April 10, 2006 5:07 PM
I read Umair very closely. Like every word, at least twice. He's the smartest guy on the planet when it comes to understanding how the Internet is affecting the world. (well, the smartest who is actually writing stuff down). He doesn't talk politics much, but he had a few thoughts today on Bush's plans for Iran, which I reprint here:
Let me just take a minute to point out that when Bush nukes Iran, the world as you know it will probably end for the next five years or so.The price of oil will skyrocket; stock markets will crash; interest rates will spike; a credit crunch and liquidity crisis will ensue; creditors will pile out of the dollar with a vengeance, and the dollar will plummet to levels not seen in recorded history as value shifts decisively to Asia and maybe Europe; and the average joe (=you) will lose his house, car, savings, and maybe even a kid or two.
So, this is very, very bad news. And I haven't even talked about the kind of madness that will ensue in the Muslim world.
The worst part is that I've been hearing rumours of this for the last year or so - just like I heard rumours of Abu Ghraib, etc. So I'm pretty sure it's on the level.
And I've gotta say, I am bloody frightened. Of the god-lovin' maniac who runs the USA the god-lovin' (30%ish of) people that continue to support him.
*buys oil, Halliburton, and euros*
And I would just point out: it is the policy of the U.S. government to strike first. So based on past performance, we could be about a year away. Ground forces are limited because of commitments in Iraq, so these new nukes seem likely. Also see Time Magazine on the folly of a surgical air war. They stop short of mentioning nukes, but the subtext is there.
Iranageddon (04.10.2006)
Next Entry: The Nukuhlar Option (04.12.2006)
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Tom from Madison:
We clearly need a reversal of policy and a return to the rule of law in the US. Pre-emption and irresponsible sabre rattling are allying the rest of the world against us.
The US and the World are badly in need of an advocate for world peace. What we have is an aspiring war lord. Impeachment is looking pretty good right now.
Tue Apr 11 2006 11:35 AM
Right Wing Robby:
Jim,
Please link me somewhere that shows what Bush plans on nuking Iran. If ou claim Bush will order some kind of strike, thats a fair guess. But the use of nukes? He has NEVER threatened the use of nukes in any situation, time ir manner. Nor has he HINTED at use of nuclear weapons.
You libs have been floating this crazy man with nukes since Hersch's article, yet there is no where the use of nuclear weapons has been brought up.
What previous history of Bush using nukes are you going by? I must of missed that day in the news.
Tue Apr 11 2006 4:37 PM
Well now. Its great to see people posting reactionary commets on web logs. Nothing likea weblog to post unsubstantiated gossip you ass. Nukes?! Holy fuck; and of course the fact that Bush testifies to a belief in God is the reason he's driven to utter madness! What's worse friend? To accomplish things driven by money, or by God. Of course, certain assumptions based on fundamental beliefs underline the materially driven individual and the spiritually driven one. The world is not held in a bubble, defined by the market forces that are best expressed in the Internet. There is a spiritual side that we are suspended in Jim; there is a moral path and how far from it you travel affects you.
Why don't you stick to what you do best friend, spreading gossip as to bill O'Reilley's sexual behavior; or if you're getting tired of gasping and coughing up for blood, stay on the lookout for your lungs 2.0.
I doubt any harsh words from me are going to make a difference to your choice of actions. We reap what we sow.
Tue Apr 11 2006 5:34 PM
Patrick:
BTW,
I look forward to seeing the film on Walmart's business practices. My law firm is the only firm, that I know of, that fired Walmart. It was mainly due to their utter cheapness. Stay on task Jim! Keep your mind on what is good and noble, worthy of time.
Tue Apr 11 2006 5:37 PM
cpurick:
"Let me just take a minute to point out that when Bush nukes Iran, the world as you know it will probably end for the next five years or so."
Well, in all fairness, that kind of happens if Iran nukes us too, doesn't it???
Wed Apr 12 2006 7:43 AM
Tom from Madison:
I don't object at all to a President's belief in God. Almost every US President has been a man of faith by some definition.
I have a problem when the President uses his "belief" to justify war. I have a further objection when he attempts to exploit faith for the purposes of empire building and to enrich his political allies. Bush has done both. This is a perversion of faith in general and Christianity in particular.
W has a sick, messianic complex. He foolishly believes that HIS relationship with God qualifies him alone to decide when to go to war. Even worse, he has been basing policy on his agenda, not on facts. This is the kind of stuff that all Americans should be discussing--and rejecting!
Wed Apr 12 2006 11:23 AM
Right Wing Robby:
"He foolishly believes that HIS relationship with God qualifies him alone to decide when to go to war"
That and when the senate votes in favor of it. Ignoring reality doesnt win you arguements, it just re-inforces your fairy tale world view.
Wed Apr 12 2006 11:39 AM
Tom from Madison:
RWR:
1) The Senate voted based on faulty intelligence.
2) Bush had a pre-existing desire to go to war and was looking for a pretext. He used 9/11.
3) Evidence is now emerging that faulty intelligence was deliberately leaked to jusitfy Bush's sale of the war to congress and to the American people.The fairy tale world view is that held by the 30-some percenters who still believe Bush. The rest of the country and the world are those living in the real world.
Wed Apr 12 2006 11:50 AM
Right Wing Robby:
Instead of re-hashing the same arguement Ive had with you 100x's over, lets stick to the issue at hand.
Bush is currently working diplomatically. Yesterday, the mad-man who has stated he wants to blow up Israel, has proudly displayed his enriched goodies.
Instead just complaining, what would you suggest Bush do about this VERY REAL problem?
Wed Apr 12 2006 12:17 PM
I can believe that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would use a nuke. I can also believe that George Bush would use a nuke.
I don't believe India, Pakistan, or North Korea actually would... or any former U.S. president.
That's just my gut on this. This puts Bush in quite a powerful diplomatic position. He really would do something this crazy. It's not a coincidence Bush fanned the rumors on the nuclear talk.
So let's say these rumors are all a high stakes diplomatic bluff.... it still doesn't mean he won't have to follow through on it. There's one thing he would never do, and that's back down.
Unless the dems get the majority in the Senate (or almost the majority)... then the senate could vote against it, and Bush could blame it on the weak dems... giving himself an out.
Of course... this is all just "wild speculation".
Wed Apr 12 2006 1:32 PM
Right Wing Robby:
Which is all Hersh's article was," Wild speculation."
The scary part is, people will read that and completely ignore the fact the its premise was based on fiction.
Which leads me to a simple question. What should Bush do that he isnt doing about this situation right now?
Id like to hear Liberal opinions. Not based on fiction or "wild speculation", but reality.
Wed Apr 12 2006 1:51 PM
Anonymous:
RWR:
I totally understand you not wanting to rehash the same argument. Liberals were right. The country didn't realize until after the election. You are among the 1/3 who refuse to open your eyes.
I recall Hersh beying excoriated by the right for reporting on Abu Ghraib. His credibility has been proven. The same can't be said for George W Bush.
Wed Apr 12 2006 2:25 PM
Tom from Madison:
Above is mine.
Wed Apr 12 2006 2:26 PM
Dave E.:
This far in to the damage Bush has done to America, anyone that defends him is just embarrassing themselves.
Have you even read the article? Are you really suggesting the pulitzer prize winning author is just making shit up? After witnessing the dog and pony show that prefaced the Iraq invasion/occupation, are you seriously ready to be fooled all over again?
Notice that the article's premise has not been condemned -- only casually dismissed as 'wild speculation' and 'fantasy land'. If the premise was based on fiction, despite the article actually being very well sourced, why not condemn the premise as not being 'on the table'?
It has not been condemned, which tells any reasonable observer of the history of the Bush presidency (see: run-up to Iraq) that using nukes is a serious consideration. Just slap the word 'tactical' in front of the word nuke, and suddenly the use of them is made sanitary for Bush standards.
Anybody that thinks this is ridiculous does not appreciate the level of messianic complex which inhabits the white house. If Bush's gut tells him it's the right move, then God willing, he'll do it. He's done it before. After all, it's only history's judgment he's concerned about - not anybody in the here and now, or the new bastardized word 'reality'.
Wed Apr 12 2006 2:58 PM
Dave E.:
Oh, and engaging Iran in diplomacy, earnestly, should have been done long long ago. Iran has been a developing issue for years, as has N. Korea.
Wed Apr 12 2006 3:05 PM
Paul:
Iran won't be able to develop nuclear weapons any time soon (click my name). There's plenty of time for diplomacy.
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/04/12/the-facts-about-irans-uranium-enrichment/
Wed Apr 12 2006 4:19 PM
Paul:
Juan Cole says Iran is at least ten years away from developing a nuclear weapon. (Click my name.)
Wed Apr 12 2006 4:21 PM
Paul:
Whoops. That'll teach me to post without previewing. Click my name for that Juan Cole post.
Wed Apr 12 2006 4:23 PM
Tom from Madison:
Dave E:
I agree with your assessment of the damage Bush has done. I'd add a big part of the damage he's done is to stifle debate based on facts.
Attacks on those questioning Bush's version of the truth have become standard operating procedure. This has made it very difficult to discuss a myriad of issues.
Fortunately voices of reason like Seymour Hersh have stayed the course. Bush has earned his lack of credibility over and over again. He's very much the boy who cried wolf.
Wed Apr 12 2006 5:01 PM
waiteman:
The question is can the democrats get control of the congress before W decides to burn Rome - ok Tehran. Shrub is the true danger to the world. By the way Iran doesn't have nukes -yet. Keep threatening them and I am sure they will feel the need to develop them more quickly. Cu prick are you advocating another pre-emptive strike this time with tactical nukes. You are as big a nut job as Chimpy. RWR what planet are you living on?
Thu Apr 13 2006 2:25 AM
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