War With Iran -- Is America Ready?

Self and Others | 09-23-07 | cww

[CWW]

Serious comments welcome.

[the invisib1e hand]

War With Iran -- Is America Ready?

Yes, I think it's safe to say, we're ready and we've been ready for at least 20 years.

[the invisib1e hand]

sorry, not an expert in anything but hunches.

[South40]

Tehran

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901112/posts?page=12#12

[jude24]

No. We are not. Our Army and Marines are stretched thin as it is. If we had to fight in a third country - and not just Iraq and Afghanistan - we would need to use the Navy and Air Force for ground troops until a draft could provide sufficient numbers to take over.

Some hawks peddle the asinine theory that a war with Iran could be won by air power alone. Never mind the fact that we have never, EVER done so.

[kjam22]

You know... the reality is that about half a dozen of those spread out in the middle east would change a lot of peoples minds. Terrorist shoots down an american plane. We nuke a city. Terrorist shoots down another american plane... we nuke another city. Personally.... I think we win that war.

[TheDon]

They tell me that there are no good options; just less bad ones. Iran, like Osama Bin Laden, wants this holy war!

What the enemy wants, or doesn't want, is irrelevant to our decision to attack them. What is relevant is the threat they pose, and the best means for countering that threat. So far, no administration, from Carter onward, has taken any direct steps against Iran, even though Iran has and continues to engage in indirect warfare with us. It is a curious thing to observe. But not being privy to such state secrets, I can only hope they have good reasons for the approach taken.

Those reasons will melt like ice in the sun when the first Iranian nuclear weapon detonates. Especially if it detonates on non-Iranian soil.

[gotribe]

Of course we’re ready. Nukes will be justified in these scenarios, and that will end it quicker than you can say Imanutjob.

[jude24]

the reality is that about half a dozen of those spread out in the middle east would change a lot of peoples minds. Terrorist shoots down an american plane. We nuke a city. Terrorist shoots down another american plane... we nuke another city. Personally.... I think we win that war.

That would alienate most of the rest of the world against us.

[kjam22]

We didn’t have to invade and occupy Japan.

[kjam22]

You mean more than they are already alienated against us?

[Elsiejay]

Except for the reality that we would not react in such a manner. Nuking cities is a certain way to lose the moral war.

[stboz]

The US military is ready.

The civilian populace is plugged in to The Simpsons.

[jude24]

We didn’t have to invade and occupy Japan.

Bullsnot. We're **still** in Okinawa.

[kjam22]

We’re in Okinawa under different circumstances than we’re in Iraq. Don’t you think?

[Elsiejay]

The Japanese leaders were not Islamic madmen.

[steve86]

I just came in from outside chores and the first thing I saw is “Putin to visit Iran on Oct 16”. Not sure if it is a rumor or an actual news release.

[jude24]

You mean more than they are already alienated against us?

Yes. Right now, Europe and Asia give little more than pro forma objections without any teeth. If we killed civilians in retaliation for an attack (in violation of Geneva, incidentally!), Europe and Asia would unite against us in war.

[kjam22]

They had suicide bombers in world war II as well. We’ll never win this war if we’re afraid to win it because we might make somebody mad at us.