Looks Like We May Be Prepping for War.

[Gaspar]

As part of the standard Friday White House Document Dump.  President Obama issued an executive order.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/03/16/executive-order-national-defense-resources-preparedness


The order has some scary language, but is basically a copy of Bill Clinton's order 12919 preparing us for war in 1994 and similar orders by Kennedy in 1962 and other presidents... The idea is to mitigate the result of economic, and infrastructural catastrophe in the event of war.  It is the precursor to martial law.

The President, under the Order, will be empowered to order the "military use of civil transportation." If implemented, the Secretary of Energy could rule "with respect to energy production and construction, distribution and use, and directly related activities," in order to achieve "civil defense and continuity of Government."

The order shifts the legal landscape and gives the White House authority to manage everything from commerce to transportation in the event of war.

The way this was released was the disturbing part.  Typically this order is accompanied by an address to the American People justifying such a measure, at least that's how the previous presidents have done it.  Otherwise, issuing this kind of order can alarm a populous that doesn't understand the legal ramifications of going to war.  This time it was buried in the Friday document dump.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/edwin-black/obama-national-defense-resources-preparedness_b_1359715.html

Now, don't panic.  This order does not mean that we are going to war with Iran, it simply sets the foundation for the government to seize control and/or manage resources in the event that we find ourselves on the wrong end of a gun, especially when it involves a country that could disrupt energy production.

Had he issued this EO publicly, it would simply show that we were setting the groundwork to move on Iran, but instead, now we look as if we are holding an olive branch with one hand but sporting a clenched fist behind our back.  I understand that this is an election and all, but unveiling this in a document dump without a statement of justification is just going to send the hippies into a froth even more than if he had done it openly and responsibly.

The only reason I can think of for releasing this quietly, is hopping that it wouldn't disrupt his big fundraiser weekend. For a guy that is so good manipulating crowds, sometimes he just makes bad PR decisions, but I guess it worked, nobody noticed it until today.

[we vs us]

I would assume it's because Israel is telegraphing it's intent pretty clearly:

Israel says Iran's nuke program soon strike-proof

JERUSALEM—Israel views the threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran with greater urgency than the rest of the world, Israel's defense minister said Monday.

Ehud Barak also reiterated recent Israeli assessments that Iran's nuclear program is on the verge of becoming immune to disruptions by a possible military strike.

The remarks are likely to fuel already rampant speculation that Israel is preparing for a strike before Iran moves most of its nuclear facilities underground and beyond the reach of a precision attack.

In testimony to parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Barak also said that harsher international sanctions against Iran would be needed to try to pressure Tehran to abandon the suspect elements of its nuclear program.

Barak also invoked a theme that has become a recent mantra with Israeli leaders -- that the Jewish state will not leave its fate to others to decide.

"The world, including the current U.S. administration, understands and accepts that Israel necessarily views the threat differently than they do, and that ultimately, Israel is responsible for taking the decisions related to its future, its security and its destiny," he said.

Obama's been relatively outspoken (as far as these things go) trying to tamp down war talk and discourage the Israelis from a pre-emptive move . . . while still making sure the old alliance is intact.  This is why (I assume) he might be trying to make this one quieter than the last Pres's.  And honestly, the only people freaked out by this would be the folks paying painstaking attention to his every move -- the Republicans, the foreign policy wonks, reporters of varying stripe, and conspiracy theorists.

[Gaspar]

I would assume it's because Israel is telegraphing it's intent pretty clearly:

Israel says Iran's nuke program soon strike-proof

Obama's been relatively outspoken (as far as these things go) trying to tamp down war talk and discourage the Israelis from a pre-emptive move . . . while still making sure the old alliance is intact.  This is why (I assume) he might be trying to make this one quieter than the last Pres's.  And honestly, the only people freaked out by this would be the folks paying painstaking attention to his every move -- the Republicans, the foreign policy wonks, reporters of varying stripe, and conspiracy theorists.

It's a rather bold move to stick it in the Friday document dump. This means is that the president didn't want anyone to talk about it over the weekend.  With Chicago, Orlando, and Atlanta on the plate for a whirlwind weekend of Hollywood, Corporate and bundeler cash events, war is the last talk he wanted at the table.

I would prefer that a president take the precursors to war a little more seriously.  It's not like he thinks no one will notice, he just didn't' want them to notice right away.  While it is difficult to call this outright deceptive, it is at best disingenuous to his constituents.  This is a decision that requires a great deal of leadership and he for some reason wants to run from it's consequences.

We've had quite a history of bold leaders, and many of them have had to issue this exact EO at one time or another.  This is the type of order that you issue with great trepidation, caution, and purpose.  While a frank discussion with the American people is not necessary, it is most certainly warranted.  

You may believe otherwise, but I am confident that if Clinton, Bush, or even Kennedy had buried this in a document dump, they would be forever branded as cowards for failing to invoke the support and acknowledgment of the American people.

[nathanm]

Wow, Gaspar, way to have a conversation with yourself.

[Gaspar]

Wow, Gaspar, way to have a conversation with yourself.

Nate, it is typical that you are not concerned over this.

Carry on.

I don't have a problem with the order, or any of it's language.  I have a problem with the way it was presented to the American people. . .In a dumpster under the FIA requests for some cable news intern to discover.

[Teatownclown]

It's a rather bold move to stick it in the Friday document dump. This means is that the president didn't want anyone to talk about it over the weekend.  With Chicago, Orlando, and Atlanta on the plate for a whirlwind weekend of Hollywood, Corporate and bundeler cash events, war is the last talk he wanted at the table.

I would prefer that a president take the precursors to war a little more seriously.  It's not like he thinks no one will notice, he just didn't' want them to notice right away.  While it is difficult to call this outright deceptive, it is at best disingenuous to his constituents.  This is a decision that requires a great deal of leadership and he for some reason wants to run from it's consequences.

We've had quite a history of bold leaders, and many of them have had to issue this exact EO at one time or another.  This is the type of order that you issue with great trepidation, caution, and purpose.  While a frank discussion with the American people is not necessary, it is most certainly warranted.  

You may believe otherwise, but I am confident that if Clinton, Bush, or even Kennedy had buried this in a document dump, they would be forever branded as cowards for failing to invoke the support and acknowledgment of the American people.

Indications from Obama to this point are that he wants to go with diplomacy and sanctions and is encouraging Israel to chill out and let them work. Besides, the Russians and Chinese have a say in everything these days.
Gassie, do you think our righties are in bed with Beni? I do....the Israeli's accept our righties trying to oust POTUS OBAMA. Obama and Beni don't like each other because Obama has drawn the line with Israel's attempt to cleanse the country of Palestinians. Beni has found his allies in the US to be the GOP while he should be more focused on the Hassids who each have 12 kids. In two generations they will outnumber all the sane people. You think our OWS citizens are trouble, those religious fanatics in Israel are much worse. Even worse than Santorum's pose.

[AquaMan]

You want to know what laundry detergent people are really using in your area, pay garbage men (or recyclers) to tally up the empties. You want to know if we're prepping for a war and where it might be, hang around the railroad yards and look at what's loaded on the flat cars. Last month I saw lots of flat cars with tanks loaded onto them. They were sand colored (that is a base color and camo can be added in the field I'm told).

Just sayin'.

[Townsend]

You want to know what laundry detergent people are really using in your area, pay garbage men (or recyclers) to tally up the empties. You want to know if we're prepping for a war and where it might be, hang around the railroad yards and look at what's loaded on the flat cars. Last month I saw lots of flat cars with tanks loaded onto them. They were sand colored (that is a base color and camo can be added in the field I'm told).

Just sayin'.

I'm not saying you're wrong but I've seen the sand colored tanks on flat cars in our rail yard for years.  Lots of them.

[AquaMan]

I'm not saying you're wrong but I've seen the sand colored tanks on flat cars in our rail yard for years.  Lots of them.

We've been at war for at least a decade, so yeah, you can see them often. I just happen to drive by there every day for the last 6 months and noted an increase. Much like the increase I saw back before Afghanistan. Could just mean they're moving them around the country getting ready for the next election.......

[Gaspar]

I would like to think their is a diplomatic solution.  I would like to think that we have no business involving ourselves in another one of these.

Unfortunately we've allowed them to get too far without offering more than words, and we have been unsuccessful in cutting our umbilicus to Arab oil.

It's no longer a matter of "if," but "when" it happens.  Unfortunately the weapons involved may be far more frightening.

We've offered Isreal some bunker busters and advanced technology if they will just wait until after the election, so perhaps this will delay action on their part, but if we get confirmation that they have successfully armed the Qader or Nour missiles with a payload, I have no doubt we will act in coordination with Israeli air support.

[Teatownclown]

I would like to think their is a diplomatic solution.  I would like to think that we have no business involving ourselves in another one of these.

Unfortunately we've allowed them to get too far without offering more than words, and we have been unsuccessful in cutting our umbilicus to Arab oil.

It's no longer a matter of "if," but "when" it happens.  Unfortunately the weapons involved may be far more frightening.

We've offered Isreal some bunker busters and advanced technology if they will just wait until after the election, so perhaps this will delay action on their part, but if we get confirmation that they have successfully armed the Qader or Nour missiles with a payload, I have no doubt we will act in coordination with Israeli air support.

I want to go on record, again, taking the position that Iran is too big, the Russians and Chinese too deep, and the US too exhausted for there to be any war. Just lots of positioning. Keep in mind what I've always stated: The Persians are a good educated people. Look, we've had stupid nuts do awful things leading our country down the wrong path. We're still standing. Don't fear that little jacket that runs around the UN and Iran....his time is near it's end run and there are many decision makers keeping him in check.

[Gaspar]

I want to go on record, again, taking the position that Iran is too big, the Russians and Chinese too deep, and the US too exhausted for there to be any war. Just lots of positioning. Keep in mind what I've always stated: The Persians are a good educated people. Look, we've had stupid nuts do awful things leading our country down the wrong path. We're still standing. Don't fear that little jacket that runs around the UN and Iran....his time is near it's end run and there are many decision makers keeping him in check.

I would love to think you are correct, but we are beyond posturing, and our clandestine operations have only served to delay the inevitable.  The Russians and Chinese will not pick sides or involve themselves beyond the opportunity to covertly continue to supply Iran in exchange for oil and Uranium. 

I do agree that most Iranians are very well educated and have no desire for war.  They do however have a theocracy that has pledged to destroy Israel and views that goal as a religious obligation.  We've spent years and billions of dollars trying to support resistance groups in that country to topple the leadership but to no avail.

If an when they arm a missile, I have no doubt that they will be struck, and at that point, it will be all hands on deck, because it will test the new leadership in North Korea as well as several other countries who hold UN award for human rights.

This will be a scary ordeal.  Iran is technologically advanced, not like the cinderblock hovels of Iraq.  Their military is organized with modern weapons instead of cold-war U.S. made RPGs.   

[nathanm]

Gaspar, I don't get concerned about rumor. I suspect that, if anything, the order was designed to calm Israel down. For many reasons, it's important that we appear supportive even as we attempt to ratchet down the threat level.

Allowing ourselves to be drawn into combat operations would be the height of stupidity. The Iranian public would turn against us in a heartbeat. As it stands, the vast majority of them don't give a flying flip about us so long as we're not meddling in their affairs. The intransigence of the mullahs is not shared widely among the populace.

The conspiracy theorist in me is stirring, however.

[Conan71]

Allowing ourselves to be drawn into combat operations would be the height of stupidity.

Not like there isn't precedence of that sort in recent history...

[nathanm]

Not like there isn't precedence of that sort in recent history...

You can say that again. And a few more times for good measure.