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Bush Setting America Up for War on Iran
Senior American intelligence and defense officials believe that President George W Bush and his inner circle are taking steps to place America on the path to war with Iran, The Sunday Telegraph has learnt.
Pentagon planners have developed a list of up to 2,000 bombing targets in Iran, amid growing fears among serving officers that diplomatic efforts to slow Iran's nuclear weapons program are doomed to fail.
Pentagon and CIA officers say they believe that the White House has begun a carefully calibrated program of escalation that could lead to a military showdown with Iran.
Now it has emerged that Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of state, who has been pushing for a diplomatic solution, is prepared to settle her differences with Vice-President Dick Cheney and sanction military action.
In a chilling scenario of how war might come, a senior intelligence officer warned that public denunciation of Iranian meddling in Iraq - arming and training militants - would lead to cross border raids on Iranian training camps and bomb factories.
A prime target would be the Fajr base run by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Quds Force in southern Iran, where Western intelligence agencies say armor-piercing projectiles used against British and US troops are manufactured.
Under the theory - which is gaining credence in Washington security circles - US action would provoke a major Iranian response, perhaps in the form of moves to cut off Gulf oil supplies, providing a trigger for air strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities and even its armed forces.
Senior officials believe Mr Bush's inner circle has decided he does not want to leave office without first ensuring that Iran is not capable of developing a nuclear weapon.
The intelligence source said: "No one outside that tight circle knows what is going to happen." But he said that within the CIA "many if not most officials believe that diplomacy is failing" and that "top Pentagon brass believes the same".
He said: "A strike will probably follow a gradual escalation. Over the next few weeks and months the US will build tensions and evidence around Iranian activities in Iraq."
Previously, accusations that Mr Bush was set on war with Iran have come almost entirely from his critics.
Many senior operatives within the CIA are highly critical of Mr Bush's handling of the Iraq war, though they themselves are considered ineffective and unreliable by hardliners close to Mr Cheney.
The vice president is said to advocate the use of bunker-busting tactical nuclear weapons against Iran's nuclear sites. His allies dispute this, but Mr Cheney is understood to be lobbying for air strikes if sites can be identified where Revolutionary Guard units are training Shia militias.
Recent developments over Iraq appear to fit with the pattern of escalation predicted by Pentagon officials.
Gen David Petraeus, Mr Bush's senior Iraq commander, denounced the Iranian "proxy war" in Iraq last week as he built support in Washington for the US military surge in Baghdad.
The US also announced the creation of a new base near the Iraqi border town of Badra, the first of what could be several locations to tackle the smuggling of weapons from Iran.
A State Department source familiar with White House discussions said that Miss Rice, under pressure from senior counter-proliferation officials to acknowledge that military action may be necessary, is now working with Mr Cheney to find a way to reconcile their positions and present a united front to the President.
The source said: "When you go down there and see the body language, you can see that Cheney is still The Man. Condi pushed for diplomacy but she is no dove. If it becomes necessary she will be on board.
"Both of them are very close to the president, and where they differ they are working together to find a way to present a position they can both live with."
The official contrasted the efforts of the secretary of state to work with the vice-president with the "open warfare between Colin Powell and Donald Rumsfeld before the Iraq war".
Miss Rice's bottom line is that if the administration is to go to war again it must build the case over a period of months and win sufficient support on Capitol Hill.
The Sunday Telegraph has been told that Mr Bush has privately promised her that he would consult "meaningfully" with Congressional leaders of both parties before any military action against Iran on the understanding that Miss Rice would resign if this did not happen.
The intelligence officer said that the US military has "two major contingency plans" for air strikes on Iran.
"One is to bomb only the nuclear facilities. The second option is for a much bigger strike that would - over two or three days - hit all of the significant military sites as well. This plan involves more than 2,000 targets."
Copyright 2007 Telegraph Media Group Limited
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137 Comments so far
Show AllHIstory repeating itself, the French collabrating with the Nazis.
CeeMiracle & UN-common-dreams
Thanks for the link to Dr. Bowman's "Open Letter to the New Generation of Military Officers Serving and Protecting Our Nation".
I think it's an excellent beginning of "something to do", and we need to go farther. If the US is attacked in retaliation for bombing Iran, there would of course be a draft, and we'd no longer be in a position of much choice, particularly the young. I think Bush would use nuclear weapons in a minute, and Iran may receive nuclear weapons aid from some of their allies, like Russia, China, or Pakistan. I think we stand at the most dangerous time of human history.
Anti-war groups need to set up centers NOW to advise draftees about the Geneva Conventions and all international laws pertaining to war BEFORE they are drafted. They might also advise them to refuse a draft call and be willing to spend time in prison rather than be drafted. I think we'd need protection here at home, too, if Iran and its allies choose to retaliate here. Those who don't want to go kill people in the ME might be willing to defend the US within its own borders. We haven't had a war on our soil since the Civil War, but it may come to that if Iran decides to retaliate against the US on US soil. I THINK they'd retaliate against US forces in the middle East, but who knows?
I do wonder how much more America can take of Bush's murderous actions before there is open rebellion and violence against the administration. We need some unified direction to move in that is nonviolent and more productive than posting on forums. An AWFUL lot of people seem to be reaching the end of their rope.
Anyway, I think we're at a precipice about a LOT of things and wish I were younger so I had the energy to do more.
I just want to say in defense of us Americans to the many bloggers here who sound like they are not from the US and blame us "sheep" for not getting a gang together and goin to Washington and arresting and stringin up the whole bunch.
Before you jump on us, the ones who are trying to save your ass too...(nuclear war will end your party too)....what has your country done about all this ...ask yourself what you have done besides trash those of us who try to save our little planet and the remaining life we have here?
What have you and your nation done and what are you now doing?
ForUs,
Jim
"What other country would be stupid enough to ally with him. England certainly wouldn't especially with Tony now out of there."
Well , today's news has the French Foreign Minister , clearly and unequivocally , declaring that his country is prepared to support an attack on Iran if need be .
Even the French ,it seems ,have finally come around. Therefore can the Brits and the Germans be far behind -with their frenzied whelps and their frantic 'me toos'.
All vying for the numbah one spot in the good graces of GWB and Cheney.
Time for everyone to wake up....we've been trapped in this maniac's "Messianic" fantasy. He wants to be the President to bring about those biblical myths.
The only recourse available to the American people is impeachment and imprisonment of the Bush regime. These thugs are not going to stop their belligerence until they are either forced or voted out of office (the former is preferable), and they will continue to ignore the will of the people because they hold us in the same contempt that they hold anyone else who opposes their fascist worldview.
The Democratic Party are indeed appeasers: They are appeasing a maniac in the office of President who should be locked up for his massive war crimes. How long are we going to stand for this shit?
Imagine if England in 1776 had waged a war on its most powerful colony, the US, couched in the argument that it wasn't to control a valuable resource or ensure the flow of taxation/tribute back to the Crown.
But if it was couched, ostensibly, in terms of denying America some technology.
Nonsense, isn't it? So does Cheney/Bush REALLY think that it's possible to permanently keep a particular technology out of a country, to keep them from both developing it in-house, to keep them from buying it, to keep any of their friends from doing the same? And not just this once, but permanently -- by rule of force?
There is no sustainability to the neocon plan for Empire.
Looks like Sarkozy is replacing Blair as lapdog.
If the USA bombs Iran, I hope that the Americans who are most responsible will have fatal heart attacks on the same day.
"ask yourself what you have done besides trash those of us who try to save our little planet and the remaining life we have here?"
We've done the same as you, protested, wrote letters, signed petitions, but really do you expect your govt. to take any notice of foreign opinion when they disregard it's own citizens? And not all of you are trying to save our little planet, Is it that us foreigners are not allowed to critise? I'm from Britain your poodle, luckily we don't have Tony anymore and hopefully that will make a difference, and I'm sure that not all americans are 'Sheeple' but if you are going to be so sensitive, maybe you shouldn't read the comments.
Anney says: "I do wonder how much more America can take of Bush's murderous actions before there is open rebellion and violence against the administration. We need some unified direction to move in that is nonviolent and more productive than posting on forums. An AWFUL lot of people seem to be reaching the end of their rope."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
For most, Anney, they will not be moved until they are really hurting and are touched personally - and even then it takes time for pain to turn into outrage and action. Sometimes it never does and just becomes a bitter, fearful place.
For others, they will go into denial ... much like now ... and go on with their lives as though nothing is happening ... and they won't want to find out.
For others of us here ... yes, it is the choir, but there are stronger stirrings now and ideas being suggested right on these boards, and I think more and more of us realize we have to take some kind of action that counts for the long haul.
Someone in the above essays said ... go talk to people locally who are ignorant of any facts, perhaps resistant, and depending where you live, there usually is some place to meet for free or low cost, ... so take a provocative headline or question and make simple posters that a discussion meeting is going to take place ... OUR NATION IS IN TROUBLE ... 9-11, the economy, the Iraq War and maybe an Iran War ... invite people to a place and with a time just to talk about it. If two show up, that's a start.
Start a phone tree with friends to call people through the phone book or election board lists of voters to inform them about a meeting and personally invite them.
I have clearance now for a meeting in our own little Town Hall ... and I'm going to go ahead and see what I can get going again. This is a Republican, conservative, religious right area, but not all ...
People are shy about talking ... depending where you live ... so in a meeting respect for others' opinions and the whole tone is important.
Education and information is so crucial, and people get amazingly creative, given half a chance.
And then, of course, historically, when things get really bad ... and let's hope they don't ... but when they do, there are always the resistance fighters ... and their networks that make it possible to selectively gum up the works.
So many DVD films are available now ... at library's, for free on the internet or for low cost.
Gathering people to watch a documentary before a discussion ... Seeing is believing ...
Write a provocative question with websites listed that are appropriate that answer the question, and type and repeat the above to fill an 8 1/2" x 11" page; then print and cut up the "strips" and stand in front of a supermarket, smile, and hand them out. People usually don't mind a little strip of paper and sometimes are intrigued and stop to talk.
There's so many little ways, Anney, and you are never too old to be a kindly, mover-and-shaker agitator for truth and to try to correct some terrible wrongs.
Begin ... It's empowering to commit and just start with one simple action you can stick with for a time. You'll find cronies. Guaranteed. And all you need are one or two to start rolling the rock down the mountain.
Google sites on activism ... and you'll find some that have organizing/idea kits to download that you can use locally.
We are the non-violent underground that needs to spread the news and cause the huge boulder that is poised to roll and crush us to roll in a different direction. Such naughty images that evokes! ... where it lands.
But also, the choir is necessary, for support and relief to vent our frustrations, and for ideas.
So GO FOR IT, ANNEY ... The Power of One Drop joined with other drops becomes the Mighty River with strong currents that can bring positive change.
peace ...
People reaching the end of a rope...
The power of one drop... (and a sudden jerking stop)
NOW WE'RE TALKIN' SOLUTIONS!!!
Texas old school.
Chickenhawks coming home to noose.
To: Un-Common-Dreams & Anney
Thanks for posting the alternative site to www.thepatriots.us with the powerful letter:
"An Open Letter to the New Generation of Military Officers Serving and Protecting Our Nation."
Contacted Bob Bowman, the retired Lt.Col., U.S. Airforce [ret.] abut the patriots site print very hard to read. He or someone is working on it.
I downloaded a .pdf file and that's fine.
But the Oregon Truth Alliance site you recommended is also a very wonderful newsletter.
www.oregontruthalliance.org/?q=node/178
"An Open Letter to the New Generation of Military Officers Serving and Protecting Our Nation."
And Anney, this is a good piece to print out and plan a meeting to discuss. Wake-up call.
And have coffee available and teabags and hot water. ;-)
anon
Stinger, Cee Miracles, & Un Common Dreams
Yes, I've been growing impatient with the number of petitions and letters I've signed, expressing my outrage on blogs and wonderful sites such as this one. I've done these things with some kind of expectation that the government or at least my representatives will pay attention after the 2006 elections. To the disgust and outrage of most of us, the Democrats are giving Bush everything he wants, including permission to attack Iran, in violation of international law.
So that route of opinion-expression no longer works to satisfy my motive for doing it in the first place. It's been futile.
It IS time for solutions, and maybe a lot of them, work on several fronts all at the same time, while remaining aware that we're facing an enormous task. The government didn't listen to the Vietnam War protesters either, and several protesters died at the hands of the government, so a country in revolution against its government's illegal actions is not always safe for those who object, even peacefully. To go up against the government and a complacent population requires courage and conviction.
But there IS a place for everyone who objects, from letter-writing to town meetings to handing out brochures, to some other very good attention-getters.
I agree that it's really time to stop complaining and do something, since nobody listens to the complaints.
Please read the article again, this time more critically.
It would indeed be enlightening to the readership if Common Dreams briefly posted its own comment immediately following each article.
This article is another Bush war propaganda appearing this time, of all the places, on my favorite site, Common Dreams, aimed at progressives. It repeats Bush's unsubstantiated claims of Iran's supposed troublesome involvement in Iraq. It is also furthering exactly the same scheme that Rice is reported to have wanted, namely:
"Miss Rice's bottom line is that if the administration is to go to war again it must build the case over a period of months…"
Isn't that exactly what this article is doing, in a subtle way?
In one paragraph the article gives a source as, "The intelligence source said". What intelligence source, it is not clear. In the next paragraph the article quotes a "He", and again, who he is, is left to the reader to know, as if the article had already made that clear.
Overall, the authors spew a lot of nonsense attributing them to "the intelligence source" and "he", and at the same time contribute such articles to help "…build a case over a period…", also hoping that some people may believe their delirium. I won't be surprised if "the intelligence source" and "he" turn out to be members of AIPAC.
Propaganda has evolved, making it difficult to know who's really on whose side. In that sense alone, the article is certainly revealing. Thank you CD for making me more skeptical.
The Bush loonies might want to be Israel's handmaidens but will China let them? If the Chinese pull the plug on the greenback, the Depression was a vacation. A few ships sunk in the Straits of Hormuz, the entire world infuriated with Uncle Sam. Great scenario! Hoard that gas and stay home!
Big surprise. Hitler didn't just stop with Poland either, you know...
I wonder who will stop the Americn tyrant terrorist spayeding good will across the world? It is too expensevto bomb people, lets do it the old fasion way shake and bake in the ovens.
Let's say you threw a hubcap up in the air, took a picture of it, and claimed that it was an intelligence photo showing Martian flying saucers.
You then claim that these Martians have taken over the country of Venezuela (since they have oil) and have disguised themselves to look just like Venezuelans.
You give the photo to Condoleeza Rice to take to the UN and try to get military support and money to launch an attack against Venezuela.
Immediately the dense leaders of England and Australia, Gordon Brown and John Howard would believe it and volunteer their troops and resources. The French would probably believe it. So would the Philippines. Imagine so many world leaders believing that we were being attacked by Martians based on a fuzzy picture of a hubcap.
Don't laugh.
It worked with Iraq (picture of a building with "Chemical Weapon Factory" written under it)
It's working with Iran. (picture of a building with "Nuclear Weapons Factory" written under it)
There's no reason to believe that these mentally challenged world leaders wouldn't go for it. It's not just here in the USA. The whole world intelligence quotient is dropping.
The Nexus of Evil.
So the fate of Iran and possible nuclear war hangs on nothing more than the interpersonal dynamics of Bush, Rice and Cheney. Solutions anyone?
Remember the pin is mightier then the sword..... but sadly the pens are owned by the sword companies and sword rattlers.
War is the lowest form of communication and as such should always be used as a last resort.
War is like fire, easy to start, hard to put out!
Lets look at the world oil map and who has the oil.
#1 Saudia Arabia.... In-bed-with the Bush's and oil industry.
#2 Iraq.... already occupied by imperialist U.S. army's, and corporate mercenaries.
#3 Iran.... second in total energy with 3rd most oil and second most natural gas (slightly behind Russia) .... in the cross hairs of the "lets control the world bunch" of neoconservatives, their minions and their think tanks, with their sweaty finger already on the finger and greedy petro $$$ flashing in their eyes.
#4 Afghanistan.....original foothold to the west to contain all those billions of souls in India, China and Pakistan and to all the undeveloped oil in all those "Stan..." countries west of the Caspian Sea. Plus all that poppy drug money thrown in for a sweet desert.
The idea of world conquest through the controlling sweep of mideast oil was just to tempting for the oil vampires of the AEI with all that fire power they inherited when they got their silent coup through the supreme court in 00.
Of course it won't work and the blow back will more then likely be felt by every soul on earth. Lessons must be learned and karma's paid.
What to do? Well you can do it yourself or with a group of friends and make a "save democracy party." Everyone brings a sell phone and you call your senators and congressmen.
Go to : www.senate.gov and www.congressmen.gov for phone numbers and tell them what you think
Bush and his buddies have been at the gambling tables to long. They have lost much of your future and your children's future.... don't let them loose everyones future.
Some of these pictures, and this is one of them, speak volumes.
A country in revolution against its government's illegal actions is not always safe for those who object, even peacefully.
- - -
Anney, all I can say is that it isn't going to get safer for dissenting voices, the stronger grip they get.
To go up against the government and a complacent population requires courage and conviction.
It also requires numbers and planning. At this point no one should be complacent. Mobilize anyone and everyone. Block the highways, shut down the factories and barricade the gates, occupy the courtrooms, , boardrooms, stock exchanges, senate offices, banks & police stations, set up massive camps in the driveways and access roads to every mall and WalMart in the country.
If the police can muster 1,000 you need to come out with 50,000 or more. Bring water. Food in sealed containers, maybe even chemical toilets if you can't get the numbers to rotate people out.
Force it all to be shut down, peacefully. Just be there in massive numbers too large to be moved or ignored. Call the news media after you're in place. Make sure they know why you've taken these steps. Do it soon, because as soon as winter starts to get close your chances of getting the numbers you need go way down. This kind of impact will be very hard on some of the people affected. Help them if you can, but GET IN THE WAY. The only way you can stop this is to bring the whole works to a screeching halt. Force them to listen and make your case.
Failing this as I've posted before - If the martial law order comes down, stay out of critical danger but be outside and refuse to go in. Congregate in the same massive numbers. If this power mad cabal gets you in your homes huddled in the window watching armed guards patrol the streets enforcing curfews and the like, you may never walk freely again.
It's up to you. It's your problem citizens of the USA, You have to solve it.
CD readers in the USA, you and those of like mind may have to lead and influence as many as you can. A few hundred in one place or a score thousand nationwide just won't cut it. Time to find how 'United' the people of the USA can get.
Don't put the M word in my typing Paul. Nowhere in what I wrote did I suggest any wingnut storm the towers of authority. This requires consensus and commitment of many, many individuals to provide the strength needed.
You're very much correct Paul, this is much higher up than the level of law enforcement and field agents. It is being done at a level where common individuals can not reach except by means of the courts and the ballots, both of which havve been rigged by the same powers that be. The key suggestion is 'peacefully'. Talk to the local police if you're going to camp out on their doorstep, make your case to them too. Just don't allow yourselves to be removed.
I was thinking much higher up than that. There are wedges in all organizations between dedicated, above-board and top-notch professionals and criminal hacks appointed by criminal politicians. There's your wedge. No lower than that.
Wake up, folks. The real goal of this administration is not to intimidate Iran into changing its policies or its administration. Their goal is to create patriotic fever for a war in Iran that will result in another Republican administration.
"Looks like Sarkozy is replacing Blair as lapdog."
So very true. Just goes to show that Uncle Sam need never ever fear the want of a lapdog.The moment one falls - lo and behold -several others rush in to take its place.
Currently the lapdog list is impressive ,to say the very least : heavyweights like Sarkozy and Merkel leading the pack -with the rest of the EU in tow .
The moment GB realizes she is falling behind in the 'special relationship ' sweepstakes , make no mistake, she'd lose no time in coming to heel .
The stage would then be set for that long-awaited attack on Iran . Only with a much larger, and more enthusiastic, coalition of the "killing' ,this time around.
Stinger - Although I admire your plan of resistance, I feel it is doomed to spiral into violence. Don't forget what happened at Kent State. If you try to peacefully resist, the "phantom snipers" will start shooting at the police or "rocks will be thrown". In any case, your dissention will eventually cause the police or national guard to "fear for their lives". So although you will not start any violence, violence will likely find you. Remember also that these 'agents' will not be held accountable. They weren't in 1970 and they won't be now.
That being said I have to also say that it is the best plan that I have heard yet. Until someone comes up with a better plan I feel that yours is the one to go with. I do not have a better solution.
I hope that violence will not be a part of your demonstrations but we are dealing with people that only understand violence as a means to resolve problems. We are up against racism, religious bigotry, and paranoia. I sincerely wish that peace and reason will prevail. Good luck to us all.
My fear would be that even if committed individuals stuck to their purpose and refrained from violence that something like what happened at the SPP summit in Quebec, Canada would be arranged and the police would seed undercover officers into the crowd to incite violence and turn it into a problem that way.
This is why the large numbers are necessary. Sit on any of these elements that crop up. Even if they are undercover cops, the uniforms can't act without giving up that they were trying to pick the fight themselves.
Media coverage of O.J. is a distraction from what is going on in Congress and in the Justice Department, not to mention in the Iraqi War and the lead-in into Iran. It reminds me of the coverage on the guy who claimed to have killed the little girl in Colorado, pefect timing for this administration, don't you think?
Oh, and the bit at the SPP. It didn't work. They were 'caught' and whisked away by the uniformed police without being able to start trouble. Despite being 'arrested' the charges and their names were never released.
coyotita writes:
Media coverage of O.J. is a distraction from what is going on in Congress and in the Justice Department, not to mention in the Iraqi War and the lead-in into Iran. It reminds me of the coverage on the guy who claimed to have killed the little girl in Colorado, pefect timing for this administration, don't you think?
-------------------
let us remember that when the trial of the first wtc bombers, you remember the bomb laden van in the sub-garage that went off too soon, was ongoing there was another major media distraction that sucked up all the news at that time: oj simpson's first trial.
in that trial - fyi - it was determined and proven that those bombers were assisted by the us government every step of the way.
but the story was on page 20 and we all watched oj's slow bronco ride down the highway.
oj simpson, paris hilton, jon benet ramsay, oj again, whenever you see this fluff taking up all of wolf blitzer's propaganda time you know that something is up.
if only we weren't such suckers!
Make sure that there are LOTS of video cameras. I have no doubt that certain organizations will resort to black bag tactics to try to sway the public opinion. It's hard to deny a video.
As usual, the Common Dreamers pen their frustrations on this and other sites while the power brokers in Washington plan the next move to conquer another country aand take over its resources and murder the people.
Protests? Local police departments are the gestapo-like goons for politicians at many anti-war or other types of demonstrations. They may be working-class folks, but they know where their bread is buttered.
The best way to topple this corrupt regime in D.C. is for a general strike of working men and women around the country, in all 50 states. And that includes all workers, non-union as well as union, and illegal immigrants as well.
This can be done peacefully and with minimum effort. It has worked in many countries and if Americans have any self-respect left, we can win this battle against home-grown fascism and imperial ambitions of the oligarch running this country. It just takes coordination and the WILL to succeed.
Video and pictures are an important element. So is keeping the mood light. Have music. Organizers, keep the patter going with the crowds. Engage them to keep them on message. The best defense against unmanageable elements is making sure everyone present knows why they are there and what they are there to do. The point is to make sure that the normal movement of the little cogs in the machinery can not work.
There is no anarchic need to smash the machinery of the nation, just stop it for a while. Remember, when the threat is eventually removed that same machine provides the livelihood of the same citizens that should be involved.
For the whole world's sake and your own, I wish you all every success.
Elements from outside the USA could help, but in the current situation outside meddling could be an excuse for division and further hostility from the goon squad currently running Washington.
Hell, I'm interfering right now. In the end, it's your choice.
The message will be that much stronger if the swell of passive resistance comes from inside your own nation.
My opinions and suggestions are just that. I don't have to live with what you may face internally, but I and my family will definitely have to live in the world outside fortress North America and I would rather it be a world at peace with itself.
I wonder if George and Company have any understanding of the ramifications of invading Iran, even if the USA "wins" the invasion. How can the USA invade a nation that is home to 70 million people? That is roughly one-quarter the population of the USA. The choice to invade Iran, regardless of USA justification, would be insanity just on population grounds alone! How else can a military campaign be successful unless nuclear bombs are dropped? Iran is too populated, and much pride running in their veins, for an invasion not to happen any other way that would remotely be considered a USA "success." That has to be understood...IF the USA is going to invade Iran (God help us all!) and have it successful; unfortunately, Iran would have to be nuked. My hope is that this event does not happen - for the sake of humankind.
Invading Iran seems to be likely though, and that would be a total shame on so many levels. The world does not revolve around the USA and Israel. Are a good portion of Americans in the USA considering how the USA invading Iran may be against the interests of China, India, Russia, and most nations in the world? Is invading Iran (who has done NOTHING WRONG on USA soil to deserve an invasion) really worth disrupting economies all over the world, the creation of another nuclear wasteland, and MILLIONS of lives lost over First World paranoia? Americans are paranoid and their Government plays on it.
Forgive me as I do not live in the USA, but I do have some questions that some Americans may believe to be ignorant:
Why is it acceptable for the USA to sell weapons all over the world but Iran is not allowed to? Iran deserves to make money although selling weapons specifically designed to kill people is immoral. However, the USA has no right to do something and expecting another country not to do that act. The response by some may be, "Weapons made in Iran are killing USA soldiers in Iraq." That may be true. What is also true is that the USA is the largest arms dealer in the world, and has sold weapons to sworn enemies in the past just to make some money also. Most recently, former Baathists in Iraq and Wahhabis in Saudi Arabia. I thought these two groups of people were declared USA ememies a long time ago.
Another question I have. Why would the USA even consider invading Iran when Iran indirectly sided with you during your invasion of Iraq? I do not understand how the USA did not consider the fact that a democracy in Iraq would benefit Iran by default. Iraq is a Shiite majority nation that was brutalized by a minority group for many years. Yet after the USA stripped this minority group of power, just four and one-half years ago, the USA comes to their aid while being upset with Iran for coming to the aid of its group? In other words first the USA is pro-Shiite and anti-Sunni, then the USA becomes pro-Sunni and anti-Shiite. I do not understand. Is this unbelievable act of stupidity and indecisiveness considered to be an example of Texas-style justice in the USA? No wonder the USA is destined for failure in their CHOSEN invasion of Iraq - USA is unable to keep their decisions on who is friend and foe.
Please do not invade Iran USA. The costs and risks of such an invasion far outweigh ANY benefit. Besides, Iran has every right to have nuclear energy, so long as they do not make weapons out of it. So Why is the USA, who nuked a nation once upon a time, allowed to have nuclear energy and nuclear weapons, but Iran is not allowed to have nuclear energy only in USA Government opinion? Iran IS allowed to create nuclear energy for themselves.