Reply #62: I still smell something rotten,

[TheBaldyMan]

When the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defence and the Pentagon are dead against it, it will be harder to get a go on any military operation. Cheney has always been a rabid asshole, what is really so different this time round. Even as Congress gave the Tonkin treatment to any "threat from Iran" I wondered why the Bush administration is so at pains to nod to international law this time around. Scared Dick? Scared of the Iranian Navy perhaps or is it the Iranian Army or Air Force that turns his bowels to water? No, I think that finally this administration has begun to fear the people. That smell is not Vitter's diaper - it is fear.

Ask yourself why is this detailed info being leaked now? Check back over the last few years when there was no dissent within cabinet and the Pentagon was the Decider-guy's tinker toy. It didn't happen then. There was lots of sabre rattling but no conflict. In fact any widening of the conflict would be totally counter-productive, disastrous in the Near East. That has most definitely remained unchanged.

Diplomatically it would make things impossible for the US, countries that already are highly uncomfortable with the actions of the US will cease to co-operate at all. It runs completely counter to American interests.

Economically it would make things worse for the US, who would pay for the war? How long would troops' tours be extended for to compensate for the lack of foresight and planning ? The reinstatement of the draft and a hefty war tax doesn't seem to be something the remaining 23% would stand for. It would benefit nearly everybody but the US. this is not the 1920s or 1930s. If economic recession set in there would be a quick recovery as European and Far Eastern economies discovered that economic activity wasn't predicated on US participation.

Militarily it is impossible. Internet access for troops is officially curtailed, tours have been extended, recruitment isn't being met even with lowered standards no surprise that re-enlistment rates are down. This state is far,far worse than 2003 and is not improving. There is something the Whitehouse doesn't want us to know.

For all these reasons I'd say that the reports ae scaremongering. Judging by the reactions of DUers in this thread the ruse seems to be working. Remember that the Guardian is not infallible and although it has a fine reputation for credibility, integrity and honesty, so had the NYT when Judith Miller ran her 'scoop'.