Reply #30: I just don't think the Bushies ever really had a plan to go to war with Iran [View All]

[Bucky]

They had talk & ambitions & probably wet dreams about invading Iran. They egged each other own from their own little safe fiefdoms in the federal bureaucracy, but no one was willing to stick his head out and take point on bringing about a new war. So they had all their little immature chatter--like with the Quds Force business--and the general drift toward some reckless incident that comes with macho posturing in the Middle East. But like with Kristina & organizing the occupation of Iraq, they were pretty much flat-footed as far as actual preparations were concerned.

So, yeah, Zbig Brzezinski popped their cork on that one track toward a show down with Iran, but what he did was not blow the whistle on a false casus belli, just show that the emperor had no clothes where this one reckless rumor was concerned. I don't think they have anything so simple to "pay off" Gates over. I think they just want to keep some other powerful faction quiet and compliant--possibly big defense contractors.

Obama is certainly paying off some big debts with his string of mainstream appointments and Gates never seemed to be anything but a shoe in--which pisses off everyone who want a Democrat in that slot. I just hope Obama got a good deal for whatever he traded in that chip for. If it helps get us real heathcare reform and a second Obama, he can appoint the ghost of Jesse Helms to oversee the withdrawal for all I care. The president says they'll be out in 16 month---and I'm certain that in 21 months it'll be a done deal.