WWIII

Thanks for pointing out this diabolic change in vocabulary. This should be page one news in every US paper — but of course it will be left unmentioned.

We always knew this administration was anti-intellectual, but the notion of starting World War III because someone in another nation is acquiring knowledge is so far beyond the pale that it absolutely cries out for impeachment.

Seems "disaster capitalism" is about to create the mother of all crises. Who do you suppose is primed to step in with "radical new solutions?" Is there anyone who still believes the best among us will prevail?

I’ve finally been convinced that the course is set and must play out. Our human nature has tripped us once again. Here's to those who succeed us!

I think that this article absolutely misses the most central point. While it certainly true that this reflects the hardline Zionist position, it is only a correlation of the real issue — Armed nuclear standoff with the only real threat to US hegemony — Russia. This has always been about Russia and the cold war. They almost knocked Russia off the table with that idiot Yeltsin but they weren't counting on the only adversary equal or superior to Cheney, namely, Vladimir Putin. Russia is rapidly gaining strength both economically and militarily with the huge inflows of money from sky-high oil prices likely to triple or quadruple with peak oil now in full swing. Russia demonstrated its clear ability to hold Europe hostage by withholding natural gas exports forcing them to either side with Russia or abstain from supporting the US. Even the hegemonic spear carrier Tony Blair had to concede British sovereignty and align with the EU energy commission for future natural gas supply negotiations (new gas from Norway has given slight breathing room to posture against Russia but this will evaporate like the morning dew over a couple years as the North Sea collapses). Energy shortages of every type are certain to cripple the US at every level and with Russia's self-sufficiency in oil and growing influence over the Middle East through its client state Iran and the gigantic blunders of the US. There is no doubt the US has to make its final stand here and now. Attacking Iran will be the worst decision in the history of the world and this will be the WWIII trigger as Poland was in the run-up to World War II (and the US certainly appears to have exactly the same intentions as Hitler did with respect to world domination). There is no possible way for the US to prevail or even survive an attack on Iran and there is no possible chance whatsoever Russia and the other great powers will let them control the world's oil resources, but without this control there is no possibility for the US to continue as an industrialized power. A third World War requires a superpower on each side and Bush is certainly correct on that point! Let's hope he is not also correct about the end of the world.

Fareed Zakaria had a great article reminding us that back when Mohammed Khatami was elected president in Iran, the same folks who are beating the war drums against Iran reminded the world that the President of Iran is nothing more than a figurehead, and that real power remains in the hand of the military and the supreme leader. Funny how no one is saying that now. Now the evil president of Iran has all the power and might blow us up OH NO!

The recent article in Der Speigel indicates Cheney is already planning the attack. U.S. War on Iran: Closer to Reality suggests that "...Cheney has already asked for a backroom analysis of how a war with Iran might begin. In the scenario concocted by Cheney's strategists, Washington's first step would be to convince Israel to fire missiles at Iran's uranium enrichment plant in Natanz. Tehran would retaliate with its own strike, providing the US with an excuse to attack military targets and nuclear facilities in Iran."

These people are certifiably insane.