US and Iran: Schoolyard Bitches

Oh, here we go again. I'm not the only one who's been trying to get people to think outside the Bush box, and get with the idea that this war with Iran is going to happen, regardless of what the people of both countries actually want. And the stratagem is playing out exactly the way someone who won't take no for an answer would want it to.

In other words, this year's Bush/Cheney geostrategical contest for Iran's oil began in earnest today, as the U.S. navy and Iranian Revolutionary Guard navy had a stare-down in the Strait of Hormuz:

U.S. military officials told CNN the boats were "attack craft" that they believed were operated by Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard.

The Iranian boats made threatening maneuvers against the U.S. warships and threatening radio transmissions, the officials told CNN.

The captain of one U.S. vessel was in the process of giving the order to shoot when the Iranian ships began turning away, CNN said.

A radio transmission from one of the Iranian ships said, "I am coming at you. You will explode in a couple of minutes," CNN reported, citing a U.S. official.

After the threatening radio communication, U.S. sailors manned their ships’ guns and were very close to opening fire, it said.

"Attack craft?" Junkers, you mean. The world's most powerful military isn't worried about Iranian jalopies. And for those who don't remember their history, look up the Gulf of Tonkin incident if you want to find out the history of those who are now making your Nikes.

That said, everyone involved in today's schoolyard bitch-fest, except our war-mongering asses, agreed that it was much ado about nothing. Which is great if you ignore the fact that the fake intrigue felt like an attempt to push oil back to its record high of $100 a barrel:

U.S crude hit a session high of $98.40 a barrel following news of the tensions between the United States and Iran -- already at odds over a range of issues from Iran's nuclear program to U.S. allegations of Iranian support for terrorism -- at the weekend. The Pentagon said the incident was serious and described the Iranian actions as "careless, reckless and potentially hostile" and said Tehran should provide an explanation. The Iranian foreign ministry described the incident as ordinary.

Someone is making mad cash from these non-stories, believe that. Too bad it isn't us.