The annals of WWIII: Get your apples here!

ABC News reports:

"Senior Pentagon officials are concerned that Israel could carry out an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities before the end of the year, an action that would have enormous security and economic repercussions for the United States and the rest of the world . . . A senior defense official told ABC News there is an 'increasing likelihood' that Israel will carry out such an attack, a move that likely would prompt Iranian retaliation against, not just Israel, but against the United States as well. The official identified two 'red lines' that could trigger an Israeli offensive. The first is tied to when Iran's Natanz nuclear facility produces enough highly enriched uranium to make a nuclear weapon."

[close quote]

That, depending on who you talk to, could be either next year or about five minutes from now.

The other "red line" (lots of 'red lines' and 'lines drawn in the sand') would be the Iranians setting up the Russian SA-20 air defense systems they're supossedly getting from Vlad & Co.

In either case, neither the Israelis nor the extremists in the vice president's office are going to allow any of these red lines to be crossed on their watch. [Perhaps, that's what all these "senior defense officials" fear?]

My theory is: that Cheney and Co. have been shown to be a bit gullable in the past when it comes to being suckered by slippery Middle Easterners (Ahmad Chalabi and "Curveball" come to mind) so all this bluster coming from Israel may just be another, not so subtle, ruse to get the US to jump first.

They've already managed to install into Cheney's mind the notion of the "Mad Dog" going off half-cocked to leave us holding the bag, so he may be thinking we'd might as well do it before they do -- and quick!

And before, defense officials warn, (gasp! ) "A new president, who may be less supportive, is sworn in next January."

Of course, if Bush and the gang that couldn't shoot straight do go after Iran and start WWIII, they will almost certainly assure Barack Obama wins the election.

The "consensus" I hear these days is that a new war would benefit McCain -- but, then again, the consensus was that the GOP had the midterms all sown up in 2006, too. I get the whole more military experience thing with McCain, but a $10 gallon of gas come November could really upset the applecart.

Of course, by November we may all be pushing applecarts around, so we may not have time to vote, which would benefit McCain and his fatcat buddies who'll, doubtless, be celebrating the $300 barrel of oil whilst lighting their cigars with the $10,000 bills the rest of us will be using to insulate our homes.

WWIII, made to order for McCain.

"Given the fact that Iran has a stated policy that their objective is the destruction of Israel, the Israelis might well decide to act first, and let the rest of the world worry about cleaning up the diplomatic mess afterwards." -- Dick Cheney

Dicky-boy and the Israelis will be doing their level best to keep the White House in the GOP's hands, you can be sure.

McCain's War:

McCain advisor Charlie Black told Fortune Magazine that a terrorist attack on the US before the election would "be a big advantage" to the McCain campaign. Naturally, he immediatly recanted when McCain distanced himself from Black's comment (only distanced, not fired) but we all know what he says is true.

The AP reports today respondants to a new poll say "McCain would do a better job in Iraq than Obama by a margin of 39 percent to 33 percent. . . More than twice as many believe McCain can better handle terrorism than Obama."

The only thing missing in all this good news translating into McCain actually having a chance of winning in November - - is a good war.

Barring the towel-heads deciding to play ball in time to help McCain win (which they probably would prefer) there's always Iran!

CBS reports today:

"The Israelis are mounting a full court press to get the Bush administration to strike Iran's nuclear complex. . . Israel's message is simple: If you don't, we will." [see above]

Surely, they're bluffing, right? Our good friends the Israelis would never drag us into WWIII, would they?

The Independent reports:

"Israel has mounted a major long-range military air exercise – involving more than 100 F15 and F16 fighters – as a rehearsal for a potential strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, American officials have indicated. . ."

And to put a finer point on the threat, two weeks ago, Shaul Mofaz, Israeli Transport Minister and a former military chief of staff and defence minister, said: "If Iran continues with its programme for developing nuclear weapons we will attack. . . Attacking Iran, in order to stop its nuclear plans, will be unavoidable." [Haaretz]

[The price of a barrel of oil jumped $11 after his comments. The drivers of America thank you Israel!]

John McCain says he doesn't foresee a draft any time soon. Unless, that is, "we were in an all-out World War III." [Reuters]

Parents, grab your kids and pack them off to Canada while you still can!!!!

P.S.

Has any American politician ever thought of telling Israel to cut the crap and stop blackmailing us? I'm thinking the threat of cutting off the money would focus their attention pretty quickly. Israel is the one country in the Middle East that doesn't have us under a barrel. They've got no oil, so frack 'em!