject failure. Bush has committed the US to a permanent presence in Iraq and can't keep the lid on it. There is no chance of a war against Iran as well.

[Pharaoh]

28. But heres the rub

These guys are Fucking insane!

that is the crux of the problem

[TheBaldyMan]

29. Not all the senior military figures in the military are insane

They might not need steenkeen badges but they do need beans, bullets and boots on the ground and troop numbers is something they don't have.

[Pharaoh]

31. my feeling is

they are just going to trash everything from the air in a massive assault and perhapjust capture the oil ports and try to secure the straits of hormuz.........of course even this would be quite insane......

[TheBaldyMan]

32. I agree with you, it would be insane,

I can't see the Bush administration being that dumb. The chickenhawks have learned the hard way how not to fight a war. The polls have hit new lows and I can't see another war boosting the republicans no matter how hard the media tries to spin it.

[LunaC]

26. Iran prepares for war

Iran launches massive naval wargame titled "Holy Prophet"
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/iran/2006/iran-060329-irna03.htm

Iran says it has tested radar-dodging missile
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-03-31-iranmissile_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA

Background:
Dueling Armageddon’s - Waiting for the rapture in Iran
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/LunaC/9

[Neil Lisst]

30. brings to mind Randy Newman's Political Science

No one likes us
I don't know why.
We may not be perfect
But heaven knows we try.
But all around even our old friends put us down.
Let's drop the big one and see what happens.

We give them money
But are they grateful?
No they're spiteful
And they're hateful.
They don't respect us so let's surprise them;
We'll drop the big one and pulverize them.

Now Asia's crowded
And Europe's too old.
Africa's far too hot,
And Canada's too cold.
And South America stole our name.
Let's drop the big one; there'll be no one left to blame us.

Bridge:
We'll save Australia;
Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo.
We'll build an all-American amusement park there;
They've got surfing, too.

Well, boom goes London,
And boom Paris.
More room for you
And more room for me.
And every city the whole world round
Will just be another American town.
Oh, how peaceful it'll be;
We'll set everybody free;
You'll have Japanese kimonos, baby,
There'll be Italian shoes for me.
They all hate us anyhow,
So let's drop the big one now.
Let's drop the big one now.