Does anyone else feel like we're in a bad movie sequel called Iraq 2?

[Armstead]

When a movie is a commercial success, it is often followed by a series of sequels that follow a predictable pattern. They take the unique elements of the original, and basically make it again with a few superficial changes. (Example: Death Wish -- A man's familiy is killed by street punks in New York. Cops are ineffectuial and crooked. Man becomes vigilante to get revenge...Death Wish 2 -- Same man's family is killed by street punks -- this time in LA, etc.....)

I have this sinking feeling that we are in the early reels of a bad sequel that could be called Iraq War 2: The Revenge of the Mullahs.

All the same elements are in place. A long time antagonist of the US suddenly is branded as a dangerous power that is in possession of deadly weapons and is an ally of the terrorists. The antagonist Islamic nation has a distasteful leader who is portrayed by US as totally crazy and evil and irrational. The US claims that the population of that nation really loves us, and need to be liberated. The UN is brought in as a fig leaf to raise the temperature. "Our first preference is to solve this doplomatically, but all options are on the table....." The claims of the administration are echoed by Democrats.....etc.

I am NOT minimizing the problem of Iran. It is something we have to deal with. But, as with the case of Iraq, I wonder if this will follow the same script where the possibility for reasonable solutions are stampeded under artificial pressure and a rush to another misguided military adventure in a remake of the original blockbuster, "Iraq."

[FloridaPat]

1. I've felt I'm in the middle of a science fiction movie since * too over.

* likes to rerun things I've noticed. Iraq is a rerun of Vietnam. He is using the same script for Iran he used for Iraq.

And where are the Democrats?

[Armstead]

2. "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"

[Avalux]

3. Yes. PNAC's plan will continue - control of the Middle East.

Anyone who's read their agenda must realize they will not stop - the same idiots who believed we could invade Iraq without consequence are the same ones who now believe we can attack Iran with air strikes without consequence. They are either idiots or they just don't give a shit.

Iran is a problem, yes; but so is North Korea and other countries with nukes in the Middle East. Make no mistake about it - any preemptive aggression on our part will be done for the purpose of destabilization - to gain further dominance in the region (oil) and nothing else. Loss of life and cost are irrelevant to those in power.

[Armstead]

6. True -- The Law of Unintended Consequences can't be ignored

There's a third possibility. That they actually believe what they say, and believe it's for the good.

But they are ignoring one of the oldest laws of humanity-- The Law of Unintended Consequences.

Hell's Bells, we're still suffering from the unintended consequences of the Viet Nam War lo these many years later.

[Wickerman]

4. I want someone, anyone, to acknowledge that Bush*

exacerbated the Iran situation. While never good, Bush intentionally pushed Iran into a corner; raised tempers and emotions so that this whacked out, zealot regime came to power. It's yet another conflict of his making.

[Armstead]

5. I agree

[enigma000]

9. How did the US push Iran into the corner?

Haven't the EU been taking point on this issue?

[Wickerman]

10. Axis of Evil ring a bell?

[enigma000]

13. hmmmm not as catchy as "The Great Satan"

How's this for movie titles:

Gulf War III - Axis of Evil

Gulf War IV - The Great Satan

Gulf War V - The Search for more Profits

Gulf War VI - Dude, where's my Rapture?

[Armstead]

15. Gulf Wat VII == Back to Iraq

[Freedom_Aflaim]

7. You were saying :)..

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/27905

"WASHINGTON, DC—At a Pentagon press conference Monday, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld touted the military's upcoming Gulf War II: The Vengeance as "even better than the original.""

"""I don't want to give away too much, but let's just say you're likely to see a few familiar faces pop up," Myers said. "I will say that the son of one of the key characters in the first one, back then just a boy, is now all grown up and ready to take his rightful place at the head of the alliance.""

[Armstead]

8. I didn't see that -- Honest

I guess I'm in an Onion frame of mind at the moment.

[Vidar]

11. I was thinking "The Omen 4"

[jsamuel]

12. subtitle: This time they actually have nukes... !

[FreedomAngel82]

14. It's felt like a movie for a long time now

Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming.