November 18, 2004 - It is starting all over again. The United States has been sounding the alarm that Iran is embarked on a program to build Weapons of Mass Destruction (or is that Distraction in light of the good progress we are making house to house in Iraq). Iran denies it and says it is only embarked in a nuclear power program. IAEA inspectors on the ground find that the Iranians are indeed working to develop an enriched uranium capability but there are no weapons programs going on.. The US urges IAEA to recommend sanctions to the Security Council but does not seem to be making good progress on that front. With America gearing up for a confrontation with old Persia Britain, France and Germany start talks with Teheran. They cut a deal. Iran will suspend its enriched uranium program, permit international monitors and in return will be spared from UN sanctions and get international assistance for its nuclear power program.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran, sometimes calling itself the People's Mujahidin of Iran, claims that Iran has a secret nuclear bomb plant in the capitol. There are satellite photographs, before and after. For his swan song Colin Powell is dispatched to announce that the United States has intelligence that confirms the NCRI claims. (Has any body seen Chalabi lately?) NCRI claims that Iran bought enriched uranium and bomb plans on the Pakistani black market. Powell says that the intelligence he has seen indicates that the Iranians are trying to fit their missiles to deliver nuclear bombs. They will, he says, have the weapons ready in about a year. Porter Goss has seen to it that the CIA won’t embarrass Secretary Powell this time by leaking information to discredit the intelligence that the Secretary has seen.

If all that does not tick an uncomfortable memory then you have been in a Rip Van Winkle sleep for the past 4 years. There are differences though. There aren’t any reluctant warriors in the new cabinet to counsel caution. The President won’t be hampered by conflicting advice. Another difference is that the world’s most powerful military machine is occupied in Iraq. There just are not enough troops available to launce a drive to Teheran. There is a solution to that problem too, though it won’t be effective in the short term.

Last week the mail brought my oath of office as a member of the local draft board. I signed the form and sent it back and I’m waiting to be notified when to show up for the first training session. Of course this is all a coincidence of coincidences. There is no cause for alarm. We should not be concerned. Everything is under control. There is no call to say, “Here we go again!”