"Just a comma" remark proves he intends to attack Iran.

[patcox2]

Taken by itself, the "just a comma" remark is stupid and insensitive, its just plain idiotic, you have to wonder what this guy is thinking.

But if you imagine that all Bush has been doing for the past few months is plan for the attack on Iran, it suddenly makes sense.

I have seen several instances when Bush is speaking and you can tell he is parroting something an advisor said to him. Sometimes he even repeats stage instructions ("catapult the propaganda," "the hardest part of my job is making the connection between Iraq and terrorism.") just as his father famously did when he said "message: I care." Bush doesn't even realize that he is saying something meant to be kept secret, because it reveals the lies and the contempt with which they treat the truth, and the public.

This time, I think Bush has telegraphed an attack on Iran. Way back, in 2003, some neocon, Pearle or Feith, was quoted as saying that Iraq was a sideshow, and that "Tehran is the real prize."

I can just see some neocon weaver of fantasies like Pearle (generations hence they will sing songs about our bravery) explaining to Bush that after the attack on Iran, Iraq will be seen as "just a comma" on the way to neocon glory.

Its exactly the kind of thing Bush would pick up and spit out as he did.

[americanstranger]

1. Via The Agonist: 'Dog-Whistle Politics'

A lot of people have been slamming Bush for his comment that Iraq is "just a comma". As an e-mail correspondent pointed out, this is another case where Bush is using code words to speak directly to his Christian right base.

The phrase is: "Never put a period where God has put a comma." Which is to say - it ain't over yet, and God may well make it better. So Iraq's bad, but if we trust in God, he'll make it better.

This is the thing about Bush - he is constantly littering his speeches with code words and phrases meant for the religious right. Other people don't hear them, but they do, and most of the time it allows Bush both to say what those who aren't evangelical or born again want to hear, while still reassuring the religious right wants to hear.

...

The other name for this is dog whistle politics. When you blow a dog whistle humans can't hear it, but the dogs sure can. It's a pitch higher than humans can hear. When you speak in code like this, most of the time the only people who hear and understand what you just said are the intended group, who have an understanding of the world and a use of words that is not shared by the majority of the population.

http://agonist.org/ian_welsh/20060925/just_a_comma_dog_whistle_politics

---

Seems to make sense of what could be seen as a nonsensical statement.

Watch for the Fundies' heads to cock at a strange angle. :)

- as

[savemefromdumbya]

2. Maybe Bush will have to invade Iran by himself, the military may not

you can just picture the generals saying to Bush and Cheney 'oh no we're NOT, on yer bike"

[Vexatious Ape]

3. The Coward of Crawford in combat--

That's one for Disney.

[savemefromdumbya]

4. he'll have to put on his little flight suit

[Vexatious Ape]

5. and a roll of socks for his crotch

[savemefromdumbya]

6. LOL!

[populistdriven]

7. Iraq, Iran, ?

ezxcellent point

[Avalux]

8. Kristol - "Iraq is the second act of a five act play"

It's not a secret the final battle was not in Iraq - I'll try to find the source for that Kristol quote, I heard him say that a couple of years ago. PNAC's plan is clear and not a secret.

[nealmhughes]

9. Probably this one:

http://www.newamericancentury.org/iran-20040720.htm

"We do need a coherent, serious policy toward Iran; one of containment, pressure, accountability and, ultimately, regime change . If the CFR report helps force a real debate on Iran policy and encourages the Bush Administration not simply to kick the can down the road until after election day, it will have (inadvertently) performed a service."

Wm. Kristol, 20 July 2004 PNAC

[savemefromdumbya]

10. world domination (but they underestimate the Chinese)