Hmmm, there may be just a little more to say. The sub-heading also includes the phrase, "the false Iran/al-Qaida link".

I suppose how much verbiage cum discussion that we would care to expend is proportional to how seriously one takes the threat of the putative attack on Iran.

Does anyone here disagree that this would be a disaster? The consequences of an attack on Iran are: the probable closing of the Strait of Hormuz, the sinking of an American capital ship or ships with hypersonic Mosquit and or Silkworm anti-ship missiles, a larger regional war, war in the Lebanon, and perhaps intervention on behalf of the Iranians from the Chinese and the Russians. I could go on.

No, it's a really bad idea, and one that must be strangled in its infancy.

Some people say that America would not attack Iran, because that is crazy. Other people say that an attack on Iran is probable precisely because America is crazy.

2 million is not out of the question, but it is not a number that the American public could ever come to terms with. But neither is 650,000 for that matter, nor the 3 million Vietnamese. They have been turned into red mist, smoke and released into the stratosphere.

Herr Eichmann may have been right when he said, "One hundred dead are a catastrophe, a million dead are a statistic."

Oppenheimer knew the score, "I have become death, the destroyer of worlds".

Here is what I think it going on. A big fight. And I don't mean in Iraq.

Hersh was absolutely correct on the evidence. At one point America had half, half, its navy in the Persian Gulf! Then there was the steady drumbeat of rather clumsy propaganda about EFP's, some of it denied by General Pace even at the time.

Then we heard from Adm. Fallon who said, "not on my watch". I have observed that senior serving officers rarely take the time to deny things that aren't on the table. (Fallon now denies saying this now) I think Fallon took the wind from their sails. For a time.

Since then it's been a pretty steady rain, of Iran this, Iran that. Then came the NIE that said there was no program. It was a huge message to Bush from saner elements in the intelligence community and the Pentagon. Unfortunately, Bush and Chtheny simply routed around the damage, saying that they did not believe it and started bloviating about "capacity". The Israelis of course chimed in with what they said was their own assessment -- that in fact there was a program.

And so it goes. It's clear to me that there are elements who wish to attack (for whatever reason - pick your theory) and those who don't. For a while, the "holy shit and attack on Iran is freaking nuts" crowd had the upper hand and perhaps still do. However the intent of the PNAC crowd has not changed one iota. America must control the middle east. They must. Iran is in the way. Iran must be destroyed.

As for the US lacking the military capability, the Air Force and the Navy are essentially unaffected by Iraq, and their capacity to destroy is undiminished.

See CONPLAN 8022, http://tinyurl.com/d3k8s

America now has detailed operational plans to destroy upwards of 10,000 targets - from the air, anywhere in the world, in just a few hours. It is also worth noting that the Bush administration has reclassified nuclear weapons so that theatre commanders may use them at their discretion. That fact alone is utterly terrifying.

I think that they want to take one last roll of the dice. Dubya or nothing! A war in Iran has many advantages, the most notable being Obama swept away in the tide of fear and loathing that will ensue. And if nukes are used, the hope is that the ultimate "shock and awe" will finally break the will of the Muslim "enemy". It won't, but that is how these stupid vicious monkeys think.

Someone recommended the PBS documentary tonight, I think they keep their stuff on line and I will watch it later. Meanwhile, here is something I have seen and it is most excellent.

It's on the CBC the Communist, sorry, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Seeing Anne Coulter claim that Canada fought in Vietnam is a real snort, watching the host, gently, correct her - priceless.

As you will see the CBC uses the L word, it will be interesting to see if PBS does the same. My impression is that PBS is a shadow of itself post the purge.

THE LIES THAT LED TO WAR

Since the US-led invasion four years ago, the fifth estate has covered Iraq and the war on terror from virtually every angle--the military, media, intelligence, politics--revealing aspects of the story that you didn't find anywhere else. Now, as the White House warns about the latest threat in the region, this time from Iran, it's worthwhile looking back to examine the deception, suspect intelligence, even lies, that convinced the world of the rightness of targeting Saddam Hussein.

http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/lies/video.html

Is that a spot of blood I see on Bucky1?

Buck buck buck, peck, peck, peck. Die Bucky die.

Educated, intelligent people. Fighting. Squabbling. Hurting, or trying to.

It's called the roots of war.

Humans. Chimps. We share the bloodstained muzzles.

Maybe the dolphins will do a better job.

I said "maybe" ;>)

Well William, that is about as harsh a response as I have seen you make.

Why are you so offended?