Not On My Watch

By Cernig

More grist to the mill for rumors that senior military figures have threatened revolt should the Bush administration's nutcase wing (you know, the wing with Cheney's office in it) insist on ramping up for an attack on Iran.

Faiz at Think Progress quotes IPS reporting that Admiral William Fallon, the CentCom commander told them where they could stick it, and their third aircraft carrier too - sideways.

One source said Fallon sent a memo that “insisted there was no military requirement for” for an additional carrier. Fallon private conveyed around the time of his confirmation hearing that an attack on Iran “will not happen on my watch.” IPS notes, “Fallon’s refusal to support a further naval buildup in the Gulf reflected his firm opposition to an attack on Iran and an apparent readiness to put his career on the line to prevent it.”

While Fallon’s message may have affected the deployment of another Navy carrier, it didn’t stop Vice President Cheney from finding other ways to issue symbolic acts of provocation against Iran. Last week, Cheney stood aboard one of the two carriers currently in the Gulf and warned Iran that the U.S. was prepared to use its naval power to keep Tehran from disrupting off oil routes or “gaining nuclear weapons and dominating this region.”

Kevin Drum notes the same story and says "I'll be curious to see if anyone else confirms it."

Still, the Cheneyites keep trying to work their Dark Lord's will...