Winter solstice came and went with little notice. I see it as a "nature" holiday, the actual meta origin of the holiday season.
What can we expect in the next year. Perhaps this article gives some indication of what could be the most pressing issue.
U.S. and Britain to Add Ships to Persian Gulf in Signal to Iran
excerpt 1: "Senior American officers said the increase in naval power should not be viewed as preparations for any offensive strike against Iran. But they acknowledged that the ability to hit Iran would be increased..."
comment: This is similar to the rhetoric heard prior to the shock and awe commencement.
excerpt 2: "The aircraft carrier Eisenhower and its strike group — including three escort ships, an attack submarine and 6,500 sailors in all — entered the Persian Gulf on Dec. 11..."
excerpt 3: "Vice Adm. Patrick M. Walsh, commander of naval forces across the military’s Central Command, said ... “Iranian tone and rhetoric creates an environment of intimidation and fear”......"
With all due respect to the Admiral, one would think that a country that possesses thousands of nuclear weapons and a military that is so massive that even most Americans are unaware of its size and power, would be the cause of intimidation and fear especially when it is parked on another countries water boundary.
There are many articles pointing to an escalation in the Iraq occupation. The escalation would be a new war with Iran.
A Very Dangerous New Year by Robert Parry
In addition there is the further buildup of the military under the direction of George Bush.
Bush's move to supersize US military by Peter Grier
I was starting to believe that the possibility of war in Iran was receding, so much for that.
