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Politics : American Presidential Politics and foreign affairs -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Peter Dierks who wrote (27075)	3/25/2008 1:06:18 PM
From: E. T.	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 71588

Iraq pulls down U.S. economy DIANE FRANCIS Financial Post Last week's fifth anniversary of the Iraq War was overtaken by headlines over the roiling financial markets and the increasingly nasty U.S. presidential primary contest. But the 4,000th U.S. wartime casualty this weekend marked a grim milestone, and the war is higher on the radar screen than presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain or others would like to think. Some 71% of Americans in a national poll believe Iraq and economic problems are linked. And they are not wrong. Of course, there are also causes such as the subprime scandal, derivatives madness that has led to irresponsible leveraging and raging commodity prices. But the Iraq war is monstrously expensive and, unlike Vietnam, not stimulative economically speaking. That is because, like Wall Street, Washington has put the cost entirely on the tab. It is a war paid for on credit obtained from foreigners. This means tens of billions of dollars flow out of the currency and economy to outside creditors and will do so for decades if warmongering Republicans keep getting elected. The war, and its reckless execution, affects the world by hurting the economy, trade flows, fragile credit markets and currency values. The war, and America's foreign indebtedness, is contributing to soaring gold and other commodities' prices, the U.S. dollar's demise, scary credit markets, consumption drops, lower economic growth among trading partners who buy American goods, and, most likely, a guarantee that a Democrat will occupy the White House come the fall. Now, seven out of 10 blame the war for economic problems as do seven out of 10 who disapprove of the Bush administration. This restores my faith in Americans: The war was supposed to cost US$50-billion, which is what it is costing every three months. By the end of 2008, the tally is set to hit US$875-billion, including future military benefits and rebuilding costs. The Iraq War remains the 800pound gorilla in America's election despite the fact that coverage of the war has been stifled in the past handful of years. The Pentagon has discouraged coverage of funerals or wounded vets. Lengthy wars - to TV network execs - are deadly. Like a series lasting 52 weeks, the characters become too familiar, the plotlines predictable and viewers reach for their channel changers. But the Fourth Estate's attention deficit disorder does not seem to have translated into a somnolent electorate south of the border. Washington is borrowing US$15billion a month for Iraq and Afghanistan, a burn rate that will likely total US$3-trillion by 2017, according to the latest book by Joseph Stiglitz, a Columbia University professor and winner of the Nobel Prize in economics in 2001. He estimates that for one-sixth of the cost of the war the United States could fully fund social security for 50 years without benefits being lowered or contributions raised. The war will represent a bigger number than Vietnam (US$670-billion) by the end of 2008, even if the Democrats get in and start pulling out troops. nationalpost.com

To: Peter Dierks who wrote (27075)	3/26/2008 1:20:50 PM
From: DuckTapeSunroof	Respond to of 71588

Message 24439346

To: Peter Dierks who wrote (27075)	3/29/2008 7:54:51 PM
From: Mr. Palau	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 71588

"Iraq: New restrictions on US Embassy US State Department Tightens Restrictions on Embassy in Baghdad Amid Rocket Attacks Staff AP News Mar 29, 2008 15:34 EST The U.S. State Department on Saturday tightened restrictions on embassy staff in Baghdad, ordering all employees to sleep inside reinforced structures and to use only armored vehicles when traveling in the Green Zone due to incoming rocket fire. Two American citizens have been killed and several wounded by rocket or mortar attacks this week as the heavily fortified area has come under steady fire by suspected Shiite extremists angry over a government crackdown in the southern oil port of Basra. The announcement came two days after embassy personnel were advised to remain under "hard cover at all times" and required to wear helmets and other protective gear if they ventured outside. In a memo sent to embassy personnel on Saturday, the State Department reiterated the previous requirements and added that all personnel must limit their time outside "hardened facilities" and travel in the Green Zone only in armored vehicles. "No one is to sleep or spend long periods of time in their trailer," said the memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press. When traveling outside, "all personnel must wear (protective gear), have their radios and cell phones with them, and must travel in armored vehicles," it added. The embassy has set up cots inside the Saddam Hussein-era palace in which it is headquartered in the sprawling area in central Baghdad. The first wave of rockets struck a week ago Sunday, when a U.S. financial analyst was killed. Another U.S. government employee died Thursday. At least one round was fired toward the Green Zone on Saturday, although no casualties were reported and the attacks were not as intense as they have been in recent days.