Truck and Barter

Comments

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Sara Madgid wrote:

New scratch pad!
Cool! :)

Sara.

-- January 2, 2007 9:03 AM ∞

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Sara Madgid wrote:

Happy New Year to all of you:

http://www.image-upload.net/files/15/XXL.jpg

Sara.

-- January 2, 2007 9:12 AM ∞

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Sara Madgid wrote:

I apologise for being off topic from the Dinar, but it is very slow out there and there have been quite a few subjects covered recently as we pass the time waiting for more news after the holiday in Iraq (and New Years here). This is a reply to Carole on her post about the temperaments teaching, along with some comments on the recent talk on the above UFO siting that made the mainstream news (below, MSNBC.com).

As I said in my last post, "If you want my opinion, well, I think that what is being seen - the beings/UFOs - are present in extra dimensional space - the sort of space predicted to exist by String Theory in physics - and that, therefore, it is not that we are having visitations from "other planets". Little things like NOT seeing the UFOs coming TOWARD our galaxy/solar system with telescopes but only seeing them in our atmosphere, NOT tracking them on radar but only visually AND the fact that only SOME people can see them even standing side by side with others who cannot see them at all, makes this a more likely and plausible explanation to my way of thinking for this phenomenon - since extra dimensional space can be "opened" to a person or "closed"."

Note here in this account that some people saw this phenomenon, including pilots.. and yet the controllers saw nothing and there was nothing on the radar. Why can some see it (pilots, workers) and others NOT see it (controllers), when they are in the same location? Could it be that it is a dimension of space "open" to some people and "closed" to others? If so, then radar may not track it because it is in another dimension and the instruments don't work to detect such phenomenon.

Airline workers say they saw UFO
Mysterious saucer-shaped craft over O’Hare?
Updated: 5:27 p.m. MT Jan 1, 2007

CHICAGO - Federal officials say it was probably just some weird weather phenomenon, but a group of United Airlines employees swear they saw a mysterious, saucer-shaped craft hovering over O’Hare Airport last fall.

The workers, some of them pilots, said the object didn’t have lights and hovered over an airport terminal before shooting up through the clouds, according to a report in Monday’s Chicago Tribune.

The Federal Aviation Administration acknowledged that a United supervisor had called the control tower at O’Hare, asking if anyone had spotted a spinning disc-shaped object. But the controllers didn’t see anything, and a preliminary check of radar found nothing out of the ordinary, FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory said.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16431613/

Now, Carole mentioned about the "temperaments" teachings, saying, QUOTE, "The article is quite negative regarding the research, or lack of, in Le Hays writings. In fact the theory of the temperaments is quite old and is derived from ancient occult traditions." In other words, it was occult teachings pasted into Christianity by a well meaning but psychologically brainwashed individual. (Note the article is titled pschoHERESY.) I think it best to keep with the Bible alone and unadulterated by "occultic" teachings. Sins, whether of the physical variety (getting drunk, gluttony, murder, etc) or the occult variety (opening "doors" to the occult by various means - going to fortune tellers, trying to contact the dead, getting into witchcraft, embracing occultic teachings, etc.) - all variety of behaviors characterized as sins in the Bible are sins. And just because the one advocating embracing it is a Christian minister, that isn't good enough in my books.

I believe one must be very very careful in what "doors" you open in this life, and when one proves to be of occult origin (and thus sinful), it may behoove you to consider if it is one which should be repented of in order to shut that door. This is to be obedient to God - but one reason God gives for this (in His infinite wisdom) is that the beings on some of the extradimensional levels are quite nasty according to Scripture... not suprisingly, that fits with the stories of those "wingy" folks who say they were abducted by aliens.. the aliens which they say abduct them are nasty, too. I wouldn't wish to meet up with any such nasty "aliens", myself. I prefer to give such a very wide berth - walking on the other side of the street and preferably taking a completely other path.. so if I find a door open and alien footprints heading through the door, I think I would be on my knees asking God to close the door and keep whatever those things are from having any way of getting at me in my life. Those with nasty "alien" visitations always look so very tormented, and they say they don't really WANT those visits from "aliens". I have NOT been there and don't wish to go there, personally (ET, please don't visit me). I'll stick with God for any extradimensional experiences, because those end up in blessing.

Sara.

-- January 2, 2007 9:37 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

An article from www.iraqupdates.com

Iran, $1bn Iraq reconstruction loan

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02 January 2007 (AME Info FZ LLC)
Print article Send to friend
Iran is to loan $1bn to Iraq for reconstruction purposes, reported the Gulf Daily News citing the IRNA news agency. Iranian Economy Minister Davoud Danesh Jafari said Iraq had committed to using Iranian contractors and experts for the various infrastructure projects. The loan will be directed towards the construction of power plants, roads, hospitals and schools.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- January 2, 2007 10:25 AM ∞

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Sara Madgid wrote:

Chariots of fire

Elisha the prophet in the Old Testament was being told by God the battle plan of the enemy and would tell the King what God was saying. This frustrated the enemy's plans continually and the enemy King asked which one of his men was a spy. His servant answered him:

2Ki 6:12 And one of his servants said, "None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom."
2Ki 6:13 So he said, "Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him." And it was told him, saying, "Surely he is in Dothan."
2Ki 6:14 Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.

Now, when Elisha and his servant woke up they saw all this army completely surrounding them and the servant was terrified:

2Ki 6:15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"
2Ki 6:16 So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

Elisha answered that there were more with them than with the enemy, even though there was just him and his servant and this HUGE army surrounding them. But then he prayed...

2Ki 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

This is what I mean by having one's eyes open to the extradimensional space. The Lord opened the eyes of the young man.. and he saw what was there all along, but was not visible to him until it was opened to his eyes. This is what I believe (in an occultic sense) is what these "alien" visitations are. It is an opening to the extradimensional space which is normally closed to men. God can open that space, and here it was populated with "horses and chariots of fire" - the best description they can give in terms understood by that day. But I bet they were quite some "chariots of fire" to look at. What exactly is a chariot "of fire"? That means it glowed, right? Why are no beings (angels) spoken of.. just the "chariots" and what appeared to "pull" them? In regular chariots of that day there was a man behind the horses, in the chariot.. that is not spoken of here. Supposing some looked like glowing stealth bombers, how could they possibly describe it in terms that would be seen and understood? Hmmm...

Here, the experience is of God and the spaces and beings seen in that dimension were beautiful, powerful, good and from Him. I suggest that the "aliens" which look so grotesque and strange looking and are nasty to those they abduct are not from God - and being opened to such dimensions is not something which men ought to seek.

Sara.

-- January 2, 2007 10:29 AM ∞

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Tim Bitts wrote:

From the National Post, one of Canada's leading national newspapers, this morning, a column by Christopher Hitchens, one of the leading political writers, in the world today, who write this, in a column while travelling through Iraq:

"If there is a flickering pulse that holds any of this together, it is kept going by two sources. The first is the astonishing actual and potential wealth of the country. The budget negotiations, which were occupying all parties during my visit, were to discuss the allocation of more than US$41 billion. This is not a paper figure. New oil fields are being prospected in parts of the country that haven't been explored yet, and there is no reason in principle why Iraq could not be one of the most prosperous countries on Earth.

For the moment, feuding sects use their control over ministries to enrich their own supporters, but even the most blinkered tribalist can glimpse the idea that a shared country would be more beneficial to each than a shattered one.

The second source of life is the presence of the coalition, where, yet again, even the most hard-line factionalist will admit that, as bad as things are, they would be instantly worse (and instantly worse for his group) in the case of a withdrawal.

These facts are stubborn: The idea that we could even consider abandoning such a keystone state, and so many decent people, to the forces of the faith-based is as inhumane as it is unrealistic" END QUOTE

Tim Bitts: if this thing hangs together, we'll all be rich!!!!!

-- January 2, 2007 10:58 AM ∞

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Okie wrote:

Sara….
Interesting comments about “extra dimensional space”. I don’t know if it’s the same thing but my Grandmother had the gift of being able to see the aura of other people. I discovered this in her when I was about 4 years old. I had sprained my elbow in a farm pond which was out of her sight. When I approached her at the house she said “I see” that your arm is hurt as she held up my left arm which is the one I had sprained. The reason I remember this so well is the cure she applied to my arm. She grabbed a piece of cloth and walked me to the barnyard where she put a large amount of fresh warm cow manure on my arm and wrapped the cloth around it and told me not to remove it until the manure cooled down. Needless to say it cured my sprain even though the smell was hard to take. She had raised nine kids on this farm so she knew what worked and what didn’t.

Later, when I asked her how she knew my arm was hurt by looking at me, she told me she could see my “light” and my left arm was not as bright as the rest of me. I could also see the aura of other people but I thought everybody had this ability and didn’t think too much about it. Later I found out my father didn’t have this ability so it had skipped a generation for some reason. I have three children and my oldest Daughter has this gift but my two sons don’t.

When my Grandmother died at 96 I attended her funeral and her glow was gone so I can only assume it travels with the soul of a person. I know it’s a good dimension or place to be in because it has always been a positive experience for me. I don’t talk about this very much but it’s always been very interesting to me. I think all people have different gifts at different levels and that’s why we humans are so interesting.

-- January 2, 2007 11:00 AM ∞

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Tim Bitts wrote:

Thank you, Kevin, for removing the graffiti. Let's all, all the decent people, keep him informed, as soon as some fool comes by, posting rubbish, at the email: kevin@truckandbarter.com

Rubbish posters: go elsewhere. you won't be allowed to get away with it. go find an easier target.

-- January 2, 2007 11:05 AM ∞

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Okie wrote:

Tim Bitts.....

They're so many good positive indicators in Iraq that the MSM is having a hard time covering them up. The facts are that Iraq has been a very wealthy country in the past , prior to Saddam, that they will return to their normal level again.

I agree with you...we'll all be rich!!!

-- January 2, 2007 11:10 AM ∞

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Okie wrote:

More good news on the oil patch side of town.....

The Norwegian D.N.O obtain additional 15% of an oil field

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02 January 2007 (Iraq Directory)

The Norwegian Oil Company D.N.O said ,on Thursday, that it rose its share in the oil fields in northern Iraq to 55% from 40% in agreement with the authorities in the Kurdish area, on condition that the company would bear full cost of production-sharing agreements.

D.N.O is the first Western oil company that starts excavations in Iraq after the war. It is operating in northern Iraq under an agreement concluded in 2004 with the Kurdish authorities.

The company said in a statement that "the agreement with the Kurdish regional government to assume full funding commitments of the production-sharing agreement by D.N.O in return for an additional 15% was completed and signed".

-- January 2, 2007 11:54 AM ∞

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Tim Bitts wrote:

What are the BIG things?

In analysing any particular investment, especially this one, it is crucial, if you want to understand this investment, to ask, what are the big things? What are the crucial aspects of this investment?

Not everything that happens in the world is equally important, obviously. The same with this investment. There are a handful of key variables that matter. The rest don't. The rest is all chatter. So, in assessing any situation, it is important, if you want to have a realistic opinion about something, you have to weigh the various factors, assign them relative weight, and focus on the key components.

So what are the key variables, on this investment, in my opinion?

1-follow the big money. As Rob N has wisely pointed out, this is one of the key rules of investing. The big money is the American government's investment in Iraq, it's army, it's rebuilding the country. The big money also includes big oil, which represents an awful lot of money, and is chomping at the bit to get into Iraq.

2-look for hidden value, or assets. Numerous credible reports indicate that even though Iraq has by some estimates the second biggest oil reserve in the world, it has large areas of unexplored areas that no doubt contain much hidden oil wealth. Hidden value would also include the ridiculously low price of the dinar, compared to historical precident, and other currencies in the region. No doubt, the value of this currency will very substantially increase in the future.

3-look at the history. As Oakie pointed out, Iraq was rich in the past, for various reasons, and the return to wealth for that country is a return to normalcy.

4-Oil. Worldwide demand for oil is soaring, and will continue to do so for decades. The economies of China and India are growing at phenomenal rates. They depend on oil. At the same time, the rate of discovery of new oil is slowing. Increasing demand and reducing supply indicate the value of present reserves will go up. This means whoever owns the oil will get a lot more money, their economies will develop, and the value of their currencies will rise.

5-Sufficient levels of education. Saddam did that well. He, more than many leaders, created a fairly educated population, by Arab standards.

6-Population age. A younger, dynamic population recovers much quicker from any kind of disaster, and is able to adapt to changing circumstances easier.

Now, the one thing that could bring this all down, is if the American military withdrew prematurely. I think all the fighting, and killing, and religious stuff in Iraq, is just chatter. It gets 98% of the media attention, but it should be assigned about 2% value, in importance, as far as variables that will ultimately determine outcome in Iraq, in my opinion. That last statement is contingent on one thing, though: American military presence. As long as the Americans stay long enough to get the Iraqi government stablized and in control, all will be well, Iraq will prosper, and we all will be rich. I am confident the Americans will stay there as long as needed, and as long as it makes sense to stay. As a premature American withdrawal would severly damage American interests in the region, and the global price of oil that the American economy runs on, I doubt that will happen. I don't think even the Democrats would be that unwise.

That's my list, and summary. If anyone has a better one, let everyone know. Or, if you would add to it, or dispute it, you're free to do so.

-- January 2, 2007 12:29 PM ∞

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mattuk wrote:

Hope this isn't old news...but I thought it was worth copying...happy year to all of you, got myself a mouse with a scroll function, works well when wanting to skip certain topics,no dislike...just not interested !! So live and let live and good luck to iraq...

Article came from dinarfinancial.com

(01-01-2007) Iraqi Central Bank expecting budget deficit in 2007.

An official at the Iraqi Central Bank expected a deficit in the next-year budget due to pumping dollars into the local market, to preserve the stability of the iraqi dinar exchange rate.

Head of the Department of Statistics and Research at the "Central", Madhar Mohamed Salih, declared that the new budget will exchange allocations by the dollar, pointing out that the rise in the value of the iraqi dinar had a positive impact through limiting expenditures, to reduce inflationary pressures in the Iraqi economy and reduce costs on prices.

He pointed out that 95% of the budget incomes depends on oil revenues, as a basic resource for the country, pointing out that the coming conditions will be encouraging for lifting the value of the iraq dinar against the dollar, but could not determine the rate of exchange only after starting the work by the general budget.

The iraqi dinar continued to rise against the dollar during the auction of the "Central", at a sale price of 1352 iraq dinar last Sunday, compared to 1360 iraqi dinar last Thursday. The expert at the "Central", Majid Assuri, expected a remarkable improvement in the rate of the iraqi dinar, due to the low dollar exchange rate, over the next couple of months. The last rise in the rate of the Iraqi dinar against the dollar exchange rate was in 1995, but then the exchange rate stabilized between 1400 and 1700 iraqi dinar to the dollar.

The "Central" attributed the high rate of the iraqi dinar against the dollar, to the stability in the sale of the dollar below its real exchange rate. Assuri explained that the inflation suffered by the economy now is a price inflation, and not a monetary inflation, pointing out that the aim of the "Central" is to limit the effects of the monetary inflation. As for the price inflation, it is due to the lower commodity presentations, and to the greedy who exploit the circumstances through which Iraq is going. He expected a significant improvement in the rate of the iraqi dinar, and the drop in prices according to this improvement.

-- January 2, 2007 12:33 PM ∞

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mattuk wrote:

BAGHDAD, Jan 2 (Reuters) - U.S.-led forces are likely to launch a limited New Year offensive against Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army militia, blamed for sectarian death squad killings, senior Iraqi officials say.

The Pentagon, in a report last month, described Mehdi Army militias as the biggest threat to Iraq's security and diplomats say Washington is impatient to confront them.

Several officials in the Shi'ite political parties that dominate Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's unity government also say they are losing patience with Sadr's supporters and predict more raids like last week's joint U.S.-Iraqi operation in which a senior Sadr aide was killed.

"There will be limited and targeted operations against members of the Mehdi Army," a senior Shi'ite official told Reuters. "The ground is full of surprises but we think around Jan. 5 there will be some operations. I can say no more."

British forces in the southern oil province of Basra have also been conducting major raids against groups they describe as "rogue Mehdi Army", some entrenched in Iraqi police units.

Last week, British troops blew up the headquarters of Basra's Major Crimes Unit and said they freed tortured prisoners.

"The Americans want a war with the Mehdi Army," said a Western diplomat in Baghdad, who was not American or British.

"They want to get rid of the militia and it seems they will succeed in getting one."

MALIKI BOLSTERED

Sadr's supporters twice launched armed uprisings against the U.S. occupation in 2004 but have since formally joined the U.S.-sponsored political process.

A handful of Sadr's ministers suspended their participation in Maliki's government and his 30 members of parliament have also been staying away since Maliki approved a renewal of the U.S. forces' U.N. mandate a month ago.

But Maliki's fragile authority among his fellow Shi'ite's has been bolstered by Saturday's hanging of Saddam Hussein, whose Sunni-led administration oppressed the Shi'ite majority.

While he negotiates to end a boycott of the cabinet by moderates in Sadr's movement, other Shi'ite leaders are pushing for a crackdown on Sadr militants.

"They are jeopardising all our efforts and achievements," said a senior official from another group in the main United Alliance bloc of which Sadr's group is a key part.

Hundreds of Iraqis are being killed every week and hundreds of thousands have fled. Many Sunnis accuse Sadr's movement of being behind many death squad killings, a charge Sadr himself denies. They also accuse them of being controlled by Washington's enemies in neighbouring, Shi'ite Islamist Iran.

Impressions among Sunnis of being victims of triumphal Shi'ite militias have been reinforced by video of Saddam's hanging, in which official observers chanted "Moqtada, Moqtada, Moqtada!" and taunted the former leader on the gallows.

Maliki has repeatedly said since taking office eight months ago that he will disband all militias but has asked for patience and insists the main threat is from Sunni insurgents.

Several political sources said Maliki, from the Dawa party and a compromise choice as premier who owed his appointment to support from the populist Sadr, was trying to give political negotiations with Sadr a last chance before any crackdown.

Last month, a government delegation to Najaf failed to persuade the cleric to end his boycott, however, and Maliki has said he still plans a cabinet reshuffle that government officials say could involve removing some Sadrist ministers.

The head of the Sadrists bloc in the parliament said the group was working with members in the Alliance on a proposal to reschedule the timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops which then will end their boycott of the parliament.

"In response to our demands we are working with others in the Alliance on a proposal for the timetable of withdrawal. This will help ending the boycott," Nassar al Rubaie told Reuters.

Rubaie accused U.S. commanders of trying to lure Sadr into a direct confrontation but said that he would not be provoked.

But other members of the Alliance said Sadr had no choice but more clearly to disown militant Mehdi Army commanders. He has done so more than once, and even arrested some, but critics remain unconvinced that Sadr is genuine in those efforts:

"These people will only respond to force and this is what they will get," the senior Alliance official said. "A decisive battle is not agreed yet but limited operations just began." (Additional reporting by Alastair Macdonald)

-- January 2, 2007 12:46 PM ∞

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mattuk wrote:

The Baath party has issued a statement received by Al Jazeera.net appointing Izzat al-Douri, its deputy secretary-general, as secretary-general, succeeding Saddam Hussein, who was executed on Saturday.
Al-Douri is one of the few former Saddam government officials who are still on the run.
The US has put a $10m bounty on his head. The party, which has been an underground movement since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, has vowed to continue its armed campaign to "liberate Iraq". The statement said Iraq is "under US, UK, and Iranian occupation".
The statement described the execution of Saddam as a crime and political assassination.

Leadership

Abu Muhammad, a Baath party spokesman, said al-Douri was responsible for steering the party after Saddam's capture in December 2003.
He said: "Comrade Izzat has been leading the party's political and resistance factions since 2003, but it is a matter of protocol and internal regulation to appoint him officially as the party's secretary-general."
Al-Sadr wanted Saddam dead, saying he was
responsible for the death of his father [AFP]
After Saddam's execution, Nuri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister, invited the Baath party to join the political process in the country and open a new chapter.
Muhammad said: "We would like to tell Mr al-Maliki that our only mission is to continue armed struggle until we get him and his masters [the US] out of our country.
"The martyrdom of President Saddam would be just another boost to our people's resistance against his corrupt rule and foreign occupation."
Muhammad further accused the Iraqi government and US authorities in Iraq of imposing a media blackout on Iraqis' reaction to the execution of Saddam.
He said: "Media outlets have been focusing on reactions in President Saddam's home town and few other Iraqi Sunni Arab cities, but we would like to say that people all over Iraq have been mourning the death of their legitimate president for two days.
"In al-Shatra in the southern governorate of Dhu Qar, there have been clashes where angry citizens attacked the al-Sadr al-Mahdi Army and killed eight of them and injured dozens."
Muqtada al-Sadr, the Shia leader, and his supporters had called for Saddam's execution. They hold him responsible for the death of al-Sadr's father in a car crash in 1999. Iraqi authorities at the time had denied any involvement in the elder al-Sadr's death.

-- January 2, 2007 12:59 PM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Anyone have an inclination as to when the Presdient will speak to the nation about the way forward in Iraq?

I am looking forward to hearing his stragedy, which if received well could aid in continued confidence in the Dinar.

Observation: I have also noticed some online dealers have suspended Dinar orders. I find this development quite interesting. I think if I were a dealer (making money on other people buying this currency) I would sure stash some dinar away for myself.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- January 2, 2007 2:26 PM ∞

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Sara Madgid wrote:

Tim Bitts - Excellent summary on what to assign value to concerning Iraq. I agree that, "all the fighting, and killing, and religious stuff in Iraq, is just chatter. It gets 98% of the media attention, but it should be assigned about 2% value, in importance, as far as variables that will ultimately determine outcome in Iraq." This change in the Middle East is actually not alterable, in my opinion, because the interests cannot change. As you so succinctly put it, "As a premature American withdrawal would severly damage American interests in the region, and the global price of oil that the American economy runs on, I doubt that will happen. I don't think even the Democrats would be that unwise." With this I also agree. The only hope the terrorists have is that the Democrats will do the dirtywork for them and cause the withdrawl of the troops from Iraq. The terrorists boasted it wasn't a victory for the Democrats, but for the terrorists when the Dems won in the election:

Zawahri: Al Qaeda, Not Democrats, Won On Nov 7th
From ABC’s The Blotter:
"The first is that you aren’t the ones who won the midterm elections, nor are the Republicans the ones who lost. Rather, the Mujahideen — the Muslim Ummah’s vanguard in Afghanistan and Iraq — are the ones who won, and the American forces and their Crusader allies are the ones who lost," Zawahri said, according to a full transcript obtained by ABC News.
http://truckandbarter.com/mt/archives/2006/12/iraqi_dinar_dis_6.html#127299

But if even the Democrats see how unwise withdrawl is and how it hurts US interests then the terrorist's hope for help from that quarter will fall flat, too. Therefore, the present struggle in the news/politics will end up being the Democrats seeking to take a part of the credit to themselves for the beginning of a very profitable and historic enterprise - the creation of a prosperous, free, peaceful Iraq which influences the Middle East favorably for peace and prosperity for the region and its peoples.

Rumsfeld once said it was just "death throes", and I think he was right.. it is. Concentrating on the "death throes" 98% of the time, rather than the living Iraq which is left, is like continually bringing up the Saddam Hussein hanging, rather than where the country is now and where it is going. It doesn't change the real thing.. the change is here to stay and the old is doomed to die. Like Saddam's death, it just takes a while for the reality of it to sink in, and for people to look beyond the smoke and mirrors to the inevitable future of Iraq. The troops know this which is why, quote, "This is the striking difference, and probably the critical difference, between Iraq and Vietnam. The soldiers in this war believe in the task, their leaders, and they, almost unanimously, believe they have won the war and are making progress on establishing a country."
http://truckandbarter.com/mt/archives/2006/09/iraqi_dinar_dis_5.html#126956

And like Edwin A. Sumcad said, quote:
"Likewise, the Commission failed to realize that we have already won the war in Iraq. We vanquished the army of Saddam Hussein, sent the Butcher of Baghdad to the gallows and we are now occupying Iraq. We have begun our program of reconstruction of Iraq, established a democratic government, and put in place the economic infrastructure required for a new, free enterprise society of Iraq. "What we have not won yet is the complete democratization of Iraq... But we are on the high road towards that end. A little more push and we are there..."
http://truckandbarter.com/mt/archives/2006/09/iraqi_dinar_dis_5.html#126972

The Iraqis believe in it, too. Quote:
The Mini Economic Boom in Iraq That Is Hardly Reported
Amir Taheri, Arab News
Saturday, 30, December, 2006
When the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank reported two years ago that the Iraqi economy was heading for a boom, skeptics dismissed that as misplaced optimism. Now, however, even some of those who opposed the toppling of Saddam Hussein admit that many Iraqis share that optimism. Newsweek has just hailed the emergence of a booming market economy in Iraq as “the mother of all surprises,” noting “that Iraqis are more optimistic about the future than most Americans are.” The reason, of course, is that Iraqis know what is going on in their country while Americans are fed a diet of exclusively negative reporting from Iraq, focused on terrorist attacks, and motivated by an almost irrational hatred of the Bush administration.
http://truckandbarter.com/mt/archives/2006/12/iraqi_dinar_dis_6.html#127462

I don't think the troops who see it firsthand or the Iraqi people are wrong. I am sure the crown of England didn't give up its power without any difficulty or struggle. But the UK's governing power changed due to influences beyond control of the crown, just as this move toward Iraqi democracy is now a powerful force for change which cannot be stopped dispite the 98% emphasis put on reporting the ill - and ignoring the change and renewal and "boom" and hope for the future within Iraq.

The megapolitical factors changed, and with it, the world we know. The change is inevitable. It will just take time to assimilate that fact for those who had the greatest stake in the old. It is like the stock market - the market changed in Middle Eastern politics. The future belongs to the young, not the old, as you said. And the majority of the Iraqis will choose to build not destroy the future for themselves and their families - no matter what money the old political faction(s) pump in trying to derail the new megapolitical change happening in Iraq. Even in Iran, the people had the ability to kick out their radical President and did so, with the only comment being that at least it was the expression of the will of the people.. The people will be increasingly heard in Iraq and the Middle East. They won't stay suppressed when the megapolitical factors are in their favor. The yoke over Iraq is broken and we stand to become rich in the subsequent process of change there and throughout the Middle East. If the "kings" there were wise, they would look how to consolidate their wealth as the UK crown did, rather than hold onto the political power they once had by using revolutionary tactics and funding and equipping the insurgency.

Okie - interesting on the aura thing. I've heard of such things.

mattuk - The article on someone "succeeding" Saddam Hussein is ridiculous. His was not a Presidency, but a dictatorship. No one can take over for a dictator after his death. The rule of the despot has ended, no one can take it up any more than they could take it up after Hitler's death. And Saddam's sons are dead - will the insurgents follow his daughters as they did the despot himself and seek to bring one of them to rule? From a people so opposed to women in power, I cannot see it being so. The people of Iraq will not again be put under the yoke of bondage they were once under with Saddam Hussein. It is gone forever and now, with his death, that point is illustrated and they are now entering into the full realization of it.

Sara.

-- January 2, 2007 2:48 PM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Contacted my local branch at Chase Bank and cofirmed I can purchase the New Iraqi Dinar from them at an exchange rate of .0067750. According to the rep at Chase, I can go to any branch and order the Dinar and have it within 48hrs.

She emphasized the same person that orders must pick it up. At time of order and reception the customer must show a valid id. She also asked me if a newsletter had gone out, because I was the fourth person she spoke to today inquring about the Iraqi Dinar.

Final note, the rep from JP Morgan Chase said she cannot request a specific customers notes be circulated or uncirculated. Therefore, you get what you get.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- January 2, 2007 4:02 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Spoke with a rep from Wellsfargo. No, to the bank selling Iraqi Dinar.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- January 2, 2007 4:15 PM ∞

---

Annon wrote:

Rob N. wrote:
All:

Contacted my local branch at Chase Bank and cofirmed I can purchase the New Iraqi Dinar from them at an exchange rate of .0067750. According to the rep at Chase, I can go to any branch and order the Dinar and have it within 48hrs.

That should be 0.00067750?

-- January 2, 2007 4:27 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Checked Citibank and B of A, both currently do not buy, sell, or trade the New Iraqi Dinar. It looks as though JP Morgan Chase is it.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- January 2, 2007 4:41 PM ∞

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Okie wrote:

Mattuk......

Welcome to the Dinar Train....AKA the roller coaster!!

-- January 2, 2007 6:16 PM ∞

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Okie wrote:

Just heard some guy on NBC evening news say that Bush would announce his plan for Iraq on Jan. 9. I haven't seen any other news on it....anybody have any news on this?

-- January 2, 2007 6:47 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Reports of dollar's death greatly exaggerated, currency experts say
Diversity called goal of recent euro shift
By Jeremy W. Peters Published: January 2, 2007

Countries with large dollar holdings are showing a new willingness to dump the dollar in favor of the rising euro. Late last month, the United Arab Emirates became the latest country to shift more of its currency reserves away from the dollar, joining Russia, Switzerland, Venezuela and others.

Those moves come amid ambiguous signals from China recently about possibly pulling back from the dollar, and recent word from Iran, the world's fourth-largest oil producer, that it would prefer payments for oil, typically priced in dollars, in euros.

But currency experts say that this turn away from the dollar is not likely to do any long-term damage to the currency's value for a number of reasons. First, the motives of central banks that are adding other currencies to their reserves do not appear to be driven by the belief that the euro will eventually supplant the dollar as the world's key currency. Rather, these central banks are doing what investors typically do to minimize risk: diversifying their portfolios.

Moreover, the amount of currency moved so far has been relatively small in a global market that trades trillions of dollars a day — only about $2 billion in the case of the United Arab Emirates, for example.

"There is some indication that central banks are moving to diversify reserves, but it's at a very slow pace," said David Powell, a currency analyst with IDEAglobal. "Is it the start of a massive shift out of the dollar? I would say no."

Further, the lasting impact on the dollar's value when foreign central banks invest in other currencies is far from certain, analysts said.

"Most people think it does not influence exchange rates for any long period of time," said Edwin Truman, senior fellow at the Petersen Institute for International Economics who served for more than two decades as the director of international finance for the Federal Reserve. "It has some day-to-day effects, but not any big effects."

The euro finished the year at $1.31, and some economists see it climbing near $1.40 — a point it has never reached in its seven-year history.

"We believe that the dollar's decline versus the euro has further to run, with $1.38 a possible destination for the pair over the next six months," said Tom Levinson, a foreign exchange strategist with ING Wholesale Banking in London.

Still, many economists are unwilling to predict that the dollar faces an inevitable demise.

"The dollar is still the world's No.1 currency, and it's going to stay that way," said Nigel Gault, chief U.S. economist for Global Insight. "The euro is gradually going to become more important, but I don't see it becoming more important than the dollar."

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/02/business/dollar.php

It strikes me as a wish on someone's part, (perhaps Iran's??) that the USD face a demise - but I agree with the skeptics who say it is far from inevitable, and also agree concerning the euro that, quote, "I don't see it becoming more important than the dollar." They couldn't even get their member countries to ratify the union.. how stable is that to invest into as a monetary repository for stability?

Sara.

-- January 2, 2007 6:58 PM ∞

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Okie wrote:

I believe the plan that's announced will be a positive step forward for Iraq.....

====================================================================================================
Bush to reveal troop boost - BBC
By staff reporters
January 03, 2007 10:29am

US President George W. Bush will reveal within days a plan to send more troops to Iraq, the BBC reported today.
Mr Bush has come under pressure to change his strategy on Iraq, particularly in the wake of a report showing the current strategy is not working.

The BBC said it had learnt that Mr Bush will give a speech soon in which he will outline a plan to send more US troops to focus on ways of bringing greater security, rather than training Iraqi forces.

The BBC said it was told by a senior US Government source that Mr Bush's speech setting out the changes in Iraq policy was likely in the middle of next week.

-- January 2, 2007 7:13 PM ∞

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Anthony R wrote:

Wow, the last scratch pad just lasted about 3 weeks!!!!!!!

-- January 2, 2007 7:29 PM ∞

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panhandler wrote:

All: Went to the cardiologist today, do a stress test in 2 weeks, and am clear to travel back to the sand box. . .I'll do what I can to give everyone up to date info on what's happening as soon as I hear anything, as I have some reliable sources in Baghdad, this will be a very profitable year for all of us. . .and if I can help anyone to purchase more, feel free to ask. . . I have a bank at my disposal in Balad. . .

Okie: Next trip to Phuket. . .June or July. . .get on board or send JIM BEAM. . .P.H.

-- January 2, 2007 8:00 PM ∞

---

Tim Bitts wrote:

Sara, interesting comments you quoted on the fact that, in essence, America has already won the war. Saddam's army was vanquished, within 3 weeks. Another big difference, with Iraq, compared to Vietnam, is that the North Vietnamese had a country they were operating out of, and they had a large, and disciplined army. What is left in Iraq, facing American soldiers, is not a large and well organized, or equipped army. Insurgencies depend on stealth, run, kill, and hide. They are hard to completely destroy, unless you are willing to invest up to a decade. Even a great army like the American Army has difficulties with insurgencies. However, it would take a very large, very disciplined and well equipped army to drive the Americans right out of Iraq. That will never happen. What will continue to happen, is the killing of a soldier here, four soldiers here, three there. Although the loss of life is to be mourned, in the large military sense, these are tiny losses. What will be continued to be reported, by the media, however, is every little thing that goes wrong, and every soldier that is killed, from the American side. Like an odometer from hell, the American body count is displayed on American television many times a day, while victories are ignored, or misreported. All this creates the illusion in the mind of the public that their soldiers are losing. That, of course, is pure nonsense.

The MSM has decided that their definition of winning the war in Iraq, goes something like this: if all goes well in Iraq, nothing goes wrong, nobody dies, all the Arab groups that have abused each other for centuries suddenly end all hostility, and a fully functioning state emerges, like a genie out of a bottle, in no time, with no effort, then and only then, America has won. This, of course, is almost unbearably silly, but these are the underlying assumptions behind most of the media reports Americans are spoon fed every day. Of course, this is a completely warped definition of victory, and winning a war, given the context the Americans are fighting in.

The MSM, like Hollywood, defines reality, as the series of images that appear on a screen. This, of course, is pure rubbish. Images are incredibly powerful, to shape the minds of people, particularly weak-minded people, but I always thought one of the lessons of the bible, including the story of the golden calf, was to be careful to not pay too much heed to what is just an image. It may not be reality. It may, in fact, be a complete distortion of reality. Reader: if you think what you see on television represents the total reality in Iraq, you fool yourself.

Whoever reads this, ask yourself, does your television lie to you? I think it does.

No wonder President Bush said he doesn't watch much television. Doesn't have an appetite to be manipulated and fed a steady diet of nonsense, I guess.

-- January 2, 2007 8:55 PM ∞

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Annon wrote:

President Schwarzenegger... Sounds good, anybody know the status of the movement to allow him to run for President? Surely if they would allow Hillary to run then Arnold should be allowed, At least he is more patriotic than probably 50% of the so called natrual born Americans and imports.

Thoughts?

-- January 2, 2007 10:06 PM ∞

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Anthony R wrote:

NNNOOOOOOOOO President Arnold doesn't sound good at all. First, I am afraid he would take his action star mentality to the office, which is not good. 2nd, if this basic law that the nation was built around is changed, whats next? They gonna let illegal imigrants run for office? Then the little man from Mars?

Hillary, yes, she has a good head on her shoulders, has very a very good track record, and MIGHT be able to get a good start on fixing the mess the world and the USA in particular has become in the last 6 years.

-- January 2, 2007 11:23 PM ∞

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Bob wrote:

What is evryons thoughts on whn the Dinar will make it to the FOREX?

I have heard 6-9months.

-- January 3, 2007 12:13 AM ∞

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Carole wrote:

Sara, Thanks for your comments and opinions to my postings.

I was surprised to see a new site starting. I agree with the one that said soon Christmas vacation will be over and all the 9th graders will return back to school.

Interesting comments about the extradimensional phenomena. The spiritual world has the "light side" and the "dark side".
Scripture speaks so poignantly to the differences. We are all encouraged to "tests the spirits" which requires discernment.

The mind is a vaccum and needs to be guarded. SO Sara, your prayer asking God to take away anyting that disguises light and is really darkness, is very smart and very responsible behavior. Scripture describes some of these activities that are taking place ( and will continue in frequency and intensity) as the end of the age gets closer and closer.

This is a time when our antennas should be on alert.

Pan, Thank you for sharing with us about your continued health progress!!!! So happy for you!!!!

Carole

-- January 3, 2007 1:43 AM ∞

---

Carole wrote:

Way off the subject---but int the last 6 weeks our office has seen a disturbing amount of patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer ( ages 35-55) who have never smoked or been subject to second-hand smoke. NO comorbid diseases either. I haven't been doing this line of work for very long, but those who have are as equally disturbed and that means something significant to me.

I wonder what is going on?

Does anyone else have any information about high incidence of lung cancer in non-smoking people?

Carole

-- January 3, 2007 1:52 AM ∞

---

Carole wrote:

I don't mean to take anything away from the attention and respect being shown to the late Pres. Ford.
But I ahve not heard one mention of the fact that he appointed probably the most liberal and destructive Justice sitting on our High Court right now. Justice Stevens. It was a mystery to me at the time Ford apponted him and a bigger mystery why this has not been pointed out.

Carole

-- January 3, 2007 2:00 AM ∞

---

Valerio wrote:

Just got through catching up on 5 days of posts, that took awhile.

Happy New Year to all! May you succeed in accomplishing your resolutions.

Anthony R.,
Hillary??? Wow! I hope you didn't mean it.

On the topic of oil.
Can you imagine what would happen if the worlds dependancy on oil was removed. What would the Arab counties sell to support their people? They can't grow enough food. Do you want to buy a jar of sand? Their would definately be world war. Oil is good, and the more they can pump out of Iraq the better it will be for everyone. If the growth of the supply exceeds the growth of the demand the price will come down.

-- January 3, 2007 2:25 AM ∞

---

Laura Parker wrote:

All,

Just wanted to let everyone know--- Just like the great Martin Luther spiritualist, "I am home at last." I won't say it is the promise land but for now will do.

A new scratch pad, means a new beginning; and everyone is given a new chance at being better than yesterday.

I read what Kevin wrote and I agree with him.

I am hoping that posters will do better at remembering to treat others better than themselves. This spiritual principle will be a blessing to all, if followed.

On the topic of UFO's, while the object could be life from other planets or another dimension/plane for spiritual beings, my bet is that the object is military. Probably, a new plane (stealth project)--ours or another country's.

I also noticed that in the last post, economies were discussed, i.e.;
communist, socialist, and capitalist. While, I agree with Sara that the Bible seems to back a capitalist ecomony--I disagree that the structure of an ecomony will heal a nation without compassion...ours and everyone's elses.

The Lord speaks many times of a nation that has a hardened heart against the poor--

-This can be seen in people's lack of respect for the poor person who is not working with remarks that cut this person's down for his lowly estate. What comes to my mind is how easy it is to attack the only social net available to a poor person--the welfare state.

Our Lord set up such a welfare state in the Old Testament, when he instructed the farmers not to forget the poor but to leave crops in the fields for the poor. What comes to mind is the story of Ruth and Boaz.

However, I hear in politics and individual people a lack of compassion for the poor because of the perception of a tax payer, that the tax payer is footing the bill. Yet, we pay corporate welfare to companies with the perceived notion that this payment will create jobs. Different strategies for dealing with social problems-- but the real issue is grass roots, what is in the individual's heart for helping others less fortunate?.

The United States of America has spent a fortune on Iraq ($300 Billion onward). And as a nation, I believe, we need to continue to show compassion on this nation. However, we also needed to be more accountable for the expenitures as alot of this money was misappropriated.

A clear example of excessive spending was in the money used to buy weapons for the army and Iraq police and now these side arms are gone (Some say to insurgents, other say to corrupt officials or Iraqi citizens in underground arms sales).

Another example, I read about was when money was given to a Iraq officials for reconstruction projects w/o oversight and the money disappeared and the projects left undone.

Some of the money waste can be seen in our (United States) lack of foresight in measuring the lack of security with the damage done to insurgent attacks on valuable contruction projects, i.e., electricity, oil pipelines, educational and hospitals buildings etc.

In addition, there are continuing charges of USA Company Contractors being accused of lining their pockets (greed being the issue). However, this is nothing new and the charge can be found with previous wars.

The issue comes back to the heart of man. The Iraqi man or woman learning ethnics instead of corruption (as their former culture); Politicians learning not to capitialize on the money issue in their bill passing; citizens holding their politicians accountable for the spending of these priorities etc.

At issue is my point, we still have not rebuilt the city of New Orleans. We a nation that is suppose to be a super power cannot take care of our own people and their needs. What I am saying is that we as a nation needed balance for our check book to do both (i.e., help the Iraqi nation and our own people).

--My point, do not forget compassion in your money dealings and also in how you treat your fellow man.

My thought is that someone got rich on the war with the above examples. However, our own people are hurting and we cannot provide adequate social services (safety net). Something is wrong with this picture??. Don't you think?

Bob,

On the dinar hitting the Forex, it's anyone's guess. I believe it will be a long term investment before the dinar will re-value. I am with Rob N. and Carl on this one.

Laura

-- January 3, 2007 3:07 AM ∞

---

Valerio wrote:

Laura,
It's all about where the intrest lies. No doubt you have some dinars yourself, because its an investment with the hope of great profit. How much have you contributed to rebuild N.O.? Its no different with our government. Many people are poor, and many have tragic disasters that take all they have. It happens throughout our country by floods, fires, tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, and there is help for these victoms. If the gov. built N.O. a new city and brand new houses for all the people, it would hardley be fair to all those who had to work night and day, take gov. loans that they payback, or spent their life savings in rebuilding from their disasters. It's awefull what happened there, and the insurance companies who ripped people off by denying rightfull claims should be prosecuted.
I believe we take care of our disabled, unemployeed, widowed, orphans, handicaped, and hungry fairly well in America. Even most of our starving people here are overweight. Ever seen those people standing at intersections with a sign "will work for food"? Ever try to hire one of them to do some work for you? They have every reason in the world why they can't work today.

-- January 3, 2007 4:43 AM ∞

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Okie wrote:

Panhandler.....

Good news about your health and return to work. I've marked Phuket on my things to do list for June-July.

COM'ON DINAR!!!

-- January 3, 2007 6:41 AM ∞

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Carl wrote:

Okie!
What a wonderful gift of seeing the Aura...

Valerio:
Good intentions are sometimes loaded with potholes...Federal Entitlements without requirement to repay or at least work for the money is one of them...We have millions of people on the dole...generation after generation after generation...of the same family...now they think they are due that money...it is owed to them...

A lot of these lets say heavier than lite souls...would not work in a pie factory tasting the crust...Walk...are you crazy...they are the ones blocking the parking lot waiting for someone to back out near the entrance...

Sara:
In my opinion, they are not demons....just simply another life form...that are apparently more intellegent than we are...and understand the universe a whole lots better than we do... Apparently they are not a danger to us...as they could have probably wiped us out a long time ago...
Personally, I think we of the human race scare the dickens out of them...and look at us as primative at best.. in both our technology and religious dogmas...

Laura:
The lords ole system of leaving grain in the field would not work today...Why? One of the poor would file legal action
against the farmer, because he made them pick up the grain in the fields, and they hurt their back taking his free grain..

Valerio to continue a litter bit further
They are the first to use their health insurance to have their diabetes checked, blood pressure regulated, varicose problems stripped, fallen arches rebuilt due to the weight, etc..
We should have a requirement...if you are overweight from over eating and not medical issue...you are required to go to work at a job, that requires you to move more than your mouth, arm and hand..

Panhandler:
Contact me at traderconnections@yahoo.com...interested in purchasing more dinar...would like to discuss...

-- January 3, 2007 6:42 AM ∞

---

DALE wrote:

New Orleans.
Just some thoughts.....
Ever been to THE BIG EASY???. I have. Fun place where one can go & have a great time. And I did.
Just ask your self where the most immoral place in our country is. People go to New Orleans & carry on in a manner they would never dream of in their home town. For that matter in any other place on earth. Grown women getting half, sometimes fully nakkid in public. Not that that is entirely bad.I am kinda fond of naked women. The female body is a beautiful thing. pPint is people lose theer inahabitions & act as if they have no morales at all, in that town.
I will ask to draw from Sarah's plethora of knowledge of biblical history here, if she might be so inclined to help me with some examples. Or anyone else that might cared to chime in. Does the bible not tell of places through out history that god has destroyed because of the immoral people there.
Does it strike anyone as odd that the tragedy of this magnitude took place in a city like New Orleans? The shit hit the fan there & the size of the tradgedy, was on a Biblical scale . If you ask me God was just fed up with the city of New Orleans.
Maybe I made all that up in my feeble little mind.
Maybe it was just a coincidence. What ever the reason, what good sense does it make to rebuild a city under sea level. ok, ok, you say build a better levy system.
I say mother nature ( or god ) will beat mans attempt to control her/him every time.
To me it's the same as the people that I see in Florida on TV crying I lost everything in that storm. To them I say I am sorry for your loss, But, BUT, don't you think it was stupid to sink everything you ever worked forall your life, into a home that sits in a place, where you know damn good & well there is gonna be giant storms that have a history of smashing homes, cars & lives every so many years.
Makes no sense to me. But then a again I am just a dumb mason.
I do agree that we should spend more of our money here at home. Feeding, housing & educating our people.

Saddam's hanging.
Last checked I thought being executed was supposed to be a bad thing. What's the big deal if someone heckled him before he died. Ever watch the tapes of his thugs killing people. Hands bound, being tossed off buildings to the pavement, then taken back up top & thrown off again? I say you get what you deserve. In his case some might argue that he deserved far worse than any heckling & a hangman's noose. The whole reap what you sow thing worked well here. He built the gallows that he deservedly was hanged from.

-- January 3, 2007 7:17 AM ∞

---

Chris wrote:

As anticipated, there is no move in the exchange rate today.

Carl,

You make several good points about helping the poor. I knew a man who grew corn. He took some to where he knew poor people lived and asked one man if he wanted some. His response was "well is it shucked?"

I seem to recall that Opra Winfrey took several welfare couples and provided them everything they needed to get back on their feet. Seems like most ended up back on welfare.

How to help the poor is truly a puzzle. Whatever we do, will it ever be enough?

-- January 3, 2007 7:28 AM ∞

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Okie wrote:

Dale.....

Our Military found body parts like fingers and toes in the torture rooms used by Saddam and his two son's. Hanging and some heckling was way to good for him. This is one case where paybacks are a MoFo should have been applied.

-- January 3, 2007 8:23 AM ∞

---

ANONYMOUS wrote:

ALL: Denver News

This text is from a county emergency manager out in the western part of
Jefferson County after a snowstorm.

WEATHER BULLETIN - COLORADO

Up here, in the Northern Plains, we just recovered from a Historic
event---may I even say a "Weather Event" of "Biblical Proportions" ---
with a historic blizzard of up to 44" inches of snow and winds to 90
MPH that broke trees in half, knocked down utility poles, stranded
hundreds of motorists in lethal snow banks, closed ALL roads, isolated
scores of communities and cut power to 10s of thousands.

FYI:

George Bush did not come.

FEMA did nothing.

No one howled for the government.

No one blamed the government.

No one even uttered an expletive on TV.

Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton did not visit.

Our Mayor did not blame Bush or anyone else.

Our Governor did not blame Bush or anyone else, either.

CNN, ABC, CBS, FOX or NBC did not visit - or report on this category 5
snowstorm.

Nobody demanded $2,000 debit cards.

No one asked for a FEMA Trailer House.

No one looted.

Nobody - I mean Nobody, demanded the government do something.

Nobody expected the government to do anything, either.

No Larry King, No Bill O'Rielly, No Oprah, No Chris Mathews and No
Geraldo Rivera.

No Shaun Penn, No Barbara Striesand, No Hollywood types to be found.

Nope, we just melted the snow for water.

Sent out caravans of SUVs to pluck people out of snow engulfed cars.

The truck drivers pulled people out of snow banks and didn't ask for a
penny.

Local restaurants made food and the police and fire departments
delivered it to the snowbound families.

Families took in the stranded people - total strangers.

We fired up wood stoves, broke out coal oil lanterns or Coleman
lanterns.

We put on extra layers of clothes because up here it is "Work or Die."

We did not wait for some affirmative action government to get us out of
a mess created by being immobilized by a welfare program that trades
votes for 'sittin at home' checks.

Even though a Category "5" blizzard of this scale has never fallen this
early, we know it can happen and how to deal with it ourselves.

"In my many travels, I have noticed that once one gets north of about
40 degrees North Latitude, 90% of the world's social problems
evaporate." It does seem that way, at least to me.

I hope this gets passed on. Maybe SOME people will get the message.
The world does not owe you a living.

_________________________________________________________________
Fixing up the home? Live Search can help http://imagine-windowslive.com/search/kits/default.aspx?kit=improve&locale=en-US&source=hmemailtaglinenov06&FORM=WLMTAG

| |

-- January 3, 2007 8:50 AM ∞

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Carole wrote:

Laura,

Happy New Year! Glad you returned home safely.

Taking care of the poor and unfortunate in this country has never been an issue. It has and probably always be our mission as a free society.

BUT as with anything else, there are those that will always take something that was meant for good and use it for ill intentions, with greed and slouthfulness at the root of it. In the process of this decaying system in our country, our government, through it's unending entitlement programs have promoted dependency on these programs. In the process, this system rewards the lazy and shrewd and punishes the hard working middle class family. Without the working middleclass here in America, the world would suffer tremendously. We carry the burden of many nations and their economies, in the form of foreign aid, etc.

There are families here in California alone where children have never experienced their grandparents or parents ever get up in the morning and leave for work and bring home a paycheck. But they are very familiar with "waiting for the check and food stamps to arrive, at the first of the month". It is all they know. Years ago, these children as they grew up became embarrased of their family's situation and were motivated to do better. Not so today! Because the lifestyles are wide spread and we have whole communitities in the system of entitlement. So everyone is socially and economically equal.

Our healthcare system is plagued with much of the same, and here soon will self destruct.

Now for a real hardhsip and sad situation...

A family who has struggled to do the right thing and go to work, bring home the paycheck, raise their families under these values, hits a streak of bad luck and finds themselves with no where to turn except to the system that is suppose to be there for them. They struggle for weeks trying to penetrate a system that is foreign to them. They don't know the angles, and/or are not willing to play the lying nad cheating games to "get all they can" for govt. help and in the process they loose almost or all that they have worked so hard for with no where to turn.

Our govt. has denied humans the dignity needed for a healthy society to survive and pass on certain legacies to our young.

Communism demands that it's citizens become dependent on the govt for the most basic needs, from tiolet paper to utilities.

In our welfare system we have become the same meaning for a growing mass of people. I could go on and on and on.

But let us turn to the Social Security picture--
More than 35% of those receiving SS benefits have never worked or been linked to a contributing worker for their monthly alottment. And a growing number of those statics are not even American born.

There is a number of truly needy people hidden with in a system that is corrupt.That can not be denied. But the system, in order to get to those few has created a monster that preys on the working class in this country.

There are no better examples of the atrocities within that system than here in California. I become repulsed at events like during Christmas when organizations go to the "poor" communities to pass out toys and the ploice have to be brought in because of the luting and fightning that takes place if the masses are not happy with the amount of or quality of toys being distributed. Awhile back, police cars were being demolished by the adults seeking toys for their kids. It was one of the most distasteful demonstrations of what we have promoted through our philosophy of entitlement to the poor.

Many single mothers get up and go to at least 2 jobs to survive. But many many more do not. You see them walking their children to school, taking their children to the parks, and they are always behind a stroller and usually pregnant. And if there is truly a father in the picture, he is not tied legally to that family unit, so that the wife/mother can qualify for all the welfare benefits she and her social worker can get their hands on. How fair or healthy is this for our society. NOw throw in the factor that she is probably not even a legal citizen.....

One can not justifiably criticize another for taking objection to this process.

The white middleclass working parents are having less and less children, while the non-white commuinities are popping out kids and introducing them into this system faster than the census bureau can count.

Adding children to these families means a pay raise!

And instead of being grateful and looking forward to the day when their luck turns and they can get back to work to start to give back to a system that was there for them in hard times, the mindset is now---it is owed to me and I will take all I can get for as long as I can get it. And the govt. has assured them that this will go on for generation after generation.

Now , for sure there are the exceptions ( dwindling, but yet still there) that want something better for their lives, and strive to break the family traditional cycle.

I found this to be true in my profession, and my husband found this often in his profession.

A nurses aid with 3 children working for about $8.00 an hour can get an automatic substantial pay raise by staying home and collecting all the entitlement benefits available to her here in California.

So when you walk into a hospital or paticularly into a Nursing Home, just know that those individuals who are changing adult's diapers, feeding the drooling and caring patient loads of 10-12 patients within an 8 hour day, are there because of a strong character and desire to maintian their dignity of collecting a paycheck for a hard days work. I call them my angels of mercy.

When I worked as a Nursing Home Adminsitrator, I made sure that they got the recognition and all the gratitiude I could give them, and ALWAYS demanded that the patients and families treated them with the utmost of respect.

Recently, we found it necessary to call for assistance from the local Police Department. My husband struck up a conversation with the young officer, who was raised here in our city. My husband remarked on how proud his family must be of him. He replied to the contrary and went on to say that he is the object of harrassment and ridicule from most of his family, including his siblings and father. For 2 reasons. #1 He is the first and only who has done something with his life and is not on welfare and #2 of all things he is a policeman.

We expressed our sympathies to him and his remark was everytime he is confronted with the riducle and criticism, it his assurance that he is doing the right thing not to end up like his family, and the criticism motivates him.

According to my husband he saw much of the very same thing when he was on LAPD. The Black and Hispanic officer suffer like no white officer can ever imagine, not only on the streets but in their won family circles as well. Amazing, isn't it?

SO please Laura, I invite you to look beyond the propaganda the politicians ( democrats mostly) spew out about our poor and underprivilged. Look for yourself and study the statisitcs, and then tell me how and when this system can be fixed.

In California, there is no hope, because now the majority of entitlement receipents will vote for any politician who will offer more handouts--and that is how they get the votes. It is a self perpetutating, phagocytic reality in motion, and picking up speed faster than we can put money into the system. It is about to explode.

The welfare class is exceeding the working class here in California. Who then will put in, if more are taking out? Just do the math!

I used to say " look down the road 40 years". Now I say look down the road 5 or 10 years.

Here in California, we used to be a land fo opporotunity for all the right reasons, now we are still a land of opporotunity for all the wrong reasons. And anyone or system that might be put in place to turn this situation around would be inviting a revolution on our streets that would be equivalent to those in Baghdad.

Stepping down from my soap box!

Carole

-- January 3, 2007 8:53 AM ∞

---

Carole wrote:

Dale,

A little rough around the edges, but VERY VERY good insights.

What is so distrubing is that the goofy govenor was more in a hurry to put the casino back in function than to rebuild the hospitals or
schools. Guess he didn't buy into the " God is watching" idea. Poor fool!!!

As far as I am concerned the only thinking minds were the ones who said this is our opportunity to leave and never look back. To them Katrina was Saint Katrina!

Carl:

It will never be enough! A bottomless pit!

Solution--you work you eat!

You can't work, you better find someone who is working and beg for mercy until you can contribute! And if you can't find someone who can step in your place for you.

This will create an entity where more are giving and thus more available for the few who are truly incapable and needy, without destroying the core.

Carole

-- January 3, 2007 9:21 AM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Chris:
The change of life patterns have to come from inside the individual first...
First...there is thought
Second there is thought made visible by words
Third there is thought made touchable by action..
Most social programs started with great intentions...but created a larger problem in the end...the majority need to be abolished or restructured to stop enabling souls...allow them to gain self respect and confidence within themselves again. How does it go...teach a man to...

Dale:
Simple answer to the BIG EASY being destroyed...

Build a house on a train track and the train sooner or later is going to smash the heck out of it...
New Orleans is built in the path of major storm patterns...sooner or later...well you know the rest...

-- January 3, 2007 9:22 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

From www.safedinar.com

Economic Inflation is the prominent event in 2006

Experts find that the economic inflation phenomenon, which has begun to increase and had reached a frightening threat to the Iraqi economy, is one of the most prominent events in the country during 2006.

They emphasized in an opinion poll: "When the inflation rates in the countries of the world rise, they will rise to varying fractional, and this will compel the governments to make adjustments and changes in the economic decision, but the phenomenon in Iraq have taken another foreshadowing form, if it is unleashed, it will disrupt all productive sectors".

The economic expert, Dr. Madhar Mohamed Salih, said: "The dangerous phenomenon of inflation experienced by the Iraqi economy is one of the most serious economic phenomena because it is still continuing without finding any radical solutions to eliminate or control it effectively", pointing out that "part of the State policy to eradicate this phenomenon was to raise interest rates and other measures which are considered procedures for controlling and not eliminating it".

He explained: "The things that could be considered high profile events during 2006 is the fruitful movement of the Iraqi government for rescheduling the debt of commercial banks and foreign private sector to the government and quenching them with an international bill equivalent to the conditions of the Paris debt, amounting to 20 billion dollars".

Dr. Mohammed Risan, from the Economic Studies Center, said: "the economic inflation is one of the most prominent economic phenomena experienced by Iraq in 2006. It began to grow from the beginning of the year and continued without taking effective steps to stop or reduce the rate of its growth; which means that the country will live a serious economic crisis if effective steps were not taken to deal with it".

He explained: "The decision of the current Iraqi government to raise the prices of fuel by 125% compared to its prices last year, had a significant effect in raising the prices of foodstuffs, consumer goods and others; which created the appropriate environment for the growth of the phenomenon of economic inflation", pointing out that: "This did not come from the vacuum, but from the pressure imposed on Iraq by the International Bank and the IMF to reduce its debt, in exchange for raising the fuel prices without seeing the negative side, which Iraqis would live as a result of international resolutions that have more negatives than positives".

Dr. Sundus Abd Jassim, professor of international economics at the Faculty of Management and Economics in Baghdad explained: "The dramatic decline in the dollar exchange rate during the latest weeks is a phenomenon which should be taken into consideration because of the economic implications that could be reflected positively on the value of the Iraqi dinar".

She said: "The optimistic predictions for rehabilitating the deteriorating Iraqi economy coincide with starting the work by the budget of 2007; however, those predictions should be backed up by the State to raise the value of the Iraqi dinar versus foreign currency", adding: " the Iraqi government can eradicate the phenomenon of economic inflation through ongoing work to develop plans and programs to reduce the value of foreign currency against the Iraqi dinar". It is noteworthy that the rate of inflation during the last year ranged between 25 and 30 per cent, while reached up to 77% during the current year.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- January 3, 2007 9:24 AM ∞

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Carole wrote:

Tim,

I was in B.C. and Vancover in the 70's ( vacation ). Was very impressed withtheir idea of welfare. PArks and hospitals were full of workers earning their welfare checks. Is it still like that?

Carole

-- January 3, 2007 9:26 AM ∞

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Carl wrote:

Carole:
Have you ever noticed that the lowest paid employees at Health Care Facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, etc are the sanitation and supply teams.
At Helen Keller Hospital in Alabama those employees make $6.25 to $7.95 a hour. Yet! they are under the strictest of guidelines for cleanliness in the hospital...allow bacteria to spread or dirty instruments to be used in surgery and the hospital will have all kinds of legal problems...and probably shut down until sanitation is restored...
All of the nurses and doctors can go home...so it brings to mind who really carries the most responsibility for the hospital or health care facility for staying open...
It is not just or right, these individual who work the hardest get the least pay..

-- January 3, 2007 9:33 AM ∞

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Carl wrote:

Carole:
It is simply economics 101 regarding the Casino's being rebuilt in La and Mississippi first...
The Casino's are a major cash cow for the state and local governments...they produce an huge portion of the states income. The States just got slammed hard...expenditures running out of the top of the billfold...green is needed fast to meet that drain...do put your resources into rebuilding the cash cow first or a school building...

Without Cash nothing gets rebuilt...

-- January 3, 2007 9:36 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Watched Frontline on PBS last night. It considered why the U.S. went to war. The program painted Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld as the wars architects.

According to the Frontline program Cheney and Rumsfeld used shoddy intelligence to justify the U.S. attack on Iraq. President Bush is presented as being duped by both of them.

Powell, Rice, and George Tenat are presented as being guilty of aiding the implementation of the war while knowing the evidence did not support Saddam having WMD.

I really did not expect this program to be honest about the events which led to the invasion of Iraq. The Frontline program continues to solidify for me that the American press has an inherent bias against President Bush, his administration, and this war.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- January 3, 2007 10:21 AM ∞

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Carole wrote:

Carl,

I have to disagree with you a bit!

First of all , every line personnel in any hospital setting are disproportionately paid. I think we agree.

But in the sanitation and supply department, technology has improved so much so that the "dirty work" that it used to be is no longer the case. By the time the waste products get to the laundry and environmental services department they are bagged and rebagged and already separated for porper disposal.

However, technology has not been improved for those who must clean the waste from the body ( under the covers) and get it to the bags. There is no technology for changing the picture for the one who has to clean someone's bottom or cleanout grossly infected wounds, or feed a drooling combative patient, or turning a comatose or quad patient, etc etc.

And those ancillary departments that you speak of have the advantage of not having to answer call lights ringing day and night for continual assistance and expectations that at times are far reached from reality.

A janitor or dishwasher or laundry person can come to work with a headache or be out of sorts and it is acceptable and the work gets done, but maybe not as good when the worker is at full speed. On the otherhand, the luxury of a "bad day" is never afforded to the nurses aid.They must always be at their best attitude, fastest pace and skilled at custodial care that most people have never done for themselves on a daily basis.

Believe it or not there are patients who at home only brush their teeth once a day, shower a few times a week, and change their bed linens more infrequently. But when they get to a hospital, their expectations of personal hygiene changes and they expect and demand, daily bathing, linen changes frequently throughout the day, meals served hot and with attractive presentation, and on and on and on. ANd in California ( a Medi-cal driven health system, all being paid through an entitlement system. IN a nursing home in California, 80-95% of most occupied beds are filled with Medi-cal recipients. For approx. $110.00 a day, the patient receives 24 hour nursing care, 3 well balanced hot meals, entertainment and rehab services, medications prepared and delivered to the bedside, tuck-in services, mail delivered to their bedside, doctor visits to their bedside. call light that gives them immediate access to their needs, etc etc...and phone numbers posted every few feet of government agencies they can call if things are not to their liking which brings an immediate response from the DHS that causes havoc to an already fragile environment for the labor force. Those making the complaints are being cared for with your tax dollars, and those investigating the compalints are being paid for with your tax dollars. NOt a pretty picture and I am so glad to be out of it!!After over 20 years on the administration side of that distorted picture!

SO, everyone should seriously think about helping in that arena where ever you can, especially after the dinar hits, as 8 out of 10 will end up under the care of one of these angels of mercy, if you live beyond 75. And, yes you or your heirs will figure out a way to get it all paid through a government program!

Shoot, try to find a motel room for that rate!
And I certainly do not mean to take away from the sanitation or supply departments and their importance or dedication to their labor and effort to comply with sanitary regulations. I just approach the subject from a different perspective based on my experiences.

Carole

-- January 3, 2007 11:04 AM ∞

---

Tim Bitts wrote:

Carole,

no it's not like that. Welfare has been tightened up in BC, so that fewer people qualify, but they are not required to work, if that's what you meant.

Actually, to show how bad the welfare was, in BC, I know an able bodied, talented man, Bill, with three children, and a wife, who deliberately moved to a small town in northern BC, so he could go on welfare. The town is full of fairly new houses, as a mine operated there for many years, before shutting down. So housing was very cheap, easily available, and there was lots of hunting and fishing and recreation nearby, including a new pool and recreation centre in town. He didn't want to work. Bill told me, "I'll show up with three kids, in December, and they'll feel sorry for me, they'll give me a house, and a checque" He was right. He played the system, and had a three year hunting holiday.

That kind of thing has been stopped now.

I also know people who legitately need help. I know a woman, Mary, with a lot of children, whose husband died suddenly, unexpectantly, at a young age, leaving her destitute. By supporting layabouts like the first man I mentioned, Bill, the province does not have enough money for the truly needy and deserving, like Mary.

Bill takes money away from Mary. I've told him that, but he could care less.

I don't mind my taxes supporting Mary, but I don't want Bill supported on public money.

One of the best things people can do to fight poverty, is to ensure everyone has at least a grade 12 education. People who graduate from high school are at a statistically much lower risk for falling into poverty, because they are more employable. One interesting idea being tried here in Canada, in the province of Ontario, is a new law, just recently brought in by Premier McGuinty, that says that anyone who drops out of high school, will automatically lose their driver's licence. So if you want to drive, in Ontario, stay in school, or else. Sounds like a good idea to me.

American states might want to try that one.

-- January 3, 2007 11:11 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

From the AP

Jan 3, 2:57 AM EST

U.S. Troops Detain 23 Suspects in Iraq

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BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- U.S. troops detained 23 people suspected of ties to senior al-Qaida leaders in raids Wednesday morning in western Iraq, the military said.

The raids took place in Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's volatile western Anbar province.

three of the suspects detonated an improvised explosive device, then ran into a house. American troops shot one of the suspects, wounding him as he tried to flee, the military said in a statement.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- January 3, 2007 11:19 AM ∞

---

Tim Bitts wrote:

A few comments on the roots of Welfare, a topic being kicked around on this site, for some reason, probably because people get tired about talking about the same thing.

Warning: Not about the Dinar, or Iraq. Ignore, and scroll past, if you don't want to hear my two cents, on welfare.

Carole:

In my opinion, changes in public morality, including changes in divorce laws, and atitudes toward marriage are at the root of the rise of the underclass. A generation ago, it was not considered respectable for a woman to have a child out of wedlock. Now, even middle class families have daughters and neices with unwed mothers in them, and there is no social stigma attached.

Fathers are now considered options, in terms of the structure of the family. Since the rise of the welfare state, men who father children no longer have to be the primary financial provider for that child. There is little or no social stigma attached to having children out of wedlock, and the government is more than willing to step in, and pay the bills. Since one of the original, primary roles of males, within a marriage, is to be a breadwinner, once he is no longer requied, he often abandons his responsibility. Governments have, in effect, become secondary husbands to large numbers of unwed women. Governments pay the bills, and thus provide the economic anchor a family needs, to survive.

So if things get rough, and the couple does not get along, the man can leave without worrying about the child going hungry. There will always be food, and shelter and clothing provided for the child. The feminist movement in the 1960s freed up public atitudes about sexuality, and changed the way Americans look at sexuality. Sexuality is now considered to be all about personal gratification. It is no longer primarily about procreation.

Look at all the young Latino mothers in California, who are on public assistance. They could care less if they have a man in their life. The social consequences of these atitudes are enormously corrosive, in the long run. These atitudes are causing widespread social destruction, and economic decay, in the United States. It's interesting that children raised without a father are statistically significantly higher risks, for dropping out of school, being unemployed, or underemployed, getting pregnant, or getting a girl pregnant at a young age, going on social assistance, going to prison, etc. etc.

You can thank the hippies and the feminists for all this mess. (The same ones that put roadblocks in front of your husband getting a deserved promotion, Carole) I'm recalling from memory, but if memory serves me, about 40% of American children are now being born out of wedlock. Someone, correct me if I'm wrong.

So Americans have listened to liberals, who told them the family was an oppressive institution, that must be weakened. They have loosened up atitudes about sexuality, made divorce easier, allowed men to escape responsibility, and marginalized the role of men withing families.

Also, at the heart of family are children. Historically, one of the main reasons men got married, was to have a family. Getting married is no longer necessary, in order to have a family. Since divorce no longer has a stigma, but it does come with an economic penalty, and since having children out of wedlock no longer has any social stigma, we have allowed men the choice of having children outside of wedlock. For many, this is an easier option, with less penalty attached if things go wrong. This does, of course, corrode the value of marriage, but the public has bought into the idea that marriage is a temporary arrangement anyway.

Since public atitudes about sexuality are so loose, men can have children, without bothering to get married. That makes it easier to leave if things get rough. And they do. So if a man can have children with a woman without the hassle of getting married, many irresponsible men are encouraged to do so, further destroying the family, the centre of American life.

And when the man leaves, there goes one paycheck, and you are left with a woman struggling with the burden of caring for a child, and looking for money for support. And along comes the Government, the Secondary Husband.

And the more children the woman has, the more society pays her. And you wonder why there are so many women and children on welfare? And you wonder why the underclass are breeding like rats? Well, you are paying them to do so, that's just simple economics, welfare is in fact an economic incentive to behave badly, that's why, and Americans have redefined family, to exclude males, and you have allowed males to act irresponsibly. How's that working for you?

So, who's fa