WE'VE BEEN BLIXED
Nadia says: "Blix book will tell the world what sort of liars Bush and Blair are. And some will go to any length to discredit the messenger (Blix) instead of turning the focus to Bush and Blair." (Al Muajaha.com)
Blix's book may just tell more than Blix wants known. His quotes are wonderful. There is a saying that sometimes it's best to "smile and let the world believe you are intelligent; rather than open your mouth to confirm your ignorance." In the Hans Blix case, it may be more than ignorance.
Earlier this year, Blix admitted to a British newspaper: *****"It's correct to say that the IAEA was fooled by the Iraqis."*****
No, Hans Blix (who said they were clean again, and again) was fooled. It's very possible that no one will bother to discredit Hans Blix, we'll just wait for him to do it himself.
by Max
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
BLIX AGAIN
More quotes and miscellanous:
Blix said Iraq was unable to account for its cache of VX poison gas or its stockpile of anthrax. The VX gas, Blix told the panel, appeared to have been "weaponized." In addition there were concerned about the fate of VX precursor chemicals, which Iraq told inspectors were lost in the Gulf War bombing or destroyed by Iraq.
[note: It doesn’t exist, and now it “appeared to have been ‘weaponized.”]
Iraq declared that it had destroyed its store of 8,500 liters of anthrax in 1991, but Blix said no "convincing evidence" existed of its destruction.
"There are strong indications that Iraq produced more anthrax than it declared and that at least some of this was retained after the declared destruction date. It might still exist," Blix said
Those questions include what Iraq has done with its stockpiles of
the nerve agent VX. There are indications that Iraq has weaponized this deadly chemical, Blix said. Moreover, "There are strong indications that Iraq produced more anthrax than it declared."
"Any further sign of the concealed documents would be serious," Blix said. "There can be no sanctuaries for proscribed items, activities, or documents. A denial of prompt access to any site would be very serious matter."
"Iraq appears not to have come to a genuine acceptance, not
even today, of the disarmament which was demanded of it," Blix said.
More quotes and miscellanous:
Blix said Iraq was unable to account for its cache of VX poison gas or its stockpile of anthrax. The VX gas, Blix told the panel, appeared to have been "weaponized." In addition there were concerned about the fate of VX precursor chemicals, which Iraq told inspectors were lost in the Gulf War bombing or destroyed by Iraq.
[note: It doesn’t exist, and now it “appeared to have been ‘weaponized.”]
Iraq declared that it had destroyed its store of 8,500 liters of anthrax in 1991, but Blix said no "convincing evidence" existed of its destruction.
"There are strong indications that Iraq produced more anthrax than it declared and that at least some of this was retained after the declared destruction date. It might still exist," Blix said
Those questions include what Iraq has done with its stockpiles of
the nerve agent VX. There are indications that Iraq has weaponized this deadly chemical, Blix said. Moreover, "There are strong indications that Iraq produced more anthrax than it declared."
"Any further sign of the concealed documents would be serious," Blix said. "There can be no sanctuaries for proscribed items, activities, or documents. A denial of prompt access to any site would be very serious matter."
"Iraq appears not to have come to a genuine acceptance, not
even today, of the disarmament which was demanded of it," Blix said.
HANS BLIX
According to a new article on Al Muajaha.com, Blix has a book out. I just had to respond with as much as I could collect.
Butler said he had ''no doubt'' that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, but was unsure whether they would be found.
***''Do they exist? No question. I knew that, (current U.N. chief weapons inspector) Hans Blix knew that, the U.N. Security Council knows that, the permanent members of the Security Council knew that because some of them kept the receipts,'' Butler said***. [Sydney, April 15, Kyodo—comment by Richard Butler, former Chief UN Weapons Inspector]
Per Ahlmark, who had been Blix’s boss in 1960 and had followed his career since then, said in an article published on Nov. 1, 2002 that Blix was chosen after "Friends of Iraq in Paris and Moscow consulted Baghdad to see whom Saddam would prefer." He added, "France and Russia then suggested Mr. Blix."
Ahlmark’s article was appropriately titled, "Sending in a Dupe to Disarm Saddam." He described Blix as amiable but "politically weak and easily fooled." He said, "I can think of few European officials less suitable for a showdown with Saddam."
He pointed out that Blix, as head of the IAEA, had assured the world before the Gulf War that nothing alarming was happening in Iraq. He gave Saddam the report he had hoped for when he began hiding his nuclear ambitions and facilities.
. . .He contrasts him with David Kay, whom he described as a highly skilled inspector who discovered evidence that Iraq was only 12 to 18 months away from producing a nuclear device. He says that Kay’s distrust of Saddam’s henchmen led Blix to chide him for not accepting "official information."
"I think it is wiser," he said, "to interview the Iraqis inside Iraq and in the presence of a representative of the Iraqi government." (Blix)
[This might make some Iraqis laugh. . .now. It could have been more blatant, Blix could have suggested that the scientists be interview in the presence of Iraqi Intelligence—but, maybe they were present in some form.]
DURING THE BLIX WATCH:
IAEA: Iraq developed WMD; India and Pakistan acquired nuclear, North Korea began developing nuclear was inspected—but still has it. Iran has a nuclear program, possibly begun during Blix’s watch. (IAEA needs improvement.)
UNMOVIC: Libya has WMD (including nuclear material and missiles) stockpiles of chemicals—tons of it. Syria has WMD. Iraq had existing programs. Is Syria’s WMD Iraq’s WMD? We don’t know yet. (UNMOVIC needs improvement--more than just Blix’s retirement.)
Looking into Blix's background, Podhoretz learned that
Hans Blix was director general of the International Atomic
Energy Agency. In that job he was to determine whether
certain nations - including Iraq - were developing nuclear
weapons.
Blix, Podhoretz writes, insisted that Iraq was clean. Not
once, but again and again. After the Gulf War, however,
documents seized by America and its allies established
that Saddam was within months of acquiring a nuclear bomb
Earlier this year, Blix admitted to a British newspaper:
"It's correct to say that the IAEA was fooled by the Iraqis."
"There is a fair amount of skepticism about armed action," Blix said at a U.N. press
briefing on Tuesday. "That skepticism would turn immediately around, if they used
chemical weapons or biological weapons," he said. "My guess is they would not."
http://www.newsmax.com/archive/print.shtml?a=2003/3/19/00030
[note: Apparently, Mr. Blix appears to believe they have the weapons in March 2003, just that they would not use them.]
Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix earlier told the U.N. Security Council that Iraq "does not appear to have come to a general acceptance" of the disarmament demanded of it. He said Iraq has been playing "hide and seek."
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/1/27/161214.shtml
[note: “Hide and seek” with what? How could you believe someone is hiding what you don’t believe they have.]
(OPINION)
“And Taheri warns that it appears that Blix believes that his job is not to uncover Saddam's hidden weapons of mass destruction but to come up with ‘a diplomatic fig leaf’ that could preclude a war to enforce U.N. resolutions and U.S. demands that Iraq disarm.”
[note: Blix (apparently) believed his title was not Chief Weapons Inspector, but Chief Fig Leaf Finder--Diplomat. And so, he did not find the more recent missile program--the missle is a violation of UNSC Resolutions.”]
According to a new article on Al Muajaha.com, Blix has a book out. I just had to respond with as much as I could collect.
Butler said he had ''no doubt'' that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, but was unsure whether they would be found.
***''Do they exist? No question. I knew that, (current U.N. chief weapons inspector) Hans Blix knew that, the U.N. Security Council knows that, the permanent members of the Security Council knew that because some of them kept the receipts,'' Butler said***. [Sydney, April 15, Kyodo—comment by Richard Butler, former Chief UN Weapons Inspector]
Per Ahlmark, who had been Blix’s boss in 1960 and had followed his career since then, said in an article published on Nov. 1, 2002 that Blix was chosen after "Friends of Iraq in Paris and Moscow consulted Baghdad to see whom Saddam would prefer." He added, "France and Russia then suggested Mr. Blix."
Ahlmark’s article was appropriately titled, "Sending in a Dupe to Disarm Saddam." He described Blix as amiable but "politically weak and easily fooled." He said, "I can think of few European officials less suitable for a showdown with Saddam."
He pointed out that Blix, as head of the IAEA, had assured the world before the Gulf War that nothing alarming was happening in Iraq. He gave Saddam the report he had hoped for when he began hiding his nuclear ambitions and facilities.
. . .He contrasts him with David Kay, whom he described as a highly skilled inspector who discovered evidence that Iraq was only 12 to 18 months away from producing a nuclear device. He says that Kay’s distrust of Saddam’s henchmen led Blix to chide him for not accepting "official information."
"I think it is wiser," he said, "to interview the Iraqis inside Iraq and in the presence of a representative of the Iraqi government." (Blix)
[This might make some Iraqis laugh. . .now. It could have been more blatant, Blix could have suggested that the scientists be interview in the presence of Iraqi Intelligence—but, maybe they were present in some form.]
DURING THE BLIX WATCH:
IAEA: Iraq developed WMD; India and Pakistan acquired nuclear, North Korea began developing nuclear was inspected—but still has it. Iran has a nuclear program, possibly begun during Blix’s watch. (IAEA needs improvement.)
UNMOVIC: Libya has WMD (including nuclear material and missiles) stockpiles of chemicals—tons of it. Syria has WMD. Iraq had existing programs. Is Syria’s WMD Iraq’s WMD? We don’t know yet. (UNMOVIC needs improvement--more than just Blix’s retirement.)
Looking into Blix's background, Podhoretz learned that
Hans Blix was director general of the International Atomic
Energy Agency. In that job he was to determine whether
certain nations - including Iraq - were developing nuclear
weapons.
Blix, Podhoretz writes, insisted that Iraq was clean. Not
once, but again and again. After the Gulf War, however,
documents seized by America and its allies established
that Saddam was within months of acquiring a nuclear bomb
Earlier this year, Blix admitted to a British newspaper:
"It's correct to say that the IAEA was fooled by the Iraqis."
"There is a fair amount of skepticism about armed action," Blix said at a U.N. press
briefing on Tuesday. "That skepticism would turn immediately around, if they used
chemical weapons or biological weapons," he said. "My guess is they would not."
http://www.newsmax.com/archive/print.shtml?a=2003/3/19/00030
[note: Apparently, Mr. Blix appears to believe they have the weapons in March 2003, just that they would not use them.]
Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix earlier told the U.N. Security Council that Iraq "does not appear to have come to a general acceptance" of the disarmament demanded of it. He said Iraq has been playing "hide and seek."
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/1/27/161214.shtml
[note: “Hide and seek” with what? How could you believe someone is hiding what you don’t believe they have.]
(OPINION)
“And Taheri warns that it appears that Blix believes that his job is not to uncover Saddam's hidden weapons of mass destruction but to come up with ‘a diplomatic fig leaf’ that could preclude a war to enforce U.N. resolutions and U.S. demands that Iraq disarm.”
[note: Blix (apparently) believed his title was not Chief Weapons Inspector, but Chief Fig Leaf Finder--Diplomat. And so, he did not find the more recent missile program--the missle is a violation of UNSC Resolutions.”]
Sunday, March 07, 2004
Useless Knowledge
[i]As Blix himself said:
“Little of the detail in these declarations, such as production quantities, dates of events and unilateral destruction activities, can be confirmed. Such information is critical to an assessment of the status of disarmament. Furthermore, in some instances, UNMOVIC has information that conflicts with the information in the declaration. (page 139)”
Now that we've removed Saddam from power, we've finally been able to begin conducting serious inspections (still hampered, however, by terrorist activity). Dr. David Kay was able to uncover a secret network of biological labs, testing labs in prisons, ongoing work on possible bioweapons like Brucella and Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever, unmanned aerial vehicles, and live botulinum that could have been used to quickly produce biological weapons. He also stated, "The ISG nuclear team has found indications that there was interest, beginning in 2002, in reconstituting a centrifuge enrichment program."
In January 2004, Kay said that he had not found large stockpiles of actual weapons, and the news media seized on that statement, ignoring what he actually did find. Now, despite the twelve years of UN insistence that Saddam had not accounted for all his WMDs, and the things that were found after the liberation of Iraq that Saddam never would have turned over to the UN voluntarily, is the United Nations seriously trying to say that they believe that Iraq had no illegal weapons since 1994? Does the UN really think we will forget their own reports to the contrary?[/i]
David Kay
David Kay (2003)
[i] Let me just give you a few examples of these concealment efforts, some of which I will elaborate on later:
• A clandestine network of laboratories and safehouses within the Iraqi Intelligence Service that contained equipment subject to UN monitoring and suitable for continuing CBW research.
• A prison laboratory complex, possibly used in human testing of BW agents, that Iraqi officials working to prepare for UN inspections were explicitly ordered not to declare to the UN.
• Reference strains of biological organisms concealed in a scientist's home, one of which can be used to produce biological weapons.
• New research on BW-applicable agents, Brucella and Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), and continuing work on ricin and aflatoxin were not declared to the UN.
• Documents and equipment, hidden in scientists' homes, that would have been useful in resuming uranium enrichment by centrifuge and electromagnetic isotope separation (EMIS).
• A line of UAVs not fully declared at an undeclared production facility and an admission that they had tested one of their declared UAVs out to a range of 500 km, 350 km beyond the permissible limit.
• Continuing covert capability to manufacture fuel propellant useful only for prohibited SCUD variant missiles, a capability that was maintained at least until the end of 2001 and that cooperating Iraqi scientists have said they were told to conceal from the UN.
• Plans and advanced design work for new long-range missiles with ranges up to at least 1000 km - well beyond the 150 km range limit imposed by the UN. Missiles of a 1000 km range would have allowed Iraq to threaten targets through out the Middle East, including Ankara, Cairo, and Abu Dhabi.
• Clandestine attempts between late-1999 and 2002 to obtain from North Korea technology related to 1,300 km range ballistic missiles --probably the No Dong -- 300 km range anti-ship cruise missiles, and other prohibited military equipment.
In addition to the discovery of extensive concealment efforts, we have been faced with a systematic sanitization of documentary and computer evidence in a wide range of offices, laboratories, and companies suspected of WMD work. The pattern of these efforts to erase evidence - hard drives destroyed, specific files burned, equipment cleaned of all traces of use - are ones of deliberate, rather than random, acts. For example,
• On 10 July 2003 an ISG team exploited the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) Headquarters in Baghdad. The basement of the main building contained an archive of documents situated on well-organized rows of metal shelving. The basement suffered no fire damage despite the total destruction of the upper floors from coalition air strikes. Upon arrival the exploitation team encountered small piles of ash where individual documents or binders of documents were intentionally destroyed. Computer hard drives had been deliberately destroyed. Computers would have had financial value to a random looter; their destruction, rather than removal for resale or reuse, indicates a targeted effort to prevent Coalition forces from gaining access to their contents.
• All IIS laboratories visited by IIS exploitation teams have been clearly sanitized, including removal of much equipment, shredding and burning of documents, and even the removal of nameplates from office doors.
• Although much of the deliberate destruction and sanitization of documents and records probably occurred during the height of OIF combat operations, indications of significant continuing destruction efforts have been found after the end of major combat operations, including entry in May 2003 of the locked gated vaults of the Ba'ath party intelligence building in Baghdad and highly selective destruction of computer hard drives and data storage equipment along with the burning of a small number of specific binders that appear to have contained financial and intelligence records, and in July 2003 a site exploitation team at the Abu Ghurayb Prison found one pile of the smoldering ashes from documents that was still warm to the touch.[/i]
[i]As Blix himself said:
“Little of the detail in these declarations, such as production quantities, dates of events and unilateral destruction activities, can be confirmed. Such information is critical to an assessment of the status of disarmament. Furthermore, in some instances, UNMOVIC has information that conflicts with the information in the declaration. (page 139)”
Now that we've removed Saddam from power, we've finally been able to begin conducting serious inspections (still hampered, however, by terrorist activity). Dr. David Kay was able to uncover a secret network of biological labs, testing labs in prisons, ongoing work on possible bioweapons like Brucella and Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever, unmanned aerial vehicles, and live botulinum that could have been used to quickly produce biological weapons. He also stated, "The ISG nuclear team has found indications that there was interest, beginning in 2002, in reconstituting a centrifuge enrichment program."
In January 2004, Kay said that he had not found large stockpiles of actual weapons, and the news media seized on that statement, ignoring what he actually did find. Now, despite the twelve years of UN insistence that Saddam had not accounted for all his WMDs, and the things that were found after the liberation of Iraq that Saddam never would have turned over to the UN voluntarily, is the United Nations seriously trying to say that they believe that Iraq had no illegal weapons since 1994? Does the UN really think we will forget their own reports to the contrary?[/i]
David Kay
David Kay (2003)
[i] Let me just give you a few examples of these concealment efforts, some of which I will elaborate on later:
• A clandestine network of laboratories and safehouses within the Iraqi Intelligence Service that contained equipment subject to UN monitoring and suitable for continuing CBW research.
• A prison laboratory complex, possibly used in human testing of BW agents, that Iraqi officials working to prepare for UN inspections were explicitly ordered not to declare to the UN.
• Reference strains of biological organisms concealed in a scientist's home, one of which can be used to produce biological weapons.
• New research on BW-applicable agents, Brucella and Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), and continuing work on ricin and aflatoxin were not declared to the UN.
• Documents and equipment, hidden in scientists' homes, that would have been useful in resuming uranium enrichment by centrifuge and electromagnetic isotope separation (EMIS).
• A line of UAVs not fully declared at an undeclared production facility and an admission that they had tested one of their declared UAVs out to a range of 500 km, 350 km beyond the permissible limit.
• Continuing covert capability to manufacture fuel propellant useful only for prohibited SCUD variant missiles, a capability that was maintained at least until the end of 2001 and that cooperating Iraqi scientists have said they were told to conceal from the UN.
• Plans and advanced design work for new long-range missiles with ranges up to at least 1000 km - well beyond the 150 km range limit imposed by the UN. Missiles of a 1000 km range would have allowed Iraq to threaten targets through out the Middle East, including Ankara, Cairo, and Abu Dhabi.
• Clandestine attempts between late-1999 and 2002 to obtain from North Korea technology related to 1,300 km range ballistic missiles --probably the No Dong -- 300 km range anti-ship cruise missiles, and other prohibited military equipment.
In addition to the discovery of extensive concealment efforts, we have been faced with a systematic sanitization of documentary and computer evidence in a wide range of offices, laboratories, and companies suspected of WMD work. The pattern of these efforts to erase evidence - hard drives destroyed, specific files burned, equipment cleaned of all traces of use - are ones of deliberate, rather than random, acts. For example,
• On 10 July 2003 an ISG team exploited the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) Headquarters in Baghdad. The basement of the main building contained an archive of documents situated on well-organized rows of metal shelving. The basement suffered no fire damage despite the total destruction of the upper floors from coalition air strikes. Upon arrival the exploitation team encountered small piles of ash where individual documents or binders of documents were intentionally destroyed. Computer hard drives had been deliberately destroyed. Computers would have had financial value to a random looter; their destruction, rather than removal for resale or reuse, indicates a targeted effort to prevent Coalition forces from gaining access to their contents.
• All IIS laboratories visited by IIS exploitation teams have been clearly sanitized, including removal of much equipment, shredding and burning of documents, and even the removal of nameplates from office doors.
• Although much of the deliberate destruction and sanitization of documents and records probably occurred during the height of OIF combat operations, indications of significant continuing destruction efforts have been found after the end of major combat operations, including entry in May 2003 of the locked gated vaults of the Ba'ath party intelligence building in Baghdad and highly selective destruction of computer hard drives and data storage equipment along with the burning of a small number of specific binders that appear to have contained financial and intelligence records, and in July 2003 a site exploitation team at the Abu Ghurayb Prison found one pile of the smoldering ashes from documents that was still warm to the touch.[/i]
AP
AP is reporting that 10 RPGs were fired into the Green Zone. Reports say that one building is on fire, housing, and possibly a Mess Hall were hit.
FOX: Not hearing any more explosions, or gunfire. Often "hit and run" attacks. FOX was explaining that it might be a light on the screen, not a fire; but, it seems to be flickering.
AP is reporting that 10 RPGs were fired into the Green Zone. Reports say that one building is on fire, housing, and possibly a Mess Hall were hit.
FOX: Not hearing any more explosions, or gunfire. Often "hit and run" attacks. FOX was explaining that it might be a light on the screen, not a fire; but, it seems to be flickering.
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND HOUSING
Reports coming in are stating that the Ministry, as well as nearby housing, was hit. Newscasters are concerned that an attack might have been conducted on troop housing or housing of administration.
First reports are usually very speculative. Listing the incoming reports gives an indication of accuracy of these speculations--guesses. Sometimes, the guesses have been excited blurtings of those who need to continuously talk, no matter what they say. Other guess are, sometimes, well-educated speculations which are surprisingly accurate.
Off-topic: I have to reconstruct the links. They were very useful and were (accidentally) wiped out while trying to add the comments section. It's an OOOOPS!
Reports coming in are stating that the Ministry, as well as nearby housing, was hit. Newscasters are concerned that an attack might have been conducted on troop housing or housing of administration.
First reports are usually very speculative. Listing the incoming reports gives an indication of accuracy of these speculations--guesses. Sometimes, the guesses have been excited blurtings of those who need to continuously talk, no matter what they say. Other guess are, sometimes, well-educated speculations which are surprisingly accurate.
Off-topic: I have to reconstruct the links. They were very useful and were (accidentally) wiped out while trying to add the comments section. It's an OOOOPS!
EXPLOSION(S) IN BAGHDAD
The news is reporting explosion or explosions in Baghdad near the Green Zone. Sirens are screaming. No information about what is happening, but the speculation is that possibly a series of attacks are in progress.
Early reports are that the explosions (now said to be plural) downtown near the Green Zone. Possibly rockets or motars are being shot into the area. Thick smoke is coming out of a building in the Baghdad Green Zone, according to Fox News. The explosions were followed by gunfire.
The news is reporting explosion or explosions in Baghdad near the Green Zone. Sirens are screaming. No information about what is happening, but the speculation is that possibly a series of attacks are in progress.
Early reports are that the explosions (now said to be plural) downtown near the Green Zone. Possibly rockets or motars are being shot into the area. Thick smoke is coming out of a building in the Baghdad Green Zone, according to Fox News. The explosions were followed by gunfire.
Friday, March 05, 2004
A FAMILY IN BAGHDAD
Faiza is willing to try to teach us Arabic. This is a kind and generous effort on her part. Thank you, Faiza. I've checked out the first lesson. It is clear, concise, and leaves my mind the moment I leave the site. I will have to read it again and again to impress it on my brain. It's a challenge and a good thing to try this.
Faiza Teaches You Arabic
Faiza is willing to try to teach us Arabic. This is a kind and generous effort on her part. Thank you, Faiza. I've checked out the first lesson. It is clear, concise, and leaves my mind the moment I leave the site. I will have to read it again and again to impress it on my brain. It's a challenge and a good thing to try this.
Faiza Teaches You Arabic
INTERIM CONSTITUTION
A Senior Coalition spokesperson said that all the Council Members are there, working on a difficulty. It sounds as though they are working on a refinement of language. He stressed that this is similar to the happenings when we were drafting our Constitution.
Something, apparently, came to the attention of the Council Members which needs a fix before the final signing. Since they are all there, it seems that all are willing to work diligently on whatever issue has presented itself. Some basic human rights should be irrevocable--Equality, Life, Liberty, Persuit of Happiness means FREEDOM.
They are working on it. It's approximately 8 in the evening (Baghdad.) They may have to continue tomorrow.
A Senior Coalition spokesperson said that all the Council Members are there, working on a difficulty. It sounds as though they are working on a refinement of language. He stressed that this is similar to the happenings when we were drafting our Constitution.
Something, apparently, came to the attention of the Council Members which needs a fix before the final signing. Since they are all there, it seems that all are willing to work diligently on whatever issue has presented itself. Some basic human rights should be irrevocable--Equality, Life, Liberty, Persuit of Happiness means FREEDOM.
They are working on it. It's approximately 8 in the evening (Baghdad.) They may have to continue tomorrow.
TURMOIL
There is turmoil in most lives--everyday. When you consider the whole, the turmoil of each man is not usually a high degree. When you consider the individual, the turmoil is high relative to his own life and thoughts; but it is highly subjective and internal. The Iraqi Turmoil is subjective, internal, as well as, objective and external.
The turmoil is delivered through fear and terror. There is fear that this great effort will not be the dream. There is terror that this great effort might be the nightmare. Through it all, some of the Iraqi Bloggers infuse us with their determination. This is what will win the day. . .DETERMINATION.
DETERMINATION is the need to do whatever it takes. The US has it; many of the Iraqis have it. TOGETHER, we will work to make this work, because we MUST. IRAQ IS THE KEY to unlock the door to freedom for the Middle East. IRAQ IS THE CROSSROAD, THE CENTER. Iraq is THE HUB around which the wheel can turn.
There are others with DETERMINATION. There are those who wish to keep their people poor and dependent. There are those who pedal propaganda to keep their populations enraged against others; thereby directing rage away from themselves. And there are the media propaganda puppets who feed on distortion and lies. Like leeches, they feed on the blood of the people. And, the people become weakened. They look for a snake as they grow weaker, when all the time it's the leech which is killing them slowly.
The media in the Middle East has almost sucked the people dry. They live off the hatred that they promote and they have been living well. The window of truth was opened (briefly) when the Arab Street was surprised by the defeat of Saddam. The typical people did not know. Why didn't they know? They didn't know because the leeches didn't tell them. As an example, this should be clear to all. The leeches weakened the people (again) and the people were surprise by their lack of awareness. Lack of knowledge (awareness) and hatred can be deadly. And, the leeches continue.
TRUTH IS A SHIELD FOR THE PEOPLE.
There is turmoil in most lives--everyday. When you consider the whole, the turmoil of each man is not usually a high degree. When you consider the individual, the turmoil is high relative to his own life and thoughts; but it is highly subjective and internal. The Iraqi Turmoil is subjective, internal, as well as, objective and external.
The turmoil is delivered through fear and terror. There is fear that this great effort will not be the dream. There is terror that this great effort might be the nightmare. Through it all, some of the Iraqi Bloggers infuse us with their determination. This is what will win the day. . .DETERMINATION.
DETERMINATION is the need to do whatever it takes. The US has it; many of the Iraqis have it. TOGETHER, we will work to make this work, because we MUST. IRAQ IS THE KEY to unlock the door to freedom for the Middle East. IRAQ IS THE CROSSROAD, THE CENTER. Iraq is THE HUB around which the wheel can turn.
There are others with DETERMINATION. There are those who wish to keep their people poor and dependent. There are those who pedal propaganda to keep their populations enraged against others; thereby directing rage away from themselves. And there are the media propaganda puppets who feed on distortion and lies. Like leeches, they feed on the blood of the people. And, the people become weakened. They look for a snake as they grow weaker, when all the time it's the leech which is killing them slowly.
The media in the Middle East has almost sucked the people dry. They live off the hatred that they promote and they have been living well. The window of truth was opened (briefly) when the Arab Street was surprised by the defeat of Saddam. The typical people did not know. Why didn't they know? They didn't know because the leeches didn't tell them. As an example, this should be clear to all. The leeches weakened the people (again) and the people were surprise by their lack of awareness. Lack of knowledge (awareness) and hatred can be deadly. And, the leeches continue.
TRUTH IS A SHIELD FOR THE PEOPLE.
SARMAD
Sarmad's command of the written word is becoming very good. At first, it was difficult to read. To be able to express your thoughts concisely in a second language is amazing. Those fluent in a second language must (eventually) think in that language. Sarmad, keep up the great work.
But, not only the above, Sarmad's latest blog was an epistle. He gave us information that we could not have had otherwise. He gave insight into Falluja, where even a peek is more than we can expect. Sarmad has hope, he has expectations, he has belief about humanity. Sarmad allows us to "tip toe" through his brain and heart. It seems like a very good heart, to me.
Sarmad's command of the written word is becoming very good. At first, it was difficult to read. To be able to express your thoughts concisely in a second language is amazing. Those fluent in a second language must (eventually) think in that language. Sarmad, keep up the great work.
But, not only the above, Sarmad's latest blog was an epistle. He gave us information that we could not have had otherwise. He gave insight into Falluja, where even a peek is more than we can expect. Sarmad has hope, he has expectations, he has belief about humanity. Sarmad allows us to "tip toe" through his brain and heart. It seems like a very good heart, to me.
Thursday, March 04, 2004
ARISTIDE
Now Aristide claims that he was forced to sign a letter resigning. The news said that he claimed he was kidnapped. The tough approach on this one is that the minute Aristide said he was kidnapped, they should have taken him back. No fanfare, no comments. Just take him back. Countries aren't lining up to shelter him, anyway.
News: Canada, US, France and more, are putting together a peacekeeping force.
Now Aristide claims that he was forced to sign a letter resigning. The news said that he claimed he was kidnapped. The tough approach on this one is that the minute Aristide said he was kidnapped, they should have taken him back. No fanfare, no comments. Just take him back. Countries aren't lining up to shelter him, anyway.
News: Canada, US, France and more, are putting together a peacekeeping force.
OUTSOURCING...RUN AMUCK!
During a hearing today, Rep. Zack Wamp (R, TN) revealed information he had concerning the outsourcing of "bio-shield" to a German company. The company, apparently, has questionable connections.
This reminds me of the outsourcing of crystals to a Swiss company which decided that it didn't wish to give us the crystals because they objected to what we were doing in Iraq. (Well, it ranks close to selling our enemies weapons so they can shoot us--think Ollie North.) This was the cause of the "Buy American" Pentagon Push.
Back to the problem, why would we EVER contract with another country to provide equipment for our NATIONAL SAFETY. More than paranoia, we couldn't afford to be surprised at failure of equipment, or refusal of delivery. It's common sense; but, not all of us have that.
If we do not currently have a company which can produce the product, then we need to have one. First, you outsource the jobs, then you outsource the safety of our lives. Oh, we have a lot of work to do to make US better.
Could we make a law? Outsourcing more than 10% of the jobs results in no sales in the US marketplace. You want to go offshore, then go; but, don't sell any of your products here--not in your major business, nor a subsidiary, nor a shell corporation. Nada, Nyet, nothing!
After this fiasco, I wouldn't be surprised if someone wanted to move the CDC to the northeastern border of Afghanistan ( with Pakistan--home of Bin L.) Next, they'll want to let the prison inmates (cheap labor) make the bullets for the police guns. Please don't tell me that's happening!
WHAT IDIOT HAD A BRAIN BURP? (that was phrased very gently, wasn't it?)
During a hearing today, Rep. Zack Wamp (R, TN) revealed information he had concerning the outsourcing of "bio-shield" to a German company. The company, apparently, has questionable connections.
This reminds me of the outsourcing of crystals to a Swiss company which decided that it didn't wish to give us the crystals because they objected to what we were doing in Iraq. (Well, it ranks close to selling our enemies weapons so they can shoot us--think Ollie North.) This was the cause of the "Buy American" Pentagon Push.
Back to the problem, why would we EVER contract with another country to provide equipment for our NATIONAL SAFETY. More than paranoia, we couldn't afford to be surprised at failure of equipment, or refusal of delivery. It's common sense; but, not all of us have that.
If we do not currently have a company which can produce the product, then we need to have one. First, you outsource the jobs, then you outsource the safety of our lives. Oh, we have a lot of work to do to make US better.
Could we make a law? Outsourcing more than 10% of the jobs results in no sales in the US marketplace. You want to go offshore, then go; but, don't sell any of your products here--not in your major business, nor a subsidiary, nor a shell corporation. Nada, Nyet, nothing!
After this fiasco, I wouldn't be surprised if someone wanted to move the CDC to the northeastern border of Afghanistan ( with Pakistan--home of Bin L.) Next, they'll want to let the prison inmates (cheap labor) make the bullets for the police guns. Please don't tell me that's happening!
WHAT IDIOT HAD A BRAIN BURP? (that was phrased very gently, wasn't it?)
KURDO
The Kurds have had a higher degree of autonomy (freedom) than many others in Iraq. Kurdo mentioned autonomy from 1970. This was autonomy? True, those murdered during Anfel chose to give themselves up for amnesty; but, they are dead and gone. How can you compare that which you have (now) and will have to the "Anfel Autonomy" of the past? You need to sit in a quiet spot, with tea, and think this over more thoroughly. We do not achieve freedom by declaration, but by cooperation.
Cooperation is the metal (fabric) which holds it all together. A group of Kurds can declare their freedom until a stronger group of Turks, or Iranians refutes it by action. The cooperation is not easy and strains brain and emotions. Human greed needs to be tempered with the "give and take" of negotiations--while observing the opposition's human greed. Human greed is want, and need, and desire, sometimes mixed with jealousy and envy. And, it is not all on one side but on each side. There has to be as much open-minded negotiation as possible. Negotiate, re-negotiate, and then do it again.
If you consider Iraq is a building under construction (with several levels existing) and remove more than one-fourth of the foundation, the building is likely to topple. If you consider Iraq as a suspension bridge and you remove one-fourth of the bridge, no one goes anywhere.
Worse than not going anywhere, the Kurds could walk willingly into their own demise. The world can be a nasty place, as you well know. Together much is possible; alone less is possible. A scenario: My brother and I (with our families) have a farm which is attacked by murderers. My brother decides to take his family to the safety of the woods. There are an equal number of adults (murderers and us); but, if we split our forces, we lose (first one family, then another.) Our strength is in cooperation, defending against the murderers together.
The focus is on Iraq. If you become independent, the focus will still be on Iraq, and (likely) much less on you. It could be dangerous. It took more than a decade for you to become truly free. Prior to April (2003) Saddam could have invaded you with all his resources and, by the time anyone came to your aid, there would have been no Kurds. We could not prevent it (alone,) you could not prevent it (alone,) but together we did prevent it.
We need you; Iraq and Iraqis need you; and, you need us. All of us must cooperate, for mutual strength and safety. We don't want to see the another Rwanda. Once is once more than anyone needs or wants.
The Kurds have had a higher degree of autonomy (freedom) than many others in Iraq. Kurdo mentioned autonomy from 1970. This was autonomy? True, those murdered during Anfel chose to give themselves up for amnesty; but, they are dead and gone. How can you compare that which you have (now) and will have to the "Anfel Autonomy" of the past? You need to sit in a quiet spot, with tea, and think this over more thoroughly. We do not achieve freedom by declaration, but by cooperation.
Cooperation is the metal (fabric) which holds it all together. A group of Kurds can declare their freedom until a stronger group of Turks, or Iranians refutes it by action. The cooperation is not easy and strains brain and emotions. Human greed needs to be tempered with the "give and take" of negotiations--while observing the opposition's human greed. Human greed is want, and need, and desire, sometimes mixed with jealousy and envy. And, it is not all on one side but on each side. There has to be as much open-minded negotiation as possible. Negotiate, re-negotiate, and then do it again.
If you consider Iraq is a building under construction (with several levels existing) and remove more than one-fourth of the foundation, the building is likely to topple. If you consider Iraq as a suspension bridge and you remove one-fourth of the bridge, no one goes anywhere.
Worse than not going anywhere, the Kurds could walk willingly into their own demise. The world can be a nasty place, as you well know. Together much is possible; alone less is possible. A scenario: My brother and I (with our families) have a farm which is attacked by murderers. My brother decides to take his family to the safety of the woods. There are an equal number of adults (murderers and us); but, if we split our forces, we lose (first one family, then another.) Our strength is in cooperation, defending against the murderers together.
The focus is on Iraq. If you become independent, the focus will still be on Iraq, and (likely) much less on you. It could be dangerous. It took more than a decade for you to become truly free. Prior to April (2003) Saddam could have invaded you with all his resources and, by the time anyone came to your aid, there would have been no Kurds. We could not prevent it (alone,) you could not prevent it (alone,) but together we did prevent it.
We need you; Iraq and Iraqis need you; and, you need us. All of us must cooperate, for mutual strength and safety. We don't want to see the another Rwanda. Once is once more than anyone needs or wants.
THE MURDERS CONTINUE
What can anyone say about this horrendous type of act? It is more than sad; and, it is difficult to form the words of understanding, sympathy, and comfort for those directly targeted--the dead, the injured, their families, their friends, their fellow Iraqis.
Oh, "THE HUMANITY!" (said as The Hindenburg burned.) It constricts the heart, and scorches the soul. It inflames to rage; and, as the rage cools, it becomes the clear, cold resolve to irradicate the soulless. Humanity needs the hearts and resolve of everyone unwilling to be silent while their family, friend, and fellow partner in the world is blown into pieces.
"WE WILL NOT GO SILENTLY. . ."
What can anyone say about this horrendous type of act? It is more than sad; and, it is difficult to form the words of understanding, sympathy, and comfort for those directly targeted--the dead, the injured, their families, their friends, their fellow Iraqis.
Oh, "THE HUMANITY!" (said as The Hindenburg burned.) It constricts the heart, and scorches the soul. It inflames to rage; and, as the rage cools, it becomes the clear, cold resolve to irradicate the soulless. Humanity needs the hearts and resolve of everyone unwilling to be silent while their family, friend, and fellow partner in the world is blown into pieces.
"WE WILL NOT GO SILENTLY. . ."
ZEYDUN
I have heard little further information on the incident. There was mention that the soldiers moved away from the scene while the two men were still near the bridge. There was information about soldiers mis-treating detainees at a detention center. No connection was mentioned. The "bones" of it are that we no little more than we knew shortly after the incident.
Thanks for the rare (for this site) comment. (Mike H.)
I have heard little further information on the incident. There was mention that the soldiers moved away from the scene while the two men were still near the bridge. There was information about soldiers mis-treating detainees at a detention center. No connection was mentioned. The "bones" of it are that we no little more than we knew shortly after the incident.
Thanks for the rare (for this site) comment. (Mike H.)
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