tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post6975710849287841644..comments2023-11-05T06:59:04.593-05:00Comments on Pen and Sword: Bush: Alone, Unafraid, UnhingedJeff Huberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-48178294174801210792007-03-30T15:39:00.000-04:002007-03-30T15:39:00.000-04:00bacon,I'd hate to think you were right but.. if we...bacon,<BR/><BR/>I'd hate to think you were right but.. if we dismiss the notion that the Iranians are acting rationally, then certainly, all bets are off. It then becomes a waiting game of who makes the bigger mistake first.<BR/><BR/>I had one other thought... don't know if there's any validity to it. What if Iran is deliberately trying to prod the US into attacking, knowing that our resources are already very over-extended and that we're not likely to succeed at anything more than a few air attacks.<BR/><BR/>After all, just how many simultaneous wars can we sustain? Doesn't seem like we're doing so good with just the 2 we're fighting right now...<BR/><BR/>Also, I freely admit I'm no expert in these matters but I suspect that the US is much more susceptible and much more unprepared for a financial attack than for a physical attack. Maybe the Iranian thinking here is that a US led attack would result in disruption (oil) that would seriously damage us from a financial standpoint. This seems both far-fetched and self-defeating but I suppose it's not out of the question.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-51833923097816816202007-03-30T14:20:00.000-04:002007-03-30T14:20:00.000-04:00Thanks once again for the great discussion, gang. ...Thanks once again for the great discussion, gang. <BR/><BR/>Bacon, <BR/><BR/>What worries me is that they're starting to seem quite irrational. Something seems to be coming apart internally. <BR/><BR/>Best, <BR/><BR/>JeffJeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-55257127866501090842007-03-30T12:59:00.000-04:002007-03-30T12:59:00.000-04:00If you still cling to the idea that the Iranian go...If you still cling to the idea that the Iranian government is rational and acting in its own best interest than it would seem that you have to interpret their view of the U.S. and British governments as being unable and perhaps unwilling to do much more than lodge diplomatic protests and hope that some sort of UN sanctions will cause the Iranians to ultimately release the British sailors and marines.<BR/><BR/>However, I'm not at all convinced that the Iranian leadership is rational or that they have accurately judged what the ultimate response from either the U.S. or UK governments is likely to be. Moreover I think that if the Iranians take a view that they have been successful in humbling the Blair and Bush administrations that they will continue to push the envelope even more. If they persist in more hostile military actions it will not be too long before someone in one of their small fleet of patrol boats successfully fires a missile at one of our ships or aircraft. When that event occurs I think that public opinion will likely shift and that Bush and Blair will have no other choice but to launch an air campaign against an array of Iranian military targets. What would happen then is anybody's guess.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-19416312617985260532007-03-30T11:22:00.000-04:002007-03-30T11:22:00.000-04:00Jeff:Three things:First, the longer the detention ...Jeff:<BR/><BR/>Three things:<BR/><BR/>First, the longer the detention of the British military personnel continues, the more puzzled I am. The simple fact that it has been allowed to continue this long indicates approval at the upper levels of the Iranian government and I just can't see what Iran possibly hopes to gain from this clear act of provocation. I begin with the assumption that the Iranians believe, at some level, thay are acting in their own best interests. Any additional thoughts on this?<BR/><BR/>Second: As for Gonzoles, the inability of the Bush inner circle to deal with practical matters continues to amaze me. In any other administration, Democrat or Republican, Gonzoles would have been asked for his resignation weeks ago simply as a matter of damage control. Any other Atty General would have resigned out of respect for the office of AG as well as for the office of the President, if ONLY to avoid being a lightning rod for criticism in an administration already suffering the slings and arrows of unaccustomed sunshine.<BR/><BR/>But the small inner circle that surrounds our president have isolated themselves and appear to listen only to each other. The president's inner circle is beginning to more and more resemble a cult. And any cult with that much power poses a clear and present danger.<BR/><BR/>Finally, the Republican party have prided themselves with their outstanding ability to organize and march in lock-step, from the legislature to the media to the churches and the grassroots. And it is indeed an impressive machine. But at the end of the day, just exactly what has their impressive machine accomplished in the last 10 years? I'm beginning to see a few Republicans who are questioning this as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-514388583148127652007-03-30T00:37:00.000-04:002007-03-30T00:37:00.000-04:00I heard somewhere that one of the benefits of impe...I heard somewhere that one of the benefits of impeachment is that (unlike a convition which can be pardoned later) these guys won't be back to bother us in a future administration.nunyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08833886980442919570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-84432863234766704392007-03-29T20:39:00.000-04:002007-03-29T20:39:00.000-04:00Done, Jeff - posted here. Thank you.BTW, a group o...Done, Jeff - posted <A HREF="http://edgeing.blogspot.com/2007/03/bush-alone-unafraid-unhinged.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>. Thank you.<BR/><BR/>BTW, a group of us started organizing an <STRONG>"Out Of Iraq Blogroll"</STRONG> over at <A HREF="http://www.talkleft.com" REL="nofollow">TalkLeft</A> awhile back, based on <A HREF="http://www.talkleft.com/story/2007/3/21/124617/536" REL="nofollow">Big Tent Democrat's idea</A> of the Out Of Iraq Bloggers Caucus.<BR/><BR/>I'd like to invite you to join us if you like. Details are <A HREF="http://edgeing.blogspot.com/2007/03/out-of-iraq-bloggers-caucus-reciprocal.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-28812868758012579272007-03-29T19:22:00.000-04:002007-03-29T19:22:00.000-04:00Thx, Jeff.Thx, Jeff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-37588367759990348132007-03-29T18:46:00.000-04:002007-03-29T18:46:00.000-04:00Edger, Please by my guest. Best, JeffEdger, <BR/><BR/>Please by my guest. <BR/><BR/>Best, <BR/><BR/>JeffJeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-39689998765553942602007-03-29T16:20:00.000-04:002007-03-29T16:20:00.000-04:00I agree completely with Hagel, and especially with...I agree completely with Hagel, and <I>especially</I> with Kucinich. He has been one of the very few who hav been able to see through Cheney/Bush intentions from the beginning.<BR/><BR/>Even on the last day of his presidency I would like to see Bush impeached - if only to lay down some kind of a standard for future presidents.<BR/>.............<BR/><BR/>Jeff - this is a very good post you've written. With your permission I'd like to repost it at <A HREF="http://edgeing.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">Edgeing</A> with attribution and backlink. Ok with you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-51987862001661184292007-03-29T14:43:00.000-04:002007-03-29T14:43:00.000-04:00I'd rather see him sit down and shut up. ;-)I'd rather see him sit down and shut up. ;-)Jeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-67010065719124857332007-03-29T13:53:00.000-04:002007-03-29T13:53:00.000-04:00On the other hand, based upon Bush the younger's r...On the other hand, based upon Bush the younger's recent performance at the press club, he might have a future in stand up. I do disagree with his statement that the only way he would be a lame duck president is for Cheney to shoot him in the leg. He does a pretty good job of shooting himself in the foot (at least the one that is not in his mouth).<BR/><BR/>MeMyselfEyeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com