Overgrowngoblin

On an earlier thread about Bush�s polling numbers falling I posted:

I think this needs a new thread on predictions. What is your best guess for what the Bush administration has up their sleeve?

All I can figure is that the second Iraq war was a test. A test on the American people to see how long it takes until we turn from praise to accusations. For this past war, it took roughly three and a half months from the start of the war (March 20 to July 1) for the press and the American people to start coming out of their patriotic coma. Dubya�s numbers are finally starting to drop and the accusations and scapegoating has begun (see George Tenet).

So by my estimation, prepare to be at war again post July 20th 2004, possibly with Syria or Iran. So Dubya can easily coast to a second term.

So what�s your prediction?

TollHouse

I don't know - he simply can't keep this up. There is a limit to what Americans will accept.

(Besides, how many threads can we point to here where Iraq-war-supporters scoffed at the idea of going to war again?)

ex-idaho

While I don't doubt Bush's willingness to do whatever it takes to win in November I don't find this to be a feasable option. There are a couple of things keeping it from being workable.

1. Unlike in Afganastan and Iraq we don't have an easy target. Bush has shown that he is not willing to go to war against any nation that might be capable of defending itself. Seeing as Iran, Syria and N Korea all have capable military forces I don't see any of them as likely. The only possible target I can see is Cuba but I don't see it happening.

2. The military is already strained and could not possibly wage a war and occupy any conquered territory successfuly. Unless there was a massive redeployment of troops from Japan, N Korea, Germany and the states there just aren't enough troops to go around. I don't see any major infusion of foreign troops moving into Iraq anytime soon so they won't be able to troops from there or Afganastan.

3. The International community would not stand for another offensive by Bush and US forces. If N Korea or Iran are threatened at this point I would not be surprised if China or Russia chose to give support in order to fend off percieved American imperial aggression.

Speck

Best guesses:

1. Large goodwill gesture (with action) will be made to start removing troops from Saudi Arabia.

2. A few months after troops have withdrawn from SA, US media blitzkrieg begins against Saudi government (funding/sponsoring/harboring terrorists.)

3. US government demands that the Saudi family step down and allow democratic elections or force will be used (unilaterally, since the UK was burned so badly with Iraq?)

4. Saudi family accepts and US moves to create a "democracy" similar to the "democracy" recently created in Iraq.

5. As a consequence, OPEC remains on the dollar, not euro.

6. US now controls puppet governments in Iraq and Saudi Arabia (top two countries with proven oil reserves.)

7. US gains massive leverage against the only true threat to its power, the EU.

Things could change drastically if a war is started against either Iran, Syria, or North Korea. I don't know if US public opinion can be swayed to accept wars against Iran/Syria. North Korea has the nuclear card, so they will probably be out of bounds.

Speck

Ronin

I'm not so sure he's planning ahead for anything.

Jesus Tap-Dancin' Christ

No, there isn't. The sad reality is that there really isn't. All it takes is ONE NICE SHINY THING, and poof! There goes the tolerance.

And boy, will they start supporting the war once it becomes reality.

Just wait. People DO this kind of thing. (not that any individual around here will do this, but people in general do this kind of thing)

paul30

I strongly suspect Bush will (a) start a war (preferably in a small defenseless country whose leader has facial hair), (b) engineer a "terrorist" attack on the US, (c) both, (d) declare a "national crisis" and suspend the Constitution and cancel elections.

These are not far-fetched.

He has already shown utter contempt for democracy, and a willingness to steal elections.

Blixy Sticks

Good one, dude!!!

TollHouse

Exactly. Bush got kicked in the balls over his faith in WMD's. He's going down.

The only thing I can see helping him out is if he actually caught Osama.

Hubble head

Just today's guess but there could be a much bigger plan here - the stinking rich elitist looters of the world have already gotten what they want. Your money and a free pass to walk away laughing all the way to the bank. Again. No need for four more years.

The wars are/were diversions of their own masterpiece, and another example of the beltway monkey chain of back scratching in what has to have become the most corrupt Govt' this country has seen since the industrial age.

The rocky Iraqi aftermath seems like a diversion still but to what I'm not sure of yet.

Now that you are poorer, the Iraq armed robbery completed and most of the favours like environmental derugulation, wealthy tax benefits and weaker labor protection laws are in place, they can go back to their gold plated caves and sip their wines and caviars while a real politician comes in and tries to patch things up the best he can for the average person who just got cornholed without lube. Again.