I don't think most DU'ers are overly optimistic that the NIE report will completely kill the bloodthirsty beast of war for profit. As only the latest wooden stake to the heart of Cheneyism, the report has made it evident that the criminal cabal has planned another war without justification despite the intelligence, and despite the will of the people. But this is a beast that smirks off wooden stakes as if they were splinters; annoying, even maddening, but certainly not fatal.
But just in case you were feeling a little optimistic about next year, the flying monkeys have begun working overtime to make it clear that Iran remains the biggest single threat to Americans, and that no options have been removed from the table.
The head monkey's (although I use the term 'head' loosely here) announcement that not only did the report not remove any options, but it actually
proved the US case against Iran, could be taken only with the usual dose of disbelief any of his utterances rate.
Israel dismissed the report and held out the possibility of unilateral strikes against Iran. Of course, it would be childishly naïve to think such strikes would not immediately be followed by American bombardments. Just to be sure, you know.
Podhoretz,
Bolton. Blah.
Defense Secretary
Robert Gates added to the rhetoric yesterday:
“Everywhere you turn, it is the policy of Iran to foment instability and chaos, no matter the strategic value or cost in the blood of innocents — Christians, Jews and Muslims alike,” Gates said in a keynote address at an international security conference.
“There can be little doubt that their destabilizing foreign policies are a threat to the interests of the United States, to the interests of every country in the Middle East, and to the interests of all countries within the range of the ballistic missiles Iran is developing.”"Destabilizing foreign policies"? Pot? Kettle?
Saying that Iran must "come clean" seems to be the new lexicon, and it makes the situation sound like a cop addressing a desperate youth flirting with gang activity. "Come clean, Ahmadinejad. You were packing uranium heat and we both know it!"
I'm not looking forward to another year of sabre rattling and drum beating from these idiots. Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward Men. Oh right.