War- Coutdown Iran...tick...tick...tick...

[Scaramouche]

Countdown Iran: The United States finally won a diplomatic victory in the United Nations. But Washington and Tehran are moving toward war. How far will they go?

By Christopher Dickey complete article here

Oct. 16 — Good news from the United Nations today: the Security Council unanimously approved a new resolution for the reconstruction of Iraq. Unfortunately, even the Security Council’s words are cheap, and reconstruction is not. Worse still, there’s a new war on the horizon.

A COUNTDOWN has started for war between the United States and Iran. It’s quiet but persistent right now, like the ticking of a Swatch. Soon enough though, alarms will start ringing.

When did this move toward war begin? You could say 25 years ago, with the fall of the Shah of Iran, or just this year, when Saddam was deposed. You could make the case that the clock started the moment some of Osama bin Laden’s key aides found sanctuary in Iran, or on the day that Iranian equipment used to make nuclear fuel showed traces of the stuff used in nuclear weapons. But whenever the countdown to war began, it’s already well under way.

Now, countdowns come in a lot of guises. They can be bluffs as trivial as a schoolyard threat, “I’m gonna count to three!” And sometimes they can be stopped, of course. But when it comes to making war, the closer you get to zero hour, the harder that is to do. Expectations rise, political capital is spent, troops are deployed. A crescendo approaches, a point of no return is passed—or is said to be—and the drama of the countdown itself starts to dictate events.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

[chookie]

1. "Four More Wars! Four More Wars!"

Syria is also in the crosshairs. His Chimperial Majesty wants to take out Cuba as well. And I agree that Iran is a dead cert. And perhaps Ariel Sharon wants American boots on the ground in Israel.

And why not? No one has been able to stop Bush up to now. Look what he's gotten away with.

The only thing I am not so sure about is the time table they have set for further operations.

Kofi Annan was quite right to warn about the future perils of supporting a nation's policy of "preemptive war". Some day we will be hearing about the imminent danger Iran/Cuba/Syria poses, then that hostilities have ensued, and then that the poor liberated people need more of our cash to rebuild their countries. I think by the time he gets to Syria, he'll start smirking in public again.

[Scaramouche]

7. Well, a lot of us want the troops out of Iraq...

It's like playing Risk. I hope the dice rolls our way...

But maybe we should stop palying the game...

[Old and In the Way]

2. I see and hear the signals too.........

but then I wonder, will this war actually start a civil war here? Will a majority of Americans just nod their heads and say, Iran?, sure...let's go!

Somehow, I doubt it. Even those who support this administration know that this war in Iraq was sold on lies. On what grounds will this administration see Iran? I think we see that Iraq was a failure for US policy, we have 150,000 troops as occupiers but not really "winning"...just losing lives and US prestige gradually. The rest of the world has this administration figured out....will they allow another unilateral action by the US without consequences? Will this be the straw that final starts a civil war in our society?

I don't know, but I don't see even the PNAC'le club is going to convince Americans that we are justified in invading Iran.

But I've been surprised before...

[Media_Lies_Daily]

4. Reason?? Don't need no stinkin' reason!! Stupid Americans will...

...buy the old WMD line, anyway!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

3. Questions on the content of this article...

....all questions are directed toward the author of the article, not the author of the post. The questions are as follows:

1) The (Bushies) finally won a diplomatic victory in the United Nations.

What exactly did the Bushies win? I don't see any funding, and I certainly don't see any military assistance. Who would be crazy enough to support us except those countries who REALLY, REALLY need the bribe-money?

2) When America’s at war (Dubya is) wildly popular, when it’s not, he’s not.

Excuse me, but "we" went to war the day the first bomb was dropped on Afghanistan on October 7, 2001. "We" have not stopped being at war since that day. That's two years of CONTINUOUS combat in Afghanistan and Iraq with rising casualties, particularly lately as resistance grows stronger in both countries. In terms of Dubya's so-called popularity rating, that has gone down steadily in the last several months BECAUSE OF THE COMBAT CASUALTIES IN IRAQ.

Right now, before the United States gets dragged into a third war in three years, (exploring other solutions0 is probably not a bad plan.

Dickey is a COMPLETE MORON!! We're still in the EXACT SAME WAR THAT WE STARTED ON OCTOBER 7, 2001!! In addition to Iran, let's also attack Syria while we're at it! Then again, this is the PNAC game plan, is it not?

[Fatima]

6. It's not a real "victory," You are right

We are not getting $$$ or troops except those we pay for, like from Poland and Turkey.

And I hope nobody takes this the wrong way, but what about Israel? I mean, has Israel contributed troops? They have a large army...

[Scaramouche]

8. Fatima, thanks for directing you ire against the author ot he article

I'm feeling pessimistic and cynical today so I'll try and answer those questions for you...

1) Bush and his faithful mediawhore are claiming victory per the headlines in print and on TV. Most people won't hear or see anything beyond that. We here at DU are not average and we know weeks if not months before the rest of the nation about certain stories.

2)Bush as war leader is a popular motif, simple to package, and easily digested by the viewing public. As long as there are victories the government in power will be popular. Hitler knew this and so did Cesaer. What they need to do now is find a way to enrich the public purse, otherwise their scheme might come crashing down...

I think their plan is to have a war every 2 years...Did I mention I was feeling pessimistic and cynical today???

[Fatima]

9. Yeah, I can empathize on the pessimism and cynicism

I went to a big multicultural event today to petition for my candidate and register voters. I did get some interest, especially when I discussed the possibility of a draft, but boy, did I also get a lot of apathy. It's depressing when you run into one person after another who can't identify one presidential candidate or who can register to vote but won't. I came home happy that I made some inroads but at the same time pissed and depressed.

The media here just spoon feeds this pablum to people...and they lap it up without question.

I'm afraid you may be right, that it may be the economy that brings these lunatics down, and not the carnage and the body bags...it's what brought down Daddy Bush.

I guess I'm feeling pessimistic and cynical today, too!

[Fatima]

5. I keep telling people that if Chimpy McSmirk gets four more years,

count on a draft, because they are running out of troops and the ones presently serving are getting more pissed off by the minute. As a veteran, I hammer this home when talking to young people...I tell them, this could be YOU...DRAFTED! This makes them think. This gets the wheels turning. Not always, but it does work with quite a few of them.

Hammer it home with everyone you discuss this topic with- the lack of troops, the low morale, the escalation of war rhetoric with Iran and Syria, and so on...we have to convince people that this will mean either them, their children, their neighbor's children, etc and it won't go away if we ignore it.

[LastKnight]

10. draft, great

as a teenager i am always concearned that the war mongers in washington will decide that bringing back the draft will be good for em... but if it came down to it i would gladly take prison time over fighting a war that i didnt believe in or skipping out to canada or something (not to offend the canadians, great country, great bacon) i just prefer civil disobedience to running, i think more people would be willing to stand up against the draft rather than run from it these days too... just my guess tho.

-LK

[Scaramouche]

12. If I remember correctly...

failing to register is a felony...Failing to report will mostly likely be a felony...Felons will probably not be able to get passports...Canada will probably not be an option in the next draft evasion due to some recent treaty negotitians I read about.

Anybody got a link?

[LastKnight]

16. i would register...

i would just do all the vietnam favorites... i.e. burning draft notices at protests ect... id rather do prison time for not showing up rather than be forced to goosestep in bush's army (i am NOT anti-military, btw. i have family in the military, so dont take that the wrong way) bush is using the military in a hitler like way, manipulate public opnion by creating a 'boogieman' to distract the people from the truth and the economy. fascisim has taken hold in america. sorry to sound like a broken record but... its well, true.

-LK

[sleipnir]

18. Mexico then,

Screw Canada then, it's too cold, no offense Canadian DU'ers...

I'd rather take my chances in Mexico or work my way down to Belize, as my Spanish could use some serious practice.

I'm sure it's not going to be that hard to jump the Canadan border anyway. It's the worlds largest unguarded border, it would take another entire army just to seal it off. From there, I'm sure there will be some sympathetic souls offering a "Harriet Tubman" approach. CD is great if you still have freedoms, if it comes to a forced draft, I don't want to be stuck in the country, more bad things will be on the way.

If you want, get out now, the score for applying for Canadian citizenship drops dramatically in a few days I believe. Almost anyone with a college degree and a couple years of work experience can get citizenship, and the 9000 Canadian dollars.

[DeathvadeR]

17. great bacon!!!! too funny!!!! N/T

[homelandpunk]

11. If the drums of war are beat this time, the DRAFT will follow WITHIN WEEKS

3 weeks ago I heard Bush give a preliminary Iran soundbite IDENTICAL to the Iraq war spin begun a year ago. I literally could not believe I heard it, but I did...on NPR. And since then, nothing. But if it is gonna be ramped up, yes, the draft will HAVE to come back. And the talk about "it is up to iran if we go to war" talk will be the exact same bullshit, but this time people will know it is bullshit because Bushco will have begun drafting the cannon fodder to hurl at Persia. Will be kinda hard to say they are not wanting war, and it is in Iran's hands to stop war, when we are the country doing all the preparation. It was the same with Iraq, but the draft was not happening then.
IRAN IS NEXT. THE DRAFT IS COMING. DO NOT DOUBT THIS.
Why am I so certain....I already said...I heard with my own ears Bush talk about Iran with the exact same words he used for Iraq. Just because he has not said anything in the last 3 weeks, what is that to them?...The BFEE has uncommon patience and determination to implement all the original plans...nothing has changed.

[tinymontgomery]

13. Their already getting ready for the draft

The school I teach in started receiving posters reminding all the guys to register or they will be in trouble. Though I'm sure these were sent out time to time before I think it is not a good sign at this point.

[ex_jew]

14. Does anyone think Iran might threaten to destroy Saudi oil fields ?

I've heard it's in their power to do so, thereby placing the industrial world in a very bad way. Would Chimp respond to this line of attack ?

[Scaramouche]

19. Not sure about the the Iranian threat...

but did you read about the Israeli submarines fitted with nukes...

Wow, don't know what to think about the saftey of Iranian Nuclear plants...

[Valerie5555]

15. Is the Iran stuff for real?

If it is, I feel sorry for any surviving ex hostages since Shrubbie may cynically use them like he used the victims of Sept 11, mark my words. :( x(


_|_ Bush