I can't find info about the battleships steaming to Iran, is it real?

[Philosoraptor]

I suspect it is real, because I've been reading about here on DU for days, yet yesterday I did a google search and found NOTHING about our Navy headed for the coast of Iran en masse.

Are we making things up or are things being hidden from we the consumers?

[Lasher]

1. Hit the greatest page, second hottest topic (EOM)

[rfranklin]

2. Yes. Here's an article...

http://www.baltimorechronicle.com/2006/101006LINDORFF.shtml

Eisenhower Carrier Group Sails for Iran Theater
by DAVE LINDORFF
This build-up of naval power around the coast of Iran, according to some military sources, is in preparation for an air attack on Iran that would target not just Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities, but its entire military command and control system. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Eisenhower and its accompanying strike force of cruiser, destroyer and attack submarine slipped their moorings and headed off for the Persian Gulf region on Oct. 2, as I had predicted in a piece in The Nation magazine a few weeks back. The Eisenhower strike force, according to my sources, is scheduled to arrive in the vicinity of Iran around October 21, at the same time as a second flotilla of minesweepers and other ships.

This build-up of naval power around the coast of Iran, according to some military sources, is in preparation for an air attack on Iran that would target not just Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities, but its entire military command and control system.

While such an attack could be expected to unleash a wave of military violence all over Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and elsewhere against American forces and interests and against oil wells, pipelines and loading vacilities, as well as a mining of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, with a resulting skyrocketing of global oil prices, the real goal of this new war by the U.S. would be ensuring Republican control of the House and Senate.

[Eugene]

7. self delete

Posted to wrong subthread, sorry.

[magellan]

3. There's an exercise starting Oct 31 in the Persian Gulf

The Ike carrier group is on the way to relieve the Enterprise, currently on station in the Arabian Sea. Ike should be there by the end of the month to participate in the joint exercise. I don't see any significant build-up in the Gulf by our forces as long as the Enterprise and her group departs, which it should since they're at the end of their 6-month deployment.

As I said on another thread, the exercise concerns me more than anything. Iran has already said they regard it as provocative.

edited for sweller English

[ClintonTyree]

4. Here's a little something

http://www.navytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2129481.php

Of course this has been planned for AGES.......nothing to see here citizen. Keep moving.

[BootinUp]

5. found this

Not finding anythin in the MSM though.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20061009/lindorff

[brmdp3123]

6. Oh, jeez...

not this shit again.

[Eugene]

8. Here's Iran's reaction (via BBC).

Last Updated: Tuesday, 24 October 2006, 11:04 GMT 12:04 UK

Iran condemns US Gulf exercises

Iran has criticised planned US military exercises in the Gulf as provocative.

-snip-

'Intercepting missiles'

Reports say the US-led naval exercises based near Bahrain will practise
intercepting and searching ships carrying weapons of mass destruction and
missiles.

The Iranian foreign ministry official said the US-led exercises were not
in line with the security and stability of the region. Instead, they are
aimed at fomenting crises, he said.

He complained that it was the warmongering of neo-conservatives in America
who want to win the mid-term US congressional elections in November.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6080204.stm

[izzie]

9. The ships are always going some place all the time.

That has been in the works since WW2. The thing is do they have lots of troops on them that is not the norm. Troops are on them all the time also. It is hardly in the works on the ships, as they can hire private planes to get new troops in fast any place. Heavy stuff may be a little harder. But I am not sure even that is a good judge any more as we shipped big bombs to the Middle East in planes for use in Lebanon. Any information on these new bases in Iraq seems to be shut down but I would think they would be in use if we are going to make more war over there. I do not think we can count on the right information coming from the DOD. Even during WW2 the truth did not come out. If you do not think I an saying the truth just look at what happened at Bataan. I would say the people in power must always look at wars in a political light and have.

[wakeme2008]

10. Every 6 months the aircraft carrier group in the gulf

gets replaced. And for a period of time there is two ACG in the gulf. Being it's Oct, a lot on here are thinking Oct Surprise. :shrug: The true test is will the first ACG start is return to the US or stay in the Gulf.

[robcon]

11. We are making things up.

Some people are willing to do that pre-election.

I prefer to be reality-based. It's a conspiracy theory, like the draft that was supposed to happen right after dimson got re-elected in 2004. It's not happening.