When Bush picks up the phone to order airstrikes on Iran, the only people who can stop him will be the uniformed military of the United States. Congress won't be able to stop him. The people won't be able to stop him. The media will not be able to stop him. The UN won't be able to stop him.
Only the actions of courageous and principled US military officers will stop the launching of another criminal action on the part of the Bush administration. I am not advocating a coup or the forcible removal of Bush from office. What I believe is necessary, and possible, is mass resignations from the officer corps. If every officer who receives illegal orders to launch a war of aggression from Bush resigns, Bush will be stopped.
We have heard quite a bit from the "support the troops" contingent here about the sterling character of the US military. Now is the time for the military leadership to show that character. Iran is not a threat to the United States. Therefore, launching a war on Iran would be illegal under international law. An American military officer is not obliged to follow illegal orders.
Imagine the situation if Bush ordered a massive, unprovoked, nuclear strike against China. Would anyone doubt that US military officers would refuse such an order? How is an illegal, massive conventional attack on Iran any different in terms of reckless and unjustifiable destructiveness?
Congress should immediately convene hearings that make plain the responsibilities of the US military officer corps regarding the execution of illegal orders. The Joint Chiefs should be told that any officer participating in an illegal war against Iran will face the termination of his career.
The "support the troops" people can't have it both ways. Either our military serves the people of the United States, or it is a weapon in the hands of a war criminal President. In the coming months, the character of the US military will be tested. I earnestly hope that it proves worthy.