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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TideGlider who wrote (719396)	12/21/2005 9:43:27 PM
From: DuckTapeSunroof	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

Must be because I spend so much time in Hollywood hobnobbing with all the babes and starlets. :)

To: TideGlider who wrote (719396)	12/21/2005 9:58:57 PM
From: DuckTapeSunroof	Respond to of 769670

...Of interest to me is the Iraqi oil crisis: ( from the International Relations and Security Network ) "Iraqi oil exports fell to their lowest level in two years in November 2005. Bad management of the reconstruction effort, widespread corruption among government figures, and sabotage by insurgents are the reasons for the decline. Experts say that the U.S. strategy of military intervention in oil-rich regions can only diminish, rather than increase, the supply to world markets… "Two-and-a-half years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the country's oil industry is still in disarray. An official of the Oil Ministry in Baghdad told ISN Security Watch, on condition of anonymity: 'We do not know the exact quantity of oil we are exporting, we do not exactly know the prices we are selling it for, and we do not know where the oil revenue is going to…' "One of the reasons for the decline of the industry is a lack of progress in the reconstruction effort, due to serious managerial deficiencies. "For instance, Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown & Root was awarded a US$225 million contract, without a tender, to rehabilitate the Qarmat Ali Water Plant in southern Iraq, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. "The plant is used to pump water into the ground in order to build pressure that brings the oil to the surface. "However, the contract did not include the repair of the pipelines carrying the water to the oilfields. When the water was pumped into the ground, the old pipes burst, spilling large amounts of water into the desert. In addition, farmers often tap the water pipes in order to irrigate their fields… "Oil terrorism and corruption, if allowed to continue, will seriously harm Iraq's future. The country's economy, damaged by two Gulf wars, the 2003 invasion and 13 years of U.N. sanctions, urgently needs a period of peaceful reconstruction and the exploration of new oilfields. Only 15 of over 70 known fields have been developed properly. It usually takes at least five years to bring a new field into operation… "Michael T. Klare, a professor of peace and world security at Hampshire College and author of the book Blood and Oil, wrote that it is 'an article of faith among America's senior policymakers -- Democrats and Republicans alike -- that military force is an effective tool for ensuring control over foreign sources of oil...' "However, Klare concludes that 'the growing Iraqi quagmire has demonstrated that the application of military force can have the very opposite effect; it can diminish -- rather than enhance -- America's access to foreign oil.'" Iraq Oil Revenue Myth One of the myths of this war was that oil revenue would quickly pay for reconstruction of Iraq. Instead, it has reduced the flow of oil, uncovered zero WMDs, and led to a civil war between various Iraqi factions. The United States is, of course, caught in the middle. Here is the bright side: * Mobil is making record profits * The S&P energy sectors have been on fire most of the year * Halliburton execs get to pad their pockets with "free" taxpayer money. Now, if you are in a group that benefited from those developments, our strategy in Iraq might be considered a complete success. On the other hand, if you are in the much larger group more concerned about the price of gas at the pump, perhaps you see things differently.... ...I have a close friend who thinks this was all a "planned event." His view is that the intent in Iraq all along was not to drive oil prices down, but to drive oil prices up (to the benefit of major U.S. oil companies), knowing full well that this war would drag on for years. Since there is often a very fine line between genius and sheer incompetence, I leave it to the reader to think about whether or not this is a real possibility..... Whiskey & Gunpowder by Mike Shedlock ~ "Mish" December 19, 2005 Illinois, U.S.A.

To: TideGlider who wrote (719396)	12/21/2005 10:11:21 PM
From: ManyMoose	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

Think back a few years when we had a President lie through his teeth in the State of the Union address (and I do not need to repeat his words). I wanted to believe the man, I really did. The behaviors he admitted to were bad enough, but his entire presidency was built on luck and smooth talking. I vote for a person if I perceive that I can believe him or her, and if I believe in the principles he stands for. And if he then proves me out I vote for him again. If not, well, Nixon resigned, but I voted for Carter as my protest of Nixon's choices even though Gerald Ford met my standards. Fast forward to the campaign of 04. Kerry failed my test on both counts, but George W. Bush confirmed that my initial assessment of him was on target. I have no doubt that the Bush never uttered words, which I will not repeat, that would indicate disrespect for the Constitution. I say that with confidence because Bush has never failed me yet. It's just a damn lie, like the one Dan Rather tried to foist off on us. If you know your man, you do not have to worry about it. IF HE DID say those words, I will begin a serious reassessment of my support for him. You can hold me to it, but I do not think you will have to.