Self-fulfilling Prophecy

With poll numbers dropping, Bush, Cheney and Rove know that they need to create another threat to America to rally the base. Who better than Iran?

In a classic case of self-fulfilling prophecy, our rhetoric will turn Iran into the monster that Bush says that it is. Who would not want to develop and test weapons systems of every type when you have the world's greatest aggressor breathing down your neck? It doesnt take a rocket scientist (and yes, Iran has some) to figure out that Iran should feel threatened by our rhetoric.

All is takes is a quick tally of the score of US v. Axis of Evil. The US has attacked and toppled two governments. While one can make the case that Afghanistan was attacked in some form of self-defense, the War in Iraq was a case of unrestrained aggression. As Iran looks around, it sees that the other member of Bush's axis, North Korea, proceeds merrily along with its nuclear program and missle tests with no threat of attack by the US. The difference is obvious: North Korea has an effective deterrent - nuclear weapons.

If the US wants to deal with Iran effectively, the path is obvious - negotiation and cooperation. After 9-11, Iran actually cooperated with us in turning over information about terrorists, however the Bush hardliners terminated this cooperation. Now, we proceed with a strategy that threatens 10% of the world's oil supply, our troops in Iraq, stability in the region, and promises to produce even MORE radical Islamic terrorists.

All this to win a few seats in Congress in the '06 elections?