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.

[MissAmericanPie]

If I saw line after line of convoy's heading through town I wouldn't post the freakin information online.

[Paid4This]

What signs should one look for?

How about the giant smoldering pit in Manhattan containing 2500+ dead americans?

[ARCADIA]

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

???

[ARCADIA]

keeps politicians and planners from going to war on the cheap...

Plus, they don't want to get blamed, if things go wrong, for not providing enough money.

[woofie]

If you see Monica Lewinsky testify in court watch out for cruise missiles.....oops that was under Clinton,Id say any day now something could happen.... Saddam should wear clean underwear

[Rebelbase]

"These planes were headed almost due north, as if they were going to cross the Arctic"

DUH!....How else does Fedex supply Santa's elves?

[ARCADIA]

His take on the huge tank battles against the Ruskies was that the Nazis were annihilated by the thousands.

The Eastern front. Where WWII was really won. Godzilla vs Mothra.

Both Hitler and Stalin said it was a war of annihilation. And, whichever side was willing or able to incur casualities and still stay strong was going to win. What Hitler did not know when he started was that Stalin was even more bloodthirsty than he was.

Two great details --

One of Hitler's command centers in the East (not werewolf) was built practically on top of mass grave of victims of Stalin's purges.

After the Russians recovered Hitler charred skeleton in Berlin, Stalin asked for it to be sent to him. He wanted to look at it. (did he make soup? yikes!)

Thank God Hitler ran in to Stalin.

[ARCADIA]

One thing is you attempt to confuse your enemy. There have been so many leaks on what our plans are, that if someone had the 100% true invasion plans and published them, they would be lost amoung the hundreds of untrue plans.

All this disinformation is one of the signs I was talking about.

[ARCADIA]

I am 100 percent against risking our soldiers' lives to benefit a political party.

Here-here!

[Don Corleone]

Professional soldiers want a war - of course they do. The more dramatic the war, the better.

They are the last ones who want a war since they are the first ones to be killed by it. If you had any significant military experience you would know that.. even if you knew nothing else!

[Mohammed El-Shahawi]

I'm only going from my experiences in talking to good friends who were members of the British Parachute Regiment, Royal Marines and Scots Guards. These guys didn't join these units because they were afraid of going to war. They knew perfectly well that these elite units are the ones most likely to see action first - that's why they joined them. In fact when it came to action they were chomping at the bit to be chosen.

You seem to be telling me that in the US, quite the opposite is in effect. That the elite units are filled with men who want action the least. There's only one word to describe that - bizarre.

Like most firemen like huge fires, most professional soldiers like big wars. Naturally firemen don't wish fires to happen - they simply know that fires do happen, and if there is a big fire, then for sure they want to be involved in it.

[RaceBannon]

The Anger of the French!!!!

Now, THAT'S FUNNY!!!

[WhirlwindAttack]

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.

Amen and Amen
Let's roll

[mrfixit514]

Exactly. Most Americans have the attention span of a gnat. We better make it big and bold. I can't wait. I love watching bombs over Baghdad!

[irish_lad]

No October surprise. Think Jan-Mar 2003, just like last time.

[stuartcr]

It's not so much their attention span is short, it's just that life goes on, and people have been trying to just get on with their lives ever since there were people, regardless of what the world is doing around them.

[BJungNan]

You forgot to mention neighbors that are pilots and in the reserve asking you to pick up their newspapers they have been called up.

[6ppc]

Isn't tomorrow night a new moon?

[SamAdams76]

Tomorrow night is new moon. But I don't think that is as relevant as it used to be. I'm sure even the Iraqis probably have night vision goggles and all that.

[archy]

Three good indicators: When American citizens, and particularly Defense Department *civilians* and government contractor tech reps are advised by the US Embassy to leave. That's already happening.

And when Pentagon and other military personnel are encouraged to use up their remaining leave and vacation time with their families this summer, rather than waiting/hoping for Thanksgiving or Christmas season reunions. That one's taking place, too.

My bet on the timing? Sometime after the new Fiscal Year begins, after the end of October, unless events are brought to a head sooner.

But, oh BTW, you might want to keep an eye out on the activities *here*. They get real busy when things in the air begin heating up.