Don't let the neocons call the shots on Iran

[maddezmom]

Don't let the neocons call the shots on Iran


The most important battle in Washington today is not the shouting match between Congress and the White House on Iraq. The Bush administration will do what it damn well pleases in Iraq, and then blame the resulting catastrophe on Democrats, the media or Iran.

Ah, there's the catch. The important battle in Washington is over Iran, and neither Congress nor the mainstream media seems to be playing. They should — another mistake here and the Middle East will be Iraq writ large.

Combatants here are the familiar neoconservatives, centered on Vice President Dick Cheney and the others who manipulated us into Iraq, versus what might be called Friends of the Iraq Study Group. It's talk or bomb, and although at the moment it appears talking is the preferred option, never count the aggressive neocons out of the argument.

An ambitious "regime change" plan for Iran was first choice of many neocons before 9/11, but was sidetracked because Iran was actually helping us against the Taliban and because Iraq was considered an easier target. But Iranian regime change never went off the neocon table, and when Iran's nuclear ambitions surfaced, so did the old plans.

more:http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003604340_floyd07.html?syndication=rss