How do I know that war is coming?

August 8, 2002 | ARCADIA

[ARCADIA]

I've been reading all the newspapers about the possible war with Iraq. I've noticed that many of the British pagers are constantly searching for clues to determine if "war is comming." They are always reporting this or that detail and saying it signifies military preparations.

For example, they claim that trucks Okhave recently received paint jobs in desert tan, that the US is making inquiries about the availability of tankers, that the US is building up it's strategic oil reserve, etc.

Many Freepers have knowledge of military matters. What signs should one look for? What should start happening and in what order?

I am just looking for general concepts -- not "loose lips" type stuff.

[piasa]

Don't worry : Senator Leahy will leak it.

[Aliska]

I wish it weren't necessary. I suppose it is, but I'm not enthused about it.

[terilyn]

That's a given!

[The Great Satan]

I am just looking for general concepts -- not "loose lips" type stuff.

When Bush publicly fingers Saddam Hussein for 9-11, the showdown begins. Bush's finger started turning last Friday, when the White House officially confirmed Mohammad Atta's meeting with Iraqi intelligence agent Ahmed Khalil Ibrahim Samir al-Ani in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. When Bush calls a press conference and we go to the videotape, that's when you'll know the ballon is about to go up.

"If the time comes for action, people will have the evidence presented to them." - Tony Blair, July 24, 2002

[SamAdams76]

As I was sitting in my backyard this weekend in northern Massachusetts, I noticed a steady stream of large planes leaving contrails over my house heading almost due north. I found this unusual because most air traffic over my house moves towards the northeast or even due east, apparently on their way to Europe from Chicago and other points west of me. These planes were headed almost due north, as if they were going to cross the Arctic. Also these planes seemed larger than the commercial jets I usually see and also seemed to move faster across the sky. Perhaps they were U.S. Air Force cargo planes. Or perhaps the planes were just headed that way because of the way the jet stream happened to be blowing that day. I don't know. But there you are for what it's worth.

[terilyn]

Major Bob Bevelacqua was on Fox News earlier today. He was furious at the American company that produced the sattelite photos of Qatar and the development of our air base there.

He said it was bad enough if somebody outside the US did it, but this idiot company was aiding in providing intelligence to our enemies and could likely cause loss of life or serious injury to our troops.

I've heard the rumors re trucks/tanks being painted desert sand brown. Munitions factories working 24 hour shifts to replenish the bombs we used in Afghanistan. Our strategic oil reserves being filled...

He said that it would be difficult to mount any type of a ground attack before early next year, but that an air attack could be easily achieved in about 30 days.

[KC_Conspirator]

I remember some months back a unnamed and unsubstanciated "source" told The New York Times and The Washington ComPost that this meeting never happened. No doubt it was a lie from a Klintonista holdover in the state department. Neverless, Chrissy Matthews and the all the liberal media predicated their false arguments on this liberal lie.

[mystery-ak]

Im an Army wife, I wouldn't tell you or anyone if I did know....I may suspect, but that's all.

btw...didn't Bush promise Congress that there would be no attack on Iraq until after the elections in Nov?

[OKSooner]

American soldiers fight from an obligation to duty, not from bloodlust like the people who were dancing in the streets after the 9-11 attack. Not like the people who rejoice over buses full of civilians being incinerated, either. You wouldn't understand that though, would you?

[OKSooner]

CHEMTRAILS!

[AmericanCompatriot]

When the NY Times starts talking about the coming bloodbath for American troops, the disastrous effects of the war on the economy, the horrific sense of international isolation, the anger of the French, the outrage of congress, and other assorted so-called tragedies, you'll know it's close.

BINGO! I assumed we were within months of an invasion based on the LIBERAL media padding itself for the LOOK AT WHAT TERRIBLE THINGS OUR TERRIBLE NATION IS DOING TO ITSELF AND OTHER PEOPLE story. The crying game has already begun and being the victims we are, the media is sure to have a major crying party for the liberal pansies!

I say we destory Iraq, destory Iran, destroy Syria, destory North Korea, destory Saudi Arabia, and when we are all done and return home, let's destory the communists we've got decaying our liberties and freedoms. It will be even harder to defend ourselves after another twenty-years of this disease.

[piasa]

When Bush calls a press conference and we go to the videotape, that's when you'll know the ballon is about to go up.

Well, just looking at Reagan and Bush Sr.'s record on military actions on a timeline I've cobbled together, from the Tanker War through the Gulf War, (and the few things Clinton did) the announcement, press conference and evidence will be presented a day or even two days AFTER the balloon goes up, and more than a week or two after 'other things' are taken care of.

[Howlin]

Are we still waiting for a big story soon......as you said in an earlier post?

[Grut]

When Iraq attacks our troops in Kuwait and catches the US government with its pants down. Watch for the outraged response: "Just because we said we were going to attack doesn't give them any right to attack us first!"

[RightWhale]

this weekend in northern Massachusetts, I noticed a steady stream of large planes leaving contrails over my house heading almost due north

They all arrived in Fairbanks Sunday. Cargo [small batch beer] intact.

[Michael Barnes]

I doubt our "pant's are down" in Kuwait..More like Iraq just might be stupid enough to take on a smaller contingent in Kuwait and feels some rather nasty stings, post haste, from our air support. Then, it' on..no excuses needed.

[ofMagog]

Im an Army wife, I wouldn't tell you or anyone if I did know....

Am glad there are some, even if you are a minority, who don't feel the need to rush to tell every troop movement.

[CJinVA]

When Saddam releases all prisoners in Iraq with sentence under 10 years.

[snippy_about_it]

I like your style.

[Always A Marine]

If and when we move, Ray Charles will be able to see us coming. There is no way that we can order, marshal, transport, deploy and sustain the men and equipment for a job this large without the whole world knowing well in advance. So you don't need to bother with tea leaves or hidden signs.

This obvious lack of secrecy is not such a bad thing, really. Since any enemy will know we're coming, we must have overwhelming force to overcome the lack of surprise. This keeps politicians and planners from going to war on the cheap...