The Eisenhower Strike Group is scheduled to arrive on station

[jpak]

this weekend to relieve the Enterprise Strike Group.

There is a new moon this weekend as well.

And only 2 weeks to go before the election.

The GOP is in a panic...

Your thoughts??????

:nuke: :evilgrin: :nuke:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. My thought is...

that the idea of an attack on Iran is preposterous.

Both Gulf Wars required massive build ups and it was obvious when we were going to attack. It wasn't just another rotation.

[MrCoffee]

4. a voice of reason re: war with Iran?

do my eyes deceive me?


:applause:

[Sherman A1]

2. 2 Carrier Groups do not a war make

Of course I can be just as wrong as anyone else, but I would think if we are ramping up to war, then there would be more than 160 +/- aircraft on 2 carriers in the mix. There is also the battle of the budget for the navy in whatever postwar scenario.

[Strelnikov_]

6. A War, No. But It Does Make For Some Fine Pre-Election Saber Rattling

to sway the sheeple.

But, then again, who thinks the current leadership is rational.

[whistle]

3. The strike force will begin military exercises immediately in the region

...with a major war game scheduled on Oct 31st. At that point anything is likely to happen

[lovuian]

5. We will be attacking Iran soon

Kaboom...:nuke:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

7. Five yrs ago, perhaps longer, Iran displayed a newer generation

supercruise missile that shocked the US because of its speed and apparent accuracy. Much like the shock that the Brits felt with the Exocet in the Falklands, the US defense screens could not deal with a missile that fast, at least not then.

Now, I am sure that we have improved on our defense some and most likely we can detect lowflying supercruise missiles a bit earlier, especially since AWACs are now tuned to find them. Shooting them down is still a problem.

On the other hand, does anyone doubt that the Iranians have also improved their missile technology and tactics? Perhaps a swarm of missiles to overwhelm and confuse, while stalking the fleet with jets from another direction?

Lets just say that Iraq suffered a huge loss in battle, then suffered from extremely tight boycotts and blockaids of all trade for 10 years BEFORE Bush's little Iraqi invasion. Their military was already decimated. Iran is significantly larger, more prepared and far better armed. Not only will our nosebe bloodied, so will our reputation. Another thing. Iran has subs. At least one of them is a mine layer, diesel which is extremely quiet. Anyone want to bet that they just might happen to deploy them if necessary?


I guess the real question is this. Does anyone believe that this administration would do anything to stay in power, including forcing a military "event" with Iran, much like we did in VietNam, Iraq, Kuwait, Iraq, not to mention other countries? Ever since Bush claimed to be a uniter, he has politicized and destroyed bipartisanship, he treats domestic political opponents as traitors and brothers in spirit of global entities who he claims threaten our freedoms and our democracy. No, I would put nothing past these truly evil people.

I don't know if they are foolish and power hungry to start a war. I wouldn't doubt it. But if they do, we are in deep shit for a long time to come. Oil shipments would stop, the Saudis would deal with an internal revolt for supporting the US, all of Europe would turn against us, China would align with Iran, Russia would become a defacto military leader with central euro nations, against US interests, India would worry about Pakistan, Pakistan would freak out and to save itself, turn on the US, Indonesia, Malaysia and other Pacific nations would scream bloody murder and even Canada and Mexico would reconsider their ties with the Bushistas.

There would be world war.

[Selatius]

9. You can thank the Russians for selling the Iranians Sunburn missiles

These anti-ship missiles are supersonic. These are not subsonic French Exocets and American Harpoon missiles. These missiles punch the sound barrier in the final seconds before impact. The kinetic energy of a missile traveling at roughly 2x speed of sound in its last seconds before impact combined with its explosives is enough to split a naval cruiser in half.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

12. danger from above, danger from below

jets, air to surface missiles,
these supercruise missiles,
and mine-laying subs.

Somehow I suspect that might be slightly more dangerous than a demoished, tattered, and demoralized IraqNam army. And yet, IraqNam forces fought well. Of course, they were defending their homeland, and people tend to take that seriously.

[Leopolds Ghost]

8. ...And jpak the wise rides to DemocraticUnderground, seeking my counsel.

For that is why you have posted, is it not? :evilgrin:

The hour is later than you think...

[jpak]

11. Yes

and the Window of Opportunity for October Surprise is quickly closing.

The GOP needs at least a week for the MSM news cycle to bear its sulfurous fruit...

:nuke: :evilgrin: :nuke:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

13. malodorous, sulphurous and evil fruit.

seeded with black specks that sprout quickly and create ever more destruction and death.

but, hey, the lastest meme from the GOP-speak masters at the AEI is that Iran has threatened to destroy the US. Somehow, I must have missed that.

[dkofos]

10. The number of casualties we will sustain when Iran retaliates

will be in the thousands.

Another stupid conflict that should be avoided.