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If you jump off a cliff, your options narrow. A decision to attack Iran will narrow America's options. It will cause dramatic and unpredictable consequences. These fake headlines are possibilities-- the shape of what may be, not what must be. Much rests on choices that our leaders will make in the months ahead. They rather are a prophetic caution in the spirit of disutopian visions such as "1984" and "Brave New World." I imagine myself four months from now in January, 2007. Defying conventional wisdom, the Republicans prevailed during the 2006 mid-term elections and hold Congress with solid majorities. Iran continues to rebuff efforts to negotiate its nuclear ambitions. Attacks in Iraq have subsided. The Pentagon has announced a troop reduction of 40,000 troops. The economy is strong. President Bush's approval rating is 56 percent. In Bush's 2007 State of the Union Address, the president reiterates his vow to "liberate Iran from tyranny to embrace a world of democracy." To thunderous applause, he calls on Iran to "disarm its nuclear capability without condition or delay" and states that "all options are on the table." New York Times, January 15, 2007 US DESTROYS BRUSHEHR REACTOR: Iran, China Mobilize Troops Wall Street Journal, January 22, 2007 CRUDE OIL FUTURES $289: Heavy Casualties as Marines Struggle to Open Straits of Hormuz Metropole Paris, September 3, 2007, 1,233 DEAD FROM METRO GAS: Attacks in Chicago, London, Sydney Korean News Service, February 27, 2008, WE WELCOME THE GLORIOUS LIBERATION OF OUR MOTHERLAND: Seoul Surrenders, US Third Infantry Division Crushed Variety, March 3, 2008, NICHOLSON, WINFREY GREET CAMP PENDLETON DRAFTEES: Slated To Fight Iran-China Axis in Weeks Roll Call, July 1, 2008 CONGRESS PASSES KENNEDY-McCAIN FREEDOM BILL: Protective Detention of US Moslems Start TIME, November 10, 2008 PRESIDENT RICHARD B.CHENEY: 2008 MAN OF THE YEAR |