Free Iraq
The US's occupation of Iraq will see to it that the Lion of Babylon rises again .. سنـُبعـَث ُ من جَديد ، وإلى ضَـيـرِِهِـم
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| Unrevealed Milestones in the Iraqi National Nuclear Program: 1981-1991 | معالم وأحداث غير مكشوفة في البرنامج النووي الوطني العراقي 1981-1991 | 
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Sunday, February 20, 2005
Iraqi Oil Workers
"We lived through dark days under Saddam Hussein's dictatorship. When the regime fell, people wanted a new life: a life without shackles and terror; a life where we could rebuild our country and enjoy its natural wealth. Instead, our communities have been attacked with chemicals and cluster bombs, and our people tortured, raped and killed in our homes.
Saddam's secret police used to creep over the roofs into our homes at night; occupation troops now break down our doors in broad daylight. The media do not show even a fraction of the devastation that has engulfed Iraq. Journalists who dare to report the truth of what is happening have been kidnapped by terrorists. This serves the agenda of the occupation, which aims to eliminate witnesses to its crimes.
Workers in Iraq's southern oilfields began organising soon after British occupying forces invaded Basra. We founded our union, the Southern Oil Company Union, just 11 days after the fall of Baghdad in April 2003. When the occupation troops stood back and allowed Basra's hospitals, universities and public services to be burned and looted, while they defended only the oil ministry and oilfields, we knew we were dealing with a brutal force prepared to impose its will without regard for human suffering. From the beginning, we were left in no doubt that the US and its allies had come to take control of our oil resources.
The occupation authorities have maintained many of Saddam's repressive laws, including the 1987 order which robbed us of basic union rights, including the right to strike. Today, we still have no official recognition as a trade union, despite having 23,000 members in 10 oil and gas companies in Basra, Amara, Nassiriya, and up to Anbar province. However, we draw our legitimacy from the workers, not the government. We believe unions should operate regardless of the government's wishes, until the people are able finally to elect a genuinely accountable and independent Iraqi government, which represents our interests and not those of American imperialism.
Our union is independent of any political party.... Our union has already shown it is able to stand its ground against one of the most powerful US companies, Dick Cheney's KBR, which tried to take over our workplaces with the protection of occupation forces.
We forced them out and compelled their Kuwaiti subcontractor, Al Khourafi, to replace 1,000 of the 1,200 employees it brought with it with Iraqi workers, 70% of whom are unemployed today. We also fought US viceroy Paul Bremer's wage schedule, which dictated that Iraqi public sector workers must earn ID 69,000 ($35) per month, while paying up to $1,000 a day to thousands of foreign mercenaries. In August 2003 we took strike action and shut down all oil production for three days. As a result, the occupation authorities had to raise wages to a minimum of ID 150,000.
We see it as our duty to defend the country's resources. We reject and will oppose all moves to privatise our oil industry and national resources. We regard this privatisation as a form of neo-colonialism, an attempt to impose a permanent economic occupation to follow the military occupation.
The occupation has deliberately fomented a sectarian division of Sunni and Shia. We never knew this sort of division before. Our families intermarried, we lived and worked together. And today we are resisting this brutal occupation together, from Falluja to Najaf to Sadr City. The resistance to the occupation forces is a God-given right of Iraqis, and we, as a union, see ourselves as a necessary part of this resistance - although we will fight using our industrial power, our collective strength as a union, and as a part of civil society which needs to grow in order to defeat both still-powerful Saddamist elites and the foreign occupation of our country.
Bush and Blair should remember that those who voted in last month's elections in Iraq are as hostile to the occupation as those who boycotted them. Those who claim to represent the Iraqi working class while calling for the occupation to stay a bit longer, due to "fears of civil war", are in fact speaking only for themselves and the minority of Iraqis whose interests are dependent on the occupation.
We as a union call for the withdrawal of foreign occupation forces and their military bases. We don't want a timetable - this is a stalling tactic. We will solve our own problems. We are Iraqis, we know our country and we can take care of ourselves. We have the means, the skills and resources to rebuild and create our own democratic society.
· Hassan Juma'a Awad is general secretary of Iraq's Southern Oil Company Union and president of the Basra Oil Workers' Union hssnawad@yahoo.com
Leave our country now February 18, 2005
Your Oil or Else ............................ As I was saying
Comments:
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This has and always be an illegal invasion for oil and empire. White supremacists love this conflict. Others who support it merely follow along because it gives them a "warm fuzzy" feeling of false accomplishment, bizzare as it is. Syria and Iran are next to be "liberated". How sad this world is becoming to live in. Proud to be an American? Not at all right now. Anyone who wants to deny my right to express the truth, shut up and deal with it! Sucks to be you, doesn't it?
Al Mc.
Al Mc.
Interesting reading, but i would like to ask a question or two and make a couple of comments.
Anyone who belives America used any chemical other than CS or Tear gas is short of being a moron..There is no means produced to keep gas confined to a small area unless you are inside a bubble..Correct or not..
What i gather about your meaning of your countrys natural wealth YOU mean OIL..So it stands to reason that would would be the first thing to come from you or people like you..Personaly i would think of a countrys natural wealth as her people..
The same people that burned and looted there own towns and cities..Why would they do such a thing Dr?..What would you be saying now if the troops had attempted to stop them..Surely people would have died..But why do it in the first place..
Oil fields or any type of resourse such as that needs to be gaurded first thing..Why?..A oil fire lets say dosent just burn the oil but affects the earth we live on sir.
Unions are a good thing, i belong to one myself now, but to create one in 11 days with a 23000 member list of 10 companys is short of amazeing..Someone knew what was going to happen before it happend there in my opinion..
Lastly i need to thank you for saying the truth as to how the insurgents are nothing more than lap dogs for the ones whos interests are at stake..Perhaps the word will get around to them and they see the error of there ways.
Anyone who belives America used any chemical other than CS or Tear gas is short of being a moron..There is no means produced to keep gas confined to a small area unless you are inside a bubble..Correct or not..
What i gather about your meaning of your countrys natural wealth YOU mean OIL..So it stands to reason that would would be the first thing to come from you or people like you..Personaly i would think of a countrys natural wealth as her people..
The same people that burned and looted there own towns and cities..Why would they do such a thing Dr?..What would you be saying now if the troops had attempted to stop them..Surely people would have died..But why do it in the first place..
Oil fields or any type of resourse such as that needs to be gaurded first thing..Why?..A oil fire lets say dosent just burn the oil but affects the earth we live on sir.
Unions are a good thing, i belong to one myself now, but to create one in 11 days with a 23000 member list of 10 companys is short of amazeing..Someone knew what was going to happen before it happend there in my opinion..
Lastly i need to thank you for saying the truth as to how the insurgents are nothing more than lap dogs for the ones whos interests are at stake..Perhaps the word will get around to them and they see the error of there ways.
Well of course they didn't change Saddam's laws. Why should they? We never objected to his regime until we needed an excuse to invade, and since that was just for the trailer park, why should it have any effect on the ground?
Hell, we even opened up their old institution for political prisoners. You may have heard of a place called abu-Ghraib?
Why should we change anything? Saddam was Reagan's man in Baghdad, and now Baghdad is ours. All we did was cut out the middleman.
Don't be naiive.
Hell, we even opened up their old institution for political prisoners. You may have heard of a place called abu-Ghraib?
Why should we change anything? Saddam was Reagan's man in Baghdad, and now Baghdad is ours. All we did was cut out the middleman.
Don't be naiive.
TSHearn:
I question your use of the "love it or leave it" expression. Do you believe a good citizen must always unquestioningly support the government? Do you believe the government is ALWAYS right? If one had evidence of an action or behavior that was going to run a friend into the ditch, would one refrain from seeking to correct the friend? Just what do you think constitutes the duty of a good citizen?
As for myself, I believe my role as a citizen INCLUDES, but is not confined to, being informed of my country's policies at home and abroad and AT LEAST making intelligent comment, willingly accepting constructive feedback. At present, I think this government is running us all into the ditch. Perhaps I am wrong. But I am, however, allowed to state my opinion. Persecution or forced emigration should not be the consequence. Unless, of course, somewhere it is written that to be a good American we all must share the same opinion.
I question your use of the "love it or leave it" expression. Do you believe a good citizen must always unquestioningly support the government? Do you believe the government is ALWAYS right? If one had evidence of an action or behavior that was going to run a friend into the ditch, would one refrain from seeking to correct the friend? Just what do you think constitutes the duty of a good citizen?
As for myself, I believe my role as a citizen INCLUDES, but is not confined to, being informed of my country's policies at home and abroad and AT LEAST making intelligent comment, willingly accepting constructive feedback. At present, I think this government is running us all into the ditch. Perhaps I am wrong. But I am, however, allowed to state my opinion. Persecution or forced emigration should not be the consequence. Unless, of course, somewhere it is written that to be a good American we all must share the same opinion.
evelyn: To not support the goverment when men and women are dieing overseas is an act i can not and will not approve of from anyone within my country..If al mc is so disgusted with the U.S.A. then he needs to think twice about where he lives, freedom of choice.
Policies are a totaly diffrent animal at this point time so ill stay on topic..
Anyone should have the right to voice there opinion (freedom of speech)..But if it so awful for them to be in that place, well, see above..
Wouldnt you think if the people like the Doc here were to band together to reach a comman goal of a free Iraq that things would be better in the long run, or does hate bring you together the best..I didnt come here to ride the Doc's butt, i said what had to about who i thought he was and moved on to try to help get a point of view across in my opinion is better that hatemonging.
I did try and answer in the other thread as well.
Policies are a totaly diffrent animal at this point time so ill stay on topic..
Anyone should have the right to voice there opinion (freedom of speech)..But if it so awful for them to be in that place, well, see above..
Wouldnt you think if the people like the Doc here were to band together to reach a comman goal of a free Iraq that things would be better in the long run, or does hate bring you together the best..I didnt come here to ride the Doc's butt, i said what had to about who i thought he was and moved on to try to help get a point of view across in my opinion is better that hatemonging.
I did try and answer in the other thread as well.
tshearn
Your posting at 2:34 pm concerning the use of chemical weapons in Fallujah:
"Iraqi Physican Confirms US Chemical Weapons Use In Fallujah" http://rense.com/general59/useit.htm
Your posting at 2:34 pm concerning the use of chemical weapons in Fallujah:
"Iraqi Physican Confirms US Chemical Weapons Use In Fallujah" http://rense.com/general59/useit.htm
Imad, you might find it of interest, if not yet done, to subscribe to http://www.uruknet.info/, they send daily a newsletter with a choice of articles and analyses about the iraqi occcupation, in Italian, English and other languages. The Guardian (UK) talkboard also has some threads, such as the "Protest thread" and the "Where are the WMDs thread" which are used by many of us as information clearing houses about Iraq and related subjects.
All take to the streets, from all our countries, to demonstrate on March 19 /20 to mark the second anniversary of that murderous and illegal invasion !
Boycott all goods from American companies ! Do not invest in US dollards !
All take to the streets, from all our countries, to demonstrate on March 19 /20 to mark the second anniversary of that murderous and illegal invasion !
Boycott all goods from American companies ! Do not invest in US dollards !
TSHearn:
Thank you for your responses. At this point it would be easier to back away from the discussion, because, like many others, I fear having labels hurled at me. But you have remained in the discussion with integrity, so let me be as brave as you.
What I'd like to respond to now (picking up the prior thread) is the matter of American servicemen and women in Iraq. I agree with you: MOST of them are not there for money. But I think they have been sent there for dishonest reasons. I do not accept that the reasons for them being sent there had ANYTHING to do with national security. I think oil and the control of oil (and Middle East politics) are the main reason they are there. And I think these men and women can best be supported by bringing them home to their families and loved ones NOW where they would rather be. (I know, of course, that this won't happen.) I don't believe mothers and fathers raise their beloved babies to go off and fight and kill and die. And I don't believe most of our military wish that for themselves. I think mostly they are innocent pawns, caught up in something not of their own making. And this war is doing terrible things to them. IF we have been told a lie, it is right to say so. Not to do so is unfair to these sons and daughters of our country's mothers and fathers.
Thank you for your responses. At this point it would be easier to back away from the discussion, because, like many others, I fear having labels hurled at me. But you have remained in the discussion with integrity, so let me be as brave as you.
What I'd like to respond to now (picking up the prior thread) is the matter of American servicemen and women in Iraq. I agree with you: MOST of them are not there for money. But I think they have been sent there for dishonest reasons. I do not accept that the reasons for them being sent there had ANYTHING to do with national security. I think oil and the control of oil (and Middle East politics) are the main reason they are there. And I think these men and women can best be supported by bringing them home to their families and loved ones NOW where they would rather be. (I know, of course, that this won't happen.) I don't believe mothers and fathers raise their beloved babies to go off and fight and kill and die. And I don't believe most of our military wish that for themselves. I think mostly they are innocent pawns, caught up in something not of their own making. And this war is doing terrible things to them. IF we have been told a lie, it is right to say so. Not to do so is unfair to these sons and daughters of our country's mothers and fathers.
Eveyln
Perhaps the point was missed. That drawing with dollars in the eyes came after this:
"The resulting confusion over numbers has allowed the US administration to claim that it is half-way to meeting the target of training almost 270,000 Iraqi forces, including around 52,000 troops and 135,000 Iraqi policemen. The reality, according to experts, is that there may be as few as 5,000 troops who could be considered combat ready."
Pentagon covers up failure to train and recruit local security forces February 13, 2005
And in reality, those are these:"
The drawing was intended to depict the so-called 'Iraqi National Guard' whose salaries are paid by the Americans, not the Iraqi Government.
They are mercenaries, fighting for the Americans. They are the result of Allawi's connivance with the CIA during his visits to Langley in 2003. They are very hated in Iraq. Their members also include Kurdish Pesh Merga and the Shiite Badr Brigade, who actively participated in the attacks on Najaf, Karbala, Fallujah, Ramadi (today), Tal Afar, Samara, Baghdad etc...
There is a whole posting critical of them, in Arabic though, on Friday January 14, 2005.
Perhaps the point was missed. That drawing with dollars in the eyes came after this:
"The resulting confusion over numbers has allowed the US administration to claim that it is half-way to meeting the target of training almost 270,000 Iraqi forces, including around 52,000 troops and 135,000 Iraqi policemen. The reality, according to experts, is that there may be as few as 5,000 troops who could be considered combat ready."
Pentagon covers up failure to train and recruit local security forces February 13, 2005
And in reality, those are these:"
The drawing was intended to depict the so-called 'Iraqi National Guard' whose salaries are paid by the Americans, not the Iraqi Government.
They are mercenaries, fighting for the Americans. They are the result of Allawi's connivance with the CIA during his visits to Langley in 2003. They are very hated in Iraq. Their members also include Kurdish Pesh Merga and the Shiite Badr Brigade, who actively participated in the attacks on Najaf, Karbala, Fallujah, Ramadi (today), Tal Afar, Samara, Baghdad etc...
There is a whole posting critical of them, in Arabic though, on Friday January 14, 2005.
It's too bad you've even got to have this blog.
Those horrible bastards in the white house are really the ones who should physically be there fighting this thing. Funny how the silver spoon factor determines who lives and dies in this world.
I'm just glad I never had any children to see what a shithole these people are turning this once beautiful planet in to.
Those horrible bastards in the white house are really the ones who should physically be there fighting this thing. Funny how the silver spoon factor determines who lives and dies in this world.
I'm just glad I never had any children to see what a shithole these people are turning this once beautiful planet in to.
Dr Khadduri
Thank you. I accept the point you make. It clearly got lost sight of.
Perhaps your readers would be interested to learn that Mark Jensen (19 Feb.) reports as follows:
"Scott Ritter, appearing with journalist Dahr Jamail yesterday in Washington State, dropped two shocking bombshells in a talk delivered to a packed house in Olympia's Capitol Theater. The ex-Marine turned UNSCOM weapons inspector said that George W. Bush has "signed off" on plans to bomb Iran in June 2005, and claimed the U.S. manipulated the results of the recent Jan. 30 elections in Iraq."
(This is but one para. of a longer article. Presume there will be SOMETHING about this in mainstream media; it has been clear that the administration is preparing us for further intervention.)
Thank you. I accept the point you make. It clearly got lost sight of.
Perhaps your readers would be interested to learn that Mark Jensen (19 Feb.) reports as follows:
"Scott Ritter, appearing with journalist Dahr Jamail yesterday in Washington State, dropped two shocking bombshells in a talk delivered to a packed house in Olympia's Capitol Theater. The ex-Marine turned UNSCOM weapons inspector said that George W. Bush has "signed off" on plans to bomb Iran in June 2005, and claimed the U.S. manipulated the results of the recent Jan. 30 elections in Iraq."
(This is but one para. of a longer article. Presume there will be SOMETHING about this in mainstream media; it has been clear that the administration is preparing us for further intervention.)
tshearn, your attack on me was as I personally predicted. "Love it or leave it"? I -served- it! All the men in my immediate family served it. The point I made previously stands. White supremacists absolutely LOVE this conflict. Period. What's so hard to figure out on this? And I say yet again...deal with it!
The point I made in my original post pointed out another aspect of this illegal conquest, that gets extremely little airtime. I'm saddened, as an American, that other citizens are so myopic that they cannot see past their our pride. If the government promoted child slavery, would one have to support the government unconditionally? I sure wouldn't. Just like now. I didn't support Clinton either, in his support of oppressive sanctions against the Iraqi people. I often wonder what US citizens would do if they didn't have TV to show them what to believe?
Al Mac,
Not trying to deny your right to tell the truth but perhaps you could help me out with something: So how many white supremicists do you know? Do you interview at your house or do you visit then at their cabin in the woods??? Just curious...
By the way, Evelyn has cited a report that says that Scott Ritters says he has heard from an unnamed administration source that the US will be bringing some 'Shock and Awe' to Iran this coming June. Glad we have it on record, Evelyn. Maybe you want to tell the folks in Tehran, no? I firmly belive they should be given advance warning. Say, you wouldn'thappent o have a date for the attack, would you? Please ask Scott so we can make some calls. Thanks,
Not trying to deny your right to tell the truth but perhaps you could help me out with something: So how many white supremicists do you know? Do you interview at your house or do you visit then at their cabin in the woods??? Just curious...
By the way, Evelyn has cited a report that says that Scott Ritters says he has heard from an unnamed administration source that the US will be bringing some 'Shock and Awe' to Iran this coming June. Glad we have it on record, Evelyn. Maybe you want to tell the folks in Tehran, no? I firmly belive they should be given advance warning. Say, you wouldn'thappent o have a date for the attack, would you? Please ask Scott so we can make some calls. Thanks,
Deal with the truth Jim, instead of denying it. While I served in the military, white racists were quick to say "sand niggers" in referring to Arabs or any middle eastern, brown or tanned skinned person. Need anymore information, Dartanion? As for Iran, why aren't you in military garb preparing along with the rest of the grunts, instead of sitting on your sorry butt drinking beer and eating pork chops? If you really want to show some intelligence, hold your saint george and his misadministration accountable for crimes he's committed the last 4 yrs., especially 9-11. Negligence can be proven in a court of law.
Jim
Your tone suggests (correct me if I misunderstand) that you favor ending "diplomatic" approaches previously promised by the President and starting to bomb Iran without further ado.
Your tone suggests (correct me if I misunderstand) that you favor ending "diplomatic" approaches previously promised by the President and starting to bomb Iran without further ado.
Jim
Apologies. In my "rush to print" (above) a couple of points were omitted.
1. It may put your mind at rest to consider that Iran probably does not depend on reading these blogs to discover the date they will be bombed, either by the United States or by Israel.
2. An honorable President would not repeatedly deceive us about his intentions. Revealed destructive misdirection is fair game for public comment.
3. Our own Declaration of Independence includes this paragraph:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED." (Last phrase soon, without notice, to be excised.)
Though irrelevant to George and Dick and Paul and Donald and Jeb and the rest of the neocons, I, for one, DO NOT consent to the bombing of Iran, or Iraq, or North Korea, or Cuba, or Venezuela, with or without notice.
Oops, almost forgot. You enquired about a precise date. Somewhere there was a whisper about (shhh, not outloud, someone might hear) June 1, 12h03:04.
Apologies. In my "rush to print" (above) a couple of points were omitted.
1. It may put your mind at rest to consider that Iran probably does not depend on reading these blogs to discover the date they will be bombed, either by the United States or by Israel.
2. An honorable President would not repeatedly deceive us about his intentions. Revealed destructive misdirection is fair game for public comment.
3. Our own Declaration of Independence includes this paragraph:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED." (Last phrase soon, without notice, to be excised.)
Though irrelevant to George and Dick and Paul and Donald and Jeb and the rest of the neocons, I, for one, DO NOT consent to the bombing of Iran, or Iraq, or North Korea, or Cuba, or Venezuela, with or without notice.
Oops, almost forgot. You enquired about a precise date. Somewhere there was a whisper about (shhh, not outloud, someone might hear) June 1, 12h03:04.
Evelyn,
You impress me! You are quite an expert on the Constitution. And you are most correct when you say you are irrelevant. I could not agree more.
For your information, I DO favor diplomatic approaches and am not in support of – nor I believe exist – any supposed bombing plans for Iran. That is but another left wing conspiracy theory started by some nutjob yearning for attention. (Do you hear that, Scottie?). I hate to even dignify the rumor by commenting on it, so enough said.
Iran’s nuclear armament program is a serious matter. No matter what you may think - nuclear weapons in the hands of a government possessing close ties to Islamic terrorist organizations is nothing to be taken lightly. Unlike Saddam and the terrorist groups operating in Iraq before the invasion, the Iranian terrorist groups and the Clerics controlling the Iranian Government share a lot of common ground. The idea that they could conspire together is a very real concern, not only for the US, but all of Europe and the Middle East.
You impress me! You are quite an expert on the Constitution. And you are most correct when you say you are irrelevant. I could not agree more.
For your information, I DO favor diplomatic approaches and am not in support of – nor I believe exist – any supposed bombing plans for Iran. That is but another left wing conspiracy theory started by some nutjob yearning for attention. (Do you hear that, Scottie?). I hate to even dignify the rumor by commenting on it, so enough said.
Iran’s nuclear armament program is a serious matter. No matter what you may think - nuclear weapons in the hands of a government possessing close ties to Islamic terrorist organizations is nothing to be taken lightly. Unlike Saddam and the terrorist groups operating in Iraq before the invasion, the Iranian terrorist groups and the Clerics controlling the Iranian Government share a lot of common ground. The idea that they could conspire together is a very real concern, not only for the US, but all of Europe and the Middle East.
Stef -
Thanks for the link (above)to a US Presidential Speech. I went to it and found it was Eisenhower's 1961 farewell remarks on the military-industrial complex. I have taken the liberty of extracting salient points, knowing that others would have chosen differently.
"Throughout America's adventure in free government, our basic purposes have been to keep the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among people and among nations. . . . Any failure traceable to arrogance, . . . would inflict upon us grievous hurt both at home and abroad. . . Our military organization today bears little relation to that known by any of my predecessors in peacetime. . . . .In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. . . .We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together. . . .As we peer into society's future, we -- you and I, and our government -- must avoid the impulse to live only for today, plundering, for our own ease and convenience, the precious resources of tomorrow. . . .Down the long lane of the history yet to be written America knows that this world of ours, ever growing smaller, must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect. . . .Such a confederation must be one of equals. The weakest must come to the conference table with the same confidence as do we, protected as we are by our moral, economic, and military strength. That table, though scarred by many past frustrations, cannot be abandoned for the certain agony of the battlefield. . . .Disarmament, with mutual honor and confidence, is a continuing imperative. Together we must learn how to compose differences, not with arms, but with intellect and decent purpose."
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Jim -
I share your healthy concern about nuclear weapons and their proliferation, bearing in mind that the United States government is the ONLY one EVER to have used this savage weaponry to destroy and maim.
Thanks for the link (above)to a US Presidential Speech. I went to it and found it was Eisenhower's 1961 farewell remarks on the military-industrial complex. I have taken the liberty of extracting salient points, knowing that others would have chosen differently.
"Throughout America's adventure in free government, our basic purposes have been to keep the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among people and among nations. . . . Any failure traceable to arrogance, . . . would inflict upon us grievous hurt both at home and abroad. . . Our military organization today bears little relation to that known by any of my predecessors in peacetime. . . . .In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. . . .We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together. . . .As we peer into society's future, we -- you and I, and our government -- must avoid the impulse to live only for today, plundering, for our own ease and convenience, the precious resources of tomorrow. . . .Down the long lane of the history yet to be written America knows that this world of ours, ever growing smaller, must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect. . . .Such a confederation must be one of equals. The weakest must come to the conference table with the same confidence as do we, protected as we are by our moral, economic, and military strength. That table, though scarred by many past frustrations, cannot be abandoned for the certain agony of the battlefield. . . .Disarmament, with mutual honor and confidence, is a continuing imperative. Together we must learn how to compose differences, not with arms, but with intellect and decent purpose."
-----------------------
Jim -
I share your healthy concern about nuclear weapons and their proliferation, bearing in mind that the United States government is the ONLY one EVER to have used this savage weaponry to destroy and maim.
Dr Kahdurri,
I came across your posts by accident today and basically confirmed what I have feared which is that Iraq is and will always remain under occupation. My heart goes out to you and your countries freedom fighters. People here in the west are talking about how "wonderful" things are going in Iraq and that the people are now "liberated". I pity them for they do not know middle eastern politics very well. Keep up the good work sir.
Michael Nejad
I came across your posts by accident today and basically confirmed what I have feared which is that Iraq is and will always remain under occupation. My heart goes out to you and your countries freedom fighters. People here in the west are talking about how "wonderful" things are going in Iraq and that the people are now "liberated". I pity them for they do not know middle eastern politics very well. Keep up the good work sir.
Michael Nejad
Scott Ritter on Iraq's election (see link posted 10:39 AM):
"The former Marine also said that the Jan. 30 elections, which George W. Bush has called "a turning point in the history of Iraq, a milestone in the advance of freedom," were not so free after all. Ritter said that U.S. authorities in Iraq had manipulated the results in order to reduce the percentage of the vote received by the United Iraqi Alliance from 56% to 48%."
It's not surprising that vote-counting techniques practiced in the November '04 American election used to "liberate" votes for Bush might easily have been employed in Iraq last month, particularly when one recalls that almost all international observers monitored the Iraqi election from the safety of Jordan!
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"The former Marine also said that the Jan. 30 elections, which George W. Bush has called "a turning point in the history of Iraq, a milestone in the advance of freedom," were not so free after all. Ritter said that U.S. authorities in Iraq had manipulated the results in order to reduce the percentage of the vote received by the United Iraqi Alliance from 56% to 48%."
It's not surprising that vote-counting techniques practiced in the November '04 American election used to "liberate" votes for Bush might easily have been employed in Iraq last month, particularly when one recalls that almost all international observers monitored the Iraqi election from the safety of Jordan!
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