Relative to what I said below about expanding operations against Iran and Syria, note Joe Biden's exchange today with Condi Rice in which he warned her that an attack on Iran would "generate a constitutional confrontation in the Senate, I predict to you."

A comment like that doesn't come out of the blue.

This is a dangerous time for the US for many reasons. One reason is that I'm not sure the real issues are getting aired for the American public. In itself, I doubt the 'surge' is the big issue on the table. I think we're talking about escalation on an entirely different level. Or that's the real issue in the background, as yet unstated -- high-stakes reckless gambits aimed at busting the White House out of the box they've gotten themselves and us into. Remember, build the chaos outwards.