h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

There's a thought that France will fall into Bush's line IF Britain doesn't make a fuss about Robert Mugabe, attending a conference there when there's a ban on him travelling.
Hmm there's always something under the things we get to see.
Political life = a trade off

There's an interested opinion piece in the New York Times today written by Condoleezza Rice. It's entitled "Why We Know Iraq Is Lying". It's very interesting to hear this kind of stuff from the horses mouth, so to speak.

I'd give everyone a link, but it would be moderated away, as you have to register (for free) to the NY Times to read it (you don't get any spam from them in my experience either).

http://www.nytimes.com/

It's under "EDITORIALS/OP-ED" on the front page today (Thu 23rd).



Ste

Interesting article. Rice claims that the weapons were not discolsed to the UN, the Iraquis do:

"Calling it a "storm in a teacup," Iraq denied they were part of any banned secret arms program. A top Baghdad official said Iraq declared them to the United Nations (news - web sites) but in any case they were obsolete old stock that had been forgotten about"

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=578&ncid=578&e=1&u=/nm/20030116/ts_nm/iraq_dc

If that's the case, it sort of blows here argument?

It`s Dubya`s father`s war(Iraq) .This makes it incredibly muddled. War as a means to boost the economy has become obsolete,Dubya just doesn`t know it! Neu

"There's a thought that France will fall into Bush's line IF Britain doesn't make a fuss about Robert Mugabe, attending a conference there when there's a ban on him travelling."

What are you referring to? Could you give me some details?

My personal theory is that it all boils down to Chirac and Blair not liking each other. Under Chirac, France has been edging ever-closer to the United States in world affairs and certainly the mood from the French government over the last couple of months suggested that, despite vocally pointing out their reservations, they would eventually support the war. Since Blair is Bush's envoy in Europe, I would suggest that Chirac's well-known anmity towards Blair has lead to him siding with the anti-war German chancellor.

"My personal theory is that it all boils down to Chirac and Blair not liking each other."

That could be, but a factor is also France's and Russia's business interests in Iraq. Iraq, with the 2nd largest oil reserves (apparently) is the only country in the middle east dominated by the smaller French and Russian oil companies.

I find it ironic that the opposition to the war (as I see it) by France and Russia is *still* based on oil!

"That could be, but a factor is also France's and Russia's business interests in Iraq. Iraq, with the 2nd largest oil reserves (apparently) is the only country in the middle east dominated by the smaller French and Russian oil companies."

Which makes both countries even more stupid. If they *are* concerned about their oil-stakes in Iraq wouldn't it make sense to be part of an army that plans to occupy the country?

"Which makes both countries even more stupid. If they *are* concerned about their oil-stakes in Iraq wouldn't it make sense to be part of an army that plans to occupy the country?"


Part? What part? The part that gives orders or the part that does what it's told? Do you really think that the US will let anyone else in on the military decision process?

France has dealt with the US military before. They are not stupid (unlike you state). If they opt for opposing war, then it's probably because they see a better chance of protecting their interests by this measue then by participating in war.

"Part? What part? The part that gives orders or the part that does what it's told? Do you really think that the US will let anyone else in on the military decision process?"

Let's assume that 30,000 French troops are stationed in Iraq. Let's assume Bush liquidates the assets of the French companies (which he'd have to do if he wants their oil). France mobilises her army to "defend" those assets? What do you think the consequences would be for the US if it started fighting a ground-battle with French troops?

The presence of French troops would give France a large say in what happens. Without any troops present, France doesn't really get a say.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/flash/0,5860,798061,00.html

a link posted earlier by BS. Russia has the most to loose by American control (oil company chums) of Iraq's oil.

rather odd in her conclusions, maybe even self defeating but have a read anyway. Personally I always assumed people were exagerating the inefficency of american vehicles. (It's pro war anti bush(for environmental reasons))

http://www.salon.com/news/col/huff/2002/10/22/oil/

To help minimize the war, France should not argue to prevent it from happening, they should join in and try to keep it from growing too big, keep the US and co. from doing too much damage?

I'm getting dizzy.

I thought blair tried to do that and look what`s happend!
'fire is the devils only freind'- from amarican pie by don mclean.

I thought blair tried to do that and look what`s happend!
'fire is the devils only freind'- from amarican pie by don mclean.

To everyone here.

I bet you thought it was 2003. It's not it's still 1984.

There’s a cynical and shameless corruption of reality taking place be sheer force of will and it’s a tribute to the society created by Orwell.

Bush, it seems, *is* capable of learning something. He has learned that the truth is no longer necessary and that accepted facts can be altered simply be altering people’s perception. Sadly, his greatest ally in this is an ignorant and apathetic public.

Bush is now actually publicly stating, as if irrefutable fact, that Saddam possesses weapons of mass destruction.

A significant portion of Americans actually believe that Iraq has links with AlQueda and that Iraq is continually plotting terrorist attacks against the United states and that MOST of the Sept 11th terrorists were Iraqi citizens.

I can quite invisage that in a hundred years time the US may decide that it wants to attack Switzerland and steal it's cheese. They'll use September 11th 2001 as justification for this and an opinion poll will reveal that the majority of Americans believe the Swiss to be responsible for The World Trade Centre attacks, because the president implies it.

It happened in your lifetime. The world actually reached a stage where the truth is optional and your only purpose is to be manipulated. Aren’t you proud?

Bush refered to Blix's team as "so-called inspectors". Terrifying. Who's next?

Slightly off topic BUT very much about *Bushes OIL*!~~~The Bush administration's economic plan would increase by 50 percent or more the deductions that small-business owners can take right away on the biggest(hummers and the equivalent price group) sport utility vehicles and pickups.

Tax experts and environmentalists say the plan would provide incentives for businesses to choose the biggest gas-guzzling trucks because it takes several years to depreciate the cost of passenger cars and smaller sport utility vehicles. The ramifications of the Bush plan on S.U.V. buyers were reported today in The Detroit News.

The potential lift for sales of big S.U.V.'s comes amid rising tension in the Middle East and increasing criticism of S.U.V.'s from environmentalists and regulators.


~~Air pollution standards relaxed 3 times in 4 years. ~~~does NOT help the average small business man whom needs a *reasonably priced and sized truck or Suv for work!*

for Zagreb

"At present Iraq exports around 1.5m barrels a day but energy experts say this could be increased to 6m barrels within five years after reinvestment. The US needs access to new energy reserves. American industry and motorists are guzzling gasoline at a rate that easily outstrips the rest of the world while domestic reserves are running out at a time when demand is set to leap.

The US energy department frightened politicians with a study in 2001 known as the Cheney report after the former head of Halliburton oil services group, now US vice-president, who wrote it. He predicted that imported oil would need to rise from 10.4 million barrels a day at present to 16.7 million barrels a day by 2020."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,880443,00.html

He did ask...