Gulf of Tonkin, deja vu

Josh Marshall is developing a list of the key requirements for the fake Iranian atrocity that Bush will create to justify our war with Iran. Here are some:

1. Despite being fake, the incident must seem reasonably credible.

2. It must appear serious enough that discounting its importance or questioning its veracity appears the height of unseriousness.

3. It must place the majority of us in the odd and unexpected position of granting to President Bush the unfettered discretion to launch a war against Iran at the time and place of his choosing, despite our desire that he start it right now.

Josh posted this before he saw the morning headlines, but his updated post includes them:

BAGHDAD, Jan. 30 — Investigators say they believe that attackers who used American-style uniforms and weapons to infiltrate a secure compound and kill five American soldiers in Karbala on Jan. 20 may have been trained and financed by Iranian agents, according to American and Iraqi officials knowledgeable about the inquiry.

When I read this article this morning, my first reaction was to think it's all part of the hype being trumped up to justify our invasion or Iran. That's also my second, third and fourth reaction.

I wonder if anyone will believe this government ever again.