so Randi is floating the idea that we were ready to go with the attack on Iran

[LSK]

And this NIE was released now because we were just about to go in. What do you think of the timing of the release of the NIE?

BTW Kucinich is about to come on her show.

[kestrel91316]

1. I think Bush was getting close to pushing the button. And yes, I think

this NIE made him pull back. Whoever pushed forward with the NIE is a true hero.

[BeHereNow]

2. Agreed, that was my very first thought.

Somewhere, someone is a hero for saving the world
from a full on world war...

BHN

[kestrel91316]

6. I am thinking CIA just got their payback for Plame.

[BeHereNow]

7. Oh my, I think you may be right!

I especially like the fact that Cheney has been thoroughly unmasked
for the treacherous manipulator that he is.
BHN

[The Magistrate]

3. The Attack On Iran, Sir, If Made

Would have been made next summer, after the conventions.

It is much less likely now, after release of this document, but remains a real possibility on that schedule.

[BeHereNow]

4. Please don't say that!

I want to think that someone, somewhere can stop
an attack on Iran, not just postpone it.
BHN

[The Magistrate]

8. Next Summer, Ma'am

Would have always been the plan, and would not be a postponement. After the conventions would be the point of maximum domestic political impact, and that is the only concern of these people. Attacking this winter would fritter away the 'rally round flag and leader' effect, and give time for the damaging economic consequences to show people how foolish the action was before they step into voting stations.

[BeHereNow]

10. So you think they want to wait for the possibility of it happening under a democrat? n/t

bhn

[LSK]

15. I dont think the Bushies give a crap about this election

Its just fun for them to have their wars.

[LSK]

12. yes that is the rumors I heard too

However this came out now. Why?

Also this NIE would still apply next summer as a deterent of the nuclear weapons excuse if they try to use it next summer. The NIE clearly states that they stopped and it would take several years before they have a bomb IF they restarted. It is not possible for Iran to have a bomb by next summer if they started today.

[The Magistrate]

24. My View, Sir, Has Nothing To Do With Rumor

[defendandprotect]

5. This was a "Joe Wilson" blow BEFORE they could actually invade --- !!!!

Not unlike how they moved Iraq war ---

I think they were working it --- up to a full head of steam . . . that's for sure!!!

This was a "Joe Wilson" blow BEFORE they could actually invade --- !!!!

[tekisui]

9. I think that is likely. Even a planned Summer '08 attack

could be considered imminent. War takes a lot of preparation, logistically and politically.

What the War Crimes Administration was planning to do between now and July/August was the *Big Sell*.

I think the Intell. agencies knew the time to act was now, before it was too late, and the conversation deteriorated further towards an inevitable attack.

[LSK]

13. the Big Sell - that sounds like a good reason to release it now

It dramatically undercuts their winter sales pitch.

[JuniperLea]

28. I believe you are correct

War does take a lot of preparation. We really have no idea what has been going on behind the scenes... regardless, it is very clear that this information put a damper on BushCo's momentum, and clearly ticked the Supreme Leader off!

[sarcasmo]

11. The Nukes on the Plane was the first Stop.

I think this is the second Stop. Someone high up in the Military knows this is bad idea and is leaking information.

[balantz]

18. There appear to be military persons cutting them off at the pass.

There are manipulations behind the scenes thwarting the regime from their design at each step. Let's hope the "heroes" are powerful enough to remain effective at each attempt by Zany to carry through with his plans.

I'm just guessin'

[DearAbby]

26. this is a scary thought...

but in my gut, i feel you are probably right...i dont feel that much better. Its a cat and mouse game, and the world is held in the balance.

[stevedeshazer]

14. Judging from Bush's pissed-off reaction, I agree with Randi

There are a few things we know.

-Aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf

-Weeks of bellicose rantings on right-wing radio, TV and press

-The unexpected release of the NIE

-The Decider's angry, rambling and slurring performance in yesterday's presser.

-The absence of Dick Cheney, who always goes underground when something bad is about to happen

-Christmas Eve had been predicted as best timing for an attack

There's WAY more to this we haven't learned yet, but my sense is that the Bush Crime Family has been thwarted, at least for now. Hence, their petulance and defensiveness.

When GWB stood buck naked in front of a press conference, and had the gall to tell David Gregory that he only found out about the NIE findings last week, whatever small modicum of credibility left was GONE.

Bush really jumped the shark with that obvious lie.

No wonder Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are mute. Even though I'd like to roast their respective intestines on a stick over an open fire for not seizing the moment, they're surely rubbing their greasy hands together behind the scenes knowing what is coming in November 2008.

[BeHereNow]

17. Treasonous bastards revealed on BOTH sides of the aisle.

"No wonder Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are mute."
BHN

[stevedeshazer]

20. No shit

One great thing about this is, my eyes are now wide open.

The maneuvering behind the scenes is more transparent than it's ever been, and the public is catching on fast.

That gives me hope in the long term, despair in the moment.

[BeHereNow]

27. I really hate to say this...but

I just hope the Omaha mall shooting doesn't distract Americans
from the exposure of the criminals, democrat and republican, in DC.

I think if a direct democracy vote was taken today,
America would clean house in all branches of government.

People are sick of this shit; the obvious complicity
of the democrats in manipulating the public is
nauseating at best, terrifying actually.

I think we are rapidly approaching a "fight or flight"
response from the American people.

More and more are beginning to comprehend the depth of
corruption and the toll it has taken in their
personal lives and standard of living.

BHN

[balantz]

19. Don't forget those Chinese made subs.

That made me nervous.

[LSK]

23. Reid and Pelosi released statements

http://democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=288138&

http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?p=972

:shrug:

[stevedeshazer]

29. Toothless.

Pelosi:

"In light of the new National Intelligence Estimate, the President should re-evaluate his Iran policy, particularly his focus on the threat of military force at the expense of sustained diplomatic engagement.

Congress has passed more than half a trillion dollars this year for defense, provided our troops with additional equipment, such as mine resistant vehicles, that the Administration failed to request, and offered a strategy that brings our troops home responsibly, safely and soon.

Democrats in Congress have repeatedly signaled our willingness to work with the President to make progress for the American people and have been rebuffed at every turn. There is no need for the Administration to fabricate a political standoff when Congressional leaders are willing to find common ground.

I am hopeful the President will tone down his rhetoric, put down his veto pen, and work with Congress to make progress for the American people."

Are you kidding? "hopeful the President will tone down his rhetoric"?

Reid:

"I hope this Administration reads this report carefully and appropriately adjusts its rhetoric and policy vis-à-vis Iran."

What? That's just begging and groveling.

How about a Speaker and a Majority Leader DEMANDING ANSWERS?

Incredibly weak. Why am I not surprised? :grr:

[Wizard777]

16. The "timing" was entirely Cheney. He withheld the report for year.

He was trying to force analysts to remove opinions that Iran did not have a functional nuclear weapons program.

[LSK]

21. so how did it get out now?

He finally get overruled? Bypassed? They did it when he was in the Hospital?

[stevedeshazer]

25. That's really the $64 trillion question

Why now? And by whom?

Bush, Inc. were obviously caught off balance here, and they're scrambling like cockroaches from the light.

Like I said, there's a lot more going on here than we know yet.

[Wizard777]

31. I guess he can't withhold the NIE indefinately. Congress also gets a copy. Somebody was bound to

notice it's absence eventually.

[Wizard777]

32. I got out because inteeligence officials were willing to go to Jail for leaking it.

[Bleacher Creature]

22. Listen to the rhetoric today from the neocons -- it makes sense.

Every phony news story out there is about Bush calling on Iran to "come clean" (I don't even know what that means anymore) or about how Iran is trumpeting the NIE report as a victory.

The NIE touched a nerve, so it is entirely conceivable that the nerve was related to a planned start date.

[blues90]

30. Kucinich did say that attacking Iran was still not out of the realm of

a possibility . There is Israel still stating that they want Iran stopped reguardless of the NIE report .

These freaks in our whitehouse are still spinning their webs .

[spanone]

33. check out this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2424434

[Javaman]

34. Well since the amount of fuel going to the military in Iraq has gone way up...

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/112907R.shtml