The Reign of the Tyrants is at Hand Is Bush Planning to Nuke Iran?

[seemslikeadream]

http://www.counterpunch.org/roberts06182007.html

By PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS

"It is the absolute responsibility of everybody in uniform to disobey an order that is either illegal or immoral."

General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, National Press Club, February 17, 2006.

"They will be held accountable for the decisions they make. So they should in fact not obey the illegal and immoral orders to use weapons of mass destruction."

General Peter Pace, CNN With Wolf Blitzer, April 6, 2003

The surprise decision by the Bush regime to replace General Peter Pace as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has been explained as a necessary step to avoid contentious confirmation hearings in the US Senate. Gen. Pace's reappointment would have to be confirmed, and as the general has served as vice chairman and chairman of the Joint Chiefs for the past 6 years, the Republicans feared that hearings would give war critics an opportunity to focus, in Defense Secretary Gates words, "on the past, rather than the future."

This is a plausible explanation. Whether one takes it on face value depends on how much trust one still has in a regime that has consistently lied about everything for six years.

General Pace himself says he was forced out when he refused to "take the issue off the table" by voluntarily retiring. Pace himself was sufficiently disturbed by his removal to strain his relations with the powers that be by not going quietly.

The Wall Street Journal editorial page interpreted Pace's removal as indication that "the man running the Pentagon is Democratic Senator Carl Levin of Michigan. For that matter, is George W. Bush still President?"

[Demeter]

1. Actually, It Seems Like Cheney Is Hot to Nuke Iran

But I think Cheney is in Bush's Bad Books for spoiling Karl's nefarious little plans for eternal fascism by creating the Plame Disaster.

Cheney may be the loneliest man in town. :nopity:

Bush has Condi, and Gonzo, and Kkkarl, and that's 3 more than Cheney has. Cheney's got Addington, a real party-pooper.

[seemslikeadream]

2. Pace's departure removes a known obstacle to a nuclear attack on Iran

Pace's departure removes a known obstacle to a nuclear attack on Iran, thus advancing that possible course of action. A plan to attack Iran with nuclear weapons might also explain the otherwise inexplicable "National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive" (NSPD-51 AND HSPD-20) that Bush issued on May 9. Bush's directive allows him to declare a "national emergency" on his authority alone without ratification by Congress. Once Bush declares a national emergency, he can take over all functions of government at every level, as well as private organizations and businesses, and remain in total control until he declares the emergency to be over.

[Demeter]

3. I Suspect Pace Told The CinC Where to Get Off About Iraq

I just don't think Bush is that interested in war, any more. He just wants to save face. Even he must know that Iran will burn his face right off. And if he doesn't, Kkkarl does.

[BlackHawk706867]

4. Sorry I disagree, I honestly don't think that Bush gives damn and would/will Nuke...

Iran in a heart beat.... If he thinks he can get away with it, and that it won't burn his ass... He could care less about anyone, or anything...

ww

[Demeter]

5. But Bush Realizes He Can't Get Away With It, and It Will Burn His Ass

It would guarantee him an instant trip to the Hague. He calculates to a nicety just how far he can push his luck, and the word from abroad is: Don't Even Think About It.