Never let it be said that neocons don't have a plan for further empire building in their back pocket at all times.

And never doubt that a Republic administration isn't standing in line to pick that pocket and put the plan into action.

And then there's a weak kneed congress that will turn their eyes the other way while the "wallet" is being lifted lest they unintentionally divert the pickpocket from his goal.

Late last year congress coughed up funding for escalation of covert operations in Iran at Bushy's request.

Blazing Saddle Diplomacy

http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20080327/cm_huffpost/093643

Excerpt

Mar 27 2008

The following article was linked by Jeralyn at Talk Left. Mr. Gonzalez reveals important information not being exposed by the media regarding Senator Obama's past actions in the Senate on many issues.

I only hope it's not too late for people to open their eyes and realize we've got a real champion in Senator Clinton, ready and willing to lead our country out of the huge mess that will be left once GWB and his wrecking crew are gone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Via Jeralyn:

that's assuming you haven't signed it yet, of course ;-)

You need to be logged in to see it here, but it will also go up on dKos later today (will post the link when it goes up, then on www.deadmessengers.com (you won't need to be registered to vote in it there), and if www.clarkvolunteers.com decides to co-operate, I'll post it there too.

Vote in the Poll at:

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/11907

ABC Net has an interview with Dr Frank Barnaby, a nuclear physicist and weapons scientist in the UK and co-author of a report warning against a military strike on Iran

.....FRANK BARNABY: Judging by the progress it's made so far, it would take Iran up to 10 years more to get a nuclear weapon if they go along the way they're going.

There’s that “surge” word again…. So, before I get to my major point, let me begin at the proverbial beginning of my inspiration for this diary entry.

Now, be honest. Regardless of who your favorite Presidential candidate might be, weren’t you really delighted when Wes Clark recommended a “smart surge” of diplomacy in his recent article* opposing George Bush’s proposed military surge in Iraq?

I certainly was, for several reasons.

First of all, I firmly believe that withdrawal from Iraq without a plan is no better than invasion of Iraq without a plan. In other words, we need a plan, people. We really do. Arrogance and ignorance have gotten us where we are today. Wes Clark understands that there are many other governments and many millions of people with a stake in what will happen next. He also realizes that we certainly do not have all the answers, including the best answers to the questions as to when and how we should bring our troops home. His call for vastly increased regional diplomacy is not just noble. It is virtually essential to the restoration of our lost credibility in international affairs.

The Democrats won Congress and forced Rummy's resignation but according to Sy Hersh, nothing has changed.

....The Democratic victories this month led to a surge of calls for the Administration to begin direct talks with Iran, in part to get its help in settling the conflict in Iraq. British Prime Minister Tony Blair broke ranks with President Bush after the election and declared that Iran should be offered “a clear strategic choice” that could include a “new partnership” with the West. But many in the White House and the Pentagon insist that getting tough with Iran is the only way to salvage Iraq. “It’s a classic case of ‘failure forward,’” a Pentagon consultant said. “They believe that by tipping over Iran they would recover their losses in Iraq—like doubling your bet. It would be an attempt to revive the concept of spreading democracy in the Middle East by creating one new model state.”....

THE PRESIDENT SET GOAL DATES FOR ELECTIONS AND FOR FORMING OF THE GOVERNMENT IN IRAQ: WHAT'S WRONG WITH SETTING A GOAL POST FOR THE IRAQI ARMY TO STAND UP? WHAT'S WRONG WITH SETTING A GOAL POST FOR IRAQI POLICE TO STAND UP? WHAT'S WRONG WITH SETTING A GOAL POST FOR REACHING OIL PRODUCTIONS OVER THERE? WHAT'S WRONG WITH SETTING A GOAL POST FOR RECONSTRUCTION OVER THERE?

THESE DATES DON'T HAVE TO BE SET IN STONE, BUT SET, JUST AS THE PAST GOAL DATES WERE SET BY PRESIDENT BUSH.

THEY AREN'T DATES FOR THE U.S. TO LEAVE IRAQ; BUT RATHER DATES THE IRAQI PEOPLE MUST MEET NEXT.

This week's ClarkCast is our final installment on the Middle East. It's a great rundown of all the complex issues at play in this region.

If you have iTunes 4.9 installed, you can subscribe to the ClarkCast via the iTunes Music Store. Click here for a iTunes shortcut to the ClarkCast.

Click to subscribe to ClarkCasts or click here for help and more information

Or click here for a direct download.

Have a listen and discuss here.

If you have iTunes 4.9 installed, you can subscribe to the ClarkCast via the iTunes Music Store. Click here for a iTunes shortcut to the ClarkCast.

Click to subscribe to ClarkCasts or click here for help and more information

Or click here for a direct download.