[mack]

Why you ask, after the seemingly endless politics. Because Drudge says Bush and Blair are going to reportedly issue an ultimatum you ask? No.

Because the aid package to Turkey for their cooperation with our military has been pulled. That means that we have written off waiting for Turkey to re-consider their decision. It means that we now have the assests in place to launch. And if we were going to wait and play more diplomatic games, there would be no reason to pull the package now, as why not wait and see if Turkey would approve the US military staging from Turkey - we would have nothing to lose by waiting in that case. Therefore this tells me that we are planning to take action very soon.

[Double Naught Spy]

"And if we were going to wait and play more diplomatic games, there would be no reason to pull the package now, as why not wait and see if Turkey would approve "

I think that what you fail to understand is that the staging of the package IS a big part of the diplomatic negotiations and adds a very significant time factor to add more pressure to the situation. It is a sort of comply or die trump card. The package is there to show that if compliance is not reached through diplomacy, then we have assets we can deploy and we can deploy them very quickly. When assets were not in place, Iraq really was free to ignore many demands because they knew that it would be months before assets would be in place to force them into submission.

[Gary H]

The British media early on Sunday morning is strongly suggesting this coming Wednesday, or Thursday morning in Bagdad. Previous rumor had it that war started on the 17th, or 18th. The moon goes away at the end of the month. I just hope that our side starts it and Saddam doesn't get a running start.

[Baba Louie]

I understand that Prime Minister Blair requested that the Queen not travel abroad this next week and remain on the island. It seems that he has protocol to notify the Queen in the event of war. So reported NPR yesterday.

I'd say Wednesday, just to pick a day at random. Tho Tuesday looks open as well.

Adios

[Gary H]

No secrets revealed here. I think that a major U.S. concern is an Iraqi first strike. That said, it is to our advantage to leak a Wednesday, or Thursday start, but go as soon as the U.N. proves itself to be irrelevant. Saddam can probably rely upon his commanders to use chemical weapons as a first strike, but would have a much tougher time getting them to use the same weapons after an attack has begun. Following a U.S. attack, breakdown of communication, loss of assets and field commanders greater fear of the U.S. than Saddam would hamper Saddam's ability to act.

[Baba Louie]

Again, listening to NPR, I just heard them report that Saddam said "If attacked he would take the war to all corners of the world, any country, the sky, the water." (words to that effect)

Nothing like his last saying that it would be "The Mother of all battles" but a good quote none the less. I personally liked Churchill's "We will fight..." speech better, quote and idealogy-wise. Something worth defending then and there.

Hang on to your hats boys and girls. The official WW III could be right around the corner.

Whaddya think... 30 days of aerial ordnance followed by ground units, maybe slip Osama's lifeless body among the rubble for purposeful finding later while Saddam has his soldiers dressed in American uniforms committing severe atrocities among his own people to rouse up the Islamic World against anyone even looking like an American, a Brit (maybe the Spanish too... I love the Spanish now) or an Israeli... or have I been watching too many movies lately?

Time to plant your victory gardens now and hope that all of the WMD that weren't found haven't already been dispersed to pre-determined locations near you.

History in the making, you are there... well here. The troops are there, thank God and their families for them.

May the good Lord watch over and protect them all.

Adios

[Dannyboy]

The problem with Saddam using NBC weapons in a first strike is that it would basically turn the world against him. If he were to strike our troops in their cantonement areas he kills American troops as well as Kuwaiti and Saudi civilians. Not to mention he proves himself to be a liar, using weapons he says he doesn't have. It would, however, make what some people call an unjust war more justifiable.

[telewinz]

No WWIII, this time there is no one group of nations willing or able to stand toe to toe against us. Your tax dollars at work.

[Gary H]

Baba Louie:

NPR:banghead:

WWIII::banghead:

30 days of aerial ordnance followed by ground units:rolleyes:

[Lone_Gunman]

World War III???

Who, exactly, do ya'll think is going to join in on Saddam's side?

[waterdog]

SH will be to busy trying to hide, maybe even E & E out of Iraq.

I doubt very much his army is much of a threat.

There might be several incidents involving chemicals, and these will be played up for the American public.

Some old missile casings will be found, and this will be played up

Some documents written in english will turn up indicating SHs intent.

And this will go on and on for about a year, then it will be time to get on the campaign trail.

waterdog