A New Front for Fear

Summertime, and the living is easy, or so I've heard. But if that's the case, why do we get woken up by distressing morning newspaper headlines like this: "Iranian Unit to Be Labeled 'Terrorist'"? This move, which the Prez can take unilaterally, is ostensibly to squeeze the Revolutionary Guard financially, but it also doesn't hurt in ratcheting up the war fever, raising the fear of Iran as the next unstoppable power in the Middle East.

Despite being stuck in the Iraqi civil war for the foreseeable future, this fearmongering threatens to open a new front for our already overstretched forces. But not to worry, because the Prez's war czar was busy laying the groundwork for reinstating the draft. There's no way we can keep up the commitment we've got now in Iraq without getting more troops from somewhere, so we certainly can't go picking fights elsewhere. Of course, this being the Bush administration, there's no reason to believe we won't.

I'm not the only one concerned about the escalation, of course. Thursday's Washington Post had reaction from allies and members of Congress (on page 9). Before we take too much reassurance from that, though, we should keep in mind that this administration has never much listened to the international community, and the Democrats in Congress have already showed how willing they are to stand up to the White House.

But it's summer, so we shouldn't worry our pretty little heads about such things. Let's just go back to the beach. But be sure you save room in your wallet for your new draft card.