I smell something in the air. Military Build Up

[Monkeyman]

Calling up IRR Marines sending wounded troops for desert training. I smell a attack . Where Iran maybe. But the stink is growing. Again lowering the standards. Maybe its just me but I think something is coming and its ugly. Tell me you feel it too. There has been to much bad news for the White House what do they have to lose

[HCE SuiGeneris]

1. Easter surprise from our demented cabal. n/t

[aquart]

2. No, honey. You smell desperation.

We're sending men on crutches to Iraq. WE HAVE NO READY ARMY.

Bush has destroyed us militarily. Attack? We have no army, no equipment, no leadership, no money. Attack? HOW?

[John Q. Citizen]

8. Not with the infantry. From boats and bases bordering the bombardment zones.

All ariel hardware, maybe some special opts.

But no ground troops.

This is what we keep hearing, anyway, and that is what is in theater.

[aquart]

53. We've been using air support ground crews as ground patrol troops

For over a year. WE DON'T HAVE THE PEOPLE.

[Marrah_G]

15. We don't need to enter Iran

You see, we have a big ass Navy... with big ass missles, launched from ships.

[Dan]

43. well, unless those ships/boats/submarines

can walk on land, they are going to need boots on the ground - to deal with that huge body of sand that connects Irag to Iran.

[Marrah_G]

59. That is only if the objective is to occupy

If the objective is to stop nuke research and cripple them militarily then that can be accomplished by air and sea.

[Strelnikov_]

71. Only if you want to leave your flank exposed

Any plan to strike Iran's nuclear infrastructure that does not include a large ground component to deal with contingencies borders on criminal incompetence.

Iran has been studying US tactics for years now. IMHO, they think they have a strategy that may succeed, or we would not have the current level of belligerence. That strategy probably is to hunker down, wait for us to run out of effective bombs (much as we did near the end of shock and awe), and then come at us with asymmetrical warfare (much as Iraq did with the Fedeyeen(sp?)). In other words, continue to bleed us slowly.

Any aerial attack on Iran will greatly increase the number of ground troops required in the region for simply force protection.

Surge, anyone . . .

[aquart]

55. And then what?

[bdamomma]

69. now bush wants to destroy our Navy and Iran

what a fuckin idiot he is, this man needs to get his a$$ kicked out now. he is totally out of control!!!

[Marie26]

29. Google "global strike."

That's how. Not to say they will do it, but it's how they still could attack at this point. This plan is Cheney's baby - high-tech weapons & no ground troops at all.

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

[aquart]

56. High tech weapons ordered from his friends?

Any unfalsified proof they'll work?

[Marie26]

75. When have they ever cared about that?

Considering consequences or long-term effects is not this Administration's strength. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't work - but Cheney wants it, high-tech defense contractors want it, so they might just try it anyway.

[Morgana LaFey]

79. Your post reminds me of --

and this is the 2nd reminder in as many days.

The U.S. Army at Columbus, GA has an Infantry museum which I went through once upon a time.

The one thing that stuck with me, which obviously touched me deeply (because despeeration always gets to me), was a Nazi winter uniform jacket, partially woven of straw. There was not enough wool. Imagine.

Madness. Sheer madness to press forward on a war of your own damn choosing under such circumstances.

[Olney Blue]

3. Oh, monkeyman, please be wrong.

:scared:

[partylessinOhio]

4. I agree. Condoho has come out of her spider hole. And Congress will

sit on their hands afraid of their shadows when they should be impeaching Satan.

[pinto]

5. I think they're trying to save their Iraq fiasco with all means available. (Agghh.)

I don't think it has anything to do with the internet buzz about an attack - especially ground-based attack - on Iran.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

7. It won't be a ground based attack.

It will be a showcase for our far superior technology of killing.

[Joe for Clark]

18. What makes you think we call the shots on this??

[HCE SuiGeneris]

19. Please clarify.

[Joe for Clark]

23. I am the pale image of my parents generation.

But I understand something about war.

SO - I say what makes you think we call the shot here - well, that is because there is an opponent that has his own ideas about this matter. His own plans.

Baghdad is so clear now - well, where are the bodies??

They sure went somewhere - didn't they???

I will say - they will attack in our rear - I can say that cause I know they have no where else to go.

It is a problem.

Joe

[undeterred]

26. I think you're right.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

33. While I would love to believe that

to be the truth -- that they actually want a win (whatever that is, it really has never been an idea developed well enough -- or communicated well enough) it troubles me that they are sapping every available resource. This -- to me -- speaks of an expanded front.

[Joe for Clark]

6. There is something up.

They are calling up Cal NG units now. Engineers.

They are pretty clearly- to me - looking for units to keep a functional land bridge between the capital and Mosul - The main airports.

Like they acknowledge the one highway thru and that chopper units are vulnerable - so - they need a useable highway. Man, it looks that way to me.

Joe

[havocmom]

11. DEMS on the Hill with seupeona power is up. Desperate for diversion

'Waist deep in the Big Muddy
and the big fool says to push on...'*

The only way the junta can save their own asses is to drag more of ours further into pointless, hopeless wars. They only save themselves by destroying the nation. They thrive when others die.


http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/snd/waistdeep.html

Waist Deep In The Big Muddy
by Pete Seeger 1963, planned for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1967 but CBS objected to the blacklisted Seeger making obvious references to the"big fool" in the White House, finally sung by Seeger on the Comedy Hour in 1968 as the finale in a medley of anti-war songs

It was back in nineteen forty-two,
I was a member of a good platoon.
We were on maneuvers in-a Loozianna,
One night by the light of the moon.
The captain told us to ford a river,
That's how it all begun.
We were -- knee deep in the Big Muddy,
But the big fool said to push on.

The Sergeant said, "Sir, are you sure,
This is the best way back to the base?"
"Sergeant, go on! I forded this river
'Bout a mile above this place.
It'll be a little soggy but just keep slogging.
We'll soon be on dry ground."
We were -- waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool said to push on.

The Sergeant said, "Sir, with all this equipment
No man will be able to swim."
"Sergeant, don't be a Nervous Nellie,"
The Captain said to him.
"All we need is a little determination;
Men, follow me, I'll lead on."
We were -- neck deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool said to push on.

All at once, the moon clouded over,
We heard a gurgling cry.
A few seconds later, the captain's helmet
Was all that floated by.
The Sergeant said, "Turn around men!
I'm in charge from now on."
And we just made it out of the Big Muddy
With the captain dead and gone.

We stripped and dived and found his body
Stuck in the old quicksand.
I guess he didn't know that the water was deeper
Than the place he'd once before been.
Another stream had joined the Big Muddy
'Bout a half mile from where we'd gone.
We were lucky to escape from the Big Muddy
When the big fool said to push on.

Well, I'm not going to point any moral;
I'll leave that for yourself
Maybe you're still walking, you're still talking
You'd like to keep your health.
But every time I read the papers
That old feeling comes on;
We're -- waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on.

Waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on.
Waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on.
Waist deep! Neck deep! Soon even a
Tall man'll be over his head, we're
Waist deep in the Big Muddy!
And the big fool says to push on!

Words and music by Pete Seeger (1967)
TRO (c) 1967 Melody Trails, Inc. New York, NY

They don't have any morals. They will do what ever, violate what ever, destroy what ever, put this nation in what ever peril they can to divert attention and subvert the justice they so rightly fear. One prays the brass has enough moral fiber to just tell them NO!

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

12. and Marines and carriers

Operation Eagle Pull, writ large?

[aquart]

57. The Marines? The Marines are in tatters.

We ain't got no steenkeen Marines.

[sanskritwarrior]

51. I typed a large response but my comp freaked out

so let me summarize......


There are 3 main roads into Iraq, One from Turkey, supports all Northern based units. One from Jordan supports all Marines, one from Kuwait MSR Tampa. The Iraqi insurgency is a light infantry force, they are incapable of interdicting our supply lines. If you wish to ask me how I know this, please PM and I will gladly answer. Yes they can harass us, yes they can kill people, they are incapable of interdicting our supply lines. Give them some tanks and some air support and I'll give you a maybe. A force whose largest weapon is an IED is not capable of interdicting the supply lines of an Mech force. They are not capable of such an act. They are capable of killing Americans and making us take focus away from fighting to protecting our supply lines.


There are 5 major airfields, Mosul aint one of them, in fact there is one American Cav Squadron in Mosul now, the Iraqis are doing 90% of the security there in Mosul. They need to do 90% everywhere else so most of us can come home........Anyway

The 5 major airfields are as follows:

BIAP: Baghdad, Coalition HQ
FOB Speicher: Tikrit, 25th ID HQ
FOB Warrior: Kirkuk 3rd BCT, 25th ID...Air Force Expeditionary wing
TQ: Al Taqqadum in Al Anbar province. Marine airhead
Tallil: In southern Iraq near Nasiriyah

And you would not use engineer units to keep a "land bridge" <---I'm not even sure what that means. National guard units are mobilized as needed, if the DOD in their :sarcasm: infinite wisdom decides it needs a California Engineer NG unit, it is probably because a computer spit out their unit's name. When I was in Iraq back in 2005 our Signal company for our FOB was a Cali NG Signal unit, deployments happen because someone feeds the criteria into a computer and the computer spits out the unit that meets the manning requirements and mission profile.

Sorry if I seem abrupt, my previous post was eloquent and very long, I didn't feel like retyping it all. Like I said the last time this issue came up, this isn't personal, I'm not a freeper, I just hate bullcrap about the military that people take from myth and make it fact in about 20 posts.

If anyone wishes to discuss this in greater detail please PM me, I'm not looking for an argument, I'm not saying YAY WAR!!!!!!!! I dread my deployment in December, however the person I am responding to is incorrect. I don't feel hostile at all, I just want to correct the misconception.

[BluePatriot]

65. *nods*

Perhaps they meant that supply lines are vulnerable when any hypothetical Iranian action happens due to 1. overextended forces and 2. few viable lines of supply via inland motor convoy.

We subcontracted transportation for an Iraq project and the route through Jordan is virtually unusable for contractors unless you want to pay off people. Anbar province, and all that. Ex Turkey was never terrible but our projects were in the south and it's a very long route. So, everything going to Baghdad / BIAP went ex Kuwait. If someone chokes/cuts off that area, it will mess up a lot of resupply.

[Monkeyman]

72. This is about a feeling and you are welcome in the debate

Now on a personal note. If your going to the sand box you keep your head down and on 360. Get home to us safe and sound. You debating points are needed. Just A vet to vet.

[blues90]

9. I don't have the military knowledge you have

However I do feel something coming and have odd nightmares the past few weeks . This means it is only odd for me to have nightmares .

I do tend to believe this admin is running out of ways to hide their lies and criminal actions , In a position like this they have nothing to lose . I feel they may see impeachment coming so this is not a threat they can rule out . If they do attack Iran then who knows what will happen to them and by then will it really matter since we will be in a new world of untold horror .

When I consider all the latest crimes that have broken in the last month alone perhaps the rats feel cornered .

[Monkeyman]

10. Thats what I am worried about cornered Animals

Its a feeling just like right before you get hit. You know its coming. I just hope I am very wrong. But that combat feeling is back.

[tom_paine]

14. I feel it, too, Monkeyman. 'Been saying the "cornered animals" thing a few weeks now

Sadly, and I pray to God I am wrong, I think it possible the Busheviks are seriously considering having their al-Qaeda pals give us a little "nuclear 9/11" (God Forbid) or something along those lines.

I suppose relative to THAT (which is hopefully among the less likely things going on) an Iran attack is relatively benign.

But how are they supposed to get a war-weary and awakening American Citizenry to get behind it?

That's what scares me.

(Although a Third Option is having Israel wage a proxy attack on Iran)

With any luck, NONE of those things will happen.

But I share your feelings of trepidation. I have been saying for six years that the closer we get to an indictment and impeachment of BushCheney, the more bodies will pile up.

[blues90]

20. I don't think they need the support of the people

They also have the right to go into Iran without the congress to approve it , this is another think that is troubling .

I heard Hartmann say a second 9/11 would make bush seem failed as far as protecting our country but then in each speech I've heard by condi , bush and cheney each say we are safer but not completly safe giving themselves an out , so I disagree with Hartmann here .

[HCE SuiGeneris]

21. The issue at hand, is another attack on America

imminent? The cabal knows that without a trigger mechanism, they are toast if they initiate a war with Iran.

[blues90]

24. It could go either way

I don't know and doubt if the 12 brits can trigger it in Iran . I know another attack on american may get the fear up and it certainly would take the attention off these investigations .

[CJCRANE]

58. The current incident (detained Brits)

prob won't trigger it...but if the Brits change their rules of engagement and open fire on Iranian ships next time...all bets are off.

[Dover]

44. The Dems have been nothing but cooperative with the GOP in the Middle East policy/ invasions

If they were really concerned they would have begun impeachment proceedings right away to prevent this. Instead they continue to fund it. And though there have been scandals galore, and verbal pontificating for the cameras, nothing has come from any of them. So IF there is an attack on Iran it seems unlikely that it's due to any fear of political attack from the Dems.

[Joe for Clark]

17. Man, this has nothing at all to do with "military knowledge"

It is that inate abilite us mamals have for survival -

Nothing more than that.

Joe

[Monkeyman]

25. You got it Joe

[Joe for Clark]

31. I know you unsderstand.

We could have grown up together - and no one could have told the difference now.

You better keep posting man, this is just killing me.

Joe

[blues90]

27. I know , I was just stating that Monkey man has more insight

Than I concerning military knowledge , that's all and then I expressed my concerns , my personal thought's .

[Joe for Clark]

30. Please, keep going - you did just fine.

[Marrah_G]

13. I'm certain of it.

Something with big bombs is coming. I hope I am wrong. I really, really do.

Edit: I should add this (i've posted this before but it goes to why I feel this way): My brother was pulled out of 10 years retirement as a Navy officer. He specialized in surface warfare (served in gulf 1) and more recently the transportation of heavy ordinance. He was given about a month to get his affairs in order and has been deployed for at least a year to the gulf.

[Klukie]

16. I smell it too....

I personally know some folks in the Air Force who may have to fill some Army jobs. It seems the Army has been pulling troops from the Air force while the Air Force has been downsizing bigtime to save funds for needed aircraft. Our military is beyond overstretched and this administration would be very foolish to begin another battle, but I really think they might. Everyone I suggest this to says "No way..they would never do that", but if we have learned anything from this administration, it is that their hubris knows no bounds.

[thecrow]

22. Last week at Quantico they were testing bombs

The explosions rocked Northern Virginia
My dog kept trying to hide behind me
I wonder what they were doing; it was loud!
Biggest bomb test ever, they said on my local board.
Could they be testing for use on Iran?

[kaygore]

28. I hear it in the air as once again the Navy jets scream overhead

at all hours and huge transport planes fly into and out of Oceana Naval Air Base in Virginia Beach, VA.

[ddeclue]

32. If that happens I smell "impeachment" oh wait... I already smell impeachment...

No one would tolerate it in Congress or the Senate on either side of the isle. Bush would be kicked out on his ass by impeachment if he did that.

Doug D.
Orlando, FL

[spinbaby]

34. That explains the catapulting propoganda

I've always noticed propoganda points appearing first in two places: Early-morning local news and spam emails from my in-laws. Seriously, I'm convinced Repugs test talking points this way.

Today, the local news was pushing heroic "real live and unedited" combat video put on youtube by the military. The email from the in-laws was a patriotic tear-jerker of a letter from a military man about how he's proud to sacrifice for our freedom--complete with instructions to pass it on to everyone in your address book so it can "go around the world." This combo makes me suspect some kind of patriotic military nonsense coming up.

[Monkeyman]

35. You know they did do the same story here

Its a sick feeling but its there

[nadinbrzezinski]

49. Have you passed a DD -4 to them?

I did that to one person who kept sending me the crap... I have not received an Iota from him ever since.

(enlistment form)

[loudsue]

50. What's a DD-4???

:shrug: Never heard the term before.

:kick:

[nadinbrzezinski]

52. Enlistment form

Boy I've pissed some chickenhawks when they support the war and I just slide the form to them and offer to take them over to the recruiter.

[Monkeyman]

66. Good Idea

[butterfly77]

77. They have also been talking about ..

how the military is stretch a lot lately and they seem to be hinting about the draft...

[Ishoutandscream2]

36. There is desperation in the air

And I hope the Congress, and the American people, don't take it lying down again. Impeachment is the answer.

[bdamomma]

70. not to be funny, we will be laying down if we do not stop these

maniacs, we are dealing with some evil people and they will not stop from doing what they are planning to do.

[Tsiyu]

37. I have so NOT been trying to feel that way as well

And I know zilch about the military, just a feeling in the bones.

I hope that we are all just frazzled by the times. But I am glad my two youngest will be out of school and near me all next week.

Hang in there Monkeyman :hug:

[Ilsa]

38. Husband's cousin's son just went into the Army.

I blame the worthless absent father and druggy ho mother and her theiving boyfriends. Poor kid grew up hard and rough, but always knew there was family that cared about him, especially his grandparents, but there was only so much they could do. Somehow the kid grew up with a conscience and decided the Army might teach him something. I can only hope he finds what he needs, including friendship and a sense of belonging there.

God, please don't let the bozos send him to Iraq. He's not ready for that shit yet.

[nadinbrzezinski]

47. Ilsa NOBODY is ready for that shit

regardless of the bravado and tough talk

[PinkyisBlue]

80. Your comment brings up a good point I heard tonight on tv.

I think it was said by Bill Maher on Olbermann's show. He said that the soldiers in Iraq are very loyal to one another, and this is what keeps them focused on their mission. The other soldiers in their unit becomet like a family to them. And the Bush administration is exploiting this sense of unity and loyalty; it knows the soldiers will do whatever is asked of them because they won't turn their backs on the other soldiers fighting with them.

I'm afraid your family member will find friendship and a sense of belonging in the Army. I hope he makes it home in one piece, physically and mentally.

[kitty1]

39. The fear of fallout would put a deadline on nuclear sites attack....

According the the Jerusalem Post, Intelligence indicates that the Iranians are attempting to produce a substantial mass of enriched uranium before the end of the year.

snip

"IRAN is several years away from nuclear capability but any plan for a pre-emptive attack on its nuclear sites may have to be implemented before the end of the year to avoid the danger of serious radiation fallout."
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21452350-31477,00.html

If they wait until after the uranium is enriched to strike, it would cause radioactive fallout which would devastate large populated sectors of Iran.
The Israelis considered the timing in a similar way when they made an air strike agains the Iraq nuclear installation in 1981. Before the rods could be installed.

you're right about your military instincts. It looks more and more like something is going to happen sooner rather than later.

[bananas]

40. That's a good point. nt

[truedelphi]

42. Butif we attack Iran inthe next few weeks, w/ that attack being predicted as limited nukes

It will undoubtably be our radioactivity-causing war that will diminish the population of the planet - not Iran's.

Over the last eighteen months, other governments have already attempted to put emergency plans in place for when the USA's attack comes.(India, Pakistan, etc.)

[AwakeAtLast]

41. 5th K & R for you!

Whether people like it or not, we need to keep the debate going because we cannot trust these SOBs!

:hi:

[nadinbrzezinski]

45. I have that debate from time to time

but monkey man....

what I think is that they are desperate and the Marines, that is a broken marine corp, truly is

I know one of the people who MAY be called back and if he is... they are truly desperate. So I will try to find out...

[Dover]

46. Keep an eye on Turkey for clues.

They are a steaming cauldron pressured from within and both sides of this conflict. And they are the epicenter and prime realestate for the pipeline convergence. Recently they've been looking very aggressive regarding their Kurdish problems as well. Boiling point of concern for the west.

-----------

Confident Turkey looks east, not west


Simon Tisdall
Monday March 26, 2007
The Guardian


Turkey was not invited to Europe's big birthday bash yesterday despite being an official candidate for EU membership. Ankara expressed disappointment at a "missed opportunity". Media reaction to the perceived snub was sharper.
"In the 1990s, the EU was a giant organisation governed by prominent leaders," said leading columnist Mehmet Ali Birand. "Today it has become a fat midget that lacks perspective and is governed by small-thinkers."

Disillusion with the EU has deepened since Brussels part-suspended talks in December after a row over Cyprus. The hostility, as seen from Ankara, of French presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy and the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has poisoned the pot further.

But anger and frustration is slowly giving way to a new, more assertive idea: that perhaps Turkey does not really need Europe after all ... - ... and the EU will come to regret its insultingly complacent chauvinism as Turkey goes its own way.

"Europeans underestimate the importance and influence of Turkey," said Fuat Keyman, professor of international relations at Istanbul's Koc university. "If they are serious about the future of Europe as a power in global affairs, they need to change their thinking."

..snip..

The "reformed Islamist" government in Ankara is also cultivating the Arab and Muslim world. It signalled a new strategic relationship with Egypt this week. It sent peacekeeping troops to Lebanon last year. It talks to Iran when many will not or cannot. Close links to Israel have not prevented the building of ties with Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. And despite tensions with the Kurds, Turkey is northern Iraq's main economic partner. Istanbul is the likely venue of next month's Iraq summit...>

http://www.guardian.co.uk/turkey/story/0,,2042846,00.html

[Dover]

48. A Predator Becomes More Dangerous When Wounded

A Predator Becomes More Dangerous When Wounded

by Noam Chomsky; The Guardian UK; March 10, 2007

In the energy-rich Middle East, only two countries have failed to subordinate themselves to Washington's basic demands: Iran and Syria. Accordingly both are enemies, Iran by far the more important. As was the norm during the cold war, resort to violence is regularly justified as a reaction to the malign influence of the main enemy, often on the flimsiest of pretexts. Unsurprisingly, as Bush sends more troops to Iraq, tales surface of Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Iraq - a country otherwise free from any foreign interference - on the tacit assumption that Washington rules the world.

In the cold war-like mentality in Washington, Tehran is portrayed as the pinnacle in the so-called Shia crescent that stretches from Iran to Hizbullah in Lebanon, through Shia southern Iraq and Syria. And again unsurprisingly, the "surge" in Iraq and escalation of threats and accusations against Iran is accompanied by grudging willingness to attend a conference of regional powers, with the agenda limited to Iraq.

Presumably this minimal gesture toward diplomacy is intended to allay the growing fears and anger elicited by Washington's heightened aggressiveness. These concerns are given new substance in a detailed study of "the Iraq effect" by terrorism experts Peter Bergen and Paul Cruickshank, revealing that the Iraq war "has increased terrorism sevenfold worldwide". An "Iran effect" could be even more severe.

For the US, the primary issue in the Middle East has been, and remains, effective control of its unparalleled energy resources. Access is a secondary matter. Once the oil is on the seas it goes anywhere. Control is understood to be an instrument of global dominance. Iranian influence in the "crescent" challenges US control. By an accident of geography, the world's major oil resources are in largely Shia areas of the Middle East: southern Iraq, adjacent regions of Saudi Arabia and Iran, with some of the major reserves of natural gas as well. Washington's worst nightmare would be a loose Shia alliance controlling most of the world's oil and independent of the US. Such a bloc, if it emerges, might even join the Asian Energy Security Grid based in China. Iran could be a lynchpin. If the Bush planners bring that about, they will have seriously undermined the US position of power in the world....>

http://www.zmag.org/content/print_article.cfm?itemID=12300§ionID=1

[TheBaldyMan]

54. I smell military collapse

with respect MM, I think it is symptomatic of the continuous deployments and very short spells between. The armed forces are in danger of imploding, as happened towards the end of the Viet nam conflict. The army took years to recover from the battering it took from Vietnam.

Today, the combined effects on the troops and their families are taking their toll. The army is being bled dry, experienced soldiers are leaving, standards for new recruits are being loosened, the stop-loss continues and the IRR is being abused. It is a chronic shortage of manpower rather than an immanent attack in the pipeline.

The remedy, as far as I can see, is to withdraw all troops and rebuild, re-equip and retrain. This is an urgent need while the US still has an army in anything but name. From the outset the army didn't have the manpower, the funding or the competent administration that were prerequisites to do the job. It is four years late and $5 trillion dollars short.

[Monkeyman]

73. You are right but I don't think this will be boots on the ground

[ourvoicescount]

60. Someone needs to listen in on that White House...

[Ganja Ninja]

61. It's been awhile since 911 and Katrina so this administration is

about due for another disaster in which thousands of Americans die.

[earth mom]

62. I've been expecting this for awhile now....

Meanwhile, Congress twiddles their thumbs....I doubt an attack on Iran would happen if Congress tried-even if there isn't "all" the goddamn votes-to Impeach the criminals in charge.

To Congress: Those of us who've been shouting for Impeachment TOLD you so! :grr:

:nuke:

[paparush]

63. Global Strike includes Nuclear Options

From FTA-

"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.

The official U.S. position on the use of nuclear weapons has not changed. Since the end of the Cold War, the United States has taken steps to de-emphasize the importance of its nuclear arsenal. The Bush administration has said it remains committed to reducing our nuclear stockpile while keeping a credible deterrent against other nuclear powers. Administration and military officials have stressed this continuity in testimony over the past several years before various congressional committees.

But a confluence of events, beginning with the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and the president's forthright commitment to the idea of preemptive action to prevent future attacks, has set in motion a process that has led to a fundamental change in how the U.S. military might respond to certain possible threats. Understanding how we got to this point, and what it might mean for U.S. policy, is particularly important now -- with the renewed focus last week on Iran's nuclear intentions and on speculation that North Korea is ready to conduct its first test of a nuclear weapon."

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

[paparush]

64. Anybody -- Are there any 'disaster drills' planned for cities near you?

Anything on the calender? Any mentions in your local news? Pay attention to these!!!!! These *ahem* drills are the modus operandi of the Bush Reich and Blair League to cover homegrown terrorist attacks.

Goddamnit!!!! If Bush attacks Iran then we have to occupy DC, en masse, for weeks, months at a time. Bring that city to a standstill. Gates need to be rattled. Windows need to be broken. America must be shaken from its consumer driven coma!

[Monkeyman]

67. Not Yet But you do have a point

[Kelly Rupert]

68. We've had a "Iran will be attacked soon, I just FEEL it" thread

just about every day on every political board since 2003. Forgive me if I don't quake in terror.

[Monkeyman]

74. I hear what your saying I for the first time see them in a coner

I think they have to do something to stop the debate that's all I am saying

[blues90]

76. They are trapped in the corner much more than ever before

This is enough for them to desperately try to divert the attention of all the investigations .

There was some fool on CNN this morning being asked about Iran being a threat and he was quick to say yes .

Still with all the pressure building up against this criminal admin and the fact that the house took out the language from their bill which gives bush the green light to do as he see's fit reguarding Iran then you add in Sy Hersh telling how cheney is funding the terrorists .

It is in a way like the writing on the wall .

[cosmicdot]

78. US Navy launches huge show of force in Persian Gulf

U.S. Navy launches huge show of force in Persian Gulf

By JIM KRANE, Associated Press

March 27, 2007

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The U.S. Navy today began its largest demonstration of force in the Persian Gulf since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, led by a pair of aircraft carriers, including the Norfolk-based Dwight D. Eisenhower, and backed by warplanes flying simulated attack maneuvers off the coast of Iran.

The maneuvers bring together two strike groups of U.S. warships - attached to the carriers John C. Stennis and Eisenhower - and more than 100 U.S. warplanes to conduct simulated air warfare in the crowded Gulf shipping lanes.

~snip~

Aandahl said the U.S. warships would stay out of Iranian territorial waters, which extend 12 miles off the Iranian coast.

~snip~

Overall, the exercises involve more than 10,000 U.S. personnel on warships and aircraft making simulated attacks on enemy shipping with aircraft and ships, hunting enemy submarines and finding mines.

"What it should be seen as by Iran or anyone else is that it's for regional stability and security," Aandahl said. "These ships are just another demonstration of that. If there's a destabilizing effect, it's Iran's behavior."

http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=121842&ran=41089&tref=po


Carrier Stennis joins Eisenhower for exercises in Persian Gulf

By JACK DORSEY, The Virginian-Pilot
March 27, 2007 | Last updated 2:12 PM Mar. 27

The carrier John C. Stennis arrived in the Persian Gulf today, joining the Norfolk-based carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower to begin dual-carrier operations, marking the first time their air arms have operated together while deployed with the 5th Fleet, officials said in a news release.

~snip~

The carrier Eisenhower strike group consists of about 6,500 sailors and 50 aircraft. The carrier is accompanied by the guided-missile destroyers Mason and Ramage and guided-missile cruiser Anzio.

~snip~

In addition to the Norfolk-based ships accompanying the Eisenhower, another Norfolk-based amphibious group also is in the region.

That includes nearly 3,000 sailors aboard seven ships in the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group. They left in early January along with about 2,200 Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C., and New River, N.C.

It consists of the amphibious assault ship Bataan, amphibious transport ship Shreveport, guided missile destroyer Nitze, guided missile cruiser Vella Gulf and the attack submarine Scranton, all based in Norfolk; the dock landing ship Oak Hill, based at the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base in Virginia Beach; and the guided missile frigate Underwood, based at Mayport, Fla.

http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=121837&ran=241052

[Tsiyu]

82. War Games

they called it on the Radio.

Not sure which station, but seems it was a Fox Radio News segment, on AM.

They are beating the drums again. It is chilling.

[Gloria]

81. There are 2000 Russians working on Iran's nuclear plant....

Even with the flap about payment, they are still there. BTW, Iran has started payments on the plant again. It will be delayed, but it is going forward.

If Bushco bombs them, then what????