EVIDENCE POINTS TO A FUTURE U.S. ATTACK AGAINST IRAN

The UK Daily Telegraph has an article today by Tim Shipman on the chances of Bush attacking and bombing Iran before the end of his term January 2009.

Shipman writes:

"On Tuesday, President Bush dramatically stepped up his war of words with the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whom the US government accuses of overseeing a covert programme to develop nuclear weapons. In a speech to war veterans, Mr Bush said: "Iran's active pursuit of technology that could lead to nuclear weapons threatens to put a region already known for instability and violence under the shadow of a nuclear holocaust."

"He went on to condemn Iranian meddling in Iraq, where America increasingly blames the deaths of its soldiers on Iranian bombs and missiles. Mr Bush made clear that he had authorised military commanders to confront "Iran's murderous activities"."

Shipman is right to emphasize Bush's choice of words. For example, Bush's use of the word "holocaust" is probably designed, as Shipman notes, to appeal to the Israeli hawks who can take this word and run with it in their own determination to strike Iran for its perceived nuclear threat. Also Bush uses the word "murderous," a word that clearly calls out for the "righteous" (read "Americans") to go after and kill the "murderer."

Of course, left unsaid by Bush is the proof that Iran is attempting to create a nuclear bomb and use it on the Israelis. Also not shown is any evidence that Iran or the government of Iran is supplying, aiding or arming Shiite militias in their quest to kill Americans.

We are left with Bush's characterizations of the Iranians as "murderous" and intent on creating another "holocaust." From these intemperate and unsupported-in-evidence reckless words, what can we think? Bush is preparing the country for an attack against Iran.