Bush Drumbeat Leaves Key Questions on Iraq (PSSST! Iraq, we're gonna kick yer...)

Despite increasing threats from the White House to get rid of Iraq's President Saddam Hussein's regime, analysts and lawmakers do not expect any U.S. military attack against Iraq this year.

There are no outward signs of a U.S. military buildup in the Gulf. But a drumbeat of warnings from President Bush that Saddam must be deposed has triggered deep concern in the Middle East, Europe and world markets over any new war with Baghdad.

Experts say there is no doubt who would prevail, even if the United States alone thrusts 250,000 or more troops and warplanes at a weakened Iraq. But many say the conflict could destabilize the area with a vacuum in Iraq, send oil prices skyrocketing and hammer shaky world economies.

With the U.S. congressional election set for November and Americans hurting from a recent collapse in share prices, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee predicted this week that no invasion would come this year.

``They (the Republican administration) may have made up their mind on regime change. But I would be very, very surprised if the president has made a decision on how he intends to change the regime. I would be even more surprised if there's any such attempt ... between now and the first of the year,'' said Sen. Joseph Biden, Democrat of Delaware.

But Bush, who includes Iraq with North Korea and Iran in an ``axis of evil'' he says is backing ``international terrorism'' and developing weapons of mass destruction, has openly embraced the idea of preemptive action to protect America and its allies.

So, why is the media (TV, print and radio) blaring that we are going to go in there, and this is our plan and blah blah blah?!

Is this some kind of diversionary tactic? A grand proganda declaration? Or and outcome of the 24/7 news age that we live in?

Also, does Saddam get ESPN as well as CNN?

"Stop that infernal racket! I am trying to watch 'American Idol'!"

There are no outward signs of a U.S. military buildup in the Gulf. But a drumbeat of warnings from President Bush that Saddam must be deposed has triggered deep concern in the Middle East, Europe and world markets over any new war with Baghdad.

You know people don't know what they're talking about when they say that there has been no "outward" buildup in the Gulf.

We bailed on the Saudis so we could set up in Kuwait, Qatar, and Turkey. Third Army Headquarters has been set up in Kuwait City since December.

Nucking Fidiots. Period.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

So, why is the media (TV, print and radio) blaring that we are going to go in there, and this is our plan and blah blah blah?!

The situation is this. We have been at war with Iraq for over ten years. We might not like to think that is the case, but it is the case, nevertheless. Saddam has waged this war against a vastly better-equipped opponent the only way he can: by clandestine acts of sabotage and state-sponsored terrorism. His last move was his destruction of the World Trade Center (second time lucky!) and his attempted destruction of the White House and the Capitol on the morning of September 11, 2001. His insurance policy to deter the United States from pointing the finger at him for the attack was outlined in several letters sent to the US political leadership and prominent media figures by sleeper agents a few days after his destruction of the Trade Center, letters which demonstrate a credible and, for now, uncounterable threat to kill millions of Americans and cause the total economic loss of our cities should we attempt to retaliate for 9-11.

Bush is doing what he can do under the circumstances: beefing up our civil defense preparedness (100 million doses of Cipro, 25 million doses of anthrax vaccine, 300 million doses of smallpox vaccine), and keeping up the military posturing against Saddam, while leaving the question of Saddam's culpability for 9-11 up in the air, and stalling the public on the origin and purpose of the anthrax threats. As Bush indicated when asked about the removal of Saddam the other day, he is pursuing all avenues to effect a regime change, and he is a very patient man. Which means those hoping for fireworks any time soon are going to be disappointed. We are not going to take the loss of millions of American lives and write off cities like New York and Washington, DC by going off half-cocked against Saddam. Not going to do it -- wouldn't be prudent.

That's the state of play, in a nutshell. You heard it here first.

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