and other blood curdling adventures
The Civics questionnaire/study guide
Public safety 101 (for nondummies)
Who's watching the hen house in DC??
Background:
Besides, it's important to DEMONSTRATE that we can project power anywhere in the world with impunity...not just that we were not opposed, but that we could not be opposed.
~ Motto for a New American Nation
The enormous cost of the Iraq war, not to mention the loss of life on both sides, would seem to counsel against the idea of a similar operation elsewhere {Iraq]. Looking ahead, America needs a military centered not on occupying another country but on denying potential adversaries the ability to attack our interests. This is not a task for counterinsurgents, but rather for an unapologetically high-tech military that substitutes machines for the bodies of young Americans.~ General Charles Dunlap in the NYT
Their mission is to provoke Iran, then smash them up a bit. That's part of a larger goal of politically subduing them. Should that fail, expect a full blockade of all Iranian ports and the destruction of all Iranian pipelines...and the destruction of any refining capacity. Should the Iranians shoot in earnest or try to close the Gulf, they'll be decapitated while the blockade continues. We have the ability to drive this to closure through blockade and regime decapitation...which includes the destruction of all Iranian military assets.
RICE: The question was...how long were you going to wait, given that it appeared that the situation was getting worse.GEORGE S.: Well, looking back, do you think that Iraq posed an imminent threat to the United States?
RICE: I think that...uh...an imminent threat? Certainly Iraq posed a threat, and the question was, was it going to get worse over time, or was it going to get better?
~ Condeleeza Rice, National Security (??!!) Adviser, invoked "executive privilege" as a reason for not testifying before Henry Waxman's Committee, in April, 2007.
(Who's running from war crimes prosecution??)
"[N]ew information over the past three days suggests that the incident did not involve such a threat and that no U.S. commander was on the verge of firing at the Iranian boats."
-- IPS News, 1/10/08
Discuss amongst yourselves, the following:
- What oversight is there of the NSA in re these interceptions.
See executive order 12333,
What assurances do the public have that the fabricated attacks of Vietnam are not being orchestrated in this situation?
Why doesn't the US "know" who really sent the transmissions. (See link
for information on who actually makes the transmission equipment.)
- What is the plan of NSA to work with the public/Congress to find out who really sent the transmissions?
Why -- despite the reality that the Iranians were not sending the transmissions --
(a) were US commanders at Sea "almost" willing to assume that the transmissions were from the boats??
(b) If the Unitary Executive is in clear control of the US government is there something to be gained by getting all the attention focused on the national security deficiencies of "unliked" and "unwanted" presidential candidates??
OR (c) did BuZh and his advisers deliberately inflate the incident on the eve of President Bush’s visit to the Middle East to menace Iran and raise the political temperature in the volatile region.
What method will be used to ensure that US-allied forces are not sending false transmissions, as it appears occurred here, and what did appear to occur during Vietnam? (0r is any type of oversight unlikely to occur until impeachment takes place?)
EXTRA CREDIT QUESTION: What is required to ensure that future efforts to mislead US Naval Commanders are mitigated; that others cannot confuse the commanders; and that just because an Iranian boat gets near a US ship, others cannot send false signals to make the US believe its under attack. (See the last entries on recommendations made for controlling AEGIS warnings. See the current DoD thinking on IRAN, with it recommendations for Commanders.)
THINK ABOUT THIS:
- Why would the Iranians want to attack the US in _international_ waters;
and why was the "Fillipino Monkey" possibility not taken into account??
- What, if anything, were in those boxes; or was that a (misleading) fabrication,
designed to make people think that inside were mines to sink a ship??
How could they be construed as suicide bombers if they are wearing life jackets?
= Despite the US Navy-NSA capability, are we saying that there is such a hair trigger that the US Navy-NSA-JCS are unable to clear the smoke, and sort the wheat from the chaff real time?
These "incidents" have happened before! Is the answer that the governments of Iran and the United States have the ability to solve the incident through contacts and close co-operation. Consider this previous case between Iran and Great Britain.
- What about the AEGIS: Is there no system in place to ensure that the "attacking boat/ship" is or is not the source of the communicated threat? There are 600 contractors working with the Aegis System. Big buck$ are paid to them:
Did NO ONE work on ensuring that the source of threats could be tracked?.
Recall the US shoot down of the Iranian civilian aircraft: haven't we created systems that will ensure adequate identification real time?
Congress needs to look at this so the President does not, as it appears, use a bogus threat to attack Iran. Was nothing learned from the DoD investigation of Iran Airflight IR 655?
and why is that report missing off the internet and "been messed with" multiple times??
- Why is there not a "red phone" connecting the US Military Commanders and the Iranians? We have one with Russia to prevent reactions to false alarms over nuclear/military. why isn't there some sort of system like this to ensure the Strait of Hormuz doesn't become an unnecessary battle on the basis of false evidence/fabricated attacks?
Why is the United States looking more and more like a power on the way down??
there seems to be deliberate and ongoing news leaks which might upset you and you are warned you must now be afraid; indeed, my precious ones, be very afraid. The blogosphere is erupting once again just as it did in March with news of an impending attack on Iran. We are being provoked. Although the plans for never came about on April 6th as predicted and although the Barksdale nuclear scare, a
incident seems to have come to a peaceful cover up ahem, conclusion, there are now new THREATS on the horizon.
Let's discuss those threats, what's lead up to it and made it SO damned, well, THREATENING.
The Emperor has well and truly lost his marbles, as we used to say in high school
The attack on Iran is taking shape. BuZh was watching the sun rise over the HOLY land two days ago, wearing a fetching bathrobe, his Dubya emblazened in gold thread, on the balcony o
f his $2,600 per night suite at the King David Hotel, guarded by no less than 10,000 Israeli troops. His asperatamed Coke (reg. TM) stood on a high-priced night table, keeping his addled brain fed, as is his wont.The lights were turned off so he could see the real sun rise without streetlights, as befits our Great and Noble King who is off, not to start PEACE (diplomacy is WAY Too slow for our slithery friend), but to feel invigorated with prospects of WAR. We (wink, wink) all knew Annapolis was just a ploy. Lots of his Court, including Big Brother Jeb has been to Israel (very) recently to check out the real estate and visit their Trusted Allies and the Loyal Retainers.
So what's next??
Nope, Our Candidates are just debating the days away,waiting for the Emperor to speak, as they have done throughout most of the Imperial Presidency. A cast of Candidates who are part of the ever present Infotainment brought to you by the corporate media .. a sort of adult Disneyland for all you fairy princesses and G. I. Joes still trying to squeeze into your jeans while consuming vast quantities of stimulants and downers, you choose.
But in the mean time the US Dollar "value" has nose dived (it's "tanked"), the price for oil per barrel has hit the hundred dollar mark (eeks! it was 20 buck$ not THAT long ago) and even though the National Intelligence Estimate said that Iran gave up its nuclear weapons program in 2003, it's not to be believed. It is a sort of Inconvenient Truth, written to the Imperial Presidency's displeasure, which sat long ignored for some (good?) reason.
But wait!
pt and needs to have the world continue purchasing oil in US Dollars and come hell or high water, so that is what it's gonna BE!SEE - If the Iranians manage to block off the straits of Hormuz by sinking a ship or two 60%
of world oil would stop immediately and gas would rocket in price to who knows where, creating hyper inflation especially in America which will reduce their long standing national debt from 9 Trillion to almost nothing. While the fight ensues, the printing press can just go on eating up the proceeds of the vast US forests before the Chinese get them for a payoff on all the T-bills they bought up. The US elite never had the LEAST intention of paying of debt, for heaven's sake!
That's part of the Straussite creed: take what you like and leave the rest, which in this case the latter is STAGGERING debt. Debt so crippling a naval base or air force base or two or a hundred will have to close out of the 1000 identified bases.
Now, here's the HARD part .. we have hit cognitive dissonance. You see, boyz and grrlz, it's not surprising if you been feeling tired and out of sorts ..
But a juicy, well run 'hit' with all the Right Players at the ready, would save Henry Paulson's ass, Dick's ass and George's ass would it not?? The War Criminals. The corporatocracy could go on sucking up profit$. Their role in producing The Movie, Endgame, would be served. So here we go!
Before "buy" in, perhaps we could take a look at fear, fakery and history
Here are the CNN videos of the incident. Iranian AND American.
ESSAY QUESTION: What conclusion do YOU draw??
and maybe a look at the politics of fear is in order.
The psychology of the politics of fear:http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/2008/ 01/the_psycholog y_of_th.html Newsweek has a fantastic article on the psychology and neuroscience behind the politics of fear which draws directly on examples from the current and past US elections. American politics in particular it seems, has, in recent years, used fear as a way of trying to motivate voters and support particular candidates. The Newsweek article looks at why fear is such a potent force in decision-making and what psychology research has shown us about how invoking concepts of death or threat actually affects our reasoning and desires. "When we're insecure, we want our leaders to have what's called an 'unconflicted personality' ," says political psychologist Jeff Greenberg of the University of Arizona. "Bush was very clear in his beliefs and had no doubts, but Kerry was painted as a flip-flopper. ..Documentary maker Adam Curtis argued in his three-part series The Power of Nightmares (video: parts one, two, three) that since the cold war politicians across the globe have been attempting to promote the idea of foreign threats so they can then promise to deliver us from them. Curtis is by no means a neutral commentator, but as he's demonstrated with a number of his documentaries, his analysis of politics as an essentially psychological process is an interesting take on world affairs. My only reservation about the Newsweek piece is that it takes the somewhat simplistic line that the amygdala equals fear in the brain. The amygdala must have the worst PR of all of the brain structures, but to set the record straight, there's more to the amygdala than fear, and more to fear than the amygdala. Neurophilosophy has a guide to the neurobiology of fear if you want an overview of the wider fear circuits in the brain, and Current Biology has a freely available article which is a primer on the amygdala. You may be interested to know that this almond shaped brain area is also involved in a range of positive emotional states, so it's not all doom and gloom. Link to Newsweek article 'The Roots of Fear' (via Schneier).  Mind Hacks is a book by Tom Stafford and Matt Webb. Find out more, or buy it: <<:>> <<:>> <<:>> |
And a Comment for our out of touch Commander in Chief:
“Iran was a threat, Iran is a threat and Iran will be a threat to world peace if the international community does not come together and prevent that nation from the development of the knowledge to build a nuclear weaponBush declared,
A country that once had a secret program can easily restart a secret program. A country which can enrich [uranium] for civilian purposes can easily transfer that knowledge to a military program.”
The original attack plan against Iran and note that this is reliant on a land/sea attack strategy:
Terrorist swan paddle boats wipe out US Navy:Iran-'US video was fabricated '
This was on TV.. not one of the big three, but maybe it was CBS news or ABC news. I did see it.. and it sounded fake and the whole things actually smells like shit. It's embarrassing to belong to a country that does this foolish stuff.. especially when it was just so fake and lousy.
Tourists Terrorists in swan paddle boats wipe out US Navy
Recommendations by the DoD regarding use of the AEGIS system
A. General
1. (U) (b)(5) .
2. (S U) Since it appears that combat induced stress on personnel may have played a significant role in this incident, it is recommended the CNO direct further study be undertaken into the stress factors impacting on personnel in modern warships with highly sophisticated command, control, communications and intelligence systems, such as AEGIS. This study should also address the possibility of establishing a psychological profile for personnel who must function in this environment. Additionally, it is recommended CNO task the Surgeon General of the Navy with the responsibility of providing any necessary psychological/psychiatric assistance to crewmembers of the USS Vincennes in anticipation of possible post-traumatic stress syndrome. This should be done at the earliest possible time to ensure best results. (Enclosure 23 pertains).
3. (S U) (b)(5) .
4. (U) That no changes be made to the existing ROE. {p.52-1988}
5. (U) To prevent the possibility that commercial aircraft could become innocent victims in this area of armed conflict, the USG should seek ICAO’s immediate attention to revise the existing commercial air route structure over the waters of the Persian Gulf. The State Department should direct our embassies to urge affected countries to cooperate in this endeavor. Pending the results of this request, the USG should also urge ICAO to promulgate an immediate NOTAM that all flights climb to at least 25,000 feet over land prior to crossing the Gulf and begin their descent over land.
6. (U) (b)(5) .
7. (U) That CJTFME strengthen the MEF “inchop brief” to include an in depth review of the unique problems associated with COMAIR within the Persian Gulf Area.
8. (U) That CJTFME continue to liaise with Air Traffic Control agencies and American embassies to resolve the COMAIR problems unique to the Persian Gulf Area (e.g., identification, communications, ICAO procedures, etc.).
B. USS Vincennes Battle Organization
1. (U) That the Commanding Officer, USS Vincennes, take action as required to strengthen the AAWC position in the USS Vincennes’ CIC organization. {p.71}
2. (U) That the Commanding Officer, USS Vincennes, document any CIC organization modifications required by Persian Gulf operations in the existing Battle Doctrine. If the USS Vincennes uses a split warfare TAO CIC organization e.g., surface and air, “GW” should not be given MEF execution net responsibility as a radio telephone talker. {p.53-1988}
C. Aegis System Recommendations
1. (U) It is recommended the CNO:
a. (U) Determine the cause of reported STC-2/IVCS net 15/16 degradation (due to loading), and issue a class advisory if required.
b. (U) Reassess the design of the AEGIS large screen display (LSD) to allow the option of displaying altitude information directly on the LSD.
c. (U) Investigate the best means of providing a mode in the UPX-29 which will slave the RCI challenge gate to a hooked track.
D. Training Enhancements
1. (U) If we must operate in a low intensity conflict and in the presence of COMAIR, we must train to that environment, real or simulated. Request the CNO develop a fleet wide identification matrix for dense air traffic environments in third world/low intensity conflicts. Battle Group training doctrines, AAW procedures, numbered Fleet Commander Fighting Instructions, and workups should reflect consensus on ID matrices to deconflict COMAIR within war zones, when being used as “cover” for military aircraft, or when being used as suicide attackers. For example, live missile exercises could include a percentage of the inbound drones be flown on COMAIR profiles, with proper modes and codes, in close proximity of simulated hostile targets. Another method would be to have aggressor aircraft act as COMAIR to challenge the deconfliction capabilities of surface ships with/without VID capability.
2. (U) Request CNO review AEGIS IFF operator training procedures and provide a class advisory to ensure operator familiarity of pros and cons of various RCI selectable modes.
{Signature}
Could US Personnel, stationed in the Gulf, brainwashed, told that the attack on Iran was imminent for months, possibly, possibly be under stress? Check out
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