I warned that rhetoric w/regard to Iran would probably soon ratchet up again; a catalyst to military action would likely be found; and that bombs might be falling from the sky before November 08, as the Bush administration would not take lightly this deliberate slap in the face of US global economic power; nor did they trust leaving the problem for the the next regime.
Times Online today: US warns Iran of retaliation over Iraq action
America's top military officer has ratcheted up the pressure on Iran by issuing an unusual public warning that the Pentagon is planning for “potential military courses of action”. .”
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, blamed the Iranian government and Quds force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard for its “increasingly lethal and malign influence” in Iraq. He said conflict with Iran would be “extremely stressing” for America’s overstretched forces, but added: “It would be a mistake to think that we are out of combat capability.
Mullen said he was increasingly concerned about Iran’s growing involvement in supplying munitions and training to rebel Shi’ite militias and “killing American and coalition soldiers in Iraq”.
Speaking at a Pentagon news conference late on Friday, he said recent operations in the southern port city of Basra had revealed “just how much and how far Iran is reaching into Iraq to foment instability”. A Pentagon source said the admiral’s frankness was “extremely significant” and could pave the way for some form of attack on Iran. However, Mullen said: “The solution right now still lies in using other levers of national power, including diplomatic, financial and international pressure.”
Mullen’s tough rhetoric came shortly after General David Petraeus, the US commander in Iraq responsible for the troop surge, briefed Congress about the “nefarious activities” of the Quds force in stirring violence in Iraq. There were a total of 923 civilian deaths in Iraq last month, the highest number since August 2007.
“We should all watch Iranian actions closely in the weeks and months ahead, as they will show the kind of relationship that Iran wishes to have with its neighbour,” Petraeus said.
Petraeus was nominated last week to take over as commander of all US forces in the Middle East from Admiral William Fallon, who resigned in March after becoming an outspoken critic of American policy towards Iran.
My Thoughts:
As a USAF veteran, let me assure you that my following comments are not un-patriotic, but I can NOT buy into ANY of this administration's B.S. propaganda.
The whole middle east issue (Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, you pick who may be next) is all about controlling Oil, maintaining US dollar hegemony and supporting massive contracts for companies like Haliburton -- to make Dick Cheney's rich friends richer.
Our troops are dying in a futile attempt to (1) save our dying currency (caused by excessive Gvt spending/debt and a Federal Reserve Banking system that has created one too many popping bubbles -- which has ultimately led to the present crashing financial/banking system that will require a hyperinflationary event to save it from a full-blown collapse) and (2) to control dwindling worldwide oil supplies.
Food for thought: The world can currently extract and bring to market ~ 87 Million Barrels of Oil per day (Mbpd) and we consume ~ 86Mbpd -- 40% of which comes from the Persian Gulf market and must traverse through the very narrow Strait of Hormuz (see picture below)... Note where Iran sits on this narrow Channel...
If we DO start dropping bombs on Iran, they will likely mine the Strait and/or sink a supertanker or two with missiles/etc -- locking up 40% of the world's oil supply. You think gas/oil prices are painful today? Better start preparing for $200+ barrel oil and $10+ gallon gas (if you can actually find it anywhere)
Regards
Randy
StopIranwar.com
Which City do we want to lose?
11 comments:
Amen! I agree Randy - about the oil that is...
I've never been a conspiracy buff, but knowing something of Gov't Intelligence (an oxymoron?) and how they plan & conduct their operations, being a veteran of VN and attached to US Naval Intelligence during that time.
That said, it wouldn't surprise me if this 'convenient' war could take place around the time you mentioned in November. I'm not certain, but I believe I'm correct in saying there is a Presidential Executive Order in place that would allow the 'sitting' president to even suspend elections, if necessary, during wartime operations or times of emergency.
I'm not advocating this action, nor do I feel that I am at all prescient in mentioning this. I just believe it would be 'convenient' for the US/Israel if it were to happen; and we MUST guarantee our continued supply of oil no matter what! Like we've agreed before; the world runs on oil.
For the record, I am a strong advocate of our relationship with Israel, and I don't for a minute believe that we (the US) would let them fend for themselves, although in my opinion they can 'take out' virtually all comers! IMHO, they are the only TRUE friend we have in the ME.
Regards,
David
David,
With friends like Israel who needs enemies. With you being naval intelligence, I assume I do not have to list their sins.
- PDM
PDM;
With all due respect, puleese!
David
Has Twilight In The Desert Begun?
Matthew R. Simmons, Simmons & Company International
Are We Nearing The Peak Of Fossil Fuel Energy?
Slides for a talk given at Connecticut College, New London, CT
(8 April 2008)
48 slides seemed to have a lot of fresh material, with more attention to the consequences of peak oil than previously. -BA
(PDF)
http://www.simmonsco-intl.com/files/Connecticut%20College.pdf
The rise of the new energy world order
By Michael T Klare
Oil at US$110 a barrel. Gasoline at $3.35 (or more) per gallon. Diesel fuel at $4 per gallon. Independent truckers forced off the road. Home heating oil rising to unconscionable price levels. Jet fuel so expensive that three low-cost airlines stopped flying in the past few weeks. This is just a taste of the latest energy news, signaling a profound change in how all of us, in this country and around the world, are going to live - trends that, so far as anyone can predict, will only become more pronounced as energy supplies dwindle and the global struggle over their allocation intensifies.
Long, but worth it. . .
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/JD17Dj04.html
David,
Just this week the Israelis were caught spying on us again, US made helicopters sold to the IDF somehow end up flying for Columbian narcos, not too mention the ongoing concentration camps filled with those pesky Palestinians. Should I go on? Naval Intelligence? Any loyalty to your brothers slaughtered on the decks of the USS Liberty?
- PDM
Interesting point Mr Ritter makes regarding nuking Iran & the reaction that would have. (pick a U.S. city.)
Appreciate everyone posting up comments.
David, I've also heard rumor of that executive order. I'll have to do some research for clarification. Hope it's not true.
Patrick -- Just an awesome slideshow on peak oil. Thanks for the link
Sid,
Agree. Ritter made his point with quite a bit of passion and it certainly made one think.
Regards to all
Randy
Randy, I agree wholeheartedly with all the points you've made. It's all about preserving the petrodollar hegeomony.
Ironically, we have more in common with the average Iranian than any other country in the ME. Here's one site: http://www.bibijon.org/iranimage/
Name a ME country that had candlelight vigils for the 9/11 victims. That's right, Iran.
As for extending the war to them, I make sure that I tell our troops here about the lies that got us into Vietnam (Gulf of Tonkin) and the lies that got us into Iraq (WMDs, yellowcake). I want them to stop and think every time there's a new story about Iranian vessels aggressively approaching one of ours.
Yeah, Ahmadinejad says some dumb shit, but we elected a retard, too. They even kinda look related, lol. We must have more in common than anyone realizes.
There's a few troops here who already understand all of this. I had a great conversation with a lieutenant last week who, like me, wants to visit Iran when we're done with our time here in Iraq.
Let's not let our flag cover our eyes to truth.
BTW, we have a lot to thank Israel for. The AIPAC lobby has a strong hand in our wonderful, successful foreign policy. When I was still an ignorant good little christian boy, I thought Israel was our best pal, too. They're trouble. Take off your blinders and see for yourself.
redbeard,
Really appreciate you posting up your thoughts... and thanks for the link. I don't have time now, but will review it tomorrow.
Randy
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