jafridi

Its an unfortunate fact of life that in the turbulent unipolar world of today Nukes constitutre the Ultimate Life Insurance. Israel, India, Pakistan have crossed the threshold in order to secure their existance. Iran is probably doing the same in order to survive. There is nothing inherently sinister or diabolical about Nuclear weapons. No nation in its right mind (or even in wrong mind) cannot dare to actually use it. In a way Nukes are the ultimate guarantors of peaceful coexistance on this fragile planet. The US bears at least some responsibility towards promoting the pro-nuke mindset. For too long it has been behaving like a mentally deranged trigger happy bully; threatning all and sundry; everywhere all the time. The slightest dissent could be punishable with death. Recently it has authorized itself to launch a first strike on any corner of the world; Ottawa, Toronto being no exceptions!.

The US Republican majority leader should do some due diligence to guage the quality of investment he has made for his children and grand children. He should take a short unescorted walk in Baghdad and meet his subjects/ peasants. It would be interesting to watch how long he lasts? Any Guess?

Let us assume for a minute that the UN sets International code of conduct. The UN did not authorize the 2003 US invasion of Iraq; the US violated the UN charter with impunity. And look what they got in the end! The invasion was a heinous crime but the occupation was “legitimized”! The UN acts with utmost haste to enforce resolutions on Iraq, Iran, Yugoslavia; but the 1948 / 1967 Resolutions against Israel cannot be implemented. In short, the UN has lost its relevance and moral authority. It is just a legitimizing instrument for the US foreign policy. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that there is no such body that defines International Code of Conduct. I am not fixated on the US as a nation. Our interests are irrevocably intertwined with this great nation due to history, geography and economics. However, through a quirk of political history; and the inherent gullibility in character; the American people are more or less disenfranchised by their present neo-con leadership. Through deft manipulation of the political process, a small band of Southern Baptist fundamentalists, as extremist in their worldviews as Taleban or Alquaida; have propped up the Bush clan as their leaders. A once free nation, known for its pluralism and sense of justice; is relegated to the level of Stasis East Germany circa 1960’s. The worst part however, is that the enormous financial clout of the US Corporates this cabal is shaping the politics of dissenting free world nations. Election Canada 2006 is a living example. The Liberals can be accused of slush funds and stealing to Finance their campaign. The estimated $ 200 m spent on the Mr. Stephan Harper’s election campaign did not come from legitimate contributions either (they are hardly about $ 5-6 million). Stephan had no resource other than US neocon support. No Sir! I am not implying that the US public has gained from the occupation of Iraq. The US taxpayers are in fact net losers. The US Defense Industry and Oil Industry both are minting billions of dollars from the war. They are the ONLY gainers from this war. The other “gainers” are the corrupt despotic leaders of the “coalition of the willing” riding the dollars gravy train. In your 26 nations listing of the “coalition of the willing” you forgot to mention the enormous strategic power of the State of Fiji that recently withdrew its forces after it lost 33% of its force in a road accident in Kuwait (2 out of 6 personnel)! What has poor Al Salvador, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Albania, Estonia, Latvia, Bulgaria or Kazakhstan got to do with “Reconstruction” of Iraq? Most of these nations are in extremely pitiable state themselves. The Japan, Italian, Australian, Korea and Polish contingents are all entrenched in fly infested camps between the Iraqi cities of Nasseriyah and Aldiwaniyah. Their “Reconstruction” potential can be gauged from the fact that they need force protection and choppers hovering overhead to venture out anywhere. A simple task like buying grocery can be very hazardous to health. “Coalition of the willing” is the moral equivalent of a Drug Lord (US) using underage children to distribute cocaine to dilute the legal issues. Some of these juveniles are just too poor; they need a place to sleep and a loaf of bread. The “senior” juveniles are there for the kicks, thrills and recognition. US contractors engaged in food / logistics transportation has coined a standard term: “Beggar camps”! Having lost an estimated 150,000 people to the so-called “Allied Action” in the last 30 months Iraq is one boiling cauldron. Walk around on any street in Baghdad and peer deep into the hatred filled eyes of the local populace; and probably you will get the message. You cannot gauge the despair on the face of an orphan who has lost his father to “Reconstruction” action. He has learnt to identify every white face as enemy, no matter how noble the intentions. The only option is for the “do-gooders” to get out and hope that (i) time is in fact a great healer (ii) Out of sight actually means out of mind. They don’t need any further security or reconstruction; even with the noblest Canadian values of compassion. All Iraq wants is to be left alone.

what i did say is the world has already decided what is right and wrong and how each country should conduct themselfs, break those rules and suffer the consquences. and that should be implied regardless if their is material gains or not. example Iraq got attention because of the oil, Rwanda got no attention because thier was nothing to be gained, except saving thousands of lives. Dear Army Guy: Who is the "World" in this context? and who has made those so-called "Rules of Conduct"? The World has been held hostage to the financial interests of the US neo-con Bush leadership; and the filthy rich US Oil and Defense industries. Only about 3 wannbe Anglo-saxon nations are supporting the misadventure in Iraq as camp followers, enjoying a status little better than Butlers to the GI's. The other members of "coalition of the willing" are imporverished 3rd world or new-Europe countries where a few million bucks go a long way. As Canada has fallen out of line and had declined to play the role of a Butler, the Bush administration pulled all stops to confer "victory" on the Candian version of Erich Honecker, named Mr. Stephan Harper. Our simplistic sincere Rural Canada brethern were sold on the idea that by not playing a "Role" in Iraq they have missed some great opportunties. Certain quarters in Canadian forces too have been comparing their lot to the glorious British and Australian forces that have playing a "role" in Iraq. What is that role anyways? Americans dont care much about their camp followers; and will not give them 5 cents worth of advantage. They are just letting them wallow in their own misery. By staying out of the disgraceful Iraq misadventure, Canada has not missed the Bus; Candians have not missed anything.

This is the right time for our friend Montgomery Burns to go to Iraq and promote democracy there. Its actually pretty cool to run the gauntlet from Abdali on the Kuwaiti border to Camp Anaconda on the outskirts of Baghdad. On the way he can enjoy the US Army hospitality "camps" with exotic sounding names. Nights could be pretty interesting too; fireworks, mortar shots and the dim catter of gunfire in the distance have a mesmerizing effect. He can enjoy his morning excursion in the back of a Buffalo; a supposedly mine-proof truck developed by P W Botha Aparthied regime in South Africa in the 1980's, and now the favorite of US Military in Iraq. If the occasion permits he can look into the eyes of an average Iraqi and see the simmerings of Love, gratitude and appreciation; for having brought the fruits of democracy to his impoversihed primitve lands. For added effect he can visit the Abu Ghuraib University where people of his elk have been teaching democratic values to the inmates on Ice Blocks with electrodes attached to their genetelia!. Back in the camp he can treat himself to an overdoze of G.I. stories of valour and courage; how to mow down a crowd of wailing women under the tracks of an M-1 tank; the dramatic effects 30 mm cannon of an A-10 on crowds; how to take women/ children hostages to cow down and subdue the darn terrorists. Upon return to Canada, he can declare himself as a war hero; who risked his life and innards to promote democracy and plurasim in Iraq. Never mind if he could not venture out on his own to buy a can of pepsi.