The Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier battle group is in place
there, and loaded to the brim with strike aircraft, Tomahawk missiles,
and even nuclear weapons. It was long ago reported that air bases with
aerial tankers had been put in place in Central Asia north of Iran,
ready to refuel B-2 stealth bombers flown from the US or Diego Garcia
islans in the Indian Ocean.
All the elements, that is to say, are being assembled for a massive air
assault on Iranian targets, designed to destroy its nuclear program,
cripple its military command and control, and — at least this is a
stated Cheney goal — to lead to the overthrow of the Iranian government
by its own people.
It is, of course, the strategy of madmen.
The US has no forces to send into Iran. All they can do is bomb it. And
bombing a country doesn't lead its people to rise up. It leads them to
rally 'round the flag. Especially when the civilian casualties of our
not-so-"smart" bombs start to soar.
If such an attack were to happen, we can kiss goodbye to six years of
domestic peace, such as we've had. The Iranians have considerable
capability to inflict damage on US targets of interest, both overseas
and here in the domestic US using assymetrical warfare techniques. The
worse part is, they'd be completely justified in doing so, since any
attack on them would be a crime against peace — the gravest of all
international crimes.
American troops already mired and pinned down in a war in Iraq, would
find themselves suddenly under attack by Shia forces there, who for
several years now have been largely leaving them alone.
And oil, which just bumped up against $110 a barrel, an all-time
record, will double in price overnight, as the whole Persian Gulf
becomes a war zone.
We can expect massive launches of small boats armed with missiles and
torpedoes, as well as sophisticated anti-ship missiles from shore
batteries, all fired at US ships in the Gulf, and it would be
astounding if some or even many vessels of the US fleet weren't sunk.
Meanwhile, tanker traffic in the Gulf, which accounts for 20% or more
of the world's oil, will cease as insurance rates for those vessels
goes through the roof.
The monster of war will be unleashed, and will not easily be defeated.
That's why Adm. Fallon was so opposed to the whole idea. He knows that
it will be a disaster for the US militarily, economically and
politically.
The worst part is that Cheney knows this, too. He just doesn't care.
This is the man's parting shot as he leaves office — to put the country
into the throes of a war so vicious that no one will think of pursuing
him for his long list of crimes against the nation and the Constitution.
He is guessing — and he may be right — that the American public will,
sheep-like as always, rally to the cause, with a new round of yellow
magnet "ribbons" on their cars. He is hoping — and he may be right —
that war will be a boon for the candidacy of Republican John McCain and
for embattled Republicans running for Congress.
It's a kind of political Hail Mary.
Oh Shit! Here it comes!
Note: This would be an ideal time to let Sen. Obama, who claims to have
foreign policy smarts and to be opposed to the war in Iraq, to prove
himself by taking an out-front and unequivocal stand against an illegal
war of aggression against Iran. Call his office at (202) 224-2854 and tell him your primary vote hinges on his taking that stand. While you're at it, call your own members of Congress at (202- 225-3121)
and tell them the same thing. It's one of the only steps we have left —
that and taking to the streets — to stop this madness. And speaking of
taking it to the streets, remember that March 19 is an national day of
action against war. Go to: ANSWER to find the demonstration nearest you.
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