Creationism still contends with scientific fact, in the United States, even if nowhere else. The Old Testament tells us about Noah and the Great Flood, a story borrowed by those acquisitive Ancient Hebrews from the Zoroastrians, Babylonians, Chaldeans, et al. Geology points to a breach in the barrier between what we now call the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic, with the terrific inundation resulting.

Now, however, a creationist president and his war—hungry, resource-hungry mentors plan a modern day miracle-diverting the Tonkin Gulf- the South China Sea- through the Straits of Hormuz-the world’s oil highway-to the Arabian Sea and Iran.

Figuratively speaking, of course. The notorious Tonkin Gulf Incident –the lie about a Vietnamese attack on American ships- was used by an earlier hegemonic administration as an excuse for beginning the Vietnam War. Fifty thousand Americans killed, 1.5 million Vietnamese, millions of acres destroyed by napalm and Agent Orange, and still we didn’t get the tin-rubber-oil we wanted. Have to trade for it now, Commies or no Commies.

And so two aircraft carriers cruise majestically off the shores of Iran. An admiral appointed to conduct the land war in Iraq- is an amphibious attack in the cards? The surge begins with 21,000 troops, 6,000 more to be authorized presently, are we headed for the rumoured goal of 60,000, supposedly enough to invade Iran? Only question, what will the pretext for war be this time around? It seems we have a million of them.