I read a couple of things today that mention the possibility of the United States attacking, or going to war against Iran. The first was an
article by Pat Buchanan which ask and attempts to answer some questions, "Is the White House rattling sabers to prod Iran into talks? Perhaps. But the administration has also painted itself, and us, into a corner with the war talk. And there are only three ways out." The second (thing I read) was an e-mail from Down Size D.C. "Quote of the Day:
"The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become
the instruments of tyranny at home."
-- James Madison
Subject: Summertime War with Iran?
Is another war brewing? ...this time with Iran?
The administration claims Iranian-backed Shia militias are attacking
U.S. troops in Iraq. Iran denies its involvement. Other reports say
that Sunnis have been responsible for 2/3rds of the attacks in Iraq.
It's also important to note that Al Qaeda is a Sunni group, not Shia.
So who is responsible for most of the killing? Is is really the Shia
Mullah's in Iran?
These Sunni-Shia distinctions confuse John McCain, Bill O'Reilly, and
millions of Americans. General David Petraeus played on this
ignorance in testimony to Congress last month. He blamed Iran's
support of Shia militias for MOST of the remaining problems in Iraq.
He said,
Iran has fueled the violence... with the Iraqi Security Forces, we
have also focused on the Special Groups. These elements are funded,
trained, armed, and directed by Iran's Qods Force... It is clearly in
our national interest to resist Iranian encroachment.
Petraeus' rhetorical performance earned him a promotion, from
military boss in Iraq, to chief of Central Command. His military
responsibility now includes virtually the entire Middle East,
including Iran.
Is this promotion another sign that President Bush wants to attack
Iran before he leaves office? Andrew Cockburn reports,
The administration faced a serious obstacle to action against Iran
in the form of Centcom commander Admiral William Fallon, who made no
secret of his contempt for official determination to take us to war.
In a widely publicized incident last January, Iranian patrol boats
approached a U.S. ship in what the Pentagon described as a "taunting"
manner. According to Centcom staff officers, the American commander
on the spot was about to open fire. At that point, the U.S. was close
to war. He desisted only when Fallon personally and explicitly
ordered him not to shoot. The White House, according to the staff
officers, was "absolutely furious" with Fallon for defusing the
incident.
There are other signs of a pending war with Iran. Headlines and
newsclips over the past month tell the story. Here's a partial list:
* Diplomats: Iran Assembling Centrifuges, The New York Times, April
3, 2008
* Iran And Al Qaeda Among Greatest Threats to U.S.: Bush, The New
York Times, April 10, 2008
* Cheney on the War Path Again? By Dan Froomkin, Washingtonpost.com,
April 11, 2008 (The Vice President portrayed Iran as apocalyptic
zealots who yearn for a nuclear conflagration).
* Iran Nuclear Ambitions are Major Gulf Threat: NATO, The Washington
Post, April 24, 2008
* Hawkish Engagement Needed with Iran?, by Michael O'Hanlon,
Brookings Institution (A call for military action).
* Hamas are Iran's proxy warriors: Rice, AFP, April 30, 2008
* CIA Director Says Iran Wants to Kill Americans in Iraq, AP, April
30, 2008
But the evidence isn't limited to heated rhetoric and hand-wringing.
The U.S. government has also taken physical steps to prepare for war.
Just last week CBS News reported that the Pentagon ordered military
commanders to develop new options for attacking Iran. A second
aircraft carrier has also arrived in the Persian Gulf, and a Marine
amphibious force was allegedly sent there Sunday.
Even worse, Republicans aren't the only ones rattling sabres.
Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton has suggested a scenario where
she could, as President, "totally obliterate" Iran.
Do you want another war in the Middle East? We already have two wars
there that are bleeding us dry.
Do you want your gasoline bill to soar? Bombing Iran would make that
happen.
And ask yourself this: would bombing Iran really deter the Shia
militas in Iraq, or simply cause them to increase their attacks on
U.S. forces and the local Sunni population?
Here's something else to consider: The Iranian population is now
pro-American, in opposition to their clerical leaders. Do we really
want to throw away their support? We have done this before. We
squandered the post-9/11 support and sympathy of the whole world,
including even Iran's Shia leaders, by invading Iraq. Do we really
want to repeat this mistake?
President Bush has shown that he really doesn't care what anybody
else thinks. He is going to do what he wants to do. Only Congress can
stop him, by taking firm action to prohibit an attack. But Congress
is too spineless to take this action unless it knows the public is
passionate to avoid another war."
I hope you'll contact your elected officials and urge them to give some serious thought to what a war with Iran would cost us. What effect would a war with Iran have on a barrel of oil assuming we can get a barrel of oil. Worse yet how many more lives would be lost? Some might feel that we have nothing to fear, this would be another Bush war and he'll be gone in just a few months. Or will he. If Bush could get a war started with Iran wouldn't he be able to declare a National Emergency even Martial Law. Suspend the Constitution, and the election making Bush our Dictator for life. I don't really think Martial Law is coming before the election. I wanted you to think about what could be in our country's future if we don't get more involved. Our elected officials can not be allowed to give themselves more power day by day.
God Bless America, God Save The Republic.
Thanks go to:
Human EventsDown Size D.C.
