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.

[ARCADIA]

p>In South Florida, an old-timer told me what it was like during the crucial week of October Missile Crisis back in 1962. During the days immediately before Kennedy spoke to the nation, trains rolled uninterrupted down the single railroad track running through Ft. Lauderdale.

This railroad track runs north/south right through the city. There was not way of going east/west except accross it. Well, during that week, if you got stuck on the wrong side of the tracks, you were stuck!! The trains rolled one after another and did not stop.

And they were carrying scary stuff, army equipment, lots of dark olive tarps covering it. Laid back resort types were scared out of their minds.

[ARCADIA]

Sorry about the typos, but it's my first vanity.

[Drango]

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

What's the difference?

[dead]

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.

By the way, they started last week.

[piasa]

Is Arcadia an Iraqi name? ; D

We're already at war, where have you been?

[Mohammed El-Shahawi]

You make an interesting observation and a good point for discussion. One has to look for "war fever". War fever was present in London in 1983 just before Britain went to war with Argentina. It is absolutely unmistakeable when it happens. It means crews are working 24 hour shifts welding parts to ships, military personnel are going crazy. Officers are on the phone begging their unit commanders for a place in the action. Professional soldiers want a war - of course they do. The more dramatic the war, the better. The coming conflict with Iraq is likely to be the biggest event since WWII - they wouldn't miss it for anything.

Is there presently "war fever"? I would say no - in fact not by a long shot. Maybe this thing is much further away than we think.

[jlogajan]

"How do I know that war is coming?"

When the French announce their surrender. :-)

[knak]

LOL, good one. To bad it's true.

[RightWhale]

Is there presently "war fever"? I would say no

Absolutely correct. There is no sign. But remember that there was no war fever in Berlin when Barbarossa jumped off. People looked up from their coffeecakes and said, "Yeah, so?" It was a couple of years later before signs of alarm began to be noticeable in Berlin.

[XBob]

newbie You obviously don't know much about American Professional Warriors. We don't ache for war like Muslims, and likewise we are not driven by god to create wars to take over the world, we are reluctant warriors, who fight like hell when attacked.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

I agree with #5 (we're already at war), and would be very surprised if we didn't already have special forces in Iraq and Iran today. The build-up to Desert Storm was very visible and took some 6 months of preparation -- including a congressional vote that had NO support from democrat leadership. This will be different, IMHO.

I also suspect a large-scale military action COULD be launched at any time against terrorist interests in the region.

[RightWhale]

I know that your nick is a joke, but I'll be darned if I can look up even a single word in my Arabic dictionary as yet. Tell us.

[Aliska]

Think October surprise. That's what they are saying on the radio. Elections and what have you. If the Republicans are just starting military action, voters might not want changes. That had better not be true. The timing I mean.

[Junior]

Pizza deliveries to the Pentagon.

[piasa]

He could be an organ transplant surgeon if you swap the 'i' with a 'y.'

[terilyn]

Don't forget the inevitable talk of a "quagmire".

[axxmann]

I'm hoping Iraq is a feint and we go into the "Palestinian Territories" instead.

[marron]

Think October surprise... That had better not be true...

The idea of a September 11 start date seems to be popular around here, although its hard to see how they could mobilize a large force by that time.

[Aggie Mama]

Ha! That's what I was thinking too. =)

[piasa]

The best way to do that would be to take out Iran, for their support of Imad Mugniyah - that guy makes Osama bin Laden look like a saint and up until 911 he had been responsible for killing more Americans. Besides, Iran has that nuclear reactor.