Month: March 2006

Scrutinizing the Source

While perusing the web this morning, I came across an article that puts forth the premise that the present administration’s goal in Iraq has been met. That Bush and Chenney wanted less of Iraq’s oil not more.

And what did the USA want Iraq to do with Iraq’s oil? The answer will surprise many of you: and it is uglier, more twisted, devilish and devious than anything imagined by the most conspiracy-addicted blogger. The answer can be found in a 323-page plan for Iraq’s oil secretly drafted by the State Department. Our team got a hold of a copy; how, doesn’t matter. The key thing is what’s inside this thick Bush diktat: a directive to Iraqis to maintain a state oil company that will “enhance its relationship with OPEC.”

Enhance its relationship with OPEC??? How strange: the government of the United States ordering Iraq to support the very OPEC oil cartel which is strangling our nation with outrageously high prices for crude.

Specifically, the system ordered up by the Bush cabal would keep a lid on Iraq’s oil production — limiting Iraq’s oil pumping to the tight quota set by Saudi Arabia and the OPEC cartel.

There you have it. Yes, Bush went in for the oil — not to get more of Iraq’s oil, but to prevent Iraq producing too much of it.BUSH DIDN’T BUNGLE IRAQ, YOU FOOLS
THE MISSION WAS INDEED ACCCOMPLISHED
The Guardian
Monday, March 20, 2006
by Greg Palast

It is not that this is a great revelation or a new idea but the mention of a 323 page plan supposedly drafted by the State Department drew my attention. It annoys me when authors put forth their opinions and use unsubstantiated statements and mysterious reports that cannot be confirmed to support these opinions.

Palast is totally reaching with this “invade Iraq to raise the price of crude and enhance relations with OPEC” angle. His lack proper references and supporting documents stand out as a good example of why not to believe everything you read. It will be interesting to see if this unsupported opinion hits the blogoshere and is used as support for another bloggers article.

If I came across this article on a personal blog I probably would not bother with mentioning it’s obvious failings but this is an author that is described as

“The most important investigative reporter of our time” [Tribune Magazine] in Britain, where his first reports appeared on BBC television and in the Guardian newspapers.”

in the about section of his web site along with numerous quotes from other major publications.

Know thy source. An opinion is just that an opinion but when secret and mysterious sources are used to support an opinion I tend to believe that the opinion can not stand alone on it’s own merits.

Tradition

A young girl watches her mother cut the ends of a roast and place it in the roasting pot. She asks her mother why do you cut the ends off? Her mother says, I do not know, it is the way my mother always did it. Later on, the young girl asks her Grandmother, Grandmother why do you cut the ends off the roast. Her Grandmother says, my mother always did it that way. The next time the young girls talks to her Great Grandmother she asks, great Grandmother, why do you always cut the ends of the roast off before placing it in the pot? Her Great Grandmother answered, I had too – the only roasting pot I owned was too small.

Three Years Of War In Iraq – Where do You Stand?

Three years have gone by – and where exactly does this leave us. I am fine. I sit here and type away – 99% sure a bomb will not go off over-head, armed groups of foreign troops will not come down my street, and there will not be a deadly battle raged in my city.

Is there a Civil War in Iraq? Donald Rumsfeld says – NO, Cheney says – not a chance . . .the former Iraqi Prime Minister says YES.

Meanwhile our military, loved sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers to someone are over there.

When Eagles Soar Together

“It is a gloomy day, overcast, dark with drizzling rain. The perfect day for my mood. Today, for the second time I had to say goodbye to my wife, my soldier as she boarded a plane that would take her back to her other life. Yes, on this St. Patrick’s Day, Grey Eagle is in route back to Iraq.

I cherished each and every moment I had spent with her. For a short time, the world stood still and there only existed me and my wife. I never remember being so happy. ..”

Look at this well put together timeline of the last three years of the conflict in Iraq. Reference links to the information are given in the timeline and it definitely will jog your memories – well it least it did mine.

Think Progress » TIMELINE: Three Years Of War In Iraq

Today marks the three-year anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. ThinkProgress has created a timeline that tells the story of the Iraq war over the past 36 months.
The timeline catalogues the key events, quotes and pictures of the war. Check it out and spread the word. And make sure to tell us what we missed in the comments section.

If you are an American Soldier – thankyou.

If you are sitting at your computer like I am typing safe and sound about this, please consider the question seriously: It’s the third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Where do we stand?

Blast from the Past or Computer’s in 1972

I came across this link on Boing Boing. It is a 1972 documentary on ARPAnet, the early internet.  It brings back the memories, keypunch cards,  endless printouts, jammed trackter feeds,  and a game called Wumpus (not sure of spelling anymore). Remember when access to ARPAnet was special?
Movie at Video Google