I believe the chances are extremely high that we will be thrust deeper into the Middle East mess either because Cheney has deemed it necessary with Bush going along with the decision, or Israel will do it after getting permission from the US to attack!

I believe the odds are really low, because such a move would be outrageously stupid.
Bush might like the idea, few if any of his generals would agree!

Israel will BUY! before the market closes (flex before Obama gets in office)

1) This whole thing is completely insane and based off of invalid data

2) If America involves itself like they have promised, there should be revolts and riots in every goddamn city for this lunacy.

3) Until the UN or IAEA present some data that clearly illustrates that Iran is violating the NPT, we should be squashing this inflamatory rhetoric with the truth.

4) What was the point of going to Iraq only to be 'leaving' empty handed?Just jumping out of the ME with a government in Iraq (that really won't end up as that strong of an ally) while just remaining in Aghanistan might be too much of humble pie for our government to take. They will want some kind fo ROI for invading Iraq. What better justification to stay in the Gulf than to get out of Iraq (+) but move into Iran?

Who benefits if Israel attacks?
Petrol futures, and land-grab endeavors of the PNAC criminals.
Israel, because they will be shotgun-negotiating relations with the new POTUS who will be taking office with a lit fuse in his lap ( and won't have much choice to sit and evaluate the situation)

Who benefits if Israel doesn't attack?
Civilians worldwide as the entanglements of foreign government (Israel) becomes less of a burden for US to bear.

I'd be happy to be wrong

No, team bush blew all their credibility years ago, and they don't really have much ability to do things like that anymore since they no longer have a rubber stamp congress.

And the Israeli government may be hypersensitive and a touch paranoid, but they are not stupid.

I think deep down, both Israel and the U.S. know that Iran is not nearly as dangerous as some have tried to paint them.

Since when? I would go so far as to say that THIS congress has helped BushCo more then the one during his first administration. Plus he still have the right and authority to declare war on our enemies, whether real or not, with congress having little say in it. Many have forgotten that while BushCo was consolidating power the other branches of our government have been losing their's. Not so much on paper but in perception.




I wholly agree with you that Israel is not stupid. Any intelligent person would now that if you want to force an unwilling ally's hand towards war you provoke their enemy into attacking them. Also, if they do not take that chance with BushCo in power, it may not happening for many many years from now. So in their eyes it may appear as a now or never situation.




Of course but who here really thinks this is about dangerous foes?

Please do not think this an attack on you personally Boot. Just replying to an opposing view is all.

I would strongly disagree there, I know lots of people are in a knot because Pelosi hasn't delivered on a lot of her promises, but they have accomplished some things (like raising minimum wage).

The current congress isn't just rolling over to Bush, the senate just does not have a wide enough majority to really get a lot of those promises done. They have no way to overcome a veto or filibuster.

Compared to the end of 01, absolutely this is true.
Bushco still has it's brass knuckles, but they don't have near the ability to use them that they used to.

Well you got me there. I will admit my frustration of this Congress doing nothing to stop BushCo leads me to believe they are helping him MORE then the Rep controlled one. At least the Republicans stopped the Neo-Cons from doing some things.

Maybe that is what they want me to believe.

I would point out that war with Iran has supposedly been "imminent" for 2 or 3 years now.
And yet, it has not yet happened, in spite of any number who have claimed it's certainty.


Personally I'm convinced it's the same old Bushco fear factor, and a red herring.

Sorry Sky I don't buy that argument any longer...just because something has been talked about in the past and not done yet, does not logically mean that it will never happen, if anything, this administration has able either by luck or near perfect timeing been able to accomplish their goals. And I hate to bring this up again but what MM is talking about this congress not really standing up to Bush and Company can be vividly seen in the passage of the FISA bill, not to mention the 2 bills working their way through the House and the Senate that deal with what comes down too a Naval Blockade of Iran. I would hope we do not deepen a War by getting involved in Iran, but by simply ignoring the potential for war with Iran is suicide!