Well this certainly isn’t worrisome. Now I understand that it’s good to have plans on the backburner and all, but a specific plan to target sites in Iran for bombing, well, that doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence in me, call me crazy.

The panel initially focused on destroying Iran’s nuclear facilities and on regime change but has more recently been directed to identify targets in Iran that may be involved in supplying or aiding militants in Iraq, according to an Air Force adviser and a Pentagon consultant, who were not identified.

Honestly, though, this seems fairly reasonable.

Despite the Bush administration’s insistence it has no plans to go to war with Iran, a Pentagon panel has been created to plan a bombing attack that could be implemented within 24 hours of getting the go-ahead from President George W. Bush…

That? Not so much. I think the fact that Bush was outside playing while the grown-ups were testing government capabilities in time of emergency is proof enough that we don’t want any kind of major decisions placed in his hands. This bit also bothered me.

The article, citing unnamed current and former U.S. officials, also said the Bush administration received intelligence from Israel that Iran had developed an intercontinental missile capable of delivering several small warheads that could reach Europe. It added the validity of that intelligence was still being debated.

Nothing against ol’ Israel, but one has to wonder how honestly they would report such things on the Iranian front. It’s undeniable that they, given Iran’s connections to groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, are not big fans of their radical Islamic neighboars. With that in mind, a claim of Iran’s missile capabilities has a ring of “no, seriously, they’re doing it, go bomb ‘em! C’mon!” to it.

Now, a story about the White House simulating a bomb attack in order to test government efficiency is nothing but a good thing. However, I must admit I’m a little disappointed with a few of the minor details.

Stanzel said the drill revealed gaps where the government needs to work to improve its response, but also showed progress since Hurricane Katrina exposed federal inadequacies when it devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005. For instance, coordination with state and local authorities and the ability to get federal resources in place quickly — key missteps after Katrina — appeared much better now, Stanzel said.

President Bush went on a bike ride not far from the White House Saturday morning, and did not take part in the test.

Okay, think about that one for a few second. There’s a massive simulation to gauge our government’s response time and efficacy in case of a national emergency, and out president is out riding his bike. why do I have a feeling a phone conversation occurred that went like this:

“President’s office.”

“Put me on the line with George, we’re about to start the simulation.”

“Oh I’m sorry, the president is out riding his bike.”

“…ooookay.”

It’s like watching a movie where somehow the president’s 10 year old son got put in charge for the day. Meetings get delayed because he won’t go in unless he gets some pizza, an important attack simulation goes on while he’s playing outside.

Our president, George “Sat in the classroom while the towers burned and played guitar in San Francisco while New Orleans drowned” Bush, was not involved in this simulation. Apparently they decided he wasn’t needed for this particular operation.