14 Comments so far

1. Robert Settgast February 25th, 2007 4:13 pm

   WAR RESOLUTION

   All Too Relevant Quote: How is the World Ruled, & how do wars start?—
   Diplomats tell lies to journalists, & then believe what they read.
   (Karl Kraus, Austrian Press,1874-1936)

   Even with our limited information on this war, it is all to evident that our legislators erred when they granted this unlearned and arrogant administration the authority to embark on and perpetuate this ill conceived war.

   The weapons inspectors were there and we had contained Saddam. The resulting “civil war” and chaos had been predicted by many informed experts, and should have been obvious–but their advice was ignored. One can only imagine the extent of disaster if Saddam had unleashed some biological, chemical, or primitive nuclear weapons on our troops during the invasion.

   After nearly four years, the only rational option left now is for congress to seize the war powers from the president–and then pursue a logical course to conclude this misadventure. This would include not only recognition of the recent advisory commissions recommendations (which the administration ignored) but also curbing profiteering, promoting measures for energy conservation and global warming mitigation to reduce our dependance on their oil–and regain some worldwide trust.

   The alternative is to permit continuation of this disastrous quagmire, while risking a war with Iran and destabilization of the entire area– and further damaging our international stature.

   Robert Settgast
   San Rafael, CA
   rhsettgast@hotmail.com

2. Shane February 25th, 2007 6:50 pm

   The scenario posited by this article is *highly* unlikley. Whoever made it up was on drugs. The US military will do whatever the Commander in Chief tells them, even if it is agaist their better judgement. I do not doubt that there are many US commanders who know that is would be foolish to attack Iran, but “theirs is not to question why; theirs is but to do or die”. Anything less is considered AWOL.

   Where do some of these reporters find this rubbish? They are supposed to be *investigators”, not regurgitators of someones pipe dream.

   Another piece of junk journalism from an incompetant reporter.

3. RichM February 25th, 2007 7:51 pm

   It would be comforting to think that at least some generals would refuse the insane order under discussion. It’s possible, I suppose, that some of them might refuse. But it’s likely that most would not refuse — or at least that Bush could find enough who would carry out the order, that the refusal of a few might make no practical difference.

4. rob.price February 25th, 2007 8:47 pm

   I’d bet Pace’s contradiction of the President is actually a complex way to make Pace look like his botched work in Iraq was actually not what he wanted, and hope all the heat will be leveled on Rumsfeld. It also comes off like a clever way for the US government to tip its hand to Iran to indicate (and reassure the US population) the US really doesn’t intend to attack Iran militarily. My bet is the negotiations are already taking place between the US and Iran and this is just a sweeter in the tea.

   With the bogus “perception” of Pace contradicting Bush floating around, it will make for an easy Senate confirmation of Pace to Army Chief of Staff. Imagine if Pace wasn’t showing his new freedom to talk, the democratic Senate might find it hard to confirm the man. Just like Robert Gates, he’ll slide into power just as quick with liberals talking up the concessions Pace is showing. America will eat it up. He’ll even be praised by Democrat presidential candidates as an outstanding example. Nobody is going to lose their pension. Nobody is gonna be fired. Only the enlistees are convicted. Politicians like Pace are made out to be heroes.

   Then again, if I am wrong, and Pace really is going against the company line rather than pandering it, then the man needs to be demoted and brought up on charges. Standard procedure. This is George Bush we are talking about. You can’t have your yellow cake and eat too.

   If Pace is pandered as bucking Bush and Bush doesn’t bring him up on charges, then the democratic party could attack Bush as being weak on defense and playing favorites. Subordination is a big no-no in patriarchal hierarchy like the US military.

   Loose lips sink ships and all that stuff.

5. rob.price February 25th, 2007 9:19 pm

   heh.

   insubordination is a big no-no….

6. KosmiKat February 25th, 2007 11:41 pm

   “…five generals and admirals are willing to resign rather than approve what they consider would be a reckless attack.”

   Are the resignations of five generals and admirals enough to stop a war with Iraq? What I’d like to see is the US fleet in the Persian Gulf leave the area and come home, with or without BushCheney’s permission.

   The only real way to make BushCheney powerless is to remove them from power, IMMEDIATELY. The longer the Dems and Reep allies wait to do that, the more dangerous these devils will become. AND come the end of the term, suppose Bush and Cheney decide they’re not leaving office? And they declare martial law?

7. Michael Boyter February 26th, 2007 12:35 am

   Impeachment proceedings, and Investigations for, War Profiteering, War Crimes, and Treason should be started against BUSH AND CHENEY NOW> Lying us into a war, is A WAR CRIME When your Judgement day comes, there are alot of demons who are waiting with anticipation of your arrival. You psudo Christians, Like Ralph Reed, and your Jerry Farwells and Pat Robertsons. You have your Millions in the bank, as the poor people starve out side the doors or your gold lined churches. Jesus, Doesn’t back your wars, or your killing, Neither do I.

8. frznghost February 26th, 2007 12:48 am

   Something should be done against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, yet attacking Iran will doubtless cost us dearly. Iran can almost certainly blockade the Straights of Hormuz and shut out the oil pipelines that crisscross the region. If open war breaks out, Iran will almost certainly target all Western interests in the region, and please note much of that is oil facilities.

   At a time when we’re practically begging Canada to quintuple its tar sands project for more oil and doubling our strategic petroleum reserve, we have little wiggle room between that rock and economy-crushing gasoline prices after the hostilies flare up.

   You don’t need to be a general to see where this one’s going.

9. daodeyao February 26th, 2007 6:56 am

   A better idea is for these generals and admirals to coup Bush and Co.
   Second option is to give Bush and Cheney General’s outfits and send them to the front line

10. Lobo Gris February 26th, 2007 2:18 pm

    “…five generals and admirals are willing to resign rather than approve what they consider would be a reckless attack.”

    You have to separate the wheat from the chaff. Is Admiral Fallon who was just put in charge of operations in that area one of the five? Admiral Fallon who is a specialist in air operations. Also note that the article states that the Air Force is less reluctant to attack Iran than the other services.

    Make no doubt about it, an airstrike plus mabe some limited special forces operations are the only options should Bush decide to attack Iran.

    There is little risk to ground commanders or admirals offering to resign over orders they will never receive.

    The only ones who can stop such an attack are the members of the U.S. Congress. And they can only stop it by passing legislation requiring Bush to come to Congress for approval prior to any attack occuring or by impeaching Bush and Cheney.

    The Republicans could stop any such legislation from passing by filibustering in the Senate. There is the nuclear option which is a procedural vote that could stop a filibuster but of course Bush could still veto the legislation if it did reach his desk.

    Which leads back once again to the one action that truly needs to be taken but which the Congress refuses to do. Which is to impeach Bush and Cheney.

    Lobo Gris

11. charlesf February 26th, 2007 5:11 pm

    Please connect the dots.
    1. Mr. Cheney has full psychological control of George W. and of the federal government, to a large extent.
    2. Mr. Cheney is very close to Halliburton, which is linked to the war in Irak and Afghanistan (and New Orleans and Mobile reconstruction) through very lucrative contracts.
    2a. Twelve billion dollars simply dissappeared in Irak, and neither the General Accounting Office nor the Pentagon have been able to find them. Halliburton is very active and immersed in Irak.
    3. A continuous war in Irak and Afghanistan, plus a war or something similar in Iran will no doubt will require again of Halliburton highly profitable activities.
    4. Conclusion: the war in Iraq and Afghanistan will continue while Mr. Cheney will be in charge, and it is highly possible that a war or something similar will start soon.

    This subject should be discussed publicly by the media and the republicans, democrats and independents not embracing war –or Halliburton profits.

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