Truck and Barter

Comments

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Kevin Brancato wrote:

Testing...

-- March 6, 2007 8:57 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Glad to see the new pad.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 6, 2007 9:05 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Iraq to investigate joint raid on suspected torture centre
By Steve Negus

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06 March 2007 (Financial Times)
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The Iraq government's decision to investigate a raid by Iraqi and coalition forces has raised fresh questions over who has charge of the country's security forces.

In a statement late on Sunday, the government said Nouri al-Maliki, the prime minister, had ordered the inquiry into a raid on a police intelligence headquarters in the southern port city of Basra. The statement vowed to punish "those who carried out this illegal and irresponsible act".

British military sources had announced on Sunday that Iraqi troops backed by multinational forces had stormed the offices of the National Iraqi Intelligence Agency, where they found 30 detainees who showed signs of torture and abuse.

Major David Gell, the British military spokesman, said the raid had been led by an Iraqi special operations force "with the multinational forces very much in support". He said it had targeted individuals suspected of kidnap, torture, and murder but did not specify the nationality of the multinational forces, although the British make up a large majority of the troops in the region.

The UK military has been involved for more than a year in an attempt to weed out corrupt officers from the Basra security forces, parts of which are reportedly loyal to one of the city's half-dozen feuding Shia Islamist political factions.

In December, British forces raided police station of the city's major crimes unit, which it suspected of involvement with death squads.

The operations in Basra fit into a larger campaign against Shia militias, many of which have supporters in the security forces.

Iraqi special forces have been instrumental in this campaign, participating in a number of raids against militia targets in Baghdad.

Mr Maliki has denounced several of these raids, claiming he had not been consulted in advance. However, such disavowals have become less frequent in recent months as Washington has begun to put more pressure on him not to offer the militias political cover.

Supporters of Shia radical groups targeted by the special forces refer to them as the "Dirty Forces" and officials in the Baghdad district of Sadr City have asked that they be excluded from the neighbourhood.

Most Iraqi security units still technically answer to a US or British chain of command, although an increasing number have been passed to the control of Mr Maliki's government. Iraqi government statements frequently conflict with US or British statements on the extent to which Mr Maliki's government is aware of its own troops' activities.

Iraqi civilians who have encountered the special forces at checkpoints and elsewhere in Baghdad say that even relatively small units will answer directly to a US commander. US and British commanders say they consult the Iraqis before any significant operations, but the government often claims to be ignorant of politically sensitive raids.

Britain has 7,100 troops in Iraq, mostly based around Basra. Tony Blair said last month he would withdraw about 1,600 troops from Iraq over the coming months, and bring the number of troops to below 5,000 by late summer - if Iraqi forces secure the southern region.

Violence continued in Baghdad yesterday when a car bomb detonated in a book market killed at least 26 people.
(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 6, 2007 9:09 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Controlling investment in Iraq

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06 March 2007 (Gulf News)
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With considerable fanfare, Iraq's Cabinet last week announced approval of a draft law that would permit foreign investment in the nation's oil industry and provide for distribution of oil revenues among the regions and thus the country's main sectarian blocs. Details of the draft are tricky. Revenues from current oil fields are to be shared according to population. Yet no recent census has been taken. The Kurdish region in the north and the provinces can sign new oil contracts, but these must be reviewed by an independent federal committee, not yet appointed. There is concern that foreign oil companies might try to get better terms by playing the provinces against one another. But some oil experts are sceptical of the significance of the measure. "It will not mean anything on the ground," says A.F. Al Hajji, an oil economist at Ohio Northern University in Ada.

As long as Iraq suffers from political instability, major oil companies will shy away. "The situation is so bad no one in his right mind wants to go there to be attacked or nationalised a second time." Fearing the consequences, "The oil companies never supported the invasion," Dr Al Hajji adds. Iraq's oil remains important to a world highly reliant on petroleum and its byproducts. Iraq has proven reserves of 115 billion barrels and, according to Iraqi oil economist Mohammad Ali Zainy, another 215 billion to 240 billion barrels not yet proven. Some of that new oil may cost as little as $1 a barrel to extract. By comparison, Saudi Arabia has 264 billion barrels of proven reserves.

Rush to approve

Because of sabotage by insurgents, Iraqi oil production has been running at less than 2 million barrels per day, down from 2.8 million barrels before the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, says Zainy, now with the Global Centre for Energy Studies in London.

To Al Hajji, the "rush" to approve the draft law reflects the need of the Iraqi government and the Bush administration to show some success‚ "even if it is as cosmetic as the new oil law." Zalmay Khalilzad, US ambassador in Iraq, stated the draft was the "first time since 2003 that all major Iraqi communities have come together on a defining piece of legislation."

Iraq's government hopes the nation's 275-member parliament will approve the draft before the end of May. The legislation will be extremely controversial. Opposition is expected from the powerful Oil Workers Union of Basra.

It staged strikes in 2005 objecting to America's plan to privatise Iraq's oil industry. A reviving Communist Party will oppose it.

Much of the Iraqi press also objects to aspects of the law. One sensitive provision allows "production sharing agreements" (PSAs) with foreign oil firms. In theory, Iraq would retain ownership and ultimate control of the oil in such a deal.

A PSA would merely grant the firm or consortium the right to explore, develop, and sell the oil, while getting a share of the oil extracted. History, however, is full of "unequal" PSAs highly favourable to oil companies and less favourable to oil nations. Zainy says that details of an oil contract are more important than whether it is called a PSA, a "production and development contract," or a service contract.

He fears "corruption, presently rampant in Iraq" could affect contracts, wasting much of the nation's main resource. During the 20th century, oil became the fulcrum of politics in the Middle East, with countries nationalise ing their oil resources and winning better oil deals.

American influence

The draft law "reverses everything that has happened in the Middle East since 1901," charges Rashid Khalidi, director of the Middle East Institute at Columbia University in New York.

Implying that American occupiers have had much influence on the measure, Khalidi asks: "Does [Vice-President] Cheney think he can stand against history?" Khalidi's latest book, "Resurrecting Empire," spells out the history of foreign exploitation of Iraqi oil, noting that resentment over "insufficient benefits" to Iraqis led to the popularity of the Baath government and nationalisation of the oil industry in 1975.

Khalidi doubts the draft law will pass parliament. "It is so manifestly against the interests of Iraq," he says. If it does, though, he doesn't expect the law to last. Presumably, an Iraq no longer occupied would seek better terms for any deal reached under the proposed law.

Al Hajji notes that contracts signed "under duress" are not legally binding. After Iran nationalised its oil industry in the 1950s, British lawyers for the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (now British Petroleum) contested the action in the International Court in the Hague and lost, despite Britain's superpower status then. In the future, Iraqi lawyers could similarly argue that any oil deal signed while Iraq was occupied was done under duress and thus was invalid.

After reading the draft law in Arabic last week, Al Hajji says, "It is so broad and loose, it has no significance."

Often, he says, nationalism in oil-rich nations rises during and after occupation by foreigners. That "will cause problems."
(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 6, 2007 9:17 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Turkey to invest in Iraqi oil sector

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06 March 2007 (MENAFN)
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The Turkish Energy Minister announced that the Turkish government will host discussions with US and Iraqi officials over Iraq's oil development program, Iraq Directory reported.

The objective of the meetings is to welcome Turkey to invest in the Iraqi oil sector and contribute to the development of the oil in the northern region of Iraq on the basis of the new Iraqi oil law, which the government drafted last month.

The discussions will highlight the necessity of international contribution to the reconstruction of Iraq to achieve stability in all Iraq's regions.
(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 6, 2007 9:19 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Trowers & Hamlins advises on USD3.8 billion purchase of a controlling stake in 'Wataniya' - Kuwait's second mobile telecoms operator

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06 March 2007 (AME Info FZ LLC)
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Trowers & Hamlins the international law firm is advising Qtel, Qatar's leading telecoms provider, on its USD3.8 billion acquisition of a 51 per cent stake in Kuwait's second mobile telecoms operator Wataniya (also known as the National Mobile Telecommunications Company of Kuwait) in addition to two non-Wataniya-owned stakes in Iraqi and Algerian operators forming part of the Watanaiya Group.

Wataniya has over 10 million subscribers and owns mobile telecoms assets in Algeria, Iraq, the Maldives, Palestine, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia as well as Kuwait.

The controlling interest in Wataniya is being purchased from a consortium of shareholders led by Kuwait Projects Company (KIPCO) advised by Morgan Stanley. The financial adviser to the Qtel team was ABN AMRO.

The acquisition is the largest ever transaction of shares in a KSE listed company and is the second record breaking telecoms deal that Trowers & Hamlins' has scooped this year. Both deals were led by partner Abdullah Mutawi who is the head of the firm's new International Telecoms Team.

In January Trowers & Hamlins advised Cable & Wireless on the US $506m sale of their stake in Batelco the Bahraini telecoms company. The Batelco deal was also the largest ever transaction of shares in a Bahraini listed company and the country's largest ever telecommunications transaction.

Qtel currently operates or has key strategic mobile investments in Qatar, Oman, Singapore and Indonesia and is one of Qtar's largest publicly listed companies.

Comments Abdullah Mutawi: 'We are very proud to be involved in such a significant deal for Qtel and one which has significantly added to Qtel's rapidly expanding international footprint.'

"This deal underscores the huge appeal of emerging markets for telecoms M&A activity where massive growth potential and attractive synergies are proving to be a magnet for operators seeking to propel themselves onto the global stage. The proportion of these deals led by Middle Eastern telecoms operators is quite remarkable." Abdullah Mutawi, described the negotiations for Wataniya as 'marathon' but says that he found it incredibly satisfying to be leading the team advising on an M&A deal of this magnitude.

Adds Abdullah Mutawi: 'Working with Qtel on a number of their important projects over the past year has been an enormous pleasure. What makes this deal especially satisfying is that it really puts our International Telecoms practice on the map. I think Qtel's decision to instruct us vindicates our commitment to invest in bringing together a formidable team of specialist telecoms lawyers with both regional and international experience.'

Abdullah Mutawi was assisted by senior corporate finance associate Patrice Michaud, also based in the firm's Bahrain office.
(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 6, 2007 9:23 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Dollar Demand Drops Sharply in Iraq Exchange
Monday Auction Barely Reaches Half of Sunday's $68 Million
Posted 19 hr. 12 min. ago
Baghdad, March 5, (VOI) – Demand for the dollar sharply declined in the Iraqi Central Bank’s daily auction on Monday, only reaching $35.555 million compared with $67.810 million on Sunday.

In its daily statement, the bank said it had covered all bids, which included $11.040 million in cash and $24.515 million in foreign transfers, at an exchange rate of 1,279 dinars per dollar, one tick lower than yesterday.

Thirteen banks participated in Monday's auction and offered to sell 4 million dollars, which the Central Bank bought at 1,277 dinars per dollar.

Abdul-Razzaq al-Abaiyji, an economist, told VOI that the bids and offers made by the banks at the Central Bank's daily auction are governed by, amongst other things, the principle of supply and demand, adding that "a tick lower in the exchange rate could not have considerably affected demand for the dollar, as it sharply dropped in today's session."
(www.iraqslogger.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 6, 2007 9:31 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

The 877 daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq day Tuesday 2007/ 3/ 6 so the results were as follows :

Details Notes
Number of banks 15 -----
Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1279 -----
Auction price buying dinar / US $ ----- -----
Amount sold at auction price (US $) 105.320.000 -----
Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) -----
Total offers for buying (US $) 105.320.000 -----
Total offers for selling (US $)
(www.cbiraq.org)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 6, 2007 9:35 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Camp Liberty Soldiers Up-Armor Humvees
Army News Service | Sgt. Alexandra Hemmerly-Brown | March 06, 2007
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - As the enemy changes its tactics in warfare, the military constantly updates strategies on how to keep servicemembers safe.

At a new center on Camp Liberty, Soldiers are working hard to up-armor M1115 Humvees with the newest and highest level of protection available: Frag 5.

"We have more people outside the wire now that are needing this protection," said 1st Lt. Aaron J. Kravitz, the Frag 5 yard officer in charge of the 541st Combat Support Sustainment Battalion.

Soldiers work 12-hour shifts turning out about 10 Humvees per day, Kravitz said. Their mission is to fully strip Humvees of all prior armor, add the new Frag 5 kits and hand them back to the units as quickly as possible.

The process of giving Humvees their Frag 5 facelift is a six-step assembly-line process, Kravitz said.

"We rebuild the Humvee, kind of like a puzzle," he said. "It's an evolving process. The Humvee wasn't originally built for the mission it's doing now."

From start to finish, the process takes about 40 hours. With an augmented staff of Soldiers from different units, the shop is more productive than it was a few months ago.

"When we first started we had a small section of about 12 to 15 people," said Sgt. Kevin D. Gatlin, a quality control noncommissioned officer. Gatlin, who works the night shift, said operations shifted dramatically in October when they changed their mission from working on other levels of Frag armor, and turning out one or two vehicles per day, to working strictly with Frag 5.

They increased tempo, boosted staff and changed locations to supply safer vehicles to the battlefield. This change in mission was due to the incoming surge of Soldiers in the Baghdad area who did not have the most current armor on their vehicles, Kravitz said.

The Soldiers and civilians working at the new center are trying to ensure that all Soldiers traveling on the roads of Iraq have the most current and sophisticated safety equipment possible.

"Right now we are turning out a truck every two to three hours," Kravitz said. "We try to get it through as quick as we can because the more trucks we get out, the more trucks are out there saving people's lives."

Kravitz said he is most proud of the job he does when Soldiers come to his shop thanking him and his unit because their work saved a life.

"Just knowing that we make a difference is the best," Kravitz said. "Everybody has to do their own little part, and this is our part."
(www.military.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 6, 2007 2:23 PM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Ghost Soldiers Discover Hidden Cache
Army News Service | Sgt. Paula Taylor | March 05, 2007
MOSUL, Iraq - Two Garryowen troops assigned to Ghost Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, netted one of the largest weapons caches in the Ninewa Province Feb. 9.

Located in a walled-off compound, the cache was discovered by Pfc. Ryan Kennedy and Spc. Isaiah Johnson, both infantrymen assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment.

"Our battalion got information that there was a weapons cache in one of the lots in the city," said Kennedy.

When Kennedy's platoon arrived in the suspected area, the Soldiers began taking small-arms fire from a mosque across the street. After securing the area with the help of Iraqi Army troops, the Soldiers detained 10 suspects.

"We pushed forward to continue searching another lot after another platoon moved up to secure the detainees," he said. "There were four garages and a small building with two rooms in it; one was like a tool room and the other was like a living area. We cleared the building and the garages."

After a brief search by 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, Sgt. Shen O split his team up for a more comprehensive search.

"Me and Specialist Johnson went back to the room that was like a living area and started busting all the floor tiles," Kennedy said.

"We saw a sink and tried turning it on," Johnson said. "It didn't turn on. At the time, we didn't think anything of it."

The two continued busting floor tiles to see if the ground would give way. Kennedy eventually busted the inoperable sink.

"Once we broke the sink, we saw there weren't any pipes under it," Johnson explained. "The XO (executive officer) noticed there was no grout between the tiles."

"We could tell something was wrong with it because the tiles under it were real loose," Kennedy added. "I hit it with a sledgehammer and it fell through. We could clearly see some rocket-propelled grenades, bags and different types of munitions.

"We were overjoyed to find the cache. All these months we weren't finding anything. We were going on raids, searching vehicles. When we saw it, we just started yelling out, 'Hey, we found it; we found the cache!'"

After discovering the secret room beneath the sink, a member of the explosive ordnance disposal team was called into the compound to check the area for dangers. Once he deemed the area safe to enter, other troops began arriving to help remove the items.

"There was everything you could name in there," Johnson recalled. "Missiles you shoot helicopters with, grenades, mines, wiring, cell phones, tons of AK-47s and ammo. It took us several hours to get it all out. It made us feel happy finding that stuff, knowing the enemy couldn't use the weapons against us.

"It was sneaky how they had it set up, with the sink and the stove. They tried to make it look like it was a kitchen. We put the clues together and we figured it out," Johnson bragged.

The day's find included 30 blasting caps, about 250,000 rounds of small-arms ammunition, 25 grenade fuses, 37 high-explosive anti-tank weapons, 100 unfused grenades, one Iranian PG-7 grenade rocket, six Chinese 75mm APERS rocket fuses, 13 French 68mm SPAMV rockets, 72 rocket motors, 10 Iraqi 40mm rockets, 221 mortars, 300 various fuses, 40 pounds of propellant, 50 pounds of detonation cord, 13 PG-7 launchers, 17 AK-47 assault rifles, one Russian machine gun, two sniper rifles, one PKC machine gun, 40 million Iraqi Dinar, more than 400 fake identification cards, and various Motorola radios, including one Iraqi police radio believed to have belonged to an IP who had been previously kidnapped and subsequently killed.

"People can say I found it, but everyone was searching that day," Kennedy said. "We were all working really hard. Everyone was covered in sweat even though it wasn't that hot. It was back-breaking labor."

Fellow Soldiers also found Iraqi Dinar and fake IDs nearby.

In recognition for their part in the discovery, Johnson and Kennedy were given a 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Coin of Excellence, which was presented to them by their first sergeant.

"It was a large cache. They knew it had to be right under their feet," said 1st Sgt. Eric Volk. "These guys are very determined to have a positive impact in this area. They've got a lot of pride, and I think they feel like they've finally achieved that big step against the insurgency. I couldn't ask for any better troops than what I've got."

(Sgt. Paula Taylor writes for the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs.)
(www.military.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 6, 2007 2:26 PM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Bush Seeks Funding for Extra Troops
Associated Press | March 06, 2007
WASHINGTON - The White House is ready to ask Congress for more money for President Bush's plan - already hotly debated - to send 21,500 new combat troops into Iraq.

The move would pay for support personnel and otherwise update last month's request for the Iraq war. It probably will draw criticism from Democrats who say the Pentagon had low-balled estimates of the costs of Bush's plan for improving security in Baghdad and Anbar province.

The latest request could come as early as Tuesday, modifying last month's $93.4 billion request for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through Sept. 30.

Though the changes may be relatively modest, they nonetheless are embarrassing to the White House and the Pentagon, which earlier dismissed criticism from lawmakers that the original $5.6 billion estimate for the troop buildup was too low.

Take Action: Tell your public officials how you feel about this issue.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England told the Senate Budget Committee last week that about 6,000 additional support personnel - such as headquarters staff, military police, and medical personnel - would be needed to complement the 21,500 additional combat troops.

Hours after England testified, White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten paid a rare visit to the Capitol to press Senate GOP leaders for the additional money.

The modified request was being finalized Monday, said administration and congressional aides. In addition to the money for increased troop strength, the White House will press for more dollars to battle the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan and get mine-resistant vehicles.

The request probably will come to about $2 billion. It will be accompanied by equal-sized reductions to elsewhere in the larger request, which contained money for two next-generation Joint Strike Fighters and a V-22 tilt rotor aircraft.

At the same time, lawmakers have signaled they will provide an additional $3 billion to put in place the latest round of military base closings. The military base money - cut from the president's budget when Democrats pushed through a huge spending bill last month - has the strong support of the administration.

In addition to concerns about Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq, Democrats say the Pentagon has underestimated the cost of the new mission. The $5.6 billion price covers deployment of combat troops through Sept. 30.

Typically, it takes 5,500 support troops for a 4,000 combat brigade, according to the Congressional Budget Office. But the Defense Department says the most recent addition of troops will require far fewer support troops because a sizable support infrastructure is in place in Baghdad and Anbar province.

Democrats are looking at the must-pass supplemental spending bill as a way of attaching their domestic initiatives. They include farm disaster aid, money for a children's health insurance program and improvements to levees around New Orleans.
(www.military.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 6, 2007 2:30 PM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

I have posted a number of articles today. I hope they are informative at minimum.

Did anyone see Lindsey Graham's appearance on Meet The Press Sunday? Tim attempted to pin him on several key Democratic issues, but he showed himself to be succinct and articulate.

I am further convinced the more the U.S. invests in Iraq, the more Dinar I should by. I think we all need to pick up a few more million.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 6, 2007 2:35 PM ∞

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chelseadave wrote:

Thanks Rob N.

The articles are much appreciated.

-- March 6, 2007 6:24 PM ∞

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chelseadave wrote:

Announcement No.(878)

D.G. of Foreign Exchange Control

The 878 daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq day Wednesday 2007/ 3/ 7 so the results were as follows :

Details Notes
Number of banks 12 -----
Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1278 -----
Auction price buying dinar / US $ ----- -----
Amount sold at auction price (US $) 66.260.000 -----
Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) -----
Total offers for buying (US $) 66.260.000 -----
Total offers for selling (US $) ----- -----

-- March 7, 2007 3:30 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Bush sees 'test' for Iran, Syria, on Iraq
3/6/2007

by Olivier Knox 36 minutes ago

US President George W. Bush challenged Iran and Syria Tuesday to prove at a pair of upcoming international conferences on Iraq that they are serious about helping to quell deadly violence there.

"These meetings will be an important test. They'll be a test of whether Iran and Syria are truly interested in being constructive forces in Iraq," he said in a speech to the American Legion US veterans organization.

The conferences will also "will be a test for the international community to express its support for this young democracy, to support a nation that will be at peace with its neighbors," said Bush.

Bush was referring to Iraq's call for a March 10 conference in Baghdad grouping officials from Iraq's neighbors as well as the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States -- and the Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

The US president also noted that there would be a subsequent meeting in April of foreign ministers from around the world, including US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, to discuss Iraq's future.

Tehran said on Monday it was "not hostile" to joining its arch enemy Washington and other permanent UN Security Council members at the March 10 talks.

Iran's foreign ministry had stressed on Sunday that no direct talks were planned between Iran and the United States at the Baghdad conference.

The US ambassador in Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, said in a television interview that no decision had yet been taken on US-Iran talks at the meeting.

"We have not decided at this point with regard to anything bilateral, but we will be prepared to play our role as constructively as possible," he said.

Iran and the United States have had no diplomatic relations since Washington severed ties in 1980 in the wake of the seizure of its embassy in Tehran by Islamist students.

Any direct contacts between the two sides would mark a major break in the frozen relations, which have been marked by mutual recriminations and enmity over almost three decades.

Washington has repeatedly accused Tehran of fomenting the violence in Iraq and arming Shiite extremists who have carried out deadly attacks on Iraqis and US troops. Iran vehemently denies the charges.

In his speech, Bush also took aim at opposition Democrats now in control of the US Congress over their efforts to curb the war in Iraq and even in some cases threaten to cut off funds for US military operations there.

Bush said lawmakers have "a responsibility" to pay for the war and warned against "undue interference from politicians in Washington" in the way US military commanders in Iraq "carry out their missions."

And he assailed lawmakers calling for a withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

They "seem to believe that we can have it all: That we can fight Al-Qaeda, pursue national reconciliation, initiate aggressive diplomacy, and deter Iran's ambitions in Iraq -- all while withdrawing from Baghdad and reducing our force levels," he said.

"That sounds good in theory, but doing so at this moment would undermine everything our troops have worked for," he charged.

Bush sees 'test' for Iran, Syria, on Iraq - Source
(www.safedinar.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 7, 2007 9:01 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Bush says gradual progress in Iraq despite violence
3/6/2007

26 minutes ago

President George W. Bush insisted on Tuesday a new Iraq security plan is making gradual progress, despite the deaths of nine more U.S. troops and another major bomb attack.

Bush used the bulk of a speech to the American Legion veterans organization to defend his plans to deploy 21,500 more U.S. troops to Iraq aimed at taking control of and holding restive neighborhoods of Baghdad rife with sectarian violence.

Bush also said a regional conference in Baghdad next month will be "a test of whether Iran and Syria are truly interested in being constructive forces in Iraq."

The United States has agreed to attend the conference but U.S. officials have said American representatives will not have side meetings with officials from Iran and Syria.

Washington accuses Iranians of providing explosive devices to Iraqi insurgents for use against U.S. troops.

Insurgents killed 112 Shi'ite pilgrims streaming to the holy city of Kerbala in attacks across Iraq on Tuesday, including more than 70 after suicide bombers blew themselves up in a street lined with tents.

The attacks are likely to increase sectarian tensions between majority Shi'ites and Sunni Arabs that have threatened to plunge the country into all-out civil war.

The U.S. military announced on Tuesday the death of nine U.S. soldiers in two bomb attacks north of Baghdad, the deadliest day for U.S. forces since they launched the security crackdown in the capital three weeks ago.

"Iraqi and U.S. forces are making gradual but important progress almost every day and we will remain steadfast until our objectives are achieved," Bush said.

Arguing against any congressional attempt to scale back the mission, Bush said: "The mission is America's mission and our failure would be America's failure."

Bush called on lawmakers to avoid adding billions of dollars of unrelated domestic spending to a $100 billion budget request for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying Congress should approve it "without strings and without delay."

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino cautioned against expecting immediate results from the security plan.

"Our commanders are not taking their eye off the ball. We are going to have unfortunate days." she said.

Bush says gradual progress in Iraq despite violence - Source
(www.safedinar.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 7, 2007 9:03 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Were all supposed to act surprised here.....Wow a new scratchpad!!

-- March 7, 2007 7:44 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Why is the Dinar still very undervalued?

We have seen a very gradual increase in value since Nov, and some of us are jumping with joy, (me for one), and thinking this is a very great step.

Well, yes from 1475 to 1278 to 1 is indeed a significant step, 15-20 % seem like a great step as this is our nominal value that has increased.

However, if you are coming from a close to worthless, to an almost worthless currency this doesn't make much in a difference other then a slight superficial, almost cosmetic change.

If we take it from THEIR viewpoint, they have increased the value of their currency pretty much, we can see a difference.

However, if you already are so low down in the bottom of the scale that the value of the currency is almost an amplification of the bottom line, it wont matter much in the long run, unless you make a drastic currency revaluation.

Look at it from OUR viewpoint, you was able to buy 14 Dinars for ONE cant some time ago, and now we can ONLY buy 12 Dinars for ONE cent, it's still in a ridiculous low range. Almost worthless.

The value of a currency is not only determined by a country's resources, it's productivity, and how stable it is, but also how valuable that currency is IN COMPARISON with other currencies.

Lower the value of all the other currencies in the world and the Dinars will go up in value.

It's like Einstein's theory of Relativity.

If you drive a car, it is meaningless to argue whether the universe moves backwards, and you are sitting still, or that the universe is sitting still, and you move forward in it.

It's just a matter of what viewpoint you take.

Right now, the Iraqi currency is by all comparison to the buying power to any major currency very weak and have almost no to slim buying power.

From the Iraqis viewpoint they have raised it about 20% or thereabout, and that is in their eyes quite a lift.

From our viewpoint, nothing really significant has happened.

It has happened, just enough to say that it HAS happen, but the magnitude is very very small.

1475 to 1 going to 1278 to 1......from our viewpoint it is like feeding an elephant with a table fork of hey.

For them it is a magnificent 20%.

Stirling, Euro and Dollar have such a buying power that it dwarfs the Dinars buying power, ONE unit of those currencies, will get thousand or more of the Dinar currency.

The Dinar has an even higher climb to do if they want to get to the levels of the surrounding countries, in the Gulf, where an average of 1 to 3.25 is the norm.

So if they want to do that, they better get the climb going, or do a decent reval pretty quick.

Doing one point per day will take slightly more than 4 YEARS to get to get to 1 CENT = 1 Dinar.

That's the perspective we have here, before they even get on OUR board being worthy of at least ONE lousy penny.

I don't know how old you are, I guess it is an age issue, but I don't bend over for a penny any more, it's not worth bending over, and picking up.

(Dime, ok I bend over.)

I just wanted to communicate the idea that the value of the Dinar is still just in between Disney Dollar and Lala land.

The opportunity to buy more Dinars is right now, the difference in value from the time they started to climb, in Nov and now, is so insignificant, compared with the shear volume of the currency you can buy, that the situation is almost the same as before....with other words, go for it.

Get em while you can.

-- March 7, 2007 8:35 PM ∞

---

Valerio wrote:

We'll have this thing licked, and our boys will be aboard transports on their way home, and the Dem's will still be mulling around trying to figure out what their withdraw plan is. Why don't they wake up and take a look at what's happening?

-- March 8, 2007 12:30 AM ∞

---

chelseadave wrote:

Announcement No.(879)

D.G. of Foreign Exchange Control

The 879 daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq day Thursday 2007/ 3/ 8 so the results were as follows :

Details Notes
Number of banks 11 -----
Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1279 -----
Auction price buying dinar / US $ ----- -----
Amount sold at auction price (US $) 54.145.000 -----
Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) -----
Total offers for buying (US $) 54.145.000 -----
Total offers for selling (US $) ----- -----

-- March 8, 2007 2:55 AM ∞

---

thor wrote:

http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic?expr2=&script=..%2Fconvert%2Fclassic&language=en&lang=en&value=1&date=03%2F07%2F07&SUBMIT=Convert%20Now&date_fmt=us&margin_fixed=0&exch2=&expr=USD&exch=IQD

this is interesting, value is alot different

-- March 8, 2007 3:02 AM ∞

---

Carole wrote:

Rob N.

While I can appreciate the time and energy it takes you to post the ad infinitum articles, you are causing the flavor of this blog site to change from one of discussion to archives of articles. Can you just post the Subject matter and reference where one might read it, if interested, instead of writing out the whole dang thing?

One Sara is enough!

I don't know where you 2 get the time.....

I truly miss the dialogue and the expression of ideas that used to be the main attraction of this site.

IT IS SOOOOOOO BORING NOW! Even more boring than watching the Dinar doing nothing more than gaining cob webs in my safe!

Valerio,

Thanks for your explaination of the zero looping. I got it now! Thanks!

Roger,
The next time you are ready to buy more Dinar, would you first consider a deal of a lifetime----I have some ocean front property in Wyoming, I am selling ---cheap!??

Carole

-- March 8, 2007 9:02 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Iraqi Minister of Finance authorized to sign agreements

The government’s official spokesman, Ali Addabagh, said that the Cabinet decided to ratify the Convention of debt reduction signed with Paris Club during its tenth regular session.

Addabagh explained in a press statement that the Cabinet authorized the Minister of Finance, Baqir Jabr Al-Zubaydi, to sign all the executive agreements of the Convention and signing the agreements of reducing and reorganization Iraqi debt with Switzerland and Germany, as well as writing-off Iraq's debts with Romania.

Al-Zubaidi said: "the ministry responsible for the debt settlement and the signing of loan agreements is the Ministry of Finance, while the ministry responsible for grants is the Ministry of Planning, "pointing out that his ministry and his government are working actively to resolve the Iraqi debt issue once and for all.

The Minister of Finance said that his country is committed to the International Monetary Fund under the Convention that imposes on Iraq making economic reforms like raising the prices of oil derivatives, while the IMF is committed to supporting Iraq in the reduction of 80% of its debt, and that what has been done during the past three years.

He disclosed that one of the conditions of the International Monetary Fund is: "raising the added subsidy" on oil derivatives.

He said that "Iraq obtained important loans from Iran and Japan," saying that two agreements were signed this year: the first was with Iran, which provided a long-term loan of one billion dollars, over forty years; it is a "facilitated loan" because no interests will be paid during the first ten years. The second agreement was with Japan, which provided a loan of 3.5 billion dollars; it is a facilitated loan also, in addition to obtaining 500 million dollars from the International Bank.

Source: Iraqdirectory.com
(www.dinartrade.com)

-- March 8, 2007 9:25 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Wall Street drools over prospect of capturing Iraq oil wealth

The Iraqi cabinet’s adoption last week of a law creating the legal framework for turning over the country’s oil wealth to American corporations has touched off a chorus of salutes from the Bush administration, congressional Democrats and the corporate-controlled American media.

Perhaps the crassest expression of money-grubbing glee came in the Wall Street Journal, which published an article March 4 celebrating the unlocking of untold riches, including “dozens of untouched oil fields loaded with proven reserves and scores of exploration blocks that may prove a magnet to international oil companies.”

The draft law lists 51 oil fields, 27 in production and the balance with proven reserves, as well as 65 exploration blocks. The fallow fields and exploration blocks are located in every region of the country, while the working fields are concentrated in the northern region around Kirkuk and in the southern region near the border with Kuwait. Citing a cabinet document, the Journal reported that “Iraqi officials must first agree to the framework of contracts to be used when negotiating with foreign oil companies by March 15 if the country’s draft hydrocarbons law is to be submitted to parliament for its approval.”

The draft law calls for reviewing and renegotiating contracts with Russian, French and Chinese oil producers, signed under Saddam Hussein. These countries, which initially opposed the US invasion, are expected to be cut out of any lucrative oil deals in favor of American and British companies.

The government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki endorsed the draft law February 26, after months of bitter conflicts among the representatives of rival bourgeois factions within Iraq—Kurdish, Sunni and Shiite—over the terms of the deal. Approval is likely in the Iraqi parliament, although not certain, as news of the agreement is sure to provoke widespread popular outrage over the sell-off of the country’s most valuable resource.

The cabinet conflict revolved around two related issues: Kurdish determination to hold onto Kirkuk, a city of mixed Arab, Kurdish and Turkomen population that is the center of the northern branch of Iraq’s oil industry; and the Sunni demand for revenue-sharing at the national rather than regional level, since the proven oil reserves are largely in the Shiite and Kurdish populated areas, with relatively little in the central and western provinces where most Sunnis live.

Neither issue was completely settled, but the formula agreed upon under heavy pressure from outgoing US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, who reportedly dictated the final terms, provides rather more concessions to the Sunnis, largely at the expense of the Kurds.

In public, the Bush administration and congressional leaders of both parties have cited the working out of inter-ethnic compromises as the main purpose of the oil legislation. In reality, however, the Bush administration sought an agreement on whatever terms it could impose, so that the Iraqi oil industry could be placed on legal foundations suitable for opening it up to foreign (and largely American) capital.

Source: Bay Area Indymedia
(www.dinartrade.com)

Thanks,
Rob N.

-- March 8, 2007 10:04 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

U-turn as US tries to revive Iraq state industry
By Steve Negus

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

08 March 2007 (Financial Times)
Print article Send to friend
Four US Blackhawk helicopters come in low over a sprawling automotive plant near the town of Iskandariya, south of Baghdad. The complex is a mess, strewn with jumbled railway cars and fields of broken concrete.

But amid the decay sits a line of newly painted police cars freshly out of the factory's workshops, evidence that this plant - once a flagship of Iraqi heavy industry but virtually shut down after the 2003 US-led invasion - is getting back on its feet.

The helicopters unload a team from the US Department of Defense and several dozen US businessmen from defence, manufacturing and other companies. They are part of a push to reinvigorate the Iraqi public sector, an idea that emerged in Washington as post-invasion plans to dismantle the state sector and create a model of economic liberalism in the Arab world gave way to the necessity of fighting an entrenched insurgency.

Factories once seen as deadweights are now considered - at least by the US - a potential source of work for hundreds of thousands of Iraq's unemployed and an opportunity to drain the militias' recruiting pool.

Members of the defence department team say that in the middle of last year, the State Company for Automotive Industries at Iskandariya was overgrown with weeds, the employees despondent. Today, it is producing armoured buses - a contract given by the US military to jumpstart the business - in addition to smaller contracts, such painting police cars.

Only 1,000 of the 5,000 workers listed as employed at the plant are in full-time work. A plant that the management says could roll out six to 10 buses a day is only assembling five a month.

The factories were built in the 1970s, part of the industrialisation campaign led by the regime's then-number two, Saddam Hussein.

The SCAI specialised in assembling buses from parts provided by Sweden's Scania. During the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war it built armoured trucks and missile launch platforms. After the Gulf war and the imposition of sanctions, the factory became a jack of all trades, even dabbling in oil refining.

But though state-owned heavy industry may have been an engine of Iraq's prewar economy, it was financially a burden, annually billions of dollars in the red.

The US-led Coalition Provisional Authority, which ran the country after the invasion, slated the factories for privatisation and slashed their subsidies.

"The initial approach . . . was a rapid disempowerment of state-owned industry, in an expectation that in a secure stable environment private industry would quickly emerge," says Paul Brinkley, deputy undersecretary of defence for business transformation.

The Americans say this model has seen at least partial success in regions such as eastern Europe, but in Iraq it was a flop.

CPA policy - combined with electrical shortages and the purge of technocrats who held high rank in the former ruling Ba'ath party - may have "disempowered" the sector, but no factories were sold and no private sector capable of employing anywhere near the sector's 500,000 workers emerged.

Soon, the US military was facing Sunni guerillas and a Shia militia movement. It became convinced economic desperation pushed many Iraqis to become the insurgency's foot soldiers.

Local commanders began to eye the vast, idle industrial complexes as a means to drain the recruiting pool of their opponents, while senior officers pushed for job creation to be considered a key means of combating the insurgency. Iraq's coalition government still has the factories slated for privatisation, but the Americans are trying to get the plants running in the meantime.

Mr Brinkley was put in charge of a taskforce that is touring Iraq's factories to introduce potential clients and partners. But managers at Iskandariya say the policy is meeting resistance from the Iraqi government itself.

The Shia Islamists who run most ministries may be shunning the state factories because they were too closely associated with the old regime. Contracts for vehicles are going abroad, or to the private sector. One senior manager says: "We export oil, we buy goods, but we're not employing people here."
(www.iraqudates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 8, 2007 10:14 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

Carole:

I respectively disagree with you. Yes, I post a number of articles. Primarily, pieces relevant to the economic and political development of Iraq; specifically, as it relates to the Dinar.

I think your concerns about this blog are unwarranted. You are still free to discuss any topic at will. I do not understand how the information I share impedes your ability to share your own thoughts. Though I post several articles, Roger seems to be able to post his comments about the Dinar being undervalued without any obstruction.

Granted, the discussion of late has been less than stellar. I have not seen postings from Okie, Lance, Taxmama, and others in a long time. I doubt articles related to our investment have driven them away.

Let the posting and dicussion continue.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 8, 2007 10:44 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Rob N;

Thank you so much for the informative articles you post.
Don't be discouraged - it is much appreciated by some of us!!
I know how difficult it is to wade through the plethora of information out there
and find the ones which impact Iraq and our investment.
Please keep up the good work!
And Thank You! :)

Roger - Bored?? Ready for a religious discussion?
(Just kidding.. I think. ;) )
I am in the midst of one off board and I have been
giving my attention to it lately.
Working on a discussion on the Big Bang..
worth posting and getting a lively discussion going?
Oh, also.. my computer lost its hard drive..
that takes time to resolve, too.

Sara.

-- March 8, 2007 11:08 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

US Military Commander in Iraq says Security is Top Priority
By VOA News 08 March 2007

The commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, General David Petraeus, says his top priority is to provide security for Iraqis and that the buildup of American forces will continue.

General Petraeus was speaking Thursday at his first news conference in Baghdad since taking over command last month.

Petraeus said since coalition forces began a security crackdown in Baghdad three weeks ago, mostly Sunni Arab insurgents have sought to intensify attacks, which are aimed at provoking a civil war between the country's Shi'ite and Sunni communities.

He noted some positive developments, saying several insurgent cells have been destroyed and their leaders captured.

He said the number of sectarian killings in Baghdad has also gone down. But added that it is "critical" for Iraq's political leaders to halt any drift toward sectarian conflict.

In Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates Wednesday approved General Petraeus' request for 2,200 more military police to help deal with an expected rise in detainees during the security crackdown.

The extra police are in addition to the 21,000 combat troops and 2,400 support troops being sent to Iraq as part of President Bush's Baghdad security plan.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-03-08-voa10.cfm

-- March 8, 2007 11:10 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Top US General Says Iraqis Want Baghdad Security Plan to Work
By Al Pessin 07 March 2007

The top U.S. military officer says there are indications that the Iraqi people want the new Baghdad security plan to work, but he and Defense Secretary Robert Gates both also said that while the plan is going well so far, it is too early to predict success. VOA's Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace, told a Pentagon news conference that although large-scale bombings have increased in and around Baghdad in recent weeks, he is encouraged that smaller-scale attacks have decreased.

"The murders between Sunni and Shi'ia are down," said General Pace. "The numbers of bombs that have gone off killing large numbers has gone up. With just those few data points, it means to me potentially that the Iraqi people do want to stop killing each other, but that the al-Qaida wants to find ways to get them to start killing each other again."

General Pace said he only has those two bits of information, but he was encouraged by what he sees so far.

At the same news conference, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said there are some "very preliminary positive signs" in the early stages of implementing the Baghdad security plan, and the increase in bombings did not surprise him.

"I think that we expected that there would, in the short term, an increase in violence as the surge began to make itself felt, as the Baghdad security plan began to be implemented," said Secretary Gates.

Secretary Gates said the Iraqi government continues to meet its commitments in the security operation's early stages, but he said no one is getting "too enthusiastic" because this is still the "very beginning" of the effort.

President Bush announced the new Baghdad security plan in January, including an increase of 21,500 U.S. troops.

General Pace said a goal set last year to hand over all Iraqi provinces to local control by the end of this year is still realistic, although the insurgents could affect the process. He said three of Iraq's 18 provinces have already been put under local control, and three more are nearly ready. He said the process is on track, under the supervision of an Iraqi government committee.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-03-07-voa74.cfm

-- March 8, 2007 11:15 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Top U.S. Commander Says More Troops Will Be Sent
BAGHDAD, March 8, 2007

(CBS/AP) Petraeus stressed that military force alone is "not sufficient" to end the violence in Iraq and political talks must eventually include some militant groups now opposing the U.S.-backed government.

"This is critical," Petraeus said in his first news conference since taking over command last month. He noted that such political negotiations "will determine in the long run the success of this effort."

The Pentagon has pledged 17,500 combat troops to the capital. Petraeus has said the full contingent should not be in place until early June. He declined to say how many U.S. forces will be deployed to Diyala, which the group al Qaeda in Iraq has made one its main staging grounds.

CBS News chief foreign correspondent Lara Logan reports that Petraeus did not put a time limit on how long the additional troops may remain in Iraq, but he said they're likely to be there "beyond the summer."

Maj. Gen. John Batiste (Ret.), a CBS News military analyst, said on The Early Show that the problem is not a failure of the military to do its job. "Our military is fantastic," he said. "We have not set our military up for success. We're not firing on all cylinders, diplomatically, economically and politically.

Citing the still-unfolding debacle surrounding war veterans' hospitals, Batiste lashed out at what he described as "six years of insufficient military funding."

"We need to mobilize this country. They need to understand the what and the why, and what happens if we fail," he said.

In other developments:

- The Pentagon has approved a request by the new U.S. commander in Iraq for an extra 2,200 military police to help deal with an anticipated increase in detainees during the Baghdad security crackdown, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said. Gates also cited early indications that the Iraqi government is meeting the commitments it made to bolster security, although he cautioned that it was too early to reach any firm conclusions about the outcome.

- House Democratic leaders intend to propose legislation requiring the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq by the fall of 2008, and even earlier if the Iraqi government fails to meet security and other goals, congressional officials said. The conditions, described as tentative until presented to the Democratic rank and file, would be added to legislation providing nearly $100 billion the Bush administration has requested for fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, the officials said late Wednesday.

- Violence across Iraq Wednesday left about 90 people dead. The deadliest attack, a cafe bombing northeast of Baghdad killed more than 30 people. According to a police officer, a suicide bomber detonated the explosive in a cafe in Bala Ruz. In addition to the 30 killed, dozens were injured.

Hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims have been streaming by bus, car and foot toward the holy city of Karbala, about 50 miles south of Baghdad, for annual religious rituals that begin Friday.

Petraeus said U.S. forces are ready to help provide additional security for the pilgrims if asked by Iraqi authorities.

"It is an enormous task to protect all of them and there is a point at which if someone is willing to blow up himself ... the problem becomes very, very difficult indeed," he said.

But Petraeus added that he saw no role for the powerful Shiite militia known as the Mahdi Army, which had sent out fighters to guard the pilgrimage in the past two years.

He said "extremist elements" in the militia have been engaged in "true excesses" in the past — an apparent reference to suspected gangs carrying out targeted killings against Sunnis.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/08/iraq/main2546422.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_2546422

-- March 8, 2007 11:29 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

I think it is worthwhile keeping an eye on anything which
could affect the global scene..
and thus.. our Iraqi interest in Dinar.
So... just a note:

US Defense Secretary Says China Is Not Strategic Threat
By Al Pessin 08 March 2007

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday he does not consider China a strategic threat, in spite of the country's sharply rising defense spending and capability. Still, the top U.S. military officer says the United States must be prepared to respond to any threat that develops.

Secretary Gates told a news conference China's rising military spending does not by itself represent a threat, unless it is accompanied by an intention to confront the United States.

"I do not see China, at this point, as a strategic adversary of the United States," said Robert Gates. "It's a partner in some respects. It's a competitor in other respects. And so we are simply watching to see what they're doing."

Secretary Gates repeated U.S. calls for more transparency in China's defense budget, which he said is likely larger than the official figure. China has announced an 18 percent increase in its official defense spending, the largest in a series of large annual increases.

At the same news conference, the top U.S. military officer, General Peter Pace, said even though it is not clear what China intends to do with its growing military capability, the United States needs to be ready.

"When you see the global capacity growing in any area, we need to make sure that the United States' military is capable of handling any threat that might develop, without regard to current intent, which is why, in the budget, when you look at it, there is not only the money for continuing the global war on terror, but also ensuring that we have the air force we need, the navy we need, and all the things we need for conventional battles," said said General Pace.

General Pace said it is important that any potential U.S. adversary not think the United States is too busy with the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan to respond to any other threat. He said the U.S. military is committed to maintaining the ability to, in his words, "over match" the capability of any potential adversary.

Earlier Wednesday, the top U.S. commander in the Pacific, Admiral William Fallon said China's recent test of an anti-satellite weapon is "clearly" aimed at countering U.S. military systems, which rely heavily on satellites for surveillance and communications. But other U.S. officials have said the U.S. military has plenty of back-up systems, and more are being developed, some of which do not rely on satellites.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-03-08-voa1.cfm

-- March 8, 2007 11:41 AM ∞

---

pat wrote:

Any new news on when the dinar might go the exchange ?

-- March 8, 2007 1:15 PM ∞

---

chelseadave wrote:

Rob. N
Speaking as someone who has only a limited time to get net access most days I have to say that I truly appreciate your posts.
Most days i am limited to logging on, check exchange rate, check e-mails, check T & B, log off. So to someone like myself who does not have time to trawl through endless sites, your posts are a major source for me keeping up with what is really happening in Iraq. I would much rather read your posts, than read posts of people banging on about religion. If I get invited to the pig roast I will be buying you many beers.

As someone who mostly sits on the sidelines and hardly ever posts, I must also say that the discussion aspect of this blog is also very important and also entertaining to those of us who view from the shadows. I therefore believe that there is adequate space for informative posts, and discussion type posts, to harmoniously co-exist on this blog.

Roger,
If we ever meet I will gladly try to educate you in the finer points of the game of cricket. However I do doubt whether anyone from your side of the pond, will ever be able to get their head around a sport which, in it's longest format, can end with two teams leaving the field of play after 5, yes five, DAYS play with the game tied. No sudden death, no shootouts, no extra innings, the teams go home with no winners and no losers. In an international test series there is normally 5 tests. So you can have 25 glorious days of cricket ending with a tied series.

-- March 8, 2007 3:36 PM ∞

---

Valerio wrote:

Carol,
Your right, the board has changed somewhat, but i don't think it's because of Rob N.'s cut and paste articles. It's evident that many appreciate the reading, even though we all can check the articles at dinartrader ourselves just as easy. I think it's more about the absence of the commentators, story tellers, and intellectuals we previously enjoyed. That is what made this site special. This absense is partly due to the increase in the movement of the dinar and Iraq, and partly because these discussions were offensive to those who are looking for news. I think there's a need for both. I like the news, but myself I don't need all the stuffing. Most of the news articles could be reduced to a few sentences, and still be effective to the benifit of this board. I like it when we are speaking when we are posting on this site. Communicating with each other as real people, and when we come together at the roast we will have something to talk about, and if things need settled we will have a ring there with some of those giant boxing gloves for that.

-- March 8, 2007 4:36 PM ∞

---

Valerio wrote:

Carol,
Your right, the board has changed somewhat, but I don't think it's because of Rob N.'s cut and paste articles. It's evident that many appreciate the reading, even though we all can check the articles at dinartrader ourselves just as easy. I think it's more about the absence of the commentators, story tellers, and intellectuals we previously enjoyed. That is what made this site special. This absense is partly due to the increase in the movement of the dinar and Iraq, and partly because these discussions were offensive to those who are looking for news. I think there's a need for both. I like the news, but myself I don't need all the stuffing. Most of the news articles could be reduced to a few sentences, and still be effective to the benifit of this board. I like it when we are speaking when we are posting on this site. Communicating with each other as real people, and when we come together at the roast we will have something to talk about, and if things need settled we will have a ring there with some of those giant boxing gloves for that.

-- March 8, 2007 4:37 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

Sara:

Thank you for your encouraging comments. In my opinion, I disagree with Secretary Gates. I perceive China as a great threat to the American way of life.

Our dominance in the world is being challenged on two fronts by the Peoples Republic of China. Fron one is an economic challenge.

Since the U.S. chooses to produce little to no steel or textiles we are uncomfortably dependant upon the whole of Asia especially China for these types of products. It is time to reclaim our independence from China and begin manufacturing these items once again in the U.S.A..

Unfortunately, America has not learned from history. As long as the colonists imported most goods, they were subject to the foreign powers who supplied them. Globalization and America's failure to produce manufactured goods could lead us to where the colonists were over 200 years ago. It is a cliche, but history can repeat itself.

The other front where China is challenging our dominance is militarily. An 18% increase in military spending by the Chinese is a big deal. Our military has seen continued cuts beginning with George Herbert Walker Bush and William Jefferson Clinton. Because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has the readiness of the military come back into vogue.

To maintain a readiness and keep our advantage the next President must be willing to increase military spending to that of Ronald Reagan's administration. Furthermore, it is time for the American military institute a four year mandatory tour of duty for this nations young people.

It is time to take the Chinese and their military seriously. In my opinion, once China's military has enough confidence to do so they will seek to reclaim Taiwan, hence an American/Chinese war. We are not ready.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 8, 2007 5:49 PM ∞

---

DALE wrote:

CHELSEADAVE,
I went to South Africa for a couple of months in 98& 99, the springboks were playing the West Indies in the Crciket World Cup, I watched every game & ate it up. Loved the game.
A guy I met was a semiprofessional bowler, so he took me to a practice facility & showed this old Yankee that hitting a baseball is far easier than a cricket ball bounced & curved at a high rate of speed.

-- March 8, 2007 5:52 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

I read an interesting article today in Success Magazine about the history of currency; specifically the American currency.

In 1775 the Continental Congress issues per-Revolutionary money, the Continential. Now for the interesting factoid. In 1777 the Continental inflates to the point that shoes costs $5,000.00 and a full suit over $1,000,000.

Though this has nothing to do with the Dinar directly, I thought it to be an interesting symbol of where we hope the Dinar never rises. Can anyone say, HYPERINFLATION?

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 8, 2007 6:00 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Thanks, Rob N.
I appreciated that comment about China.
I believe that such concern is warranted as well.
I'll stick to politics for now.. religion is too controversial.

Sara.

-- March 8, 2007 10:56 PM ∞

---

Neil wrote:

Sara: With your work on the "big bang" theory, please let us in on it when you get it prepared. I, for one, am very interested in how this bang could work. I've heard many ideas on the subject but very few made any sense.

Rob N: You are on the right track in being concerned about China. They have the technology, money and manpower to mount a powerful offensive against us. Taiwan is the sore spot with them and we are commited to protecting Taiwan, so eventually the fur will fly and we must be prepared.

I am not impressed with what I see going on in Iraq. It appears to me that our troops are attempting to perform with so many restraints that they are ineffective. They are providing target practice for the terrorists. I see very little of terrorists being killed but everyday I see many American soldiers, Iraqi citizens, soldiers and policemen killed. Why are we not locating those terrorist cells and killing them? They have to be making those bombs somewhere and we should be locating those sites rather than 50 soldiers charging a building looking for something.

The American people have got to start seeing some results.
The polls indicate that support for what is going on in Iraq is in the 20% area. We have got to turn these troops loose and let them start killing some terrorist even if there is collaterial damage.

We have also got to say "to hell" with what the Iraqi people think until we get things under control and then let them screw it up again.

-- March 8, 2007 10:58 PM ∞

---

Turtle wrote:

Neil: I think you missed the between the lines when I said that we can now use artillery again. You see, due to wind, etc, you never are quite certain where that first shot is going to land. Now, our boys are good and rarely miss by much, but that first shot is usually a guid for the barage that follows seconds later. From what I am seeing and hearing from my buddies, the gloves are off - at least around my base. A lot has happened recently that has not hit the news. My friend is in Sadr City. The area where they are has goen from almost 200 murders a month to about 10. He lost 2 soldiers in the first week (about a month ago) and has not lost one since. We have targeted death squad and Al-Qaeda leaders and are now getting local support. We have lists, often mentioned by the Generals, that tell our guys who to go after. Mosques are no longer off-limits if we have good reason to go there. Most of the time, Iraqi soldiers handle those but we can enter if we have good reason to. The rules of engagement have been changed to pretty much - apply as much force as needed. I won't say our military is in full click but I've heard some nice uses of technology and man-power. The changes have been drastic. According to my buddy in the transportation company, the roads are no longer lined with IEDs. My base is no longer getting attacked every couple days. From my perspective, I don't know if this is the end to our problems but it has put a nice dent in our current issues.

-- March 9, 2007 2:00 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Baghdad conference a chance to stabilize Iraq - British ambassador

The British ambassador to Iraq said on Thursday that the upcoming conference in Baghdad, next Saturday, will be a chance for Iraq's neighboring countries to end their support of armed groups, which aim to foil the ongoing political process.

"The conference will be a chance for the Iraqi government to show its policies and ability to its neighboring countries," Dominic Asquith told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

"It is a chance to solve all problems," he added.

"Preserving Iraq's security and stability is something that concerns all neighboring countries," the ambassador noted.

Regarding Iran's problems with the U.S. and Britain, the ambassador noted that the conference will only tackle Iraq's problems, "and all countries have to realize the importance of cooperation for achieving peace and security in Iraq."

He stressed that "Iran must stop providing armed groups with weapons, which are being used in attacks against Multi-National forces."

"All neighboring countries have to realize that they are dealing with a legitimate and sovereign government," he noted, highlighting that the presence of Multi-National forces in Iraq is due to Iraqi government's desire for their presence.

He also refused to comment on the incursion, a few days ago, by British forces into an intelligence building in Basra belonging to the Iraqi interior ministry.

However he acknowledged a disagreement between the political parties in Basra and other southern provinces and the British forces.

Iraqi army troops and British forces, at dawn on Sunday, stormed the intelligence headquarters in Basra, 600km south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, and freed more than 30 captives there.

The conference is to be held in Baghdad, with the participation of Iraq's neighboring countries, Egypt, Bahrain, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), the Arab League and the Security Council's five permanent members, to seek a means of restoring regional stability.

The conference also seeks to lend support to the ongoing political process in Iraq.

Source: Voices of Iraq
(www.safedinar.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 9, 2007 9:42 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

CNPC seen regaining oil exploration rights to Iraq's al-Ahdab field

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BEIJING, 09 March 2007 (AFX News Limited)
Print article Send to friend
China National Petroleum Corp, the parent of PetroChina Co Ltd (HK 0857), is expected to obtain new exploration rights to the al-Ahdab oil field in Iraq, CNPC-owned China Oilnews said.

Assem Jihad, a spokesman for the Iraqi Oil Ministry, was quoted as saying that CNPC officials arrived in Iraq on March 6 to negotiate a new contract to jointly develop al-Ahdab.

After China won exploration rights to al-Ahdab in 1997, activities at the field were suspended due to UN sanctions and postwar security problems.

The field has projected reserves of up to one bln barrels, it said.

The 1997 contract was valued at 700 mln usd over 23 years. Planned oil production was 90,000 barrels per day.

In February, the Iraqi Cabinet approved a draft Oil Law aimed at encouraging international companies to exploit the country's petroleum reserves, estimated at about 115 bln barrels.

The legislation is pending approval from parliament, it said.
(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 9, 2007 9:46 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Byblos Bank plans Iraq expansion from Kurdish North

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

09 March 2007 (Financial Express)
Print article Send to friend
Byblos Bank, Lebanon’s third-largest lender, will open a branch in Iraq next month using the safety of the Kurdish north as a platform for expansion into a country that holds 10% of the world’s oil reserves.
“Iraq is very important, there is huge potential there,’’ chairman Francois Bassil, 72, said in an interview in his office in Beirut March 6. Byblos will open its branch in Arbil, capital of the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, because it’s more secure than other parts of the country, he said.

Baghdad is the focus of a security crackdown that began last month involving additional U.S. and Iraqi personnel to combat a growing insurgency and stop a full-scale civil war between majority Shiite and minority Sunni Muslims. The Kurdish region, which follows its own constitution while remaining loyal to a national government in Baghdad, has so far avoided the worst of Iraq’s ethnic conflict.

Iraq’s minority ethnic Kurds, persecuted during Saddam Hussein’s rule, maintain a pro-US, self-governing administration for the region of more than 6 million people that borders Iran, Turkey and Syria.

Benefiting from high oil prices and foreign aid, the region’s economy is growing at more than 6 percent a year and may expand 10% or more over the next two years, according to Empire Holdings, an Iraqi property developer building offices, malls and a five-star hotel in Arbil.

The Kurdish region has “fewer security issues’’ than the rest of Iraq ``and more economic activity linked to its proximity to Turkey,’’ said Monica Malik, economist for Standard Chartered Plc in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Byblos Bank, which has about $6.2 billion of deposits, plans to start in Iraq by financing trade and infrastructure projects. It also aims to become an intermediary for Iraqi banks trying to do business overseas, Bassil said.

A total 27 domestic banks operate in Iraq, seven of them state-owned, the Central Bank of Iraq says on its web site.

HSBC Holdings Plc, Europe’s biggest bank by market value, in 2005 said it won regulatory approval to buy 75% o Baghdad-based Dar el-Salaam Investment Bank as a means to return to Iraq for the first time since Iraq’s banks were nationalized in 1964.
(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 9, 2007 9:49 AM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

Pat:

I think the Dinar reaching the foreign exchange market while the World Bank and IMF are directing monetary policy in Iraq is unlikely.

Once Iraq has met all of the IMF and World Bank criteria in conjuntion with producing a significant amount of oil we may finally see a free floating exchange rate.

While Iraq is making progress toward meeting the benchmarks set by both the IMF and World Bank, they are still sometime away from a free floating currency.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 9, 2007 11:48 AM ∞

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Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraq: U.S. Raids Kill Suspected Militant
The Associated Press
Friday, March 9, 2007

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- U.S. forces killed one suspected militant and captured 16 others in raids across Iraq on Friday morning, the military said.

Among those detained was an alleged al-Qaida operative who worked in the group's media operation, the military said in a statement. The man was captured along with seven others northeast of Karmah, 50 miles west of Baghdad.

The seven were believed to be part of an al-Qaida courier network, the statement said.

Nearby in Fallujah, 40 miles west of Baghdad, U.S. troops captured two men accused of helping foreign fighters come to Iraq, it said.

And in Mosul, American forces arrested an alleged al-Qaida suspect believed to be responsible for kidnappings, beheadings and suicide attacks, the statement said. Five other suspects were detained there, and one was killed, it said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/09/AR2007030900192.html

-- March 9, 2007 12:58 PM ∞

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Sara Madgid wrote:

Iraqi PM tours Baghdad streets before meeting
March 9, 2007

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq’s prime minister strolled Baghdad’s streets and visited police checkpoints Friday to showcase security ahead of an international conference aimed at stabilizing the war-torn country with help from its neighbors.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki toured a neighborhood and chatted with people, one of his advisers said. Security was heightened across Baghdad as international envoys prepared to arrive for Saturday’s conference, which would be held at Iraq’s Foreign Ministry just outside the heavily fortified Green Zone.

“Additional security measures have been taken to protect the officials participating in the conference and to secure the location of the meeting,” said Brig. Abdul-Karim Khalaf, an Interior Ministry spokesman.

U.S. forces, meanwhile, killed a suspected militant and captured 16 others in raids across Iraq, the military said. Among those detained were a man accused of working in al-Qaida’s media wing and another believed to be responsible for kidnappings, beheadings and suicide attacks.

Preparations for major summit

In Cairo, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said the foreign minister for Arab affairs, Hani Khalaf, would lead his country’s delegation to Baghdad on Saturday.

“Egypt will provide all possible aid to help the Iraqi people build its national institutions and rebuild the country,” a Foreign Ministry statement said.

David Satterfield, the top State Department adviser on Iraq, spoke to reporters in Washington before leaving for Baghdad, where he would lead the U.S. delegation.

“Iraq needs support not just from us, not just from our coalition partners, but it needs broader support from its neighbors, from the region, from the international community,” he said. “We see the neighbors conference...as a significant step in that process.”

Saturday’s meeting would be “a process, not just a one-off event,” Satterfield said.

“It is a process which allows them to articulate directly to their neighbors...what they are doing and what they are pledged to do in the future on security, on political progress, on economics,” he said.

The conference came a day after the new commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, told reporters in Baghdad that military force alone was “not sufficient” to end the conflict.

“Military action is necessary to help improve security ... but it is not sufficient,” Petraeus said. “A political resolution of various differences...of various senses that people do not have a stake in the successes of Iraq and so forth — that is crucial. That is what will determine, in the long run, the success of this effort.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17533172/

-- March 9, 2007 1:11 PM ∞

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Sara Madgid wrote:

Democrats and Bush head for Iraq showdown
March 9, 2007

The Bush administration and the Democratic party squared up for what could turn into a bitter constitutional showdown over a congressional plan unveiled on Thursday that is designed to force the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq by 2008.

Senior administration officials said the president would "vehemently oppose" and "ultimately veto" the Democratic party's Iraq withdrawal plans. The plans took two months to hammer out and may still unravel over differences between moderate and liberal factions in the party.

The Democratic proposal, presented on Capitol Hill, will be attached to a $100bn Iraq and Afghanistan war funding measure that the House will vote on this month. The proposal is designed to force withdrawal of all US combat forces from Iraq by August 2008 at the latest and as soon as the end of 2007 should the Iraqi government fail to meet performance benchmarks.

"It would unnecessarily handcuff our generals on the ground, and it's safe to say it's a non-starter for the president," said Dan Bartlett, a senior counsellor to George W. Bush. "This is a political compromise in the Democratic caucus of the House, aimed at bringing comedy to their internal politics, not reflective of the conditions on the ground in Iraq."

Democrats have attached "sweeteners" to the proposal to help win Republican moderates, including higher levels of funding for US military veterans and US army medical centres. It also includes another $1.2bn for fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, which Democrats say is the true epicentre of the "war on terror".

John Boehner, House Republican leader, on Thursday said his party would strongly oppose the measure, which it claimed would undercut US forces on the ground in Iraq at precisely the moment when Mr Bush's 21,500 Iraq troop "surge" is under way.

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?Feed=FT&Date=20070309&ID=6591788

-- March 9, 2007 1:20 PM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

Sara:

Are you still thinking June for some type of RV?

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 9, 2007 3:48 PM ∞

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chelseadave wrote:

Sara,

Maybe I didn't phrase what I was getting at very well, or perhaps you misunderstood my point.

Primariy I was trying to encourage Rob.N, as were you, that his research and posts were appreciated by some, if not all the people on this blog, and that his efforts were not in vain.

In my opinion, his posts are far more relevant to what we are all here for, than some other topics covered in posts and discussions. But thats all it is, my opinion. If I am not so interested in other topics I can scroll past.

Likewise if other people are not interested in Rob.N's posts, they can scroll past. But Rob should not be discouraged from making his posts.

I do not wish to discourage you from making your religious posts. I am not a religious person myself, but reading your posts shows me that you are deeply religious, and that you obviously get a lot of comfort and strength from your faith. I feel happy for you for that. Maybe one day I will get religion, although I'm not holding my breath on that one. The fact that we all have different interests and beliefs is obviously what makes life such a wonderful and interesting experience.

So my point is that people should be able to post informative posts and to discuss what is important to them, without getting grief. In my opinion Rob.N did not deserve any grief.

If my comments caused you offence, I apologise.

Dale,
I'm glad to hear you got to appreciate the game of cricket, and that you got to face a few balls and know that it isn't as easy as it looks. Now we just have to persuade Roger as to the merits of the game.

I spent 6 months travelling the continent of Africa in the early 90's. I saw most of northern, western and some of central Africa. Unfortunately I ran out of money and couldn't make it all the way down to South Africa. When the dinar comes in I'll be going back to finish my trip.
The main thing that lives with me from my African experience is the number of people you meet who have absolutely nothing. Not a penny to their name, living in squalor and often having to walk miles just to get fresh water. And yet they are happy. Always smiling.
So whenever the daily grind of working to pay the bills and keeping my children clothed and fed, and keeping the revenue off my back,starts getting to me, I remember those people in Africa and remember just how fortunate I am. If they can smile when they have nothing, then I have no reason to stop being happy.

-- March 9, 2007 5:12 PM ∞

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DALE wrote:

CHELSEADAVE,
If your looking for someone to travel Africa with, Let me know thats one of my to do list when the dinar ship comes in.

-- March 9, 2007 6:30 PM ∞

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Carl wrote:

As I Stated Several Months Ago...
COVERT...COVERT...COVERT..COVERT..
If you want to achieve things quickly...move within the shadows out of the limelight of the press and public...
Events Recently indicate certain things are happening... The top Iranian Nuclear Scientist ended up dying of a mysterious gas death...a Iranian General recently disappeared..and it now appears he defected..Sadr fled to Iran..I am sure because a little bird told him his feathers were about to plucked...Probably the Iraqi PM with the CIA supporting it...Now! the Arab League is taking a stand against Iran and insurgency within Iraq...other insurgency leaders are being turned in and now being captured..
Yep! finally progress being made...actually the Democrats in their own way by putting pressure on the Bush Administration, caused Bush to put intense pressure on the Iraqi leaders...the end result is positive movement.
The dinar keeps improving in value..however, don't look for the dinar to go on the FX until 2008. This is when Iraq is predicted to mean the IMF and World Bank Guidelines...
But then again...the WILDCARD is still in play...and can upset the game at any time..

-- March 9, 2007 8:42 PM ∞

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Sara Madgid wrote:

Thanks, Carl.. good insight! Glad to have you back. :)

As for June, Rob N.. it still looks possible to me that we are in a timeframe for a real RV of the Dinar sometime between now and the end of June. As Carl said, there are wildcards out there, and I think there are some out there in a few hands.. We will have to see how the Powers That Be are orchestrated, but I certainly continue to be hopeful for a real revaluation to happen in the near future.

chelseadave, thank you. I did think I might upset you if I posted a religious post, but as you pointed out, folks can just skip the post and Neil did seem interested.. so when I finish it, I will likely post it. :) I also appreciated your cheery view on how we have no reason to complain. I totally agree with you. We live like Kings in the days of old with all our modern conveniences. It is humbling to realize how much we have been given.

Sara.

-- March 9, 2007 9:03 PM ∞

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chelseadave wrote:

Dale,
That sounds good to me. The more the merrier. It sounds like your time in South Africa has given you an appetite for more. Did you get time for a look around while you were there?

-- March 10, 2007 3:25 AM ∞

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chelseadave wrote:

Dale,
That sounds good to me. The more the merrier. It sounds like your time in South Africa has given you an appetite for more. Did you get time for a look around while you were there?

-- March 10, 2007 3:28 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Hi All,

Cricket, well I don't have a clue what they are doing, ...a man initiation process,...(na that gotta be Rugby, I looooove the New Zealanders Maui like war dance when they try to intimidate the other team), I'm told it's a game, ...well we have a similar thing over here, that is as hard to grip as anything else,.....baseball.

20 minutes of nothing, public have all the attention on the beer and hot dog vendors that sells their stuff for the price of a 3 series Beemer.

In the meanwhile on the diamond, one player scratches his frontal part of his pants, spits, and make secret signs to his buddies, one guy takes a bat, taps it on the ground, spits, fixes his baseball cap, spits one more time, and take another scratch in his beloved scratching place.

Then someone trows a ball, and the public goes wild, only to immediately go back to it's 20 minutes of interest in the beer and hot dog vendor.

Soccer have never got a real break her in the US, but I think that the sport could be accepted if the public eases over from Baseball into Soccer.

The players could be given a baseball bat, and have a free swing at anyone that comes close to him, then Soccer could probably be interesting.

There could be a complete medieval war on the soccer field. Any weapon found up until the introduction of automatic firearms would be allowed to be used.

Flings, Greek Fire, Hillebards, and Pikes would only be part of the fun, as full medieval armour would be allowed, (in Kevlar though). The higher series would allow any black powder firearm to be carried openly or concealed, and in the playoffs the goal keeper would be allowed flame throwers.

There is definitely room for improvements in our sports.

Then my granddads saying would be a truism : -"Tobacco, Alcohol and a sound active sexual living, will keep our youngsters away from the dangerous Athletic sports".

Rob N, Sara,

If Carole can take a piss on someone, she will. You're doing great, be what you are, do what you do, and you have my acknowledgment for being very valuable.

Your contribution is well received. Thank you.

The blog site changes, yes, it goes in waves, sometimes it is a boring site, and sometimes there is this dynamic interchange.

For my own part, I feel that I have not that much to contribute anymore, I found myself to rehearse the same thing over again, and have not found much more angles to cover the Dinars, so I take a low profile for now, post here and there, but need to recharge my batteries a bit.

I think that on top of the Dinar thing, I also live a life, and I live it now. I don't want to miss the Dinar thing, and I don't want to miss my life either, so it will become what it will become.

Carl,

I'm with you when it comes to covert operations. The opposition is withdrawing hiding or fleeing, and it seems that more cover operations then overt operations are in the works now. Turtles post speaks millions, thanks Turtle.

I'm perhaps not fully with you on the possible future of the Dinar. It may very well go on the Forex at the time you are predicting, but the crux is the value the Dinar has in the meanwhile.

As we're standing right now, the HCL is in it's last stages, and the Wall Street are getting jidderish because right now, or in a few months from now, is when the flood gate will open for oil contractors.

Also this is to happen in a country where (according to latest stats) the AVERAGE persons income in Iraq is in our currency 54 lousy Dollars/month. Estimated 17-20 MILLION Iraqis are living on LESS than a Dollar a day.

The Iraqi Generalissimon in the CBI have made in his latest statement that he wants a strong and reinstated Dinar, (well mr Shibib, in his statements almost always says the same thing, it's like he is reading from a list or something any time he opens his mouth.)

Iraq is well in it's way into WTO, the only institution in the world that set standards for trading, trade rules and regulations, ethical behavior on the world scene so to say (China don't give a rats ass, they only do what is good for China).

The budget for this year was a budget that was aimed at spending on government project, ( Hoover dam type things, thus jobs).

The reports that this was an overdraft budget must be seen in it's right perspective.

It's not that Iraq is a poor nation ( well the state anyway) it's a SPENDING problem they have.

The budget for last year wasn't spent, they had about 6 bill in their coffers, unused, so the Iraqis got a kick in their ass, being told to USE the money, on responsible reconstruction projects. (you've got to start some construction projects ...duh).

So this budget, AND the leftover from the last budget is the working budget for this year, AND they are to actually SPEND it this time ( hopefully they got the idea this time around)

So the short fall as it seems, is already covered from last year, it is NOT a budget in the red, the annual income this year is not covering the whole budget, therefore it looks like a shortfall, but they have this budget and a very big chunk from the last years budget to spend THIS year.

Ok so they have a mega budget this time, plus they have an ant invasion of oil companies.

This WILL have an extremely positive influence on the whole job market, and the whole economy as such.

This will warrant another value of the Dinar, a slow increase, perhaps, but as the coming big investment, both commercial and state, is about to kick in this year, (and this time around it is the real money, invested where it counts), a more dramatic increase of the Dinar is on the table.

It doesn't matter if the Dinar is in the hands of the IMF, because when the economy starts cooking, IMF or not, the pressure is on, from all sides to raise the value of the Iraqi currency.

I'm starting to feel good about saying that a reval will take place, and I say, this year, at least a partial reval.

The more the economical wheels are spinning, the more the pressure cooker is pressing on the Dinar to go where it belongs, in a higher region.

When is the pressure cooker starting to bite?

As the yearly budget have to be spent THIS year, I say that the Iraqi state is themselves starting the pressure cooker, they have a head start before the oil companies are getting on the ground.

The states investment will bring the cooker up to pressure so to say, prime the situation, but when the oil companies are moving in, there is no way around it.

Any institution, any foreign or internal Pobah professing this, or that, will not matter, any directive or any manipulation will not stop the raising value of the Dinar. It can be artificially held at one point or the other, (like now, now it's easy, they have managed to get three years of sleeping time, with very small economical results) but it will be by the nature of the beast an impossible thing to ignore once the pressure is on.

It's just simmering now, finally they have turned the stove on full blast, and it's just a matter of sitting and watching when the pressure cookers safety valve will pop.

I believe that this year, something dramatic will happen with the Dinar, on one way or the other, if I was to pick a date.....October (I'm guessing)

Cheesadave,

I hardly drink at all, so I will be a cheapo at the roast, I'll get drunk on two beers, so instead....I buy you a beer, and you get me a sweet cigar, and when I'm completely drunk puffing on my cigar, ..then, you can explain to me Cricket, I'll probably get it immediately then.....Deal?

Sara,

Wish I would have more time on the Big Bang. Was very involved in it some time ago, and I'm more of those that have some very big reservations about Big Bang. I don't say it is an impossible thing, but the expansion of the universe is mainly based on one observation, lights redshift.

The first observation of it, by Hubble, convinced Einstein that it (the universe) is expanding.

From then on, it was like putting a golden seal on that statement. Two of the earths most trusted names, said so, so therefore it was so.

Any calculations and observations uses the expansion theory as a foundation for how the universe is built, it's just that in order for it to work we have to INVENT "dark matter" and "dark energy", to conveniently make the equations work.

Something is awfully wrong when 95% of all the matter and energy is something we cant, see, measure or detect in any way or form.

Light WILL lose energy every time it is under the influence of a gravitational field.

Higher energy is on the blue scale of the visible spectrum, (well there are even higher energies as well outside the visible spectrum, but looking only at the visible spectrum you can transform the redshift function to any part of the existing electromagnetic spectra) and lower energy is in the red part of the spectra.

Any body with mass, WILL gravitationally influence ANY other body with mass. The influence will vary dependent on the body's distance to each other, and their own mass, but it will NEVER reach zero.

In our observable universe, we have more than ONE body of mass. (we have as far as celestial bodies quite a few, the blog would probably be filled up, and we have to go to a new scratchpad if the number was written out)

So, there is no location possible where a mass can exist without the influence of gravity from ALL the other masses existing.

Mass and energy is direct interchangeable. (E=MC2)

(In our daily life we can see that it takes more then twice the distance to stop a car even if we only doubled the speed. there's where the 2(square) in E=MC2 comes in)

Mass is in simpler words, condensed energy.

There are different forms of energy, inertia, acceleration, pressure etc, but that takes a mass of some sort, if we are looking at the most raw and primal energy there is, electromagnetic energy, get enough of it , preferably smash it together, and you will get mass.

Mankind have learned to smash it apart, and get a big energy release (nuclear power plant, and nuclear weapons), but have no idea how to create matter. (would be pretty cool, you have something that looks like a Microwave oven, and need a gasket for your moped, program in what you need, and plug it in to the electric outlet for power, and pop, here is the gasket)

So electromagnetic energy and mass = same thing different wrapping.

Electromagnetic energy is affected by gravity. (Light bends around a high gravity object)

A small amount of energy is lost every time electromagnetic energy is bending around any mass.

The light from the farthest object seen has, from the time it was emitted, to the time it reached you eyes, been under the influence of gravity, THE WHOLE TIME from ALL existing masses.

So what I'm saying is, that the universe might be locally fluid, but in essence a static universe, possible endless, and what we see is only a small portion of it, because the light will lose it's poop the further out you see, thus limiting our observable universe to 13.7 Billions light years out.

If you don't know that there is an ocean there, dive into it, and see what you see, well what you see is the ocean as you would know it. The direct observable ocean. Problem is, you cant see that far inside the ocean.

You see only a small sphere around you.

As we see the universe today.

So I'm not completely sold on Big Bang, however it is such a heavily followed theory today, that it is very hard to convince the crowd of anything else.

-- March 10, 2007 3:29 AM ∞

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Carole wrote:

Valerio,

We share the same sentiments. I read this stuff for myself everyday on the Dinar/Iraqi sites and then see it all reposted here. Just seems a waste of time and space. But I guess for those who want to circimvent going to the sites, Rob and Sara are a quick reference source. I just don't think this is the place to post COMPLETE ARTICLES!

Besides it is all recycled information that has been circulating for months now.

The whole middle east picture is one big roller coaster ride.

However, I do think that something BIG is soon to happen.

I posted several mopnths ago, that while we are so perplexed with Iran and N. Korea and their nuclear ambitions, we are failing to see our ONE AND ONLY BIG THREAT!! RUSSIA!! With nuclear warheads pointed at every US domain including our own soil.

Of course, Roger,boo-hooed it, in his delussional state of being the Motherload of all knowledge.

But now we see that Putin is blatantly doing whatever he can to keep the US busy in Iraq so he can advance his evil schemes against the US.

I do not think that the Adminsitration is keeping a blind eye to this and that is why I think that very soon we are going to see a very surprising turn of events.

SOmeone recently said that the US in any kind of trouble is "solution" for Russia. They hate us and always will. The last 10 or so years has been a bitter pill for them to swallow. They see our actions toward Iran and Syria as interfering with tier interests in the Middle East.

Puttin is an indoctrinated KGB soldier. And that will never change and he has alot of AVENGING to do towards the US. He is arrogant, evil, and on a mission to reestablish Russia as a superpower, and would like nothing better than to do it at the expense of the US and especially our military. He is accomplishing part of his plan by selling arms to the Iranians and Syrians, that are killing our troops everyday.

So those who are contemplating discussion about the BIG BANG theroy ( which I totally believe in), get ready for the coming BIG BANG!!! Cause it is definitley in the works.

Unless, of course, if Roger says it isn't going to happen, then I guess for sure it won't.........YUK!

Carole

-- March 10, 2007 5:33 AM ∞

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Carole wrote:

Rob, Sara,

Your posting of articles doesn't have near the impact on me as your thoughts, perceptions, and reactions to those articles. That would be valuable to me, not someone elses abstract information and reporting.

You both have great minds and I love when you share them with us.

Carole

-- March 10, 2007 5:47 AM ∞

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Carl wrote:

Roger:
The actual time from beginning exploration to pumping oil in the best situation is on the average 7 years.. Some of the fields, are at different stages of development...so the time frame will be shorter on a lot of the areas...SWAG is about 2-4 years...to get the fields producing as they should...in the mean time...their will thousands of jobs open up for the locals...this within itself will put pressure on the dinar...how long before the CBI will allow the market to place value is still in the wind...but I assure you it will not be until Iraq is a full member of the WTO and the security situation has become more secure..time frame on this...barring the WILDCARDS...approximate 24-36 months...
So in my mind, we are going to see a slow increase in value for the next 14 to 18 months..probably between 800 to 1000...then the WTO will be the kicker that puts the ball through the Goalposts around the end of 2008 and beginning 2009...the long range projection back in 2004 was 5- 10 years..so it could stretch out until 2014...but I doubt it..
Again...I am using knowledge gain since I started following the dinar in 2004...Sara is also familiar with all of the past information...I realize Sara has a different prospective that I do...and tends to see things coming to a much quicker conclusion...I hope she is right...I would love to have to buy everyone a drink at the Roast...during "the foot in my mouth event".

-- March 10, 2007 3:16 PM ∞

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akadjjam wrote:

To everyone posting the articles. PLEASE KEEP IT UP!!! I for one have not ever once before posted an article here but have been a reader of this blog since my purchase in November in 04. I am personally gratefull for this very unique group of poeple, and appreciate everyones efforts. Thanks ... akadjjam

-- March 10, 2007 3:43 PM ∞

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Sara Madgid wrote:

Thanks, Neil. :)
And glad you had skepticism, too, Roger, about the whole thing.
This will be a bit of review, then.. for a lot of what I know you see.
But I think it foundational, so important to cover.
I was asked how I reconcile the Big Bang to the Bible's account of how the world began.

My reply was as follows, (posted in two parts):

Speaking of Big Bang science. First of all, let's define science. There are two parts of science - Fact and Theory. Facts are true, and Theories may or may not be true. They are both called science but one is subject to error and one is not. To clarify this let me give you an example; "The Theory of Gravity is Science". Ok, that phrase is a little tricky, but let's look at it closely.

1. Gravity Exists, this is a fact.

2. The Theory states that the reason that Gravity exists is because of a space-time continuum distortion. This is current scientific Theory.

There is a clear and distinct line between Fact and Theory. Facts are always correct, and Theories are subject to human error. They are both parts of science. You cannot ever prove a Theory absolutely correct because you do not know absolutely everything, and therefore an exception to your Theory may exist which you do not know about.. so you can never be sure that you are absolutely correct. You can, however, prove Theories wrong. After a Theory has seemed consistent with the data for a for a period of time it becomes a Law, but later it may be discovered to have exceptions to it or be wrong. For instance, Atomic Theory has exceptions which indicate that the model we have of an atom with electrons whizzing around it does not work all the time - so we know that we are missing something. But it works pretty well so we will continue to work with that Theory until we come up with another Theory which fits the facts better. Also, Newtonian gravity became outdated by Einstein's view of gravity as existing within the space-time continuum (point two, above.) Einstein taught us to think of gravity, not so much as the force which causes an apple to fall to the ground as Newton experienced, but as the space-time continuum being warped by the heavy earth sitting on that continuum - like a heavy beach ball on a trampoline. If you were to move near the ball on the trampoline, you would "fall" toward it. That's Gravity.

There have been many "scientists" in the past who have tried to defend their Theory against another scientist and have been proven wrong. The most famous example is likely the "flat earth" scientists, but this is true of all science. All science is subject to revision as we learn more. In reality, all scientists are really "Theorists". In the past there have been many many Theories for gravity, some of which were quite accurate, but they have been disproven or superceded over the years. The one we have now we think is correct, but it may not be. If a scientist today should express doubt about it being correct he may be laughed at for going against "Science", because it is accepted as settled science now, even though it is only a Theory. Now suppose this scientist should turn out to be right after all. The Scientific World would (after much debate) finally pubish an article with a headline similar to "Einstein's Theory of Gravity Disproved." They would never say "Science of Gravity Disproven." If you asked them about this they would tell you "Science can never be wrong, true science is always right." Yet, if you had been standing against the theory (before they admitted it was wrong) they would tell you that you are "unscientific" and that you are coming against settled accepted scientific FACT. This "duplicity" within the scientific community must be understood. Looking, therefore, from this historical viewpoint at science, I think it is obvious that there is a clear definition between Theory (which can and has been disproven over time) and true scientific Fact (which is unchanging and always true.)

Understand, however, that when a Theory becomes accepted and is taught as if it were a Fact, it gets a large number of scientists who will defend that Theory and spend their time spreading what they perceive as science and knocking down whatever contradicts their so-called science (think of Mr. Gore here.) They will have no trouble calling what they are doing science, though it later may be proved wrong. So, in effect, a single ideology or group of "scientists" may sieze power. They then control that branch of science, and of course if they have the ability to allocate funding they will not give it to fund a rival Theory - they will give it to a group which holds to their Theory. The most popular current scientific controversy, as I just mentioned, is the Global Warming issue where they are seeking to do this to those who will not accept the new "science".

http://truckandbarter.com/mt/archives/2007/01/iraqi_dinar_dis_7.html#128769 - Taylor also holds a unique title: State Climatologist. “Most of the climate changes we have seen up until now have been a result of natural variations,” Taylor asserts. His opinions conflict not only with many other scientists, but with the state of Oregon's policies. So the governor wants to take that title from Taylor and make it a position that he would appoint.

AND - "Global Warming Skepticism Bites Another State Climatologist" - For the second time in roughly two weeks, a governor had harsh criticism for a state climatologist over differing views of man’s responsibility for global warming. After Oregon’s state climatologist received the bad news in early February, Delaware’s governor had similar sentiments... http://newsbusters.org/node/11019

Another example which is instructive to note is where a scientist was studying radioactive decay in granite and he found a ring of decay which proved that this so-called magma found all over the world was formed while cold and not formed while hot, otherwise the ring would have not been preserved. This went against the original Big Bang Theory which states that this granite formed from magma millions of years ago as a result of a molten (hot) state from the Big Bang. Once he reported his discovery along with the conclusion he immediately lost all his funding. The prevailing Theory gets the money donated to forward "science" (see below.) In reality what they often do with the money is forward their own views and Theories. Many scientists ignore or ferociously attack any other point of view, especially when their reputation (or funding) depends upon that Theory. Like Edison insisting on building DC power plants instead of AC, narrow mindedness persists even in the highest scientific circles.

Scientists Vie for 25 Million Climate Prize - LONDON Feb 9, 2007 (AP)— British tycoon Sir Richard Branson on Friday announced a $25 million prize for the scientist who comes up with a way of extracting greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The Virgin Group chairman was joined by former Vice President Al Gore and other leading environmentalists, as he announced the challenge to find the world's first viable design to capture and remove carbon dioxide from the air. He said many remain skeptical about the reality of climate change. - http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=2862259

In order not to be misled one must understand not only the Theory, but what the Theory is based upon - one must know the Facts. From the Facts you can draw conclusions which are equally correct as the other Theories, though they may differ in their scientific viewpoint. Obviously, this does not guarantee the scientific community will approve of you because you are doing science which they would probably view as "maverick" - as these State Climatologists found when they spoke out against a current prevailing scientific Theory. Yet so many of our breakthroughs in science come from those who do this thinking "outside the box" of the conventional scientific Theories, so it is important to allow all scientific views to be heard. We should not expect only one view to prevail and silence all the others because there may be points in the varying rival Theories which are correct and a third or fourth Theory will coalesce (unite) these disparate views into a cohesive whole. Disallowing one viewpoint will stunt our growth and advancement in scientific fields.

So, in order to understand science one must not understand only Theories, but Facts as well. If you are not familiar with the Facts it is easy to be led astray with any new Theory, only to find it was wrong later. Theories that are taught as Fact to people when they were very young are the hardest to draw people out of. People who teach Theories do not tell you the problems with their Theories, because they believe the theory and they want you to believe it too. A child will believe anything (like Santa Claus and the Toothfairy) and most schools teach many Theories as fact. Ask any eighth grader if Pangea existed and they will solemnly tell you it did. They will be totally unaware that it is just a Theory and there is plenty of evidence to the contrary. For instance - fossils used to geologically match Africa and South America together are also found all over all the other continents, not just in those two locations, so that doesn't prove they were once joined. Also, the "scientists" had to shrink 40% of the land mass of Africa and cut out all of Central America to make it fit like the picture in the textbooks show. Also, the continents aren't floating around like lily pads on a pond - all ready to be fit like puzzle pieces into one another - in reality, between the large land masses is earth, just dished out so that these low spots are filled up with water.. etc. So there are a lot of objections to the theory which is still today taught as incontrovertible fact to schoolchildren. Children believe whatever they are told, and children are taught Theories, so they believe them. Rarely are the Facts which underlie the Theories explained or brought into view for them to look at and formulate their own ideas about what happened. Very few children (or adults) know much scientific FACTS at all. In fact, most only know the Theories and perhaps a very small number of supporting examples. Many times they are totally unaware that the Theories are controversial within the scientific community itself. They don't know what supports the Theories they believe, but they defend the Theories they are taught as if they were the very foundation of all science and understanding. But these THEORIES are not Fact, they are only Theories and may be discarded in time when we see that the they do not fit the Facts, as many MANY previous Theories have been in the past.

Facts do not need to be defended. Facts stand on their own. Only Theories need defending. But if people didn't know the Facts which underlie a Theory, how could they defend it or know if it is really true? When they only know Theories, they cannot ever be certain they are correct and often people are completely ignorant of any supporting or opposing Facts for the Theory they believe. I have reasoned that it makes little sense to believe or defend any scientific Theory without first understanding the Facts and any opposing Theories along with the Facts supporting those Theories. So you ask how I can entertain doubt about the Big Bang science? The Big Bang is a Theory which is constantly changing, not a Fact. There are many problems with the Big Bang Theory not fitting the Facts, and corrections are ongoing to the theory which you may not know about. Let me give you a major one:

From a NASA government document an Astrophysicist says:

Therefore the Big Bang occurred everywhere all at once. You could not assign a location to it. The Big Bang was not so much an explosion really as the start of a great expansion, which continues even now. The rate of expansion would appear to be roughly the same, aside from local anisotropies, no matter where in the Universe you are.

http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/980327a.html

Note that this NASA Astrophysicist who believes in the Big Bang says here that the Big Bang was not an explosion from one location. Think about it.. doesn't it seem a little far fetched to have all the matter in the universe concentrated in one HUGE big black hole which then explodes? Instead, science has concluded the FACTS show otherwise. Revision of the theory now says it is an "expansion" which happened from all areas of the cosmos at once. And that is exactly what the Bible reveals when it explains that God Created all we see by "stretching" it out:

Isa 45:12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even My hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host I have commanded.

Jer 51:15 He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, and has stretched out the heaven by His understanding.

Psa 8:3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained..

Here, God says in Scripture that He made the earth and "stretched out" the heavens. Could we say this is like an "expansion" from all points of the compass at once - such as the Big Bang theorists now say happened? The verse above says that the heavens are "the work of Your fingers" - then specifically refers to the moon and the stars as the work of God's fingers and understanding. It is as though God made the cosmos we see as a man makes a project with his hands. God uses His hands and stretches it out and puts it into place in an instant of time (hence the reference to a "Bang" or "Expansion" which was rapid.) Isn't that what the Big Bang theorists are now saying they think happened?

To further illustrate that this was not random but had Design, think of an explosion for a minute.. say, a hand grenade. When it explodes you get shards disbursed in all directions. Do you end up with orderly ORBITS, like the planets around the sun? And what could possibly cause opposite rotational patterns? Wouldn't the spin be all in the SAME DIRECTION?

Still-Forming Solar System May Have Planets Orbiting Star in Opposite Directions
02.13.06

Astronomers studying a disk of material circling a still-forming star inside our Galaxy have found a tantalizing result -- the inner part of the disk is orbiting the protostar in the opposite direction from the outer part of the disk.

"The solar system that likely will be formed around this star will include planets orbiting in different directions, unlike our own solar system in which all the planets orbit the Sun in the same direction," said senior scientist Jan Hollis of the Computational and Information Sciences and Technology Office at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

"This is the first time anyone has seen anything like this, and it means that the process of forming planets from such disks is more complex than we previously expected," said Anthony Remijan, of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Remijan and his colleague Hollis used the National Science Foundation's Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescope to make the discovery.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/op_orbit.html

Now, I know, they will come up with an explanation outside of God creating the Universe due to their prejudice against the solution being the Infinite Creator and His complexity of Intelligent Design. However, note that they are presently saying that this is, quote, "more complex than we previously expected." There is at least some degree of acknowledgement that the design is more complex than their simple models which are based on their postulation of a random process. In time, as we learn more, there will be additional REASONS that this opposite rotation has to happen, showing more and more intricate design. Just as the microscope opened up new worlds to us which caused us to come to a greater understanding of the incredible intricacies of the universe within us (immune system, lymphatic system, DNA, microbes, glandular systems, etc...), so as we are able to see more in the stars we will learn more of the intentional complexity which makes them up.

But you can easily see that what happened as the result of the "Big Bang" is much more like looking at a watch working than the random and chaotic pattern which would emerge from an explosion of a hand grenade in outer space.

To emphasize the points I am making, I reiterate - the Bible speaks of God "stretching out" of the heavens... and the Big Bang apologists are even now saying that there does not appear to be ONE PLACE where the Big Bang came from. It is like it exploded from all points of the compass at once! What could do that? .... God?

Think upon this point for a minute.. what does this sudden "expansion" look like as it comes from all points of the compass at once? Could it be like we imagine the act of God putting it into place in one instant act of Creation? Could it be that He "stretched" it into place from all points of the compass at once? It fits.. doesn't it?

Also, they note that there is "more complexity" than they expected using their random Big Bang model which leaves God and Intelligent Design out of the picture. The "stretching out" from all points of the compass at once is physics, and the "complexity" is likewise atrophysical fact.. and they are also in the Bible. It was an Intelligent Designer who "stretched out" the heavens from all points of the compass at once, not an explosion from one single point in space. And the Designer of the Universe likewise put into it intricate Design, thought and understanding.

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-- March 10, 2007 4:22 PM ∞

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Sara Madgid wrote:

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Mankind so often thinks they know everything about something when they only have scratched the surface of knowledge on a subject. At one point in time the "experts" in the medical field said tonsils served no useful purpose. They thought people should have them removed surgically in order to stop them from becoming infected. I know of several persons who had them removed, though they were perfectly healthy organs, based on this information. We now know that the tonsils are an important part of the immune system and they act as antiseptic barrier which take to themselves microbes which enter the body and kill them with a concentrated organic disinfectant. They are the firstline of defense against disease for the body. Take note of this event as a precedent concerning mankind. When men do not understand something, and think arrogantly that the design is simple and easily explained, they are very often wrong in their explanations (think of the "experts" recommending to remove your tonsils or their view that you have a "useless" appendix). They do not expect complexity because they think all things are simple and easy to explain because they are put there by chance. It is simply not so. Another illustration:

Goofy galaxy spins in wrong direction
February 11, 2002
By Richard Stenger

CNN) -- A galaxy captured by the camera of the Hubble Space Telescope seems to be rotating in the direction opposite of what it should, astonished astronomers announced this week.

Most spiral galaxies have arms of gas and stars that trail behind as they turn. But this galaxy, known as NGC 4266, has two leading outer arms that point toward the direction of the galaxy's rotation, according to Hubble researchers.

"NGC 4622 suggests that maybe people do not know all that there is know about spiral structure yet. Our study may lead to a new understanding of spiral arm production in galaxies," scientists Ron Buta and Gene Byrd said in an e-mail to CNN.

This high-resolution image, besides showing the reverse spin of the galaxy, unveils the blue bursts of recently formed stars in the outer pair of galactic arms. A closer inspection reveals another enigma: a trailing inner arm that wraps around the galaxy in the opposite direction of its rotation, just like conventional arms of spiral galaxies.

"It is pretty clear that there are both clockwise and counter-clockwise spiral arms, so something funny is going on," Noll said.

What could make it comport itself so strangely?

http://archives.cnn.com/2002/TECH/space/02/08/oddball.galaxy/index.html

Of course, the explanation they give leaves out the possibility of complexity due to Design and postulates some random thing which we cannot see causing this instead.. here, they postulate "a companion was destroyed in the merger and that the dust lane is the surviving evidence." I think if we found a watch gear turning in an opposite direction inside a watch they would postulate it happened by a collision with another unseen gear, not due to any design within the watch itself. But it is worthwhile to note that since the CAUSE of this galaxy spinning in the opposite direction is not yet understood or clearly seen but only postulated, Intelligent Design cannot be excluded by 'a priori' assumption. That is, you cannot prove or disprove God as the cause. Hence, science is not able to exclude this galaxy's "goofy" spin being due to God's intentional design for it to be that way. Just as with the tonsils.. in time, they might just find that "goofy" galaxy has a purpose which is very important to the cosmos and designed with Infinite Intelligence. I am willing to bet it is and my view is no less scientific a postulate than those who support a naturalistic solution since they cannot scientifically prove their assumption either.

There is a plethora of incredible "coincidences" which permeate the cosmos and our environment, such as the fact that our planet is not a bit closer to the sun (so that it burns up) or a bit farther away (so that it freezes). Or the "coincidence" that we have an atmosphere which gives us breathable air and the element of water, which are necessary for life to survive, unlike every other planet in our solar system. Indeed, the postulate that there are other planets with atmospheres and water like our own are just that.. postulates. No one has EVER actually seen a planet which can sustain life other than our own. It is not scientifically proven Fact - it is Theory, postulation, hypothesis.. ONLY. (I do hope they exist, that would be interesting and it would mean that God created even more design than we see, but that doesn't make my hope science or Fact, does it (?).. since I cannot prove it to you in any scientific way. Let us separate between a hope and a provable Fact here is all I am saying. Let's stay in the realm of reality and not get into flights of fantasy.. Star Trek is a movie, not a reality.) Also, "coincidentally", we have the rotation of the earth which gives us day and night, and the moon which "just so happens" to orbit where it does and affects the tides... (QUOTE, "What would life on earth be like without the moon? Well, chances are, there wouldn't be any life on earth without the moon." http://shopping.discovery.com/product-52214.html - If We Had No Moon DVD from the Discovery Channel.) There is a lot of intricate design in these supposedly random "coincidences" which have to be in order for life on earth to exist..

Think of the incredible complexity of living systems and cycles - such as water evaporation and condensation (rain), which are necessary for plantlife to grow, enabling crops for human consumption - another incredible "coincidence." It does seem so very orderly for "random chance" to be the cause of it, to me. And how is it that the scientists who say that life is easily created cannot create life artificially nor recreate the conditions which could lead to life from inanimate matter? Something appears to be missing from their equations about how life started.. God, maybe? But no... they will look for a "companion star" which was destroyed and caused this "goofy" galaxy to spin backward, or little green aliens from outerspace to seed the earth with life.. rather than admit that there could be an intentional design by an unseen God. I find it interesting when they say in the article above, "NGC 4622 suggests that maybe people do not know all that there is know about spiral structure yet." Hmm.. maybe... maybe man doesn't know "all that there is know about spiral structure yet", is that possible? It is as if they expected that they almost have all the knowledge about spiral structure NOW.. when they have never even set foot inside the galaxy itself. What arrogancy man has, to think they know so much when the data they have is so very little (just like with tonsils.)

What it really turns out to be is prejudice against God being the explanation, since those who EXCLUDE God as a cause are merely showing a bias against having an open mind to a greater intelligence than their own. The Universe declares in silent testimony that God created it:

Psa 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handywork.

Psa 19:2 Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.

Psa 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

All men hear this speech of silent testimony to the Creator who Designed all things. They look up into the heavens and see His handiwork which declares the Glory of God, they look down to the earth witness that voice which testifies to God in the continual breaking of the waves on a beach, the cries of the gulls - and the sandpipers ambling along picking up bugs from the surf-covered sand in the wake of the wave's retreat. They hear it whisper in the firey sunset at the end of a warm summer's day, and in the birth of a new day with the birds and insects buzzing around as the air begins to warm. All of them speak with one voice of Him who created them.

Psa 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

The God who is from everlasting, the Uncreated CREATOR of all things - He who formed the earth and the heaven is given constant and silent testimony by the heavens and the earth. All men see the testimony to God and hear this voice speaking to them of the Creator and there is no language barrier which stops men from understanding what is being said. But men clap their hands over their ears like they are hearing the sonic boom of a jet breaking the sound barrier and they will not hear that voice which speaks in the silent whispers on the warm summer breeze. They want no part of the speech they hear and they flee away from the truth which comes to every man who looks at the Creation. And then they speak in their hearts:

Psa 53:1 The fool has said in his heart, There is no God.

Mankind has a "hearing" problem, and it isn't due to the scientific evidence for an Intelligent Designer which comes from the heavens and the earth. Those Facts fit with pure science perfectly well. It is the scientists who choose NOT to listen to the possibility of God being the cause of all they see and who instead insist that the Universe is simple, easily explained, without Intelligent Design.. and certainly.. without God. Men choose a false science which they say is "scientific" but which is really just Theories based on an assumption that denies God's Creation and ownership of all the universe (and man.) They begin with what the fool says in his heart, "There is no God".. and then they make a "scientific Theory" without Him which must inevitably lead them away from what is accurate and true Fact.

The result of denying the inevitable truth of God (and the Facts which will always support that truth) is their constant perplexity when complexity is found which is beyond the scope of their simplistic and unfounded Theories. God, you see, can never be wrong because He made the Sciences and founded the Universe Himself by the work of His hands. If the Bible and these current "scientific Theories" conflict in any point, it is that very questionable "science Theory" which will be proven wrong in time and not the other way around, as this new revision to the Big Bang theory illustrates. They have admitted to the Factual truth in saying the "expansion" came from "everywhere all at once". I ask you.. what could cause such a phenomena? If it wasn't an explosion of a celestial hand grenade.. but came from everywhere all at once.. WHAT COULD DO THAT? ... God?

Science ... true science.. will not conflict with the Bible. It will prove it. FACTS will prove the Bible, not incorrectly formed and unfounded atheistic Theories. The Big Bang Theory will be revised over and over again to fit with the Facts.. until it finally says the same thing that God said and comes into line with the true and accurate picture.. such as the fact that He created it and stretched it out in an instant of time.. almost like a "Bang" but more like an "expansion" from all points of the compass at once - as they now confirm.

Sara.

-- March 10, 2007 4:25 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Carl,

Yes the future expansion of the Iraqi economy fits very well into the long term prognosis, as me myself agree with.

However, I need perhaps to clarify a little bit what I say when the pressure cooker will release it's safetyvalve and the Dinar will take off.

Some posts ago I talked about the almost worthless Dinar, and that it has moved up to a point where it is sligtly better than totally worthless, but not much.

From the perspective that this is Monopoly money, to the perspective that the Dinar will have at least SOME significant value to it, lets say 10 cents value, this would be a very big step for the Iraqis, but for us, in comparison with our currency, it will barely put it on the board.

What I mean with a significant move this year, ( I hope) is that the currency will get from the worthless state it is in now, to at least scratch the bottom line on the chart compared with Dollars, Euro, or Stirling.

From that move, to any other projected values like 3 or 4 Dollars is years away, and in that respect I agree with your prognosis.

We can buy 12 or 13 Dinars per cent right now....face it, the currency is cheap to buy, and a wonderful investment opportunity, but as currencies go, they are in a dark hole.

Scream "Dinars" in the barrel, and you will get an echo back.

This particular stage of the currencys value is the stage where you just can't have any economy that makes sense.

Social, financial and economical impossibilities will stagger up and it will be almost impossible to get anything decent done.

The currency except for a microscopic movement recently have been stagnant, and as far as I'm concern, the measures they are trying to take, by increasing the value with a hardly detectable ammount( from 14 Dinars to 12 Dinars per cent) is really, economically speaking not much of a hill of beans.

The breaking of the ice, would be when the change will actually matter.

With the mega budget going on, and with the oil law enacted, this will change the economy in great force.

The change I'm predicting, is the actual breaking of the ice, the valve that pops, when the Dinar either starts to take off in a way that it really counts, or by reval.

THAT is the event I'm looking for, the real establisment of the Dinar, when it is on the charts, when it have some value.

That breakthrough I think have some very big chances of happening this year.

From that on, as the years passes on, it will only get better.

Sara,

Yes Big Bang might or might not have happened.

There is one very big nagging problem I have over the description of it though.

"Big Bang happened everywhere and at the same time".

It's a geometric impossibility to have an explosion without a center.

Any phenomenon that describes an expansion must have an earlier position closer to each other, continue this backtracking and you will eventually find a center.

The Universe as we see it is expanding, seemingly uniform, from any point of observation.

Meaning, if you are standing on earth, the universe seems to expand evenly from that point, but if you would go to another planet or Galaxy, the expansion seems to emanate from that viewing poit.

To me this is more an effect of light losing it's poop, and it therefore appears that the stars in the universe are leaving, as we, instead of designate the redshift from gravity energy loss, of the light beam, to doppler effect.

If we would designate the lights redshift to energy loss bacause of gravity effect on the light beam, we will get exactly the effect we see in the universe, wherever you stand, the light will becomne more redshifted the further away from your viewpoint you are looking.

Go to earth and observe it, go to Mars, or go to the Adromeda Galaxy, and the phenomenon will stay the same.

Unfortunately the science community right now claim it is because of the Doppler effect.

Things are fluid in the universe, so Doppler effect does exist.

However, if you designate the doppler effect to the overall redshift experience we are observing in the universe today, then, you are getting back to a universe that are expanding mysteriously without a center.

So then you have to invent the statment that it happened everywhere at the same time.

It's a round circle argument.

-- March 10, 2007 7:09 PM ∞

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Rob N. wrote:

All:

Carole, cover your eyes the following is another article from www.iraqupdates.com

In Iraq, whispers of soft coup arise: Allawi re-emerges to push political overhaul
By Liz Sly

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BAGHDAD, 09 March 2007 (Chicago Tribune)
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Secular former prime minister and U.S. favorite Ayad Allawi is leading a new push to replace the Shiite-led administration of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki with a broad-based government that would focus on restoring order.

Amid deepening concerns among Sunnis and secularists about al-Maliki's performance, Allawi has emerged at the center of an initiative to create a "national salvation front," which his supporters say would be able to secure the backing of Iraqi insurgents, reunite the country and end the sectarian conflict that has prevailed for more than a year.

Though Allawi's aides deny that he wants to replace al-Maliki as prime minister, Allawi is preparing to embark on a tour of the region to win the support of Arab governments for his proposals, just as representatives of Iraq's neighbors are gathering with the U.S. in Baghdad for a regional conference intended to shore up support for the al-Maliki government.

The idea of a new coalition to overturn the current political process is not new, and the front has yet to be fully formed.

Sending a message

But the effort has been given new momentum by the reappearance on the Iraqi political scene of Allawi, a high-profile U.S. ally who is both a Shiite and a centrist; the defection this week of the Fadhila Party, a small faction from al-Maliki's ruling Shiite coalition; and a trip by Allawi in the company of U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad to visit the Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani last weekend.

U.S. Embassy officials refused to say why Khalilzad accompanied Allawi on the trip to Kurdistan or what was discussed during the talks.

But the Kurdistan visit was interpreted by many in Baghdad as a public display of support for Allawi by the U.S. It was also seen as a warning to al-Maliki that he cannot count on continued U.S. support if his Shiite-led government does not deliver on a range of promises intended to end the sectarian conflict and bring about real reconciliation with Sunnis.

"You see Allawi meeting with Barzani and the U.S. ambassador is with Allawi, so people analyze this as meaning that the U.S. supports Allawi," said Kurdish legislator Mahmoud Othman, who discussed the meeting with Barzani and does not believe the U.S. has made a decision to support the new front.

"Maybe the U.S. is using this to put pressure on Maliki to deliver more, to remind him that there are alternatives," Othman said.

Sunnis and secularists staunchly opposed to the Islamist Shiite parties now running the government have unsuccessfully tried to find ways to block Shiite rule since the December 2005 election, which gave Shiites a plurality, though not an outright majority, in the Iraqi parliament.

For any new coalition to have a chance of outvoting the al-Maliki government in parliament, it would have to secure the backing of the Kurds, the second-largest parliamentary bloc. The Kurds teamed up with the Shiite coalition to form a majority in the current government.

Triggering rumors

The Kurds are not prepared to abandon their Shiite partners for now, said Othman, which makes it difficult to see how Allawi can succeed in his efforts.

The U.S. has also given no indication that it is considering abandoning al-Maliki. Addressing reporters at his first news conference on Thursday, Gen. David Petraeus, the new commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, expressed full confidence in al-Maliki, saying that he and his team are "striving to be leaders for all Iraqis and responsive to the desires of all Iraqis."

The political maneuvering has nonetheless triggered rumors across Baghdad that a coup plot is being hatched, stirring fury among al-Maliki's supporters.

"If there is any conspiracy or plot against Maliki's government, millions of people will take to the streets," Shiite legislator Hassan Snaid, one of al-Maliki's closest advisers, told Al-Hurra TV, in a reminder that the Shiite government enjoys the support of the vast majority of ordinary Shiites.

Supporters of the new front deny that they are conspiring to remove al-Maliki. They say they will seek to replace him only if he fails to fulfill a set of demands that includes the formation of a new government, an overhaul of the de-Baathification law, which prevents many former Baathists from returning to public life, and a review of the constitution.

These are longstanding Sunni demands, backed by the U.S., that al-Maliki has repeatedly said he will address. They also include a revamp of his Cabinet, which he has promised in the coming week.

"Our problem is not with Mr. Maliki as a person. Our problem is with the system, which must be modified," said Izzat Shahbandar, a parliamentarian from Allawi's bloc who is closely involved in the new effort.

"The first step is for Mr. Maliki to make changes, and if he doesn't respond we are ready to form a parliamentary bloc that is big enough to remove the prime minister."

The latest challenge to al-Maliki has the support of most members of the main parliamentary Sunni and secular blocs, and efforts are also under way to lure support away from the Shiite coalition, which controls 128 seats. Past efforts to split the United Iraqi Alliance have failed, though the small Fadhila Party, with 15 seats, announced it was leaving the coalition earlier this week.

But with the Kurds in control of 53 seats, that still leaves the Allawi initiative far short of the 138 seats needed to bring about a parliamentary coup.

"I'm not optimistic that it will succeed," said Othman, the Kurdish legislator. "I'd prefer a secular government, but the Shiites are sticking together and they're a strong coalition."

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 10, 2007 10:00 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Iraqi Sunni politician's house raided, Al-Mahdi Army suspect arrested

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

09 March 2007 (BBC Monitoring)
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Between 0800 gmt and 1200 gmt on 9 March, Baghdad Al-Sharqiyah Television reports on security and political developments in Iraq as follows:

Security Developments:

- "An Iraqi Army force raided the house of Khalaf al-Ulayan, representative of the Iraqi Al-Tawafuq [Accord] Front in the Council of Representatives, in the Al-Yarmuk area in western Baghdad, stripping the guards of their weapons. Speaking to Al-Sharqiyah over phone, Al-Ulayan held the Iraqi Government responsible for anything that might happen to his family, saying that the raid operation was ordered by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki."

Al-Ulayan says: "Acting on orders from the prime minister and the defence minister, a National Guard force raided my house in the Al-Yarmuk area. They broke the doors and ransacked the house, despite the fact that I am a member of the Council of Representatives and have immunity, which was not respected. They stripped the guards of their weapons; they only left two rifles and two pistols. This is a permission for the terrorist militias and forces to kill all the guards, who are soldiers assigned by the defence ministry, which provided them with these weapons. Despite all of this, they carried out this provocative and humiliating operation. We, therefore, hold the prime minister and the defence minister responsible for any operation against this area in general and against my family's house and my office in particular."

- "Joint US-Iraqi forces arrested a prominent commander of Al-Mahdi Army, which is affiliated with Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whom the US forces accuse of involvement in identity-based murder and abduction operations, in Al-Sha'b neighbourhood in eastern Baghdad. Local residents said Husayn al-Asadi was arrested while at a banquet in the area. The arrest came after the forces raided the house of his brother, who gave information about Al-Asadi's whereabouts. All those who accompanied Al-Asadi to the banquet were also arrested. It was disclosed that a large number of the arrested are Iraqi Police members who are involved in operations carried out by death squads."

- "A medical source said that Ba'qubah Hospital received the bodies of seven treacherously-killed people, which were found with signs of torture and bullet holes in various areas in the governorate."

- "The US Army announced that a gunman was killed and 48 suspects were arrested during operations in various Iraqi cities. A US Army statement said that the coalition forces killed a gunman and arrested 21 people suspected of affiliating with Al-Qa'idah Organization in Mosul, including a commander of an armed cell responsible for several abduction and suicide operations in Mosul and Al-Ramadi. The statement added that US forces arrested two people suspected of carrying out armed operations and assisting foreign armed men in Al-Fallujah, west of Baghdad, in addition to arresting a commander in the Al-Qa'idah Organization and seven other people suspected of providing information to the organization in the Al-Karmah area in the city. The statement also added that joint US-Iraqi forces carried out military operations in Al-Dulu'iyah Subdistrict, during which they arrested eight people."

- "A security source said that the Iraqi Police thwarted attempts to detonate two booby-trapped cars at an industrial compound in northern Kirkuk, north of Baghdad."

Political Developments

- "Iraqi Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Lubayd Abbawi expressed hope that the international conference scheduled to be held in Baghdad on Saturday would yield positive results that would reflect positively on the situations in Iraq. Speaking to Al-Sharqiyah over phone, Abbawi said that all countries of the region and the five permanent members of the Security Council will attend the conference, something that will make the discussions more transparent and frank, unlike previous conferences."

- "Basim al-Sharif, representative of Al-Fadilah Party in the Iraqi Council of Representatives, said that the party is currently working independently to formulate new political visions away from the sectarian atmosphere, adding that the party mem bers are open to any national dialogue. Speaking to Al-Sharqiyah over phone, Al-Sharif welcomed Arab League Secretary General Amr Musa's statements on foreign interference in Iraq's internal affairs and expressed hope that the Baghdad international conference would end divisions in Iraq."

Source: Al-Sharqiyah TV, Dubai

(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 10, 2007 10:02 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Good news.

IRAQ TENDER - DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF POWER STATION

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

09 March 2007 (Asia Pulse)
Print article Send to friend
IRAQ - DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SOUTH BAGHDAD POWER STATION SECURITY

TIRef.No 1315380

Bidding Type International Competitive Bidding

Financier Self-Funded

Country Iraq

Description

Invitation to tender for Design and Construction of South Baghdad Power Station Security . The work of consists of security improvements to the compound to include: Establishment of secure access points, Paving the access road to the site, Placing Jersey barriers on access road to form a serpentine pattern, Removing vegetation between existing fences, Rearranging existing blast walls in a cohesive pattern, Installing additional blast walls, Installing of chain link fencing with Concertina wire, Constructing earth berm around the perimeter, Constructing guard towers around the perimeter. This Work is located near Baghdad, Iraq. It is highly recommended to all those interest in placing a proposal for this requirement to perform a site visit.

Organisation GULF REGION CENTRAL DISTRICT

Client Address Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Central District, XR W6EX GRD Central District KO Operation Iraqi Freedom, APO, AE, 09335, UNITED STATES, Iraq,

http://www.baghdadbusinesscenter.org

Email Id maria.d.oterotac01.usace.army.mil

Contact Person Maria Otero

Tender Notice No W917BG-07-R-0082

Estimated Project Cost Not Provided

Document Cost Not provided

Bid Security Not provided

Submission Deadline Mon, 19 March 2007

Sourced by Tenders Info

www.tendersinfo.com
(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 10, 2007 10:08 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

IRAQ TENDER - CONSTRUCTION OF POTABLE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

09 March 2007 (Asia Pulse)
Print article Send to friend
TIRef.No 1315379

Bidding Type International Competitive Bidding

Financier Self-Funded

Country Iraq

Description

Invitation to tender for Construction Of A Potable Water Distribution System . The construction includes a potable water system of Ductile Iron water mains, commercial/residential connections, water main shut-off valves, fire hydrants, and appurtenances required for an operable system for the Amanat Baghdad Water Authority. It is highly recommended to all those interest in placing a proposal for this requirement to perform a site visit. The Government will not be responsible for any coordination of the site visit nor any cost associated with the site visit. This magnitude of this project is between $1Million and $5Million.

Organisation GULF REGION CENTRAL DISTRICT

Client Address Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Central District, XR W6EX GRD Central District KO Operation Iraqi Freedom, APO, AE, 09335, UNITED STATES, Iraq,

http://www.baghdadbusinesscenter.org

Email Id maria.d.oterotac01.usace.army.mil

Contact Person Maria Otero

Tender Notice No W917BG-07-R-0079

Estimated Project Cost Not Provided

Document Cost Not provided

Bid Security Not provided

Submission Deadline Wed, 21 March 2007

Sourced by Tenders Info

www.tendersinfo.com
(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 10, 2007 10:09 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Iraq Corruption Magnitude US$8 Billion, Eight Ministers Implicated

Head of the General Integrity Authority in Iraq, Judge Radi Hamza Al-Radi, said that total monetary value of all the corruption cases the Authority is investigating has reached US$8 billion, reported Asharq Al-Awsat. He added that eight ministers and 40 general directors are implicated in the cases.
(www.noozz.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 10, 2007 10:13 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

To the polls from http://www.noozz.com

Poll 1:

Do you think that the newly drafted Iraqi oil law will pass parliament before late May, as the government is hoping?

Yes 24
73%
Don't know 3
9%
No 6
18%

Poll 2:

Do you think that Bush's new Iraq plan, with both a reconstruction and troop surge, will regain the political momentum for the Iraqi government and disarm the militias?

Yes 138
70%
Unsure 15
8%
No 45
23%

I think these poll numbers reflect the contrary opinions touted on the major news networks night after night.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 10, 2007 10:21 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

One more, I could not resist. I love these numbers.

Poll 3:

Do you think that Bush's new Iraq plan, with both a reconstruction and troop surge, will regain the political momentum for the Iraqi government and disarm the militias?

Yes 138
70%
Unsure 15
8%
No 45
23%

Also, in my previous post to be clearer I should have substituted the word reflect for "stand in contrast to"

-- March 10, 2007 10:25 PM ∞

---

Neil wrote:

Sara: Great post on the "big bang" idea.

I wish you had gotten a little deeper into what actually happened when the "big bang" occcured such as where did the mass come from that exploded, what caused it to compress in preparation for the explosion and what caused it to explode?

From what you have said, I am more convinced that some type of supreme being put this universe in motion.

-- March 10, 2007 10:38 PM ∞

---

Carole wrote:

Rob,

I know , I know , I know..... I read the same site!

Sara,

Have you ever heard of the concept of "THE UNMOVED MOVER"?

-- March 11, 2007 8:12 AM ∞

---

Chris wrote:

Announcement No.(880)

D.G. of Foreign Exchange Control

The 880 daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq day Sunday 2007/ 3/ 11 so the results were as follows :

Details Notes
Number of banks 10 -----
Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1279 -----
Auction price buying dinar / US $ ----- -----
Amount sold at auction price (US $) 45.395.000 -----
Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) -----
Total offers for buying (US $) 45.395.000 -----
Total offers for selling (US $) ----- -----

-- March 11, 2007 9:00 AM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Sara:
Your statement should have said...Science has THREE PARTS.... FACTS...THEORY..AND HOLY SH----WE DIDN'T EVEN COME CLOSE..RELIGIOUS BOOKS have THREE PARTS... FACTS....PARABLES... AND HARRY POTTER STORIES... It is up to the reader to make up their own mind about which one is which....

-- March 11, 2007 9:08 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Iraq warns neighbours to stay out

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11 March 2007 (Aljazeera)
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Iraq's prime minister has urged regional powers, including Iran and Syria, not to use the country as a proxy battleground.

Nuri al-Maliki made the plea in the opening speech of a conference in Baghdad on Saturday aimed at ending sectarian violence in Iraq and stopping the violence from spreading throughout the region.

The conference provided a rare opportunity for the United States to meet Iran and Syria, its bitter rivals in the region.

"There was meeting, discussions and consultation at times" between the US and Iranian delegations, Hoshiyar Zebari, the Iraqi foreign minister, said.

"It was a lively exchange, not only with them but the Syrians also," he said "[There were] exchanges regarding relations between the two in Iraq, not anwhere else. That's why they were very constructive."

Zalmay Khalilzad, US ambassador to Iraq, confirmed that he had spoken directly to Iranian officials.

Iran denied holding one-to-one talks with the US delegates.

'Moral responsibility'

Al-Maliki said that Iraq needed the support of its neighbours and the world in stopping the sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims, which he said could spill over to other countries in the region.

"We call on all to take moral responsibility by adopting a strong and clear stance against terrorism in Iraq and co-operate in stamping out forces of terror," al-Maliki said.

He demanded that "regional or international states refrain from interfering or influencing Iraq's state of affairs through supporting a certain sect, ethnic group or party".

"Confronting terrorism means halting any form of financial support and media or religious backing, as well as logistical support and the flow of arms and men who transform themselves into bombs that kill our children, women and elders, and destroy our mosques and churches."

Security committee

The 16 nations at the long-awaited conference agreed to establish a committee to look at security co-operation, as well as two others focusing on Iraqi refugees and energy issues.

Zebari described the meeting "constructive and positive" and said Iraq and its neighbours had decided to hold another mid-level in Turkey next month.

The delegates, however, failed to agree on a date and venue for a follow-up conference at a higher, ministerial level.

"What the conference achieved was exploration and preparation, explorations of the different positions of people attending this conference and preparation for the upcoming conference in Istanbul," Jasim Azawi, the presenter of Al Jazeera's Inside Iraq programme, said.

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US ambassador to Iraq, urged Iraq's neighbours to do more to stop the flow of fighters, weapons and sectarian propaganda contributing to the violence, saying the future of Iraq and the Middle East was the defining issue of the moment.

"No country represented at the table would benefit from a disintegrated Iraq; indeed, all would suffer badly," he said.

He said he hoped their presence indicated they were "ready to take concrete, constructive actions" to support Baghdad.

Iran urges US withdrawal

Iran's envoy to to the talks rejected allegations that his country was fomenting violence in Iraq and blamed the fighting on the presence of US forces.

"It will help resolve the problem of violence if they set a timetable for withdrawal of their troops from Iraq," Abbas Araghchi, Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, said.

"Tehran stands ready to help bring peace and stability to Iraq."

Iraq's security problems were highlighted when mortar rounds exploded just metres away from the foreign ministry where the talks were taking place.

Meanwhile, 3km away in east of the capital, a bomber drove a truck laden with explosives into an army checkpoint at the entrance to Sadr City, killing 26 people, officials said.

A second suicide bomber killed another soldier at a checkpoint nearby, and further south, one civilian was killed in a third blast.
(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 11, 2007 10:24 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Iraq conference centres on stability
By Steve Negus

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11 March 2007 (Financial Times)
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Iraq’s prime minister Nouri al-Maliki said his country should not be used for proxy wars between foreign powers, as US and Iranian officials were brought together in a rare meeting at a security conference in Baghdad.

“We will not accept that our lands, cities and streets serve as an arena for inter-regional or regional-international disputes,” he declared as the conference began.

Bringing the Americans and the Iranians together was a diplomatic breakthrough for the Iraqis, and could lead to further contacts between the two governments.

The US accused Iran of providing weapons to militia groups inside Iraq that have been used in deadly attacks on US troops, a charge that Tehran denies.

“I met with them directly and I met with them in front of others and spoke to them across a table as well. I raised our concerns,” US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters.

Iran in turn raised the issue of a half dozen Iranian citizens arrested in January. Tehran claims they had diplomatic immunity and that they were “kidnapped”, but US officials have said that they are suspected of involvement in violence, and are not diplomats.

In a press conference after the meeting, which brought together Iran’s neighbours and representatives from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, Tehran’s envoy Abbas Aragchi repeated Iran’s call to set up a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, which he said led to a “vicious cycle” of violence.

Iraqi and US diplomats, however, stressed that the conference stuck strictly to the issue of Iraqi stability, avoiding the question of Iran’s nuclear program which the United States at present refuses to discuss in bilateral talks.

The conference, which the Iraqis said was the largest international gathering in Baghdad since 1990, included representatives from all of Iraq’s neighbours including Iran, Turkey, and Syria, other Arab states, the Arab League, the UN, and the five permanent members of the UN.

Iraq’s foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari said that the conferees had agreed to set up technical committees to discuss security, the flood of Iraqi refugees into neighbouring countries, and energy supplies.

The most significant aspect of a conference which Iraq had earlier described as “ice breaking” was to bring all the mistrustful parties to the same table, in particular the United States and Iran, but also the Sunni Arab states that fear Iraq is becoming part of an Iranian-led Shia axis across the region.

Iraq took offence earlier this week at a statement by the Arab League that it would urge changes in Iraq’s constitution to give more political power to Sunnis.

But Prime Minister Maliki said at Saturday’s conference that Iraq “had decided to reconsider” the document, a reference to a committee charged with reviewing the constitution and possibly suggesting amendments.

Delegates also alluded to allegations that Arab states including Syria and Saudi Arabia allowed supporters of insurgent groups to operate from their territory.

“Confronting terrorism means halting any form of financial support and media or religious backing, as well as logistical support and the flow of arms and men who transform themselves into bombs that kill our children, women and elders, and destroy our mosques and churches,” Mr Maliki said.

The delegates agreed to hold a higher-level meeting bringing together the foreign ministers of the participating countries possibly as early as next month, but have not yet decided on a venue. Baghdad would like to host the conference, but Egypt has also volunteered.

Meanwhile, Mr Khalilzad said that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would attend the next round of talks if they were held in Istanbul.
(www.iraqupates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 11, 2007 10:27 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Foreign Office helped set up Iraqi oil deals
By Tim Webb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11 March 2007 (The Independent)
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The British Government intervened to help UK and US energy giants in their attempts to secure lucrative contracts to exploit Iraq's ruined oilfields.

The Foreign Office delivered a report by the International Tax and Investment Center (ITIC) - a Washington-based think-tank backed by a host of multinationals, including oil companies such as Shell and BP - to Iraqi officials in Baghdad, it has emerged.

The British ambassador to Iraq formally sent the "road-map" study on the Iraqi oil industry to the then Iraqi minister of finance, according to documents seen by The Independent on Sunday. The study recommended the Iraqi government sign long-term production-sharing agreements with foreign oil companies.

Emails between civil servants also showed that the Foreign Office helped the ITIC secure an audience with senior officials from the Iraqi Oil Ministry so that it could present its report.

The ITIC hosted a conference in Beirut in January 2005 to give a formal presentation to Iraqi ministers. Executives from BP, Shell, ChevronTexaco, the Italian oil company ENI and its French rival Total attended.

A diplomat from the Foreign Office, who helped the ITIC further its relationship with the Iraqis, was also present.

The story of the envoys' involvement was revealed on Friday night by the Arab broadcaster Al-Jazeera as part of its People and Power documentary series.

Greg Muttitt, the co-director of the campaign group Platform, said: "There is no question that the British Government is exploiting its position as an occupation power to push its own oil interests and those of multinational companies."

Kim Howells, a Foreign Office minister, told the Al-Jazeera programme that the accusation that the British government was influencing Iraq's oil industry was "paranoia gone completely loopy".

Separately, the IoS has learnt that the ITIC is planning another key conference to be attended by oil company executives and senior Iraqi government figures.

They will discuss in greater detail the tax regime that will accompany the long-awaited hydrocarbon law, which should be approved by the Iraqi parliament
(www.iraqiupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 11, 2007 10:32 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Thanks, Neil. I am glad what I wrote was of help to you.

Roger wrote, "Big Bang happened everywhere and at the same time". - It's a geometric impossibility to have an explosion without a center.

==

You are correct, Roger, it is a geometric impossibility to have an explosion without a center. This was no ordinary "explosion" though. This was the explosion that created Time. So it is not only a 3D explosion (like a hand grenade), but also a fourth dimensional expansion (an expansion of the Space-Time continuum). This is the creation of TIME. Remember that Einstein said time and space are interchangeable. Let me illustrate for you, here:

Imagine a single sheet of paper, this represents our 3D world frozen in a frame of time (even though it is just 2 dimentional, flat). Now this sheet expands upwards creating a 3D stack of papers. The top sheet is the future, and the bottom sheet is the past. Imagine a creature living on the bottom sheet of paper which cannot comprehend up and down. The creature cannot see up and down, his visual sight is constrained to the sheet he is presently in. This creature would automatically move through the sheets upwards at a constant rate, and this is what he calls time - the upward movement he experiences as he moves up the stack. He is free to move around on the surface of the paper - back and forth, left and right - but he has no control over moving up through the stack or "forward in time". Once he gets about halfway up the stack of papers another creature asks him where on the piece of paper the explosion came from which created the stack. He cannot tell - from his view it seemed to come from everywhere (on his 2D world) at once.

Although we know it came from below, that is a place he would perceive as the past. But it would appear to be from everywhere at once from his point of view. So since our explosion which created our universe is a fourth dimensional explosion, in our third dimensional world you could not assign a physical 3D point as the center for the explosion, anymore than you could assign a 2D space for the creation of a 3D world. It is almost like a frame of time exploded and created the entire universe (from our vantage point.) So the explosion did come from everywhere at once, but the center for the explosion is in the past, and we, like the flat creature, may have trouble grasping an explosion which originated from a higher dimension not bounded by our laws of physics or the current Space-Time continuum - much like our imaginary flat creature may have a hard time understanding an up and down explosion (which he understands as time, exploding).

Everything I have said here is strongly grounded in physics and not flights of fantasy. This is based on mathematics and is mathematically proveable. For a better understanding of higher dimensions I highly reccomend reading the physics books "Flatland" by Edwin A. Abbott, and the sequel "Sphereland" written by a physicist. These books are written for the layman, and are classics for understanding multiple dimensions and curved space.

Neil - I hope that explanation to Roger helps a bit more with your questions, too..
It was a long first post.. as it is a very large subject area. :)

Carole - no, sorry, never heard of it as such.. is the "unmoved mover" a reference to God?

Sara.

PS By the way, God is above our dimension, of course.. a higher dimensional being than our Space-Time continuum, and He made this continuum we exist on.. (just in case that wasn't understood.) :)

-- March 11, 2007 10:49 PM ∞

---

paul wrote:

Hi All,
Has anyone read this? Does anyone know what this new policy change is about?
tia.

Demand for dollar down as new policy expected in Central Bank auction
By Dergham Mohamed Ali
Baghdad, March 11, (VOI) – Demand for the dollar was down in the Iraqi Central Bank’s daily auction on Sunday, reaching $45.395 million, compared with $54.145 million on Thursday, amid expectation of a new policy to sell dollars.
In its daily statement, the bank said it had covered all bids, which included $8.845 million in cash and $36.550 million in foreign transfers, at an exchange rate of 1,279 dinars per dollar, unchanged from Thursday.
None of the 10 banks that participated in Sunday's auction offered to sell dollars.
Abdul-Razzaq al-Abaiji, an economist, told VOI "the decline in today's demand for the dollar was due to the expectation that a new policy will be adopted by the Central Bank to raise the dollar exchange rate in upcoming sessions."The Iraqi Central Bank runs a daily auction from Sunday to Thursday.

-- March 11, 2007 11:19 PM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Paul,

Yes I hope this is significant, the CBI have a new currency policy, it was still in Arabic when I read it off the CBI site, and the automatic translation kind of sucks, but what I got out of it is that the CBI will aggressively combat inflation and the causes for it, it will raise the exchange value of the Dinar, to do so.

Now, until a better translation is at hand, I can only speculate.

The CBI have for months raising the value of the Dinar, and have not seen a need to announce a policy change, just to do that.

I read into it that they will go for it full blast now.

This might be it.

If they are to get a handle on the inflation, and meet it with a higher value of the currency, then they are doing the right thing if they are doing big steps that really counts, not the Mickey Mouse steps they have been doing so far.

The nominal value of the Dinar will tell when the inflation is taken care of.

With other words, if I'm reading it the way I think I'm reading it.

They are really bugged by the inflation, it causes big harm over there.

They want to deal with it, and its causes. ( They already know that their Dinar buys s..t nothing and that makes for a sellers market in Iraq, sellers setting any price they want, thus inflation)

That means also, they will CONTINUE to raise the Dinar until the inflation is under control.

What they are saying is, -"We are going to let the currency's value determine when the inflation is under control".

That is exactly how currency will take care of inflation.

So the Iraqis are going to bring up the currency in value until their inflation flattens out.

As the inflation will flatten out automatically at the currency's nominal value, it is time for a guessing game here now.

HOW MUCH IS THE IRAQI CURRENCY ACTUALLY WORTH?

I stick with my 10-30 cents/Dinar window.

My reasoning for that is, in a series of points.

The average income is 54 Dollars /months, and 17-20 million Iraqis are living on LESS than a Dollar a day.

54 times 1279 is 69066 Dinars a month.

A value increase to 10 cents will give the value in Dollars to 6906 Dollars and 6 Cents.

THAT is decent wages, and a lot of buying power, compared with now.

This is per month.

In the US we have mostly weekly wages, so that would pan out to be (counted on a 22 days week) 6906.6 : 22 = 313.9/day times 5 = 1569 Bucks a week.

Not bad, still using the same currency, still getting the same wages, with the only difference that suddenly there is cheap stuff around them to buy.

So you see, even with as modest value increase as 10 cents, the Iraqis individual buying power would increase with the same amount of money, to about 1500 bucks a week.

So this is one of the reasons I'm not with the crowd that say it will be a 1 to 1 reval.

Imagine the AVERAGE income per capita would be 69 thousand Dollars/month. That's an annual income of 828 thousand Dollars per year.

1 to 1 overnight will not happen, the value of the currency, the wages, and the prices have to ease into that condition, and you don't do that overnight.

When looking at numbers like that, you're looking at long term.

-- March 12, 2007 1:10 AM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Sara,

Thanks for the posting, interesting, however, there are some fundamental flaws in this reasoning.

Time is nothing but measurement of movement.

Time is not in the past, it is not in the future, this is only perception of either a remembered earlier position or a postulated future position of matter.

Therefore the future and the past dint exist.

We can make facsimiles of the past, in our own mind, and make references to them, thus we have created our own reference file. Memory.

We can also make mechanical or electronic devices that can duplicate patterns from the past, video, gramophone, cameras, tape recordings, movies, DVDs , and re duplicate a close facsimile of the actual events and conditions of the past.

As existence goes, past don't exist.

I have read a lot of books from different theorists, one is more popular than the other, some of them become flings, for a certain cause, some are just duds.

I'm aware of the theory of flat universe, basically describing the universe in a flat dimension, and thus pointing out that we will never be aware of the other dimension because we have no reference to it.

No Big Bang can not be explained with that as a reference, as explaining that it happened everywhere and at the same time.

Time references can only exist when you have something that moves comparable to one or more energies or objects.

When it comes to "other dimensions" very much time have been spent by different scientists, and theorists into possible scenarios of a de facto existing dimension, other than the known, but hierto, it's not see able, touchable, measurable, or proven existing other than in our minds.

In deed our minds can of-course bee said to be a universe by it's own, or a dimension, with unknown properties, but that doesn't stretch into the physical universe, in other ways that we use the mind to control the physical universe.

There can not be a separate time reference in the same space as existing masses or energies, other than with disagreement, or agreement. Then we're back to our minds again.

If anything that can be called TIME would exist, two conditions must be fulfilled.

1. At least one object (may it be energy or matter) must move in relation to the other.
2. It must be perceived by someone.

As we are so spiritually ingenious as human spirits, we can set up our own perception of time, we can remember, or associate with something in our own mind, even if we're looking at nothing that moves, and make up our own reference to what time is.

It's easy, mock up, in your mind your grand dads, ding dong wall clock, with a pendulum, and go watch a stone, you will get perfect timing if you wish.

No Sara, I have my doubts about the Big Bang, but I have less doubts that there is a much closer relationship between the physical universe, it's creation, and spirits.

It's funny, a very big percentage of scientists don't have a spiritual relationship either with a God, or just spiritually.

Perhaps it's a "lets get back on them" because the Church hit Galileo with house arrest, when he was observing the universe as he saw it.

I do believe there is more of a correlation between a spiritual side and the physical universe, but talking strictly about Big Bang, no I have my doubts, it has far too many flaws.

When and how it is created that is another story, God, or you and me, or any other way, well that part I leave open.

Expanding matter, thus explaining gravity , ( earth always expanding, and anything else also) is one of the theories, about the universe.

The flat universe, meaning a universe in balance, not expanding, not contracting, is another one.

The string theory describing the existence of the universe as strings of energy, have had a big following but is right now waning. At it's peak it had 14 different "dimensions" of existence, but I believe they're down to 4 or 5 now.

The existing theory, Big Bang, came across late 50's early 60's even if the galaxies had been assigned Doppler effect since Einstein and Hubble got together one evening in Hubble's observatory.

Then they figure out by measurement that it is expanding uniformly, so they had to invent the " it happened everywhere at the same time", and any and all explanation on this point I have heard have not held water, mostly references to another popular artists book, but so far it eludes explanation.

My self I'm proposing the effects of redshift, as an effect of gravity influence on each existing photon during it's whole existence. Longer exposure, less energy. More redshift.

Anyhow, then they figure out that the existing mass and existing energy present in our observable universe don't fit the bill, if it is expanding the way it is, so now they have to invent "Dark matter, and dark energy".

A commodity still completely unknown, properties unmeasurable, and in a remarkable way very good in avoiding detection even though they claim that the universe must consist of about 95% of that stuff.

They're now founding out that at the edge of the observable universe, with the newest and most sensible observation instruments, that according to the Big Bang, the Galaxies we're looking at is the very first embryos of galaxies.....BUT, instead they are finding that a big number of the very most distant Galaxies are well organized and well developed Galaxies, something that they would never had time to do, if it is as far away as they are, because, the theory claims that just beyond those Galaxies is the time of Big Bang.

There is big problems with the Big Bang, Sara, the very latest and most perplexing result came in not too long ago, where they measured the background radiation from the universe, it doesn't fit the Big Bang, but it fits, a stable and non expanding Universe.

The backers of Big Bang is still very big, but doubts have began to risen among the ranks, and I'm not too sure that this theory will survive another 25 years as the main theory about the universe.

-- March 12, 2007 2:15 AM ∞

---

Chris wrote:

CBI Exchange Rate for Monday

Still shows the Sunday post at this hour.

I have to leave posting the Monday rate to somebody else once the CBI updates.

I have access issues where I am going

Have a nice day all!!

-- March 12, 2007 5:16 AM ∞

---

Chris wrote:

New scratch pad sure does scroll faster

Must be "New and Improved"

-- March 12, 2007 5:20 AM ∞

---

panhandler wrote:

Announcement No.(881)

D.G. of Foreign Exchange Control

The 881 daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq day Monday 2007/ 3/ 12 so the results were as follows :

Details Notes
Number of banks 13 -----
Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1278 -----
Auction price buying dinar / US $ ----- -----
Amount sold at auction price (US $) 59.600.000 -----
Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) -----
Total offers for buying (US $) 59.600.000 -----
Total offers for selling (US $) ----- -----

-- March 12, 2007 7:06 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

BG Looks To Iraq Gasfield

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12 March 2007 (Sky News)
Print article Send to friend
BG Group looks set to become the first major Western energy group to invest in Iraq.

Representatives of the oil and gas group are believed to have visited the country to examine exploration opportunities.

They looked at sites for gas exploration in the Kurdish-controlled north.

Ashti Hawrami, the Kurdish regional government minister of natural resources, says the region will have signed agreements with 10 new companies by the end of the year.

Despite the ongoing hostilities, Iraq has long been on the radar of the world's majors who are under pressure to replenish their oil and gas reserves.

The country has the world's largest petroleum reserves after Saudi Arabia and much of it is simple to extract, says The Sunday Telegraph.

Since 2003, there have been more than 380 attacks on Iraq's oil assets.

Although some oil giants have privately identified areas in the country where they would like to explore, none have so far taken the plunge, says the newspaper.

Analysts believe output could reach between 5m and 6m barrels a day over the next two decades once new investment and infrastructure is in place.

BG Group declined to comment on Iraq, but said it was "looking at a number of opportunities across the Middle East".
(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 12, 2007 9:25 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Roger stated that, "As existence goes, the past doesn't exist."

I believe that is true, that the past does not exist. Godel postulated that one would have to go faster than the speed of light to go back in time, a relativistic impossibility. Though some would argue wormholes and the like, none of that phenomena has been observed. However, we do know that the past has existed in reality and the future will exist in reality. Therefore, the model I used of the two dimensional creature and the stack of papers is only a help or an explanation of that Space-Time continuum and how it exists - but it is a valid and true picture, though crude and oversimplified, I admit. It was to facilitiate a basic understanding of the principles, not meant as a complete description of the reality of past and future. Only the present exists, the past is gone and the future is not yet. However, we do move through time, as you said, "Time is nothing but measurement of movement." That is true.. it is something which is measured by movement.. but it is experienced by our moving THROUGH it. Time can be moved through, and as Einstein showed, it is relative and can be altered by the use of acceleration. There have been physical experiments done with people using planes and taking with them a clock and circling the earth, then landing and the clocks on the plane and on the ground showed differing times, proving Einstein's hypothesis. Therefore, when we know that Time is quantifiable objectively, there is a need to explain it in a reference which explains that quantifiability, hence the illustration which is an oversimplification of the reality of that continuum using the "paper stack" illustration.

Many people believe in the Big Bang, and all I am saying is that if it happened - because there is no central point, it either does not exist (the Big Bang didn't happen) - or the Big Bang occured from a higher dimension. My point with the higher dimension idea is that what currently exists is much more complex than a hand grenade exploding in outer space. It is very complicated, and so requires a Designer. It is far more complicated than just a particle exploding into the entire universe, akin to an explosion in a print factory ending up creating a complete leatherbound Encylopedia (with Bibliography and Appendixes.)

But going back to addressing your points, you say you do not think that this illustration showing our world being created from a higher dimensional plane can explain the "Big Bang" happening everywhere at once because, "Time references can only exist when you have something that moves comparable to one or more energies or objects." But Einstein proved that time is relative and moves at differing rates and speeds, showing that time references CAN exist because time can move at differing speeds comparable to us or objects. You say, QUOTE:

If anything that can be called TIME would exist, two conditions must be fulfilled.

1. At least one object (may it be energy or matter) must move in relation to the other.
2. It must be perceived by someone.

BOTH conditions can be proven, hence, TIME does exist. Einstein proved that time moves in relation to us and can be accelerated or slowed down in real terms which would make a difference to how we experienced time and how long we lived in the Space-Time continuum. Yes, I agree that it can be changed only in relation to our own minds as well, and not in concrete physics terms. Sometimes time seems to be whizzing past and you are almost "out of time" to accomplish the things you wish to. Other times (like waiting for the Dinar to peg) it seems that time is working at a snail's pace. Those are relative only to our perception of time. You are right in saying that those kinds of perceptions are only in our minds (the clocks did not change in those instances). However, with Einstein's experiments and those done in the physical realm using the acceleration force of planes, we can show that time can be physically changed and distorted, slowing down and speeding up in relationship to the current time we are now living within. Einstein said that if you moved at the speed of light away from earth for a period of time and then back, those on earth who did not experience that movement would age more quickly and by the time you returned to earth everyone you know would have died from old age. The physical experiments we have done using planes which can fly at mach speeds proves the theory out (we can't go at the speed of light yet, but we extrapolate mathematically to light-speed acceleration and we can see that it would cause a slowing in Time-Space as we experience the continuum, just as with the plane experiments. It has mathematical foundation and experimental foundation, though at this time we are not yet able to send people forward in time to check because the human body cannot take the forces necessary to live through the acceleration to travel at the speed of light.) Therefore, using Einstein's theory and these concrete experiments, I conclude that Time is physically measurable and slows with acceleration in relationship to "stationary" (unaccelerating) objects. So your point one and two are both fulfilled experimentally in the real world. This means that Time exists as an objective continuum and as the crude "paper stack" illustration I used explains.

I found fascinating your statement which shows the universe to have incredible complexity and DESIGN, when you said:

They're now founding out that at the edge of the observable universe, with the newest and most sensible observation instruments, that according to the Big Bang, the Galaxies we're looking at is the very first embryos of galaxies.....BUT, instead they are finding that a big number of the very most distant Galaxies are well organized and well developed Galaxies, something that they would never had time to do, if it is as far away as they are, because, the theory claims that just beyond those Galaxies is the time of Big Bang.

Again, the complexity is too great for a mere explosion of a hand grenade in outer space. It appears complex and DESIGNED, another proof of a higher dimensional being taking a hand in the formation of the universe. I believe as we learn more of the complexity of the universe we will see this to be even more so, even as the microscope opened up the realms within us to inspection as to the intricate design of our bodies and the DNA code which makes up our beings, a code we are only just beginning to explore and map.

When you say, "There is big problems with the Big Bang, Sara, the very latest and most perplexing result came in not too long ago, where they measured the background radiation from the universe, it doesn't fit the Big Bang, but it fits, a stable and non expanding Universe." I must agree with you. There ARE lots of problems with the theory. That is because they start with a wrong premise underlying the whole scenerio.. that God didn't exist or have a hand in it. Obviously, that means they miss DESIGN put into that universe and then they cannot see WHY things don't fit with their atheistic assumptions. Red Shift, for instance, is a measurement which shows a shift in the light spectrum which appears to show that the universe is expanding. But then.. they are EXPECTING that to be there, are they not? It is an 'a priori' assumption that the Big Bang happened and is continuing to happen which caused them to look for proof of the expected expansion. There are other ways to explain red shift, rotating things have red shift, I even heard some predict that the light could become "tired" and shift to red on the way. (I think you mentioned that, too.) I would also like to point out that we do not know if there is anything between us and the light which could have an effect on it shifting to red, as we have never been any farther than the vicinity of our own solar system. I have heard from Big Bang sceptics that we cannot accurately measure beyond 100 light years the distance of a star (using the trianglation of the earth). So when they say "2.6 billion light years from here". They are making a presumption, normally based upon the redshift and the supposed age of the universe. These very rough estimates are subject to very large percentages of error. There is a lot of presumption and guesswork in the Theory - educated hypotheses, but they are still subject to human error. I therefore find Red Shift alone a bit flimsy as concrete evidence of a very large acceleration effect. I look for corroborating evidence, before accepting one evidence (Red Shift) as completely true. Another thing which makes me skeptical is the fact that IF these galaxies were actually accelerating at this HUGE rate AWAY from us.. and had been doing so for literally MILLIONS of years.. all the stars in the sky would have gone beyond the reach of our physical eyes, would they not? Why is it that the stars are not "disappearing" from the night sky as they accelerate away from us? Surely as they go farther away at such incredible speeds they would become undetectable to our telescopes over MILLIONS of years of time? Which brings us to your second skepticism..

I agree with you that the Big Bang theory of constant acceleration of the universe "does not fit with background radiation but with a more stable and non expanding universe." Could we say it is like everything was created ONCE and is more or less continuing in that state since? Instead of being within an acceleration or "Bang", we appear to be within that which "has already been "Banged""... that fits with a once for all creation, as the Bible predicts our universe to be. Hence, yes, the Big Bang could end up among the scrap heap of theories in some things, yet, in others, it has some merit. I suggest not throwing the baby out with the bathwater, and looking carefully with what Facts their Theory presents and what is flimsy in evidence (or contradicted by sound reason.)

Again I reiterate that where scientific Theory departs from the Biblical account they do seem to end up in quagmire and end up revising the theories until it fits with the Facts.. and then it fits with the Bible's version. Hence my confidence that the Bible has continuing validity as a book describing exactly how our universe came into being. I would rather rest on the infinite mind of the Creator and His thoughts as they were written down, than in the puny and changing Theories of men which are in constant revision due to their incorrect reasonings and lack of knowledge of all the known Facts. If men are disproven in these areas you spoke of (questionable Red Shift and the background radiation showing a non-expanding universe) and it fits with the Bible, I find it a validation of that infinite wisdom which was once-and-for-all distilled and placed in the Bible for us to read and rely upon as a true guide to the universe for man.

I think it worth noting at this juncture a quote in this regard which is instructive: "the very existence of modern science had its origins in a culture at least nominally committed to a Biblical basis, and at a time in history marked by a great return to Biblical faith. When we look at the giants of the past who pioneered the development of science and are the ones who are most responsible for its nature and accomplishments, were these men skeptics and agnostics? Are their achievements attributable to a mechanistic, atheistic attitude toward the world and its phenomena? Or were they men and women who believed in God and His sovereignty over nature as its Creator?

Men such as Johann Kepler, Issac Newton, Robert Boyle, David Brewster, John Dalton, Michael Faraday, Blaise Pascal, Clerk Maxwell, Louis Pasteur, William Thompson (Lord Kelvin) and a host of others of comparable stature were men who firmly believed in special creation and the personal omnipotent God of creation, as well as believing in the Bible as the inspired Word of God and in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Their great contributions to science - indeed, in laying the very foundation of modern science - were made in implicit confidence that they were "merely thinking God's thoughts after Him" (a phrase coined by Johann Kepler*) and that they were doing His will and glorifying His name in so doing. They certainly entertained no thoughts of conflict between science and the Bible.

Some skeptics may say that such men were merely products of their times - that everyone believed in God and the Bible at that time. But that is exactly the point!! It was no COINCIDENCE that it was in the milieu of the religious Reformation and the Great Awakening that modern science first grew and began to thrive. Fruitful scientific research almost demands a Biblical worldview, either conciously or subconciously - a world view in which like causes produce like effects, where natural phenomena follow fixed and intelligent natural laws, and where we can have confidence that we can think rationally and meaningfully. Such a world presupposes no random, chaotic origin but an origin under the control of a great mind and will, an intelligent volitional First Cause, a great Lawgiver who can enact, implement and enforce His created laws.

Many recent scientists, even though they themselves are not creationists, are still willing to recognise the Christian, creationist origin of modern science. Entomologist Stanley Beck, an articulate anticreationist, has acknowledged this fact: "The first of the unprovable premises on which science has been based is the belief that the world is real and the human mind is capable of knowing its real nature... The second and best known postulate underlying the structure of scientific knowledge is that of cause and effect.. The third basic scientific premise is that nature is unified."

Beck acknowledges that these are all essentially Christian in origin and nature. "These scientific premises define and limit the scientific mode of thought. It should be pointed out, however, that each of these postulates had its origin in, or was consistent with, Christian theology."

==end of quote==

I must agree with the points made, above. Science has premises based in Christian theology which make Scientific reasoning possible. We are arguing within those beliefs which underpin and inform our understanding, but their origin is the same book which I look to for scientific validity of the Design and Creation of our universe.

Sara.

* Johann Kepler is the discoverer of the laws of planetary motion and he established the discipline of celestial mechanics. He conclusively demonstrated the heliocentricity of the solar system and published the first ephemeris tables for tracking star motions, contributing to the eventual development of calculus. He was an earnest Christian who wrote, "Since we astronomers are priests of the highest God in regard to the book of nature, it befits us to be thoughtful, not of the glory of our minds, but rather, above all else, of the glory of God."

-- March 12, 2007 1:46 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Voices of Iraq: Qaeda-Arrest
Posted by: saleem on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 07:50 PM

Qaeda-Arrest
Senior figure in al-Qaeda group arrested - spokesman
By Hossam al-Shahmani
Baghdad, March 12, (VOI) - A senior figure in al-Qaeda in Iraq armed group was arrested on Monday northeast of Baghdad, the official spokesman of the law-imposing security plan said.
"Hussein al-Heyalli, the general mufti of al-Qaeda network in Iraq, was arrested and gave us information that will help to dismantle the group," Brigadier Qassem Atta al-Mousawi said in news conference.
"Since the beginning of March, 241 gunmen and 700 suspected militants have been arrested," he said in the news conference, which was attended by General William Caldwell, spokesman for the Multi-National forces in Iraq.
"A number of hospitals and markets were secured during that period and the security forces played an important role in limiting gunmen's attacks," he noted.
The spokesman added "the defense ministry has signed contracts to buy devices for detecting explosives, bomb cars and will be used by Iraqi forces soon."
For his part, General William Caldwell said that two brigades of the Multi-National force-Iraq arrived in Baghdad, while a third brigade arrived in Kut, 180 km southeast of Baghdad, and will be in Baghdad in the upcoming days.
"The number of forces heading for Baghdad will be completed by June and 7,000 more troops will be deployed, including military police forces, in addition to other 2,000 Georgian troops," General Caldwell added.
U.S. President George W. Bush had vowed to send 21,500 extra troops to Iraqi capital Baghdad to support Iraqi government under Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Iraqi and U.S. troops have been involved in a large-scale operation called Fard al-Qanoon (Rule of Law), since mid-February, in a bid to quell bombings and sectarian violence in Baghdad.
SH
(www.aswataliraq.info)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 12, 2007 1:56 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Voices of Iraq: Iraq-Currency
Posted by: saleem on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 05:51 PM

Iraq-Currency
Higher demand for dollar in Iraqi Central Bank auction
By Dergham Mohammed Ali
Baghdad, March 12, (VOI) – Demand for the dollar increased in the Iraqi Central Bank’s daily auction on Monday, reaching $59.600 million compared with $45.395 million on Sunday.
In its daily statement the bank said it had covered all bids, which included $19.980 million in cash and $39.620 million in foreign transfers, at an exchange rate of 1,278 dinars per dollar, a tick lower than yesterday.
None of the 13 banks that participated in Monday's auction offered to sell dollars.
Ali al-Yaseri, a trader at the auction, told VOI "the drop of one tick in the exchange rate encouraged banks to make higher bids for dollars in today's auction session."
However, al-Yasseri pointed out, traders wanted to seize the opportunity to make higher bids because they fear a possible increase in the dollar exchange rate in upcoming sessions.
The Iraqi Central Bank runs a daily auction from Sunday to Thursday.
(www.aswataliraq.info)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 12, 2007 1:59 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Oil Law not in the bag yet.

Draft Oil Law Dispute in Iraqi Parliament
Unclear What Impact the Debate Will Have on the Controversial Draft Law
Posted 0 hr. 0 min. ago
Iraqi National Slate, IAF object debating draft law on oil, gas
By Santa Michael and Kawther Abdul-Amir
Baghdad, March 12, (VOI) – The Sunni Iraqi Accordance Front (IAF) and former Iraqi Premier Iyad Allawi's Iraqi National Slate objected to the debate of a draft law on oil and gas on the agenda of the Iraqi Parliament's session on Monday. Hussein al-Falluji, an IAF member of parliament, said "we believe that the time is not right for dealing with this issue. We should, above all, deal with security matters before debating this draft." "Socio-political and security circumstances do not allow such a step now, as the draft would allow investment companies to re-wield power over Iraqi oil," Falluji, who belongs to the third largest parliamentary bloc, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) on Monday. In an ordinary session earlier on Monday, the Iraqi Parliament debated a draft law on investment in crude oil and delayed the second reading of a draft law on regulating frequencies, as it was correlated with the law on provinces. The quorum for last Tuesday’s parliamentary session was not reached, prompting members to turn it into a "consultative session" in which they debated a mechanism for the Iraqi legislative house during the coming period. Iraq's parliament is composed of 275 members. The quorum necessary to convene sessions is half the members plus one (139 members). The parliament was scheduled to debate second readings of draft legislation on the higher commission for human rights, amendments to the law on irrigation networks and the law on municipalities and the public works ministry, said the parliament speaker's media director Muhannad Abdul-Jabbar.
(www.iraqslogger.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 12, 2007 2:03 PM ∞

---

gimp wrote:

soooooo haliburton moves it's corp execs to dubai O well ..... does this protect those that would be questioned orrrrrr does this set the stage for the oil rush that is about to happen??? since after all haliburton pumps the stuff the bush interest is in the persion gulf shipping bahrain refines....and a gazillion dollars will be pouring into iraq and the dinar is step by step getting closer and closer I ain't got much and one may call it blood money or call it help a country I don't care I call it a hopefull change in this poor boys life and all I can say is let the oil flow and flow WOO HOO GO DINAR GOOOOOOOO

-- March 12, 2007 7:53 PM ∞

---

Anthony R wrote:

YAY us!!!! One more step up the downward bound escalator!!!

The 882 daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq day Tuesday 2007/ 3/ 13 so the results were as follows :

Details Notes
Number of banks 11 -----
Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1278 -----
Auction price buying dinar / US $ ----- -----
Amount sold at auction price (US $) 47.010.000 -----
Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) -----
Total offers for buying (US $) 47.010.000 -----
Total offers for selling (US $) ----- -----

-- March 13, 2007 4:12 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Group of insurgents killed, another arrested northeast of Baghdad

BAGHDAD, March 13 (KUNA) -- Iraqi and American troops have killed 16 insurgents and arrested 11 others during an operation in a village in Diyala governorate, northeast of Baghdad, the US military in Iraq said in a statement.

It added that Iraqi troops, supported by Americans, had carried out a wide-scale operation against terrorist cells in Al-Saadiya district in Diyala over the past three days.

The troops also discovered a cache containing weapons and materials used for making improvised explosive devices, it was reported.

http://www.kuna.net.kw/Home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=960903

-- March 13, 2007 4:42 AM ∞

---

Chris wrote:

ANTHONY R

Step?

Must have been a less than a 1 Dinar move and they rounded?

-- March 13, 2007 5:05 AM ∞

---

Anthony R wrote:

Yeah, one more step up the down escalator... pretty much we stayed where we were.

-- March 13, 2007 5:22 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

US military plans Iraq pullout if ‘surge’ fails
Iraqi soldiers move into British base in Basra as they prepare to take responsibility for security in area.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON & BASRA, Iraq, 13 March 2007 (Middle East Online)
Print article Send to friend
Pentagon planners have begun work on a fallback position for Iraq that includes a phased pullout of US troops in case the current "surge" strategy fails or is undercut by Congress, The Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

The "surge" proposed in January by President George W. Bush calls for sending 21,500 additional combat troops and several thousand more support forces in order to pacify Baghdad and other key parts of the country.

But citing unnamed military officials and Pentagon consultants, the newspaper said the alternative strategy was based in part on the US experience in El Salvador in the 1980s.

During the 1981-1992 El Salvador civil war, the United States deployed 55 Green Berets to aid the Salvadoran military in its fight against leftist rebels.

The report said that some historians believed that their presence had helped the United States to gradually professionalize the Salvadoran army and curb its abuses while avoiding a large-scale US military involvement.

A drawdown of forces in Iraq, The Times said, would be in line with comments made last month by Defense Secretary Robert Gates. He told Congress that if the "surge" failed, the backup plan would include moving troops "out of harm's way."

Such a plan would also be close to the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, of which Gates was a member before his appointment to the Pentagon, the paper said.

"This part of the world has an allergy against foreign presence," the report quotes a senior Pentagon official as saying of Iraq.

"You have a window of opportunity that is relatively short. Your ability to influence this with a large US force eventually gets to the point that it is self-defeating."

The new round of planning is taking place in an atmosphere of extraordinary tension within the Pentagon, The Times said.

Some support the new commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, who advocates using more US forces. Others back General John Abizaid, the retiring Central Command chief, who favored handing over security responsibilities to Iraqis.

Meanwhile, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Peter Pace has made several references to El Salvador in recent congressional hearings and private Pentagon meetings, The Times said.

The senior Pentagon official said Pace's repeated references were a signal that in the chairman's view, success in Iraq might not depend on more combat troops, according to the report.

Iraqi soldiers move into British base

Iraqi soldiers have raised their flag above a British base in the southern city of Basra as they prepare to take responsibility for security in the area, the military said on Monday.

Elements of the 10th Division of the Iraqi Army have joined their British colleagues from the Staffordshire Regiment in the Shatt al-Arab Hotel, a town centre stronghold which comes under frequent militia mortar attack.

In the coming weeks and months British troops are to pull out of two bases inside Basra and a logistics centre outside the city, in order to concentrate their force at a single compound at Basra airport.

British troops will also continue to protect the consulate located in central Basra.

The 7,200-strong force is to be reduced by at least 1,500 by the end of August and could be cut by up to half by the end of the year. Meanwhile, the locally-recruited 10th division will fill the gaps.

"The first elements of the Iraqi Army's 10th Division moved in the middle of least week. There is an Iraqi flag flying over the Shatt al-Arab hotel," British army spokesman Major David Gell said.

"This is another important step for the Iraqi army as they develop their capabilities and gradually take more responsibility for their own security.

"It is pleasing that the move went so smoothly and offers encouraging signs for the future as everybody continues down the road towards Iraqi self reliance," he added.

Basra is Iraq's second city and the hub of the country's oil industry.

The British force's four-year-old mission to pacify the city has been hampered by armed clashes between rival tribes and political Shiite militias, the brutality and corruption of the local police and insurgent attacks.

At least 132 British soldiers have died since the March 2003 invasion led by US and British forces and their bases still come under almost daily mortar or rocket attack.
(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 13, 2007 9:47 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

International Organisations

U.N. chief to host meeting Friday on Iraq Compact to promote the country's development
By EDITH M. LEDERER

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

13 March 2007 (AP Worldstream)
Print article Send to friend
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon plans to host a meeting Friday so the Iraqi government can brief U.N. member states on a five-year plan to ensure the government has funds to survive and enact key political and economic reforms.

The Iraq Compact was set up shortly after Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki took office in June 2006 to "consolidate peace and pursue political, economic and social development."

Friday's meeting also will "provide the Iraqi government with an opportunity to inform potential donors on the progress made in the implementation of its commitments," Ban said.

In his quarterly report on Iraq circulated Monday, Ban expressed hope that the date and venue for the launch of the compact will be identified as soon as possible, noting that the documentation has been finalized.

Ban said in Monday's report that he strongly believes "that positive political progress and a reduction of violence are essential preconditions for the success of this initiative."

Since December, however, the report said high levels of violence have continued to overshadow political and reconstruction efforts.

"The worsening security situation, particularly in Baghdad and in the southern and western regions, continues to undermine the ability of the government of Iraq to deliver essential services, create jobs, and reconstruct socio-economic infrastructure," it said.

The U.N. Mission in Iraq and the country team will continue reconstruction efforts wherever possible, including providing support for the International Compact "while also maintaining a strong advocacy role in humanitarian and human rights issues," the report said.

"Ultimately, the Iraqi people and their leaders face a fundamental choice, between seeking a negotiated political settlement or drawing further into the abyss of sectarian conflict," Ban said. "I believe that it is still not too late to turn the tide and prevent further escalation."

As of January, contributions to the U.N. Development Group Iraq Trust Fund totaled $1.12 billion (A850 million) and some 113 projects have been approved for funding, Ban said. He also noted that the fifth meeting of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq Donor Committee will take place in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 20.
(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 13, 2007 9:49 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Iraq's agriculture bounces back
After decades of strain, the Ministry of Agriculture in the Ninewa Province reported a significant increase in the wheat crop yield for 2006.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

13 March 2007 (AME Info FZ LLC)
Print article Send to friend
Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working with the Government of Iraq to help restore the grain marketing infrastructure by renovating two granaries in the Ninewa Province. With the increase in wheat production, having a place to store the crop is vital.

Once considered the second largest value sector in the country.

The renovation of these two facilities at a combined cost of approximately $2 million will provide a reliable source for the processing, storage and distribution of various grain crops, which is needed to restore agriculture productivity.

"The Sinjar and Tal Afar granary renovation projects are beneficial to those farmers in the Ninewa Province and Iraq's agricultural industry," said Maj. Vincent Navarre, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers resident engineer for the Mosul resident office. "These granaries are very rewarding Corps projects. We will have an opportunity to observe the facilities in operation during the next harvest season in Ninewa."

Wheat is a fundamental staple crop in the Middle East. According to U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) reports, Iraqis consume nearly 4 million tons of wheat annually, yet only produce 500,000 tons of milling- quality wheat. More than 85 percent of the wheat consumed is imported, adding to the country's economic burden. These two state-owned grain silos feed into the Public Distribution System's flour requirements; the more grain the government can store, the less they have to import thus easing the economic burden.

U.S. Navy Lt. Shane Stoughton, the Agricultural Team leader for the Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team explains, "Increasing the capacity of the granaries as a post-production grain marketing outlet benefits the citizens of northern Iraq and improves the macroeconomic situation of the country as a whole. These projects also raise the demand for grain, which in turn drives the production agriculture sector to achieve greater efficiency and output."

The granaries in the Ninewa Province will help revive the agricultural sector, which will increase domestic production. With agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USAID and other non-government organizations working to increase domestic production, the increase will provide income and employment opportunities to the Iraqi people as well as create stability through private sector development, reducing poverty and creating food security.
(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 13, 2007 9:52 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Democrats Chicken Out On Tying Bush’s Hands On Iran
From a dismayed Associated Press:

Dems abandon war authority provision
By DAVID ESPO and MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press Writers

WASHINGTON - Top House Democrats retreated Monday from an attempt to limit President Bush’s authority for taking military action against Iran as the leadership concentrated on a looming confrontation with the White House over the Iraq war.

Officials said Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of the leadership had decided to strip from a major military spending bill a requirement for Bush to gain approval from Congress before moving against Iran.

Conservative Democrats as well as lawmakers concerned about the possible impact on Israel had argued for the change in strategy.

The developments occurred as Democrats pointed toward an initial test vote in the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday on the overall bill, which would require the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq by Sept. 1, 2008, if not earlier. The measure provides nearly $100 billion to pay for fighting in two wars, and includes more money than the president requested for operations in Afghanistan and what Democrats called training and equipment shortages.

The White House has issued a veto threat against the bill, and Vice President Dick Cheney attacked its supporters in a speech, declaring they “are telling the enemy simply to watch the clock and wait us out.”

House GOP Leader John Boehner of Ohio issued a statement that said Democrats shouldn’t count on any help passing their legislation. “Republicans will continue to stand united in this debate, and will oppose efforts by Democrats to undermine the ability of General Petraeus and our troops to achieve victory in the Global War on Terror,” he said.

Top Democrats had a different perspective.

Pelosi issued a written statement that said the vice president’s remarks prove that “the administration’s answer to continuing violence in Iraq is more troops and more treasure from the American people.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said in a statement that America was less safe today because of the war. The president “must change course, and it’s time for the Senate to demand he do it,” he added.

The Iran-related proposal stemmed from a desire to make sure Bush did not launch an attack without going to Congress for approval, but drew opposition from numerous members of the rank and file in a series of closed-door sessions last week.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said in an interview there is widespread fear in Israel about Iran, which is believed to be seeking nuclear weapons and has expressed unremitting hostility about the Jewish state.

“It would take away perhaps the most important negotiating tool that the U.S. has when it comes to Iran,” she said of the now-abandoned provision.

“I didn’t think it was a very wise idea to take things off the table if you’re trying to get people to modify their behavior and normalize it in a civilized way,” said Rep. Gary Ackerman of New York.

Several officials said there was widespread opposition to the proposal at a closed-door meeting last week of conservative and moderate Democrats, who said they feared tying the hands of the administration when dealing with an unpredictable and potentially hostile regime in Tehran…

===end of quote==

Thank God there are stil a few sensible Democrats hiding out in the Congress.

Still, this again points up the danger of ever giving the Democrat “leadership” control of our country’s national security.

This article was posted by Steve Gilbert on Tuesday, March 13th, 2007 at 3:35 am.

http://www.sweetness-light.com/archive/democrats-chicken-out-on-tying-bushs-hands-on-iran

-- March 13, 2007 11:57 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Democrats' Divisions on Iraq Threaten Shaky Seats in 2008 Races
By Laura Litvan

March 13 (Bloomberg) -- The House Democrats' struggle to find common ground on the Iraq war is rooted in the dilemma facing two freshmen representatives: John Hall and Nick Lampson.

Hall, 58, of New York, belongs to the Congressional Progressive Caucus and is an ally of the anti-war group MoveOn.org. He says he won't back a ``war without end'' and wants U.S. troops home by year's end, a stance that helped him unseat a popular incumbent Republican in November.

Lampson, 62, says he wouldn't vote for any measure that constrains President George W. Bush's ability to wage war. Lampson said his votes on Iraq may determine whether he will be able to keep his Texas seat, which was previously held by former Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

``It's my feeling that my constituents do not support restraining funds for our troops, and they don't support, nor do I support, artificial timelines for withdrawing our troops,'' Lampson said in an interview.

Lampson and Hall are among 30 Democrats who won seats from Republicans in 2006, giving the party a 15-seat House majority. For Democrats in Congress, finding Iraq proposals lawmakers such as Hall and Lampson will both agree to -- and that won't imperil their support back home -- is vital to their hopes of retaining power in next year's elections.

``Democrats don't have a very big margin,'' said Eric Uslaner, a political science professor at the University of Maryland in College Park. ``If they can't protect their freshman incumbents, they could wind up in the minority again.''

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a49CwfYirFrU&refer=us

Shaky seats?
Interesting that the Democrats are actually not in a very strong position and
they do not have a very big margin over the Republicans.. so that "they could wind up in the minority again."
Not exactly MSM fodder for news, is it?

Sara.

-- March 13, 2007 12:48 PM ∞

---

Madbrad wrote:

IMF Executive Board Completes Third and Fourth Reviews under Iraq's Stand-By Arrangement, Approves Six-Month Extension of Arrangement to September 2007
Press Release No. 07/48
March 13, 2007
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed the third and fourth reviews of Iraq's performance under its economic program supported by a Stand-By Arrangement. The IMF arrangement is being treated as precautionary by the Iraqi authorities, and no purchase is planned.

The Stand-By Arrangement in an amount equivalent to SDR 475.36 million (about US$714.7 million) was approved on December 23, 2005 (see Press Release No. 05/307). In completing the latest reviews, the Executive Board also approved the authorities' request for a six-month extension of the arrangement through September 28, 2007. Additionally, the Board also approved the authorities request for a waiver of the non-observance of a structural performance criterion.

Following the Executive Board's discussion of Iraq, Mr. Takatoshi Kato, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, stated:

"Iraq is entering a crucial period in its economic recovery. Despite very difficult political and security circumstances, the Iraqi authorities have taken important measures to keep their economic program on track. The maintenance of fiscal discipline, as well as the tightening of monetary policy and the appreciation of the dinar, are commendable. The increase of official domestic fuel prices and the enactment by the Council of Representatives (CoR) of a law liberalizing the import of fuel products are important steps. The amendments to the pension law were submitted to the CoR; we look forward to their early passage into law. The government's approval of a new oil and gas law augurs well for the future of the oil sector. Progress is also being made in financial sector reform.

"Inflation, however, remains high. While this is to an important extent due to the prevailing difficult security situation and supply disruptions, the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) may need to take further steps in order to prevent high inflation from becoming entrenched and to de-dollarize the economy. Fiscal policy should be supportive by keeping current spending, including the wage and pension bill, in check. At the same time, it is important to increase government investment, especially in the oil sector. The government also needs to reduce supply bottlenecks, especially of fuel products. To that end, actions are needed to facilitate the importing of fuel products by the private sector. The pace of structural reforms needs to be increased. Efforts to modernize the chart of accounts and the budget classification need to be stepped up, and the Financial Management Information System should be implemented rapidly. It is important to complete the census of public sector employees by mid-year. While the restructuring effort on the two largest banks is commendable, efforts should be made to restructure the four other state-owned banks. The modernization of the payments system needs to be expanded to cover all banks.

"The CBI's efforts to implement the recommendations of the Interim Safeguards assessment report and the Ernst & Young 2005 audit report are encouraging. The Ministry of Finance is strongly encouraged to recapitalize the CBI as soon as possible.

"Corruption and violence need to be brought under control to unlock Iraq's oil wealth. More forceful actions are needed, especially in the area of smuggling. In this respect, the implementation of oil metering projects should be finalized as soon as possible. The authorities' intention to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative is welcome.

"Progress in settling arrears with private creditors is commendable. However, further progress is needed towards resolving non-Paris Club official claims," Mr. Kato said.

Its going to be Hot Summer!

-- March 13, 2007 1:26 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

In my opinion, the following is further proof we are in the right investment at the right time.

Iraq Allows Non-Iraqis to Trade Stocks

The council of governors of the Iraqi Stock Exchange have approved procedures allowing non-Iraqi traders into the market and have submitted the new regulation to the designated authorities for endorsement, the market’s executive director Taha Ahmed Abdul Salam said to Al-Hayat. Read
(www.noozz.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 13, 2007 1:46 PM ∞

---

Madbrad wrote:

Rob

you've spot on.......there's alot of good stuff happening!

-- March 13, 2007 3:04 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

The International Compact with Iraq - A Shared Vision, A mutual Commitment

The International Compact is an initiative of the Government of Iraq for a new partnership with the international community. Its purpose is to achieve a National Vision for Iraq which aims to consolidate peace and pursue political, economic and social development over the next five years.

The primary focus will be to build a framework for Iraq’s economic transformation and integration into the regional and global economy. However, it is recognized that good governance and resolution of security and political challenges are pre-requisites for progress in all other areas, including economic revival and normalization.

The objectives of this initiative are:

Iraq’s Economic Transformation and Integration into Regional and Global Economies
To realize a National Vision for Iraq
Consolidate peace and political unity and the vision of a united federal democracy
Establish a path to economic reconstruction, integrated national economy and self-sufficiency over five years
Advance goals of Iraq’s National Development Strategy
Strengthen stability and security
Mutually reinforcing commitments
Iraq’s pursuit of critical reforms
International commitments for support
Recognizing fundamental needs
Good governance
Resolving the political and security challenges
Benefits to the Iraqi People – Progress towards Peace and Prosperity
Benefits to the Government of Iraq – Support and Enhanced Legitimacy
Benefits to the International Community – Peace and Stability, a New Partner
The Compact will be implemented via a consultative group process, around a commonly understood fiscal framework against which substantive commitments will be made. As part of this process, progress will be measured in terms of achievement of key strategic benchmarks.

A follow-up mechanism will also be devised to coordinate pledges, trust funds and disbursement of capital in support of the Compact.

This initiative is not Iraq’s alone. A Preparatory Group tasked with providing strategic advice and engendering high level political support for the Compact, has been set up and is co-chaired by the United Nations and the Government of Iraq, strongly supported by the World Bank and UNDP. It is closely coordinated with the IMF and other international financial institutions. The Preparatory Group liaises directly with the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq and the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, as the focal points for the Compact process.

The Government of Iraq and the United Nations have designated an Executive Committee to assist the Preparatory Group in establishing a timetable, guiding negotiations and overseeing implementation, including the role of monitoring and evaluation against benchmarks once the Compact is launched. The Executive Committee will manage the process towards the adoption of the Compact and beyond. The Executive Committee will also assist the Government to formulate a strategy for economic regeneration and fundamental reforms for integrating Iraq within the regional and international communities.

As such, the Compact is intended to be a statement of strong regional and international support for the political and economic vision of the elected government of Iraq underscored by specific financial commitments.
(www.dinartrade.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 13, 2007 5:31 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Important Article:

Iraq PM Fears Loss Of US Support If No Oil Law By Jun 30-Aides
3/13/2007

BAGHDAD (AP)--Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki fears the U.S. will withdraw support for his government - effectively ousting him - if parliament doesn't pass a draft oil law by the end of June, close associates of the Iraqi leader told The Associated Press Tuesday.

The legislature hasn't even taken up the draft measure for a fair distribution of the nation's oil wealth - only one of several U.S. benchmarks that are now seen by al-Maliki, a hardline Shiite, as key to continued U.S. support for his troubled government.

Beyond that, the al-Maliki associates told the AP, U.S. officials have informed the prime minister they want an Iraqi government in place by year's end that would be acceptable to Iraq's Sunni Arab neighbors, particularly Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt.

"They have said it must be secular and inclusive," one al-Maliki associate said.

To that end, al-Maliki made an unannounced visit Tuesday to Ramadi, the Sunni insurgent stronghold, to meet with tribal leaders, the provincial governor and security chiefs in a bid to signal his willingness for reconciliation to end the bitter and bloody sectarian war that has riven Iraq for more than a year.

For its part, the U.S. military is speaking with great optimism about its efforts to turn Sunnis in volatile Anbar province away from the insurgency and its al-Qaida in Iraq allies.

Compounding al-Maliki's fears about a withdrawal of U.S. support were visits to Saudi Arabia by two key political figures in an admitted bid to win support for a major Iraqi political realignment. Saudi Arabia is a major U.S. ally and oil supplier.

Former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, a Shiite, arrived in the Saudi capital Tuesday. Masoud Barzani, leader of Iraq's largely autonomous Kurdish region, flew in a day earlier. Most Kurds are Sunni Muslims.

"Allawi is there to enlist support for a new political front that rises above sectarian structures now in place," the former prime minister's spokesman Izzat al-Shahbandar told the AP.

Barzani spokesman Abdul-Khaleq Zanganah said the two had met in Kurdistan before traveling to Saudi Arabia for talks on forming a "national front to take over for the political bloc now supporting al-Maliki."

It appears certain that the U.S. was informed about the Allawi and Barzani opening to the Saudis, who are deeply concerned that al-Maliki could become a puppet of Iran, the Shiite theocracy on Iraq's eastern border. Tehran is seen as a threat to stability among the long-standing Sunni regimes throughout most of the Arab world and deeply at odds with the United States over Iran's nuclear program and policy toward Israel.

Washington has been reported to be working more closely with Sunni Arab governments to encourage them to take a greater role in Iraq, particularly in reining in the Sunni insurgency that has killed thousands of U.S. soldiers and tens of thousands more Iraqi Shiites.

Washington was believed to be trying to win support for its mission in Iraq among the country's Arab neighbors by assuring a greater future role for the Sunni minority that ran the country until the U.S. invasion ousted Saddam Hussein.

One al-Maliki confidant said the Americans in Baghdad had voiced displeasure with the prime minister's government even though he has managed so far to blunt major resistance from the Mahdi Army, the Shiite militia, to the joint U.S.- Iraqi security operation in the capital and its environs. The militia is the military wing of the political organization run by anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose political backing secured the premiership for al-Maliki.

"They have said they are frustrated that he has done nothing to oust the Sadrists, that the oil law has not moved forward, that there is no genuine effort on reconciliation and no movement on new regional elections," said the official on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to release the information.

Passage of the oil law, which seeks a fair distribution of revenues among all Iraq's sectarian and ethnic groups, has become a major issue for the U.S., which had initially counted on financing Iraq's post-invasion reconstruction with oil revenues.

But the decrepit oil infrastructure and violence have left the country producing oil at about the same levels as before the war, at best, and those figures are well below production before the first Gulf War which resulted in U.N. sanctions against the Iraqi oil industry.

The major Sunni bloc in parliament along with Allawi loyalists in the Shiite bloc are openly opposed the oil measure as drafted. Al-Maliki also has lost the backing of the Shiite Fadila Party, and independent Shiite members are split on the bill.

The al-Maliki associates said U.S. officials, who they wouldn't name, had told the prime minister that President George W. Bush was committed to the current government but that continued White House support depended on positive action on all the benchmarks - especially the oil law and sectarian reconciliation - by the close of this parliamentary session on June 30.

"Al-Maliki is committed to meeting the deadline because he is convinced he would not survive in power without U.S. support," one of the associates said.

But standing in the way of forward movement is a recalcitrant Cabinet which al-Maliki has promised to reshuffle by the end of this week. So far, however, he is at loggerheads with the political groupings in parliament which are threatening to withdraw their support for the prime minister if he doesn't allow the blocs to name replacements for Cabinet positions.

The impasse amounts effectively to a threat to bring down the government if it does what the U.S. reportedly is telling al-Maliki he must do to win continued U.S. backing.
(www.safedinar.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 13, 2007 5:39 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Iraq's PM visits insurgent stronghold of Ramadi
3/13/2007

By Saif Fouad1 hour, 17 minutes ago

Iraq's Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki traveled to the violent city of Ramadi on Tuesday on his first visit to the heartland of Sunni Arab insurgents fighting his U.S.-backed government.

The highly symbolic trip to Anbar province came as more than 100,000 U.S. and Iraqi troops were being deployed in Baghdad in a security crackdown seen as the last chance to avert an all-out sectarian civil war.

Maliki, who flew aboard a U.S. military helicopter, met tribal leaders, local government officials and commanders of Iraqi and U.S. security forces and pledged to improve services in Ramadi, capital of the vast, largely desert province.

Ramadi, 110 km (68 miles) west of Baghdad, is a bastion of the four-year old Sunni rebellion against Iraq's Shi'ite-led government and occupying U.S. forces.

Iraqi and U.S. troops patrolled the streets in large numbers and a vehicle curfew was imposed under extraordinary security measures in the city, scene of a growing power struggle between local tribes and al Qaeda militants.

While U.S. and Iraqi forces are focusing security efforts on Baghdad, seen as the epicenter of Iraq's violence, Maliki's unannounced trip to Ramadi appeared aimed at showing his government was willing to deal with other regions too.

Several thousand of the 26,000 extra U.S. troops being sent to Iraq by President Bush are slated to reinforce Anbar, which is the deadliest area for American forces in Iraq.

A member of the long-oppressed Shi'ite majority that came to power after the fall of Saddam Hussein, Maliki has called for national reconciliation with Sunni Arabs to end a war that has killed tens of thousands of Iraqis. Dominant under Saddam, Sunni Arabs now make up the backbone of the insurgency.

AL QAEDA

Many Ramadi residents said they hoped the prime minister's visit would improve the situation. "We hope he brings us security and stability," said teacher Ahmed Hussein Ali, 35.

"We ask the prime minister to help the people in Anbar to root out the terrorists. His visit comes at a time that demands cooperation from the government," Fawaz Khalaf, a retired civil servant, said.

Maliki, who was accompanied by reporters on his trip, met at a U.S. military base outside the city with local government officials and Sattar al-Buzayi, a Sunni sheikh who has emerged as the leader of the tribal alliance against al Qaeda.

Iraqi and U.S. officials have encouraged Sunni tribesmen to band together against Sunni al Qaeda in the province.

The traditionally minded tribal leaders oppose the militant group's plan to impose an Islamic caliphate, and the two sides have fought battles in towns and villages along the length of the Euphrates valley from Falluja to the Syrian border.

A truck bomb blamed on al Qaeda killed 52 people near a Sunni mosque in Ramadi last month.

Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, chief U.S. military spokesman, said on Monday commanders anticipate the security crackdown in Baghdad could drive some insurgents out into areas such as Anbar and northeastern Diyala province.

The U.S. military said a battalion of 700 troops with Stryker armored vehicles arrived in Diyala on Tuesday.

"Up in Diyala we have seen a slight increase in the number of incidents there has been and there's going to continue to be some repositioning of coalition forces into that area," Caldwell told a news conference in Baghdad.

He said U.S. forces had already found car bomb factories in Diyala. "We anticipate that's probably where there are some more, and that's where some of the additional presence of these forces will go."

(Additional reporting by Claudia Parsons, Ahmed Rasheed and Aseel Kami)

Iraq's PM visits insurgent stronghold of Ramadi - Source
(www.safedinar.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 13, 2007 5:41 PM ∞

---

Carole wrote:

Sara,

We are vacationing, but I peeked in to T&B this morning. Exciting news, I guess about Iraq finally getting off the dime and starting to dance to the beat of the IMF. I am sorry to see that they have given extensions, though. It will give a signal to Iraq that may hinder credibility of the IMF where Iraq is concerned. Anyone in any position of influence with Iraq,
needs to keep their hands to the fire, if we ever expect to see some REAL PROGRESS.

Now concerning the concept of the "UNMOVED MOVER".

I was quickened to pay attention to this in the 60's when I was stuck in some juvenile athieistic mode.
I had a professsor of Microbiolgy, that I now later realized was a Christian, that was trying to shake me out of my atheistic mode. He used the "beginging of motion", to assert that some initial SUPREME being had to "start" motion. He also analagized the ameoba to this "motion" phenomena. As you know an ameoba is made up of only 1 cell. 2 cells create energy ( motion), so where does the amoeba gets its energy from, and how does it reproduce????? :)

I hate to say this, but ireally do hope the Dinars hit. Ususally I am not materialistic, but today I saw a georgeous Yacht that I would love to host everyone on at the PIG roast.

On one of the decks it even has a special spot with and escape hatch! I figured if Roger got out of line that would be his destiny!!! haha just kidding.

Anyway, it is wonderful to "shop" with the rich and famous.

I know it still can't compare to the streets of diamonds in our ultimate home, but while here on earth, it would should be a nice substitute!! :)

Carole

-- March 13, 2007 6:24 PM ∞

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Laura Parker wrote:

Carole,

You can dream!

Laura

-- March 13, 2007 10:00 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Carole - Hope you are having a great vacation.. thanks for peeking in on us.

Yes, the IMF development looks good. :)

It would be nice if the Dinar hit and you were blessed with a yacht.
And it is a generous thought that you would throw the Pig Roast on it for the Dinar Train gang.
Thanks. :)

The "unmoved mover" stuff was interesting.. I suppose it is the argument that goes back and back.. asking always what made the thing before it.. until you get to something which must be the First Cause of all things - and that First Cause must itself be Uncaused. God is the great Uncaused Cause of all things. Even if aliens did seed the earth with life.. where did they come from? Other aliens? Then where did they come from? Back and back.. until you have a First Cause, or an "unmoved mover" of all things. We all understand beginnings, and we look back until we see where it all began. It is how we think. Even the "Big Bang" had to have had a beginning. Whatever it is that started all we see and know.. that "initial matter".. where did that thing that went "Bang" come from? What made it? And if it was something else.. where did it come from? etc... Back until you get the beginning.. which is the Uncaused Cause of all things. Interesting point, that.. that God is the beginner of all movement, the initial supreme being which had to have "started" motion. I hadn't thought about that quite that way before. Thanks for sharing that. :)

Have a fun and relaxing vacation and God Bless,

Sara.

-- March 14, 2007 1:33 AM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Seems like good news are coming out of Iraq,

That report about IMF's commendations to the Iraqis for increasing the Dinar, seems though a little bit out of line to come from IMF. IMF have the Iraqi's by the ball, and could have themselves initiated that process long ago, and now when they are doing it, well says IMF, that is very well done.

Why didn't IMF say, or do, or start that process years back....well, it's like the Dems, take the glory when the camera lens is there.

Now for the tricky part.

Seems like there is a big pressure from the Dems to pull out, and the military have already, just to make sure, made contingency plans in case that order is given.

Well the problem the Dems seems to have is to acknowledge that the crackdown as executed now, IS working.

I have read nothing but encouraging news the last three weeks, regarding the gains from the security crackdown.

Now, for some weeks also, I keep reading more and more financial and economical news, laws, progresses, and plans being put into place.

Last year was an abysmal reading, it could almost be called the "lost year".

This year, some good news of some sort is steady piece meal now.

Lets just hope that the Dems , that were so willing to highlight the body count, and number of car bombs, are as willing to look into the great progress currently under way.

What I'm afraid of is that they will, when in power, pull the rug, as long as "there will be peace on earth".

Peace on any term, as long as we get peace, can be had with any capitulation.

Sara,

I can see from your writings that you have picked up a lot of knowledge since last time around we had these cosmology discussions almost a year back.

I can see that you have developed very much insight on the subject and probably you are passed the point when someone can BS you with long and complicated words or far out theories.

I seem to be in agreement with you, actually on more points than you might believe, (given the religious discussions in the past we have had).

Our viewpoint on a Supreme Being, might differ, but I absolutely think that in the creation process there is a, from the current scientific community's stand point, an overlooked, almost (probably) denial of spiritual existence.

By some reason or the other, teachers, professors, or the whole educational system for that matter, have always been radical, socialistic, communistic or anarchistic.

They just can't say, -"I love you", they have to say, -"My brain stimulus is increasing, making me believe I love you. We put electrodes to rats, so we have proven that this is the way it works".

Those socialist have tossed out the option of spirituality, God, your spirit, or yourself as being a spirit, as humbug, and deferred anything spiritual to something that will either haunt you, give you night mares, superstition, or occult.

Vast majority of researchers, scientist, and cosmologists, have the notion that we are meatballs running around, and you and me, are really not you and me, we are chemical reactions in our brain.

Talk anything spiritual with them, and you will automatically get into a round circle argument about our chemical brain. They will tell you that THAT'S what we are.

So it is an uphill battle right now, trying to convince any "established" scientist that in order for something to exist it has to be created first, because he will immediately see what in the physical universe will create it, and come up with another theory.

The Newtonian cause and effect universe, where all energy is never started, or ended, but is only transformed from one form to another, holds true in the PHYSICAL UNIVERSE ONLY.

From a spiritual standpoint it's laughable, you can start, continue it's existence or stop it, at any time you wish.

The more capable you are as a spirit, the more YOU are the cause point.

There is no written laws, or detectable barriers that limits that.

Sara, if I may, there is one point that I think I need to clarify for you, that has to do with you example of time and time continuum.

The present time is the only community of all awareness, when one mass is accelerating in relation to another mass, the accelerating mass will change it's time awareness, in relationship to the non accelerating mass only. For both entities, normal time is observed, but the change in time, is due to the difference in their reference point.

So even if the spaceman coming back from a long journey have not aged that much, and our age is very high, the TIME TRACK happened for both of us at the same time sharing the same present time.

The only difference again is the references.

Perhaps one good illustration would be if you can picture yourself that you are looking into two rooms, at the same time, one to the right and one to the left.

The left is the time on earth, with a man sitting in front of a wall clock ticking away. The right is a spaceman sitting in his capsule, with a clock going very very slow in front of him.

You can see them both, IN PRESENT TIME.

You can choose to take the space mans viewpoint, looking back to earth and see the clocks on earth racing very fast, and when he is looking at his own clock it is ticking in it's normal time.

Or you can choose to take the viewpoint of the earthling looking at the spaceman with his slow clock, and when he is looking at his own clock it is ticking in it's normal pace.

You can also choose to look at both rooms at the same time, from an out side viewpoint. (Only a spirit can do this, as this is forbidden in the physical universe)

What ever viewpoint you take, YOU WILL NOT LEAVE PRESENT TIME.

No one leaves present time.

Future and past don't exist.

-- March 14, 2007 2:50 AM ∞

---

Valerio wrote:

Roger,
Could it also be said that a present doesn't exist either?

-- March 14, 2007 4:20 AM ∞

---

panhandler wrote:

Announcement No.(883)

D.G. of Foreign Exchange Control

The 883 daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq day Wednesday 2007/ 3/ 14 so the results were as follows :

Details Notes
Number of banks 15 -----
Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1277 -----
Auction price buying dinar / US $ ----- -----
Amount sold at auction price (US $) 56.600.000 -----
Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) -----
Total offers for buying (US $) 56.600.000 -----
Total offers for selling (US $) ----- -----

-- March 14, 2007 6:46 AM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Good Article:

Three cheers for Iraq's new hydrocarbon law.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

14 March 2007 (Slate)
Print article Send to friend
The recent hydrocarbon law, approved after much wrangling by Iraq's council of ministers, deserves a great deal more praise than it has been receiving. For one thing, it abolishes the economic rationale for dictatorship in Iraq. For another, it was arrived at by a process of parley and bargain that, while still in its infancy, demonstrates the possibility of a cooperative future. For still another, it shames the oil policy of Iraq's neighbors and reinforces the idea that a democracy in Baghdad could still teach a few regional lessons.

To illustrate my point by contrast: Can you easily imagine the Saudi government allocating oil revenues so as to give a fair share to the ground-down and despised Shiite workers who toil, for the most part, in the oil fields of the western region of the country? Or picture the Shiite dictatorship in Iran giving a fair shake to the Arab-speaking area of Khuzestan, let alone to the 10 percent of Iranians who are both Sunni and Kurdish? To ask these questions is to answer them. Control over the production and distribution of oil is the decisive factor in defining who rules whom in the Middle East.

The Saddam Hussein dictatorship, with its record of mass murder against Shiites and Kurds, can be explained partly by a Baathist ideology that subordinated everything to the leader and to the state. But—without wishing to be overly Marxist on the point—I would argue that it was also determined by an economic imperative. The Sunni minority, and especially the Tikriti minority of that minority, lived in areas of Iraq where oil was relatively scarce. In order for it to exert control over the country's chief national resource, it had by definition to act as an almost colonial power in the Kurdish and Shiite provinces, with results that are well-known. (It also had to invade and annex Kuwait to make up the huge self-inflicted deficit created by its invasion of Iranian Khuzestan.)

But there is, in fact, enough and more than enough oil for everybody in Iraq. And important new fields are being prospected all the time, most notably and recently in the Anbar province, where al-Qaida forces have been making their strongest challenge. Here, as across much of the rest of the country, the visitor stands amazed at the sheer abject poverty and misery of people who are living in what is potentially one of the richest countries on earth. Iraq has the third-largest oil reserves of any nation, and that's if you take the lowest estimate of its reserves. Its oil is of purer quality, and nearer to the surface, than that of many of its rivals. A dusty and hopeless city like today's Basra could be, as one minister told me excitedly last December in Baghdad, "as rich as Kuwait in five years." The new law proposes a federalized control over oil and gas, with a distribution of revenue that would be in proportion to the population of each province. To put it another way: The very element that greased the weaponry of dictatorship and aggression could, with a certain amount of nurturing, become the economic basis of a federal democracy. I must say that it sounds worth trying.

On the left and in the anti-war camp, the very mention of the word "oil" is usually considered profane: a Brechtian clue to the secret designs of neoconservatives. So, I was interested to see Christian Parenti, a staunch foe of the Bush policy in Iraq, saying in the March 19 Nation that "on key questions of foreign investment and regional decentralization versus centralized control, the law is vague but not all bad." What have Iraqis got to lose here? It's not as if a withdrawal of foreign investment would leave the oil as a trusteeship for the people. Remember that Iraq under Saddam had already seen the most extreme form of "privatization," with the whole industry a private fiefdom of a parasitic elite. Remember that no real investment was made in the oil fields for almost 20 years, so that when experts visited the refineries after 2003, they could not (in the words of one I spoke to) "find anywhere even to put a Band-Aid." Remember that the Baathists used the "oil for food" program to sow corruption throughout the United Nations. Remember that Saddam Hussein set fire to the Kuwaiti fields and also ordered the taps opened so that crude oil would flow straight into the seawater of the Gulf, destroying the marine habitat. After all that, even Halliburton must come as a blessed relief.

Of course, all this is still heavily overshadowed by the daily menace of vicious jihadist sabotage, of corruption in a sectarian oil ministry, and of the generally parlous state of the infrastructure. And the deal has yet to be approved by the Iraqi parliament—a body that has some difficulty in meeting. Nonetheless, a principle is being established that does great credit to the Iraqis who signed it and to the coalition forces that made it possible. If it were not for the general American feeling that oil is a substance too dirty even to be mentioned in polite society, this consideration might even influence the current debate about an "exit strategy." One would like to know, of those who advocate leaving Iraq, whether they are happy to abandon the control of its fabulous wealth to be parceled out between the highest or most ruthless bidders—say, al-Qaida in Anbar, the Turks in the north, and the fans of Ahmadinejad in the south? Or might it be better to have even an imperfect federal democracy that could be based not just on ideals but on an actual material footing? A country that might, over time, undercut the power currently exerted by Saudi Arabia and Iran? I only ask. And it's no good chanting "no blood for oil" at me, because oil is the lifeblood here, and everybody knows it and always has.
(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 14, 2007 9:27 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Roger;

Godel (Einstein's best friend) said that Time in reality does not exist. Einstein was stumped and troubled by this, but said he felt that Godel's statement was accurate scientifically. QUOTE:

"It is a widely known but insufficiently appreciated fact that Albert Einstein and Kurt Goedel were best friends for the last decade and a half of Einstein's life. They walked home together from Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study every day; they shared ideas about physics, philosophy, politics, and the lost world of German-Austrian science in which they had grown up. What is not widely known is that in 1949 Goedel made a remarkable discovery: there exist possible worlds described by the theory of relativity in which time, as we ordinarily understand it, does not exist. He added a philosophical argument that demonstrates, by Goedel's lights, that as a consequence, time does not exist in our world either. If Goedel is right, Einstein has not just explained time; he has explained it away.

Without committing himself to Goedel's philosophical interpretation of his discovery, Einstein acknowledged that his friend had made an important contribution to the theory of relativity, a contribution that he admitted raised new and disturbing questions about what remains of time in his own theory. Physicists since Einstein have tried without success to find an error in Goedel's physics or a missing element in relativity itself that would rule out the applicability of Goedel's results. Philosophers, for the most part, have been silent -- "

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780465092932&z=y

(Note - Godel was presented with the first Albert Einstein Award in 1951 for achievement in the natural sciences - the highest honor of its kind in the United States.)

I think you just made the point that time does not exist very clear in your illustration. From the heavenly viewpoint of higher dimensional space, time is a creation that can be looked at - one which we on earth experience - but time in reality does not exist. If you are sitting and looking at both of those rooms which you described, the higher dimensional space you are viewing those two rooms from is the only real reality and those other two "times" are just warps of time. Your place from which you view them is the only real and undistorted viewing of Time-Space.

I believe that is why the Apostle John saw the book of Revelation happen and it was happening instantly in front of him and he observed our Time-Space continuum finish. Yet, it is taking a very very long time for that to play out in the real world which we experience. In the heavenly realm, this "vision" John had saw the completion and end of this Space-Time continuum, but we experience the Space-Time continuum at such a slow pace it takes thousands of years for it to happen from earth's perspective (the different rooms). From the real perspective - that of higher dimensional space - that event has already occurred. Time is warped and slowed in this continuum in which we live. When taken out of it, people see and experience "no time" and so see world history and events completely differently and accurately. Literally, there, time does not exist. Therefore, since it is the ultimate reality and ours only a temporal distortion, Godel was right, time does not in reality exist.

Unfortunately, if this is correct in perspective, it may be that what we are going to do has already happened from that perspective, making it certain and unalterable from that viewpoint. I am not trying to be fatalistic here, but it appears to jibe with reality that heaven already knows the outcome of every future event since for them this timeline has completed. Thus, heaven KNOWS the future infallibly as we know the past (ie Hitler lost.) It also makes the future unalterable.

I think we would prefer a world in which mankind's choices determine the future and can change it. But perhaps that is just a fiction men like to believe in to make themselves feel important and like they can truly influence the outcome of future events. It is also likely why people did not cotton to what Godel said but remained silent.. because men wish to have the upper hand. But in reality, God is in complete control and the future is already written and completed (God won - see the book of Revelation.) It adds a lot to Jesus saying He would come "quickly" if it means that in that realm and from that higher dimensional perspective, He already has. A Question.. if John the Apostle was shown the future in his vision and it is unalterable (and indeed has already occurred from the higher dimensional viewpoint).. if he didn't wish a future event to occur.. knowing that future event, could he prevent it? Or is the best he can do.. to describe it and acknowlege the fact as having occurred in the future and being infallibly true?

Sara.

-- March 14, 2007 9:38 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Timetables for Withdrawal From Iraq and the Danger of Polls
by Paul M. Weyrich
Posted: 03/14/2007

The Democrats must pay off their left-wing which helped them become a majority party for the first time in a dozen years. Leaders from Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) to Defense Subcommittee Chairman John Murtha (D.-Pa.) in the House and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D.-N.V.) and Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D.-Ill.) in the Senate have come up with bills which would impose timetables on the President’s request for another $100 billion to fight the war in Afghanistan and the Iraq War. The bills, although somewhat different, would impose benchmarks which the troops and the Iraqi government must achieve to avoid a more immediate withdrawal.

Of course, these drastic measures, which call for all the troops to be gone by the end of 2008, are not enough for the so-called “Peace Caucus,” which wants the troops out this year.

The question is, is this good politics? Clearly the effort is to micro-manage the wars via the Congress. This never has been successfully done. In Viet Nam and Angola Congress pulled the rug out from under the Nixon and Ford Administrations. In those cases it simply was a matter of denial of funds. The Administration had no choice.

In this case the Congress would be telling the Administration what it should and should not do. So we would remain in Iraq for the next year and a half but what could and could not be done is spelled out in this supplemental appropriations bill. First, can Speaker Pelosi get this through the House?

The White House has indicated that it will veto the bill. But will the President actually do so?

McConnell believes fervently that there can be only one commander in chief and President Bush is he. In fact, it becomes a constitutional question if a bill tying the President’s hands were actually to pass both Houses: would it be constitutional? Some Republican Senators say they are thinking of trying to make this a test case before the Supreme Court of the United States.

My bet is on McConnell. I’ll bet he will keep almost all of the defecting senators in line. Then if only one Democrat crossed over that would create a tie, which Vice President Dick Cheney could break in favor of the Administration.

It really comes down to this. Most Democrats think the country is so fed up with the war that is why they won last November. Thus, in advocating a bill to require timetables for withdrawal (which Sen. Hillary Clinton [D.-N.Y.] has said she opposes because it would signal the enemy just when we would be gone) they are doing what the public wants. Republicans are convinced (and have survey research data to prove their point) that the public does not want to go this far. Who is correct? If Democrats are then their poll numbers will soar after this passes the House, if it does. If Republicans are they will witness an up tick in the polls. That is the curse of our times. Important public-policy questions are determined by the polls and not what is good for America.

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=19796

-- March 14, 2007 12:06 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Roger wrote;

They just can't say, -"I love you", they have to say, -"My brain stimulus is increasing, making me believe I love you. We put electrodes to rats, so we have proven that this is the way it works".

Those socialist have tossed out the option of spirituality, God, your spirit, or yourself as being a spirit, as humbug, and deferred anything spiritual to something that will either haunt you, give you night mares, superstition, or occult.

==end of quote==

Roger - I think you also deserve a 1.5 million prize for your astute observations about how man needs a spiritual side and not just the scientific in looking at the realities of our world and figuring them out or solving their dilemmas. Maybe you will get one.. with the peg. :)

Sara.

I think this applies:

===

$1.5M prize for spiritual research goes to Canadian 14/03/2007
A Canadian philosopher has won a $1.5 million US prize for his theory that the world's problems can only be solved by considering both their secular and spiritual roots.

CBC News - Charles Taylor was announced as the winner of the 2007 Templeton Prize Wednesday at a news conference in New York. The 75-year-old university professor is the first Canadian to win the prize.

"For nearly half a century [Taylor] has argued that problems such as violence and bigotry can only be solved by considering both their secular and spiritual dimensions," said a news release from the prize organizers.

"Key to Taylor’s investigations of the secular and the spiritual is a determination to show that one without the other only leads to peril," said the release.

Taylor, in an interview with the CBC's Alison Smith, described the essential idea behind his work.

"I think the thing that caught the attention of the people giving the prize is that I've always thought that we've had a social science and philosophy that were much too narrow ... that hasn't recognized the importance of the religious and spiritual dimension in peoples' lives," he said, "And the result is, it's not been good for understanding in the world."

http://news.sympatico.msn.cbc.ca/15M+prize+for+spiritual+research+goes+to+Canadian/World/ContentPosting.aspx?isfa=1&newsitemid=taylor-templeton&feedname=CBC-WORLD-V2&show=False&number=0&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc

-- March 14, 2007 4:19 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Oil and Gas Law “Seed to Divide Iraq and Shatter its Resources” says MP

Iraqi MP Osama Al-Najeifi called on parliament to take its time discussing the oil and gas draft law during the coming period due to its “criticality and the lack of appropriate conditions for endorsing it at the present time,” according to Al-Hayat.
(www.noozz.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 14, 2007 7:59 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Congressman Seeks to Scrap Iraqi Oil Law
Kucinich Says "Benchmark" Law Opens Iraqi Oil to Foreign Control
By SANDRA HERNANDEZ Posted 1 hr. 59 min. ago
Brendan Smialowski/Getty
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) (file photo)

The Iraqi Cabinet's approval of a draft law privatizing the country's oil industry was hailed as a political milestone by the Bush Administration last month, but critics are now blasting a House bill that makes the law a precondition for continued U.S. military support.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) called for the removal of the Iraqi hydrocarbon law, as it is called, from a supplemental war appropriations bill to be considered on the House floor next week, saying that the law "is a concerted effort to ensure that American oil companies are granted access to Iraqi oil fields."

The hydrocarbons law, which must still be passed by the Iraqi parliament, is one of six "performance measures" that Baghdad would have to meet in order to receive more funding from Congress this year, UPI reports. Failure by the Iraqi parliament to meet these benchmarks would result in redeployment of U.S. troops.

Kucinich called for reconsideration of the benchmark in a Monday letter to House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) and plans to propose an amendment on the House floor next week that would remove it from the supplemental. By requiring enactment of the law by the Iraqi government, "democrats will be instrumental in privatizing Iraqi oil," his website quoted him as saying.

Kucinich's amendment "in all likelihood is not going to get past the Rules Committee," a congressional staffer told Iraqslogger.com, adding that the Congressman had not actively sought his colleagues' support for the amendment.

As Iraqslogger reported previously, the draft hydrocarbon law empowers Iraq's regional governments to negotiate production contracts with international oil companies, while calling for national distribution of oil revenues on a per capita basis.

But other provisions in the law undercut this revenue-sharing plan, opening Iraq's oilfields to foreign control, writes Antonia Juhasz in a New York Times op-ed:

"The law would transform Iraq's oil industry from a nationalized model closed to American oil companies except for limited (although highly lucrative) marketing contracts, into a commercial industry, all-but-privatized, that is fully open to all international oil companies. The Iraq National Oil Company would have exclusive control of just 17 of Iraq's 80 known oil fields, leaving two-thirds of known — and all of its as yet undiscovered — fields open to foreign control."

The draft legislation is expected to encounter stiff opposition in Parliament from the Iraqi Accordance Front and the Iraqi National slate, as well as Iraq's oil unions, which represent tens of thousands of workers, UPI reports.

The Bush Administration "has been aggressive in shepherding the oil law towards passage," writes The New York Times' Juhaz, and has made the law a performance benchmark for the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

It's not clear whether Kucinich's proposal to strike the law will garner much attention on the House floor, as no one in Congress has yet publicly supported him. Robert Naiman writes in the Huffington Post, "It's quite plausible that with a little public attention and lobbying, this amendment could pass."
(www.iraqslogger.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 14, 2007 8:05 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

How long can the American people be duped by the Dems? Polsters associated with the party word questions in a bias fashion to evoke a certain response.

Linking the Iraqi HCL law to additional funding is rediculous. Congressman Dennis Kucinich is not thinking. Why can the dems not step aside and allow President Bush conduct this War.

I agree with Sara, the positive outcome of this war could spell trouble for the Dems in November 08 elections.

Regardless of all their posturing, I think this is the time to buy as many Dinar as possible. In the end, I believe the U.S. will be victorious in the War on terror bringing peace and prosperity to Iraq.

Is it not exciting watching the birth of a nation. The dems will be on the ouside looking in once again. Iraq will continue to meet the requirements set by the IMF and World Bank. Once the HCL does pass, we have passed one big hurdle.

I have not seen much of Okie in a while, so I guess I will echo his sentiment if he were posting. Go Dinar!

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 14, 2007 8:32 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Rob N said, "Linking the Iraqi HCL law to additional funding is ridiculous. Congressman Dennis Kucinich is not thinking. Why can the dems not step aside and allow President Bush conduct this War."

===

RobN, they are thinking.. but not about America. They are thinking about their party and about getting the Whitehouse. That is their priorities, not what is good for America. Only the deluded public allows them the room to pretend to represent what is truly close to their hearts. The Dems can pretend care for veterans while seeking to cut funding. They can pretend to be against corruption while covering it up and increasing it. They can seek to circumvent the Constitutional powers and strongarm the Executive Branch of government and cause a Constitutional crisis while the country is at war. They can coddle the enemy and help their aims, all while being in power. It disgusts me. America is sleeping, lulled to sleep by the lyre's they play. And, like Caesar, who claimed the Christians burnt Rome, they blame everything on those good Christians who support the troops, America and the Bush Administration. They even try on the sheep's clothing over their wolf teeth and pretend religion when it suits their selfish aims.

Jesus' disciples came to Jesus and told him there were people casting out demons using His name. They asked Him if they should rebuke them. Jesus' answer is instructive, He said no because "he who is not against us is on our side." Mar 9:40. Those in Congress and the Senate who are doing this and thereby aiding and abetting the enemy are on their side. Those who are not against the terrorists are by default on their side. Even if they think they are doing the country a service, they are deceived and are instead emboldening the enemy and fighting on their behalf. They are themselves acting the parts of wolves and not sheep. Phi 3:19 "Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their mind earthly things." Those who mind the portals of earthly power instead of the good of the United States are her enemies. They dishonor their vows they have sworn before God to uphold and by their selfish aiming at power they seek by their daily acts to bring her to ruin. I do petition heaven to witness against them on Judgement Day to this end, and that He might open the eyes of the American public that they might see and then not listen to nor follow those who are leading them astray for their own selfish political goals.

Sara.

-- March 15, 2007 1:47 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

PS If the GOP had their eyes on political power and not the good of the US they would have simply done whatever the public opinion polls said to do and not lost so much in the last election. It is to their credit that they were willing to do what was unpopular even in the heat of the thickest part of the battle.

They are truly among those of whom it is said - Psa 15:4 He who swears to his own hurt and does not change.

They give their word and they keep it, best they can, even if it costs them dearly to do so. That should count with the public as it does with God. Honoring a commitment and keeping your word is a sacred trust. Those who think the US should lightly violate their commitments (withdraw, lose, run away in defeat, cut and run, redeploy, etc..) after pledging with her to go to war - fully knowing its potential cost - are not without blame before Almighty God who saw their oaths and votes to start this war. They may revoke the oaths once given, but I do not think God will void the words they spoke simply because they changed their minds with the latest passing poll for their political advancement and vainglory. And if it really WAS a heartfelt commitment that the US had done wrong, they would be doing what the peaceniks want, in full agreement with them... by cutting all funding and FORCING a withdrawl. Their fear of reprisal by the public at the polls proves the point - their only thought is their own selfish political gain. They are unworthy of the trust the public puts in them and their belief that they are honest men.

Sara.

-- March 15, 2007 2:57 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Anyone remember the three thousand who died on 911? Or the grim vow the US took to get those responsible?

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Acknowledges Planning Sept. 11 Attacks
By Paul Tighe and Ken Fireman

March 15 (Bloomberg) -- Khalid Sheikh Mohammed acknowledged he was al-Qaeda's commander responsible for organizing the Sept. 11 attacks in the U.S. ``from A to Z,'' according to a transcript of a hearing released by the U.S. Defense Department.

``I was the military operational commander for all foreign operations around the world'' under the leadership of Osama bin Laden, Mohammed said in a statement read to a tribunal at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba by a U.S. military officer acting as his personnel representative.

Mohammed's list of terrorist operations he oversaw included the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, an attack on a nightclub in Bali, Indonesia, and planned attacks on buildings in New York, Chicago, California and Washington state, according to the transcript released yesterday.

Mohammed is among 14 suspected terrorist leaders transferred to Guantanamo Bay in September after being held by the Central Intelligence Agency. Mohammed responded to questions by the tribunal president that he was the author of the document outlining his involvement in al-Qaeda's operations by saying: ``That's right'' and ``That's true,'' according to the transcript.

Transcripts from the hearings are edited to remove information that may be dangerous to national security, Whitman said last week, according to the Defense Department's Web site.

Mohammed was arrested in March 2003 in Rawalpindi in an operation by the Pakistani and U.S. intelligence services. Binalshibh, captured in Pakistan in September 2002, is alleged to have helped finance the Sept. 11 attacks in New York and Washington.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=anoJPX1ejzEs&refer=home

-- March 15, 2007 3:12 AM ∞

---

Chris wrote:

Announcement No.(883)

D.G. of Foreign Exchange Control

The 883 daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq day Wednesday 2007/ 3/ 14 so the results were as follows :

Details Notes
Number of banks 15 -----
Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1277 -----
Auction price buying dinar / US $ ----- -----
Amount sold at auction price (US $) 56.600.000 -----
Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) -----
Total offers for buying (US $) 56.600.000 -----
Total offers for selling (US $) ----- -----

-- March 15, 2007 5:01 AM ∞

---

Anonymous wrote:

Page 4, The Rest of the Story. Hate the format

D.G. of Investments

Daily price Bulletin buying and selling Wednesday 2007/3/14

Currency
Currency Code
Selling Price In IQD
Buying Price In IQD

US Dollar
USD
1278.000
1277.361

European Euro
EUR
1686.832
1685.989

British Pound
GBP
2469.352
2468.117

Canadian Dollar
CAD
1093.523
1092.976

Swiss Franc
CHF
1045.998
1045.475

Swedish Krona
SEK
181.764
181.673

Norwegian Kroner
NOK
208.517
208.413

Danish Krone
DKK
226.435
226.322

Japanese Yen
JPY
10.927
10.921

The above price represent reference rate and does not from any commitment on the Central Bank of Iraq.

GOOD DAY!

-- March 15, 2007 5:08 AM ∞

---

panhandler wrote:

Announcement No.(884)

D.G. of Foreign Exchange Control

The 884 daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq day Thursday 2007/ 3/ 15 so the results were as follows :

Details Notes
Number of banks 17 -----
Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1277 -----
Auction price buying dinar / US $ 1275 -----
Amount sold at auction price (US $) 79.140.000 -----
Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) 310.000
Total offers for buying (US $) 79.140.000 -----
Total offers for selling (US $) 310.000 -----

-- March 15, 2007 8:01 AM ∞

---

Anonymous wrote:

Iraq's Accomplishments in Perspective
By Austin Bay

The chattering class nostrum that Free Iraq and its coalition allies have "lost the Iraq war" is so blatantly wrong it would be a source of laughter were human life and hope-inspiring liberty not at such terrible risk.

In terms of fundamental historical changes favoring 21st century freedom and peace, what Free Iraq and its Coalition allies have accomplished in four short years is nothing short of astonishing.

Consider what Iraq was, not simply in A.D. March 2003, but in 2003 B.C. Both historical frames provide instructive lessons in the obvious.

Iraq, as ancient Mesopotamia (the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers), seeded Abraham's Ur and Hammurabi's Babylon. The region was the Eden of city-states, the consolidator and exporter of the Agricultural Revolution. It is also the center of a predominantly Muslim region where -- to paraphrase historian Bernard Lewis -- something "went wrong." Lewis was addressing the "fossilization" that began to afflict the Middle East at least six centuries ago, a cultural, intellectual and, yes, political ossification and decline.

The decline did two things that directly affect the War on Terror (which Rudy Giuliani more correctly calls The Terrorists' War Against Us). The decline undermined Islamist utopian notions of theological supremacy. That millennialist disappointment seeds the long list of "grievances" infesting al-Qaida's propaganda.
The far greater consequence (and truly grievous wrong) was arresting Middle Eastern populations. Arrest is the right word. The Middle East was trapped in the terrible yin-yang of tyrant and terrorist, the choice of one or the other -- which is no choice, for both mean oppression and death.

In November 2001, I wrote that we -- the United States specifically, but the civilized world as a whole -- are in a "fight for the future" with terrorists and tyrants. Iraq (Mesopotamia) has been and continues to be an influential if not critical stretch of geography.

In January 2003, I argued that toppling Saddam's tyranny in Iraq would do two things: begin the process of fostering political choice (democracy) in the Middle East and bring al-Qaida onto a battlefield not of its choosing. Moreover, that battlefield would be largely manned by Muslim allies, exposing the great fractures within Islam and the Middle East that al-Qaida's strategists tried to mask by portraying America as "the enemy."

Credit the Iraqi people with taking the opportunity by conducting three honest, open, democratic elections. In May 2006, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki formed a democratically elected, consensus-seeking government not simply in Mesopotamia but in the heart of the politically dysfunctional Middle East.

That's an astonishing achievement.

Al-Qaida's now-deceased emir in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, understood the stakes. In a message to al-Qaida (intercepted by the Coalition in February 2004), Zarqawi wrote that after Iraqis run their own government, U.S. troops will remain, "but the sons of this land will be the authority. ... This is the democracy. We will have no pretexts." Iraq's new army and police will link with the people "by lineage, blood and appearance."

The terrorists and tyrants understand. It's a shame America's chatterers don't.

Unable to defeat coalition soldiers or dim liberty's appeal, Zarqawi and his terror clique chose Iraqi civilians as their target. They concluded that an Islamic sectarian war between Shia and Sunni was the only way al-Qaida would avoid defeat. That might entail temporarily placing a secular Saddam-type tyrant in power -- hence the short-term cooperation with thugs from the former regime. Al-Qaida and the Saddamists bet their bombs would break the Iraqi people. That has not happened. They know their resiliency is a stinging rebuke of terror and tyranny.

Targeting the vulnerable is the same tactic the Ku Klux Klan used to enforce segregation in America's South. The Klan burned African-American churches instead of mosques, but the Klan, al-Qaida and Saddamist fascists target a population with similar technique and tyrannical viciousness.

Most of us are glad the FBI didn't pull out of Mississippi and Alabama in 1963. The analogy isn't direct -- Baghdad isn't Birmingham. However, the goal of ending the oppressive destruction of lives is both comparable and noble.

The Iraqi people are earning their victory and their liberty. The price for both is inevitably paid in blood, sweat and toil. At this point in history, they need American patience.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/03/iraqs_accomplishments_in_persp.html

-- March 15, 2007 9:25 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

A must see video for all Americans:

http://www.interviewwithgod.com/patriotic/highband.htm

I particularly appreciated Ronald Reagan's thoughts in it, which reminded me of Roger's.

-- March 15, 2007 1:20 PM ∞

---

Anonymous wrote:

Iraq confirms death sentence on Saddam aide
Sapa-AFP
Posted to the web on: 15 March 2007

BAGHDAD - An Iraqi appeals panel has confirmed the death sentence on Taha Yassin Ramadan, who served as vice president to executed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, officials said today.

Ramadan was sentenced to death on February 12 for crimes against humanity by the Iraqi High Tribunal which is trying former regime officials. His sentence was automatically reviewed by the appeals panel which today confirmed the execution by hanging.

"Yesterday, all the members of the appeals court ratified the death sentence on Taha Yassin Ramadan," Judge Munir Haddad of the appeals panel told a press conference. "He can be hanged at any moment but the official period is that the sentence be carried out within 30 days of it being confirmed by the appeals court."

A senior Iraqi official said that Ramadan is likely to be hanged by the end of this month. Ramadan was originally given a life sentence for his role in the killing of 148 Shiites from the village of Dujail after an attempt on Saddam’s life in 1982. But the prosecution filed a petition demanding he also be hanged.

Saddam and two other former aides, Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti and Awad Ahmed al-Bandar, have all been hanged for crimes against humanity linked to the Dujail killings. The former dictator was executed on December 30 while Barzan and Bandar were hanged on January 15.

http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/world.aspx?ID=BD4A413303

-- March 15, 2007 1:24 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Some early signs of progress in Iraq
3/15/2007

March 15, 2007

BY Robert H. Reid Associated Press

BAGHDAD -- Bomb deaths have gone down 30 percent in Baghdad since the U.S.-led security crackdown began a month ago. Execution-style slayings are down by nearly half.

The once frequent sound of weapons has been reduced to episodic, and downtown shoppers have returned to outdoor markets -- favored targets of car bombers.

There are signs of progress in the campaign to restore order in Iraq, starting with its capital city.

But while many Iraqis are encouraged, they remain skeptical how long the relative calm will last. Each bombing renews fears that the horror is returning. Shiite militias and Sunni insurgents are still around, perhaps just lying low or hiding outside the city until the operation is over.

U.S. military officials, burned before by overly optimistic forecasts, have been cautious about declaring the operation a success. Another reason it seems premature: only two of the five U.S. brigades earmarked for the mission are in the streets, and the full complement of American reinforcements is not due until late May.

U.S. officials say that key to the operation's long-term success is the willingness of Iraq's sectarian and ethnic political parties to strike a power- and money-sharing deal. That remains elusive -- a proposal for governing the country's main source of income -- oil -- is bogged down in parliamentary squabbling.

Nevertheless, there are encouraging signs.

Gone are the "illegal checkpoints," where Shiite and Sunni gunmen stopped cars and hauled away members of the rival sect -- often to a gruesome torture and death.

The rattle of automatic weapons fire or the rumble of distant roadside bombs comes less frequently. Traffic is beginning to return to the city's once vacant streets.

"People are very optimistic because they sense a development. The level of sectarian violence in streets and areas has decreased," said a 50-year-old Shiite, who gave his name only as Abu Abbas, or "father of Abbas." "The activities of the militias also have decreased. The car bombs and the suicide attacks are the only things left, while other kinds of violence have decreased."

In the months before the security operation began Feb. 14, police were finding dozens of bodies each day in the capital -- victims of Sunni and Shiite death squads. Last December, more than 200 bodies were found each week -- with the figure spiking above 300 in some weeks, according to police reports compiled by The Associated Press.

Since the crackdown began, weekly totals have dropped to about 80 -- hardly an acceptable figure but clearly a sign that death squads are no longer as active as they were in the final months of last year.
(www.safedinar.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 15, 2007 2:07 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Iraqi vice president meets with U.S. treasury official ahead of international conference on Iraq's economic development

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

15 March 2007 (AP Worldstream)
Print article Send to friend
Iraqi Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi will update U.N. member states and other potential donors Friday on the war-torn country's plan for economic development and ask for international support, the United Nations said.

Abdul-Mahdi, one of two vice-presidents, will be promoting a five-year plan known as the Iraq Compact to ensure the government has funds to survive and enact key political and economic reforms. The compact was set up shortly after Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki took office in June 2006 to "consolidate peace and pursue political, economic and social development."

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who convened the meeting, "looks forward to the participation of the broader international community ... to help put Iraq on a credible path towards sustainable development and economic prosperity," his spokeswoman Michele Montas said Wednesday.

Delegations from more than 40 countries plan to attend the meeting, she said.

Abdul-Mahdi met Wednesday in Washington with U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt, who will lead the U.S. delegation to the meeting.

Kimmitt said in a statement issued after the meeting that he congratulated the vice-president on Iraq's economic progress and lauded the creation of the Iraq Compact as "an ambitious framework for transformation of the Iraqi economy."

Ban recently appointed Ibrahim Gambari, the former U.N. undersecretary-general for political affairs, to be his special adviser for the compact. Gambari and the Iraqi delegation, which also includes Planning Minister Ali Baban, will co-chair Friday's meeting.

The U.S. Treasury said all parties have agreed to a ministerial meeting in the near future to formally sign the compact.
(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 15, 2007 2:11 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Energy - Oil & Gas

New Dates Confirmed for Iraq Oil, Gas, Petrochemical & Electricity Summit following Government Consultation

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

15 March 2007 (Iraq Development Program)
Print article Send to friend
Following in-depth consultation with the Unity Government of Iraq, the Iraq Oil, Gas, Petrochemical & Electricity Summit will now be taking place in Amman, Jordan on 28-30 May 2007.

The summit will welcome representation from the Iraqi Ministries of Oil, Industry & Minerals and Electricity, as well as the Iraq Energy Council, Investment Promotion Agency and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry for Natural Resources. It will also host many of the state companies operating under the Iraqi Ministry of Oil and senior representatives from the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office (IRMO).

For the most important sectors of the Iraqi economy, this historic landmark event will be the first of its kind since the formation of Iraq's Unity Government, with these key decision makers participating with the full intent of establishing relationships and entering into contractual negotiations with all international operators wishing to be part of both the upstream and downstream sectors.

Iraq has the world’s second largest proven oil reserves and the Government is now finalising its new hydrocarbon laws, following the declaration of the investment laws for the extractive industries. The timing of this Summit could not be better.

The key decision makers from the Iraqi Government will be participating with the full intent of establishing relationships and entering into contractual negotiations with all international operators wishing to be part of both the upstream and downstream sectors.

For more information on how to register for the summit, please visit the official event webpage: http://www.iraqdevelopmentprogram.org/idp/events/iog/index.htm
(www.iraqupdates.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 15, 2007 2:13 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

Large Oil Refinery to Be Built in Karbala

The Iraqi oil ministry has agreed to build a large oil refinery in Karbala, 110 km southwest of Baghdad, the head of Karbala provincial council said on Tuesday, according to the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
(www.noozz.com)

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 15, 2007 2:16 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Zogby Poll: Vast Majority Believe Media Is Biased
Posted by Mark Finkelstein on March 14, 2007

Call it confirming the obvious, but a poll released today by the Zogby organization, conducted in conjunction with the Institute for Politics, Democracy and the Internet, reveals that a vast majority of Americans believe that the media is biased. 83% of likely voters said the media is biased in one direction or another, while just 11% believe the media doesn’t take political sides.

Of particular significance: "nearly two-thirds of those online respondents who detected bias in the media (64%) said the media leans left, while slightly more than a quarter of respondents (28%) said they see a conservative bias."

Other findings of interest:

- "97% of Republicans surveyed said the media are liberal, two-thirds of political independents feel the same, but fewer than one in four independents (23%) said they saw a conservative bias. Democrats, while much more likely to perceive a conservative bias than other groups, were not nearly as sure the media was against them as were the Republicans. While Republicans were unified in their perception of a left-wing media, just two-thirds of Democrats were certain the media skewed right – and 17% said the bias favored the left."

- "As the influence of blogs has risen, mainstream news organizations have attempted to get in on the action by creating their own blogs to counter those run by private citizens and those not in the news business. But American voters remain skeptical of major news outlets diving in to the blog pool – 26% speculated that the reason news organizations are placing blogs on their Web sites is that 'blogs give news organizations a chance to promote a political agenda they could not promote in their regular broadcasts, cablecasts, or publications.'”

====

Comments:

1) Tim the Enchanter Says:
March 14, 2007 - 16:34

Mark...

What we are seeing is a result of the acquisition of perspective. When the alphabet soup media were the only act in town, there was a lack of perspective in where they stood- there was nothing to compare them to, except for each other. Since they all had similar viewpoints, there wasn't much to compare. For example, if you had a bunch of similar-looking women in the room, who's to say if they're beautiful or ugly (so I don't upset the ladies here too much, the same example could be made with similar-looking men). Now that there's talk radio and Fox, there is perspective. One can see clearly where any individual is leaning by comparing among truly different choices. Good news- the conservative media, though they be few and far in between, are having an impact!

http://newsbusters.org/node/11417

-- March 15, 2007 5:44 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

A current example of media bias:

Boston Globe: Iraq Insurgents Just Like Our Founding Fathers
Posted by Warner Todd Huston on March 14, 2007

I wonder if the MSM ever gets tired of trying to make evil look good? And if they aren't trying to make evil look like good, they are trying to soft peddle evil with a they-are-really-just-like-us analysis of evil’s actions. Such is the case today in the Boston Globe wherein writer H.D.S. Greenway equates Iraqi insurgents to being just like America's founding revolutionary generation.

In 'Surge' doomed to final failure, a badly garbled reading of history is foisted upon an unsuspecting reading public that culminates with H.D.S. Greenway boiling down the entire American Revolution to the claim that British soldiers were a "conquering force" in the Colonies and the Colonists were mad at them for it. Quote:

"And so conquering foreign soldiers will be resisted in Iraq, as they have always been everywhere down the centuries. In early April 1775, the British governor of Boston sent John Howe out to gather intelligence in that hotbed of insurgency now called the western suburbs, but then the Anbar province of its time. Howe met an old man cleaning his rifle who looked too old to hunt game.

The old man said he expected foreign soldiers -- "a flock of redcoats" -- would be arriving soon, and he thought they would make good targets. Arrive they did, and with them the American revolution that in many states degenerated into civil war. The British soldiers were mostly of the same race and religion as the people they fought, but they were by then foreigners, and eight years later they were gone."

==end of quote==

This simpleminded "gotcha" point that H.D.S.Greenway seems to imagine he has stumbled upon makes a mush of what really happened in 1776 and before to cause the American Revolution. Apparently H.D.S. Greenway is unaware that the British didn't "conquer" the Colonists because the colonies were part of the territorial possessions of Great Britain in the fist place. Putting down an insurrection is quite different than conquering and the British were not truly "foreigners" – Revolutionary rhetoric aside-- even to most American citizens. Unwanted, yes, but “foreign”? Not really. In truth, many U.S. citizens felt they were being truer Englishmen than the Brits were being.

He also seems unaware of the many decades of deteriorating political ties and governmental debacles that preceded the Revolution, causing it to erupt.

In the final analysis British troops in early America and the Revolutionary era hardly lends an apt comparison to U.S. troops in Iraq today.

And did you notice the they-are-just-like-us touch there when he said that the “western suburbs” were the “Anbar province of its time”? Nice touch, don’t you think? Utterly false, but nice touch just the same.

I also found it interesting that the “r” in Revolution was not capitalized in the on-line version. It should have been, but was not. Is this just editorial ignorance, or did they mean to demean the American Revolution?

But, in any case, we shant let facts and grammar get in the way of Greenway's gymnastic back bending to twist the American Revolution into an example that would be "just like" Iraq, shall we? Nor will we allow reality to get in the way of his desire to advocate for a precipitate pull out of American troops from Iraq.

Nor should we allow truth to get in the way of Greenway saying that it is US troops, not the insurgents, that is the cause of the unrest in Iraq. QUOTE: "When the president and surge proponents talk about restoring law and order to Baghdad, they underestimate the fact that it is the very presence of American soldiers themselves who are sparking the resistance... "

Spurring his bout with runawayitis, Greenway was quite taken with the picture from Iraq he saw a while back. QUOTE: "The photograph shows four American soldiers, dressed in full, intimidating battle gear, around the periphery of a Baghdad living room. In the center, on the carpeted floor, lies a collapsed woman in a traditional black dress... A man, identified as her son, is holding her in his arms. His feet are bare, as if he were caught by surprise..."

While Greenway's "His feet are bare, as if he were caught by surprise" was a nice novelistic flourish, it is nonsense, of course. Muslims take their shoes off when entering their homes, so bare feet would not be uncommon indoors in an Iraqi household!

But, leave it to a denizen of the MSM to make a complex situation simplistic and to mislead readers with a picture to buttress his agenda.

In any case, H.D.S. Greeway's is just another example of an MSM that isn't capable of either telling a balanced and truthful story, or of any historical analysis.

I wonder if the H.D.S. of Mr. Greenway's name stands for "He Doesn't See"?

===

Comments:

1) BD Says:

I read this yesterday and immediately thought that Mr Greenway obvously had no grasp on history.

I do not recall the population supporting the revolution filling wagons full of gunpowder and pulling in to Boston Common in order to maximize the devastation to their fellow citizens.

2) TheBigMackDaddy Says:

One of the important pre-requisites to being a liberal and/or Democrat these days is that you have no clue about history. It is pointless to explain how wrong this analysis is (e.g. we were for freedom of religion, did not detnate bombs in crowds of our own children, our founding fathers were from here, we did not behead captured English soldiers, etc) but that is a waste of time.

It is just funny and sad how the Globe will hire anyone and print anything.

3) Prester John Says:

Will or Krauthammer had a great column a few years in ago in which he pointed out that when you don't know history everything is unprecedented and hence is to be treated as a crisis. This can also be tied in to the fact that for the Left everyone to the right of them is a fascist or a Nazi, therefore showing either a) a complete lack of understanding of what the Nazis were about or b) they are so full of hate they are delusional.

4) TheBigMackDaddy Says:

I copied this from another post, a good point to note:

The Nazi's were hard-core Left-Wingers. I know the modern-day Left has been successful at re-writing that trivial piece of History. Sure it is easy to confuse the National SOCIALIST Party as a Right-Wing Movement (The Official Name was actually the National Socialist German Workers' Party) The Nazi's were like any other left-wing movement: they believe so much in their mis-guided cause that they attempt to impose it on everyone via force.

5) Dyne Says:

I seem to recall being taught that our founding fathers fought in the Revolution for political and religious freedom. The terrorists only want political and religious oppression. Don't believe me? Stand in the middle of a Middle Eastern city and publicly denounce Islam. You won't live long enough to count how many times you're shot.

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” - John Adams

6) Tim the Enchanter Says:

Also, our Founding Fathers were highly educated, cultured gentlemen. Let's see Islam produce anything like our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, or the Federalist Papers. To compare a band of murderous, barabaric slugs to some of the greatest political geniuses that ever lived is... someone help me out here with a suitable strong adjective!

6) stanleygoodspeed Says:

Patently evil and subversive.

7) Airforce_5_O Says:

Our founding fathers advocated a separation of church and state. The Jihadist wants the Church to run the state. Big difference.

8) mostlymoderate Says:

As a moderate that puts our founding fathers on a pedestal of the HIGHEST respect, I find this article offensive. H.D.S. Greenway needs to think before writing.

9) stanleygoodspeed Says:

Liberals, Democrats, and the MSM in a nutshell ...

Isaiah 5:20

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

10) emjem24 Says:

As a a former teacher/historian myself, I just find this comparison between our Founding Fathers and terrorists not only wrong but disingenuous. This comparison reflects the utter lack of American history knowledge that prevails not only in our public schools but in our colleges and media. Where our young people measured or even scored higher than their contemporaries around the world for primary school subjects, our students slump and underperform both in middle and high school as well as college.

This is the most stupid article I've ever read! I never read how our revolutionary army and those who fought for freedom from British tyranny ever bombed whole comunities or neighborhoods like terrorists resoundly do in Iraq and Afghanistan (along with other choice places around the world). I wish other media would condemn this as the fake historical tripe analysis that it is. However, America will tolerate it because as a whole, it has trouble identifying what holds this country together historically and contemporaneously.

11) RJ Says:

This comparison of the Islamic Terrorists to our Founding Fathers has been seeping around the sewer brains of the far left for several years. That it is actually published in a major newspaper reveals the intellectual bankruptcy of the liberal elite media.

It's also more evidence that liberals, as a class, are stupid beyond belief.

12) HunterPro Says:

Emjem, I completely agree with you on the point that we will accept this article with only passing (if any at all) resistance to the inaccuracies and libelous correlations between Islamic murderers and our Founding Fathers. As was pointed out in the article and various posts, the American colonies were just that; colonies. This implies being an extension or a part of something. Iraq has no such prerequisite with us. The Founding Fathers were inspired by the writings of great men such as John Locke and Trenchard, the Magna Carta, and other sources that aspired to a constitutional contract between governments and the governed. The terrorists only desire control and domination, not freedom and individual rights. Our founding documents speak of protecting rights given to us by God, our creator, while their founding document speaks of killing and death to infidels and heretics. Boston was not a town under siege because it desired violence and chaos but because it wanted just the opposite!Rather than striking across the world to bring about a world-wide caliphate, the Founding Fathers struck against tyranny. We are offering freedom and choice, not forcing it. This is the choice that those in the Middle East must make; that of joining the civilized world or reverting back to 8th century barbarism.

http://newsbusters.org/node/11408

-- March 15, 2007 5:57 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

And another showing media bias as well:

In Advocating Draft, Andy Rooney Smears Volunteer Soldiers
Posted by Justin McCarthy on March 14, 2007

On the March 14 edition of "Imus in the Morning" guest and "60 Minutes" commentator Andy Rooney discussed the possibility of a draft with Don Imus. In that exchange Rooney, like Senator Kerry and Congressman Rangel, implied that those who volunteer to serve do so out of desperation rather than patriotism.

DON IMUS: Tell me about your thoughts on re-instituting the draft.

ANDY ROONEY: Well, I think a draft produces a better army than the one we would have with all volunteers. Because I think you get average Americans if you, if you have a draft. And if it’s an all volunteer army, you get people who join up because of some problem in their own lives. They don’t have anything else to do, they don’t have a job, or they can’t find what they want to do, so they join the Army. And it doesn’t produce the best army.

Rooney should have checked over his facts before making such a statement. This recent study ( http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/cda06-09.cfm ) directly contradicts his assertions.

===

Comments:

1) ThisnThat Says:

My dad served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. I was in the Air Force. My father-in-law was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge. My son is currently serving in IRAQ.

If Mr. Rooney or any of his MSM friends wants to discuss "producing the best army" with me in a dark alley sometime, I would welcome the opportunity.

Otherwise, Mr. Rooney and the rest of you sons of b****es, SHUT UP.

There. I feel better already. And I'm ready for my offensive post to be deleted.

2) Mean Gene Dr. Love Says:

Andy Rooney a "War hero"!? Surely, you jest. I really hope you're being facetious.

Audie Murphy was a war hero. The 3rd, 4th and 5th Divisions of the V Amphibious Corps (USMC) that took and held Iwo Jima were war heroes. The young men that landed at Normandy were war heroes. Andy Rooney was an Army news reporter.

3) BD Says:

Benedict arnold was originally considered to be a hero as well.

Does service automatically grant a higher level of credibility in an argument? In that case there are several members present with 5 times the length of service in three times the wars than Rooney. Do they get a greater "Credibility" rating?

4) Mean Gene Dr. Love Says:

Benedict Arnold was a great hero and an asset to our young nation until he succumbed to his selfish desires and betrayed the Continental Army.

5) MightyMouth Says:

Rooney is old, senile and waaay past his prime. That's not beating up. That's being realistic. Looking at the effort that was put into your post I would say you have some affinity with the old coot. It doesn't matter if a person is distinguised like Rooney, if he spouts nonsense, it is still nonsence and he should be called on it.

6) dscott Says:

The draft produces a better Army? Are you daft Rooney? Oh that's right, a better Army to produce draft dodgers and desserters so you the MSM can have someone to interview to play up the anti-war theme. I mean why in the world would the MSM want highly motived people joining the military, that just takes the wind out of low morale stories and dissention in the ranks. You see there is nothing in it for the MSM. Boring, boring, boring.

7) Daniel Baker Says:

Draft produces a worse Army, but a better country. If we could draft some of these liberals they would become much better people, and actually worth listening to.

8) mattm Says:

The Left's call for a draft is such a perfect example of their hypocrisy, it's almost too precious!

First they burned their draft cards* in protest of America's fight against tyrannical communism, and now they want to reinstitute the draft. Why? For military reasons? Obviously not; otherwise they wouldn't be calling for troop withdrawls. So what else could it be but political pot-stirring????

They know that 90% of the 1960's anti-war movement was merely people who didn't want to get drafted (which is not an illegitimate reason - btw). Now, even with all their propaganda they can't seem to generate anywhere near the same level of America-Hating activism which characterized the '60's. So, what's their answer when mere rhetoric won't work? Conscription! Government coercion!

This has nothing to do with military readiness, socio-economic fairness or any other equity issue - it's purely designed to revive the 60's protest vibe - man!

*and don't give me the bogus argument that Andy Rooney served...that was WWII - almost everybody served in one way or another.

9) Mean Gene Dr. Love Says:

I just cannot reconcile how the liberals can support compulsary service through a draft while being so "pro-choice" on just about everything else under the sun.

I've been in the military for 11 years now, granted there are a number of "dirtbags" that joined for reasons Rooney listed. However, I have seen some of those people turn their weaknesses into strengths and reform themselves to become assets to society. These changes in their lives probably would not have happened without the discipline of the military. I would also have to go on to say that the majority of honorable, hard-working, unselfish, reliable, and generous people I know have served several years in the military. The sacrifices associated with voluntary service bring out the best in people because of their willing service. Compulsary service usually results in resentment, especially when the individual is only complying to stay out of legal trouble.

10) DirkCS Says:

Having served in the United States Marine Corps, I would first like to echo the comment that I would be happy to discuss these ideas in a dark alley any time.

Next I wonder how it is that Rooney reconciles the fact that service in the armed forces is looked so favorably upon by prospective employers with his belief that we are all losers.

In closing, Rooney can take his opinions and stick them where the sun don't shine.

Dirk

http://newsbusters.org/node/11419

-- March 15, 2007 6:25 PM ∞

---

Rob N. wrote:

All:

I am not sure we should be surprised at anything we read or watch in the media.

To say the insurgents are similar to our founding fathers is insulting. Once history gives birth to this new Iraq, those of us who have invested in the Dinar will reap the benefits.

A peaceful and prosperous Iraq will give President George W. Bush his legacy.

Thanks,

Rob N.

-- March 15, 2007 10:40 PM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Valerio,

Well you could of course say that the existence is a figment of our imagination, but then again, who is crating that thought??, someone in present time I would say.

If it is aware.

If it is looking.

If it is aware of being aware.

If it can think.

If it can decide, or decide against, or redo a decision.

Then it's so big, it can create Gods.

That's the spirit, and it's here now, and forever.

And it all happens in our perception, and we perceive it in present time.

We can recall past things, but it's only in present time.

We can wish for a future, from our present time.

If we would contemplate present time as non existing, we would deny our own existence, as this is the only place we exist in.

Mental wards are full of people unable to live in present time, acting out an old scenario over and over again, dressed like Napoleon.

Sara,

Time as non existing, well it's a paradox in that it can only exist as the 3rd order after energy, or matter, those two has to exist, one or the other, to give time, one change location in relation to the other and we now have time.

Also a black hole would in theory be a timeless place, or an object that would accelerate to the speed of light.(cant go faster, but you can go up until that speed.)

From your viewpoint, a person falling into a black hole (well probably he would be torn apart by gravitational force long before he would come close to the event horizon, the limit where light can not escape the black hole) would from an outside observer go slower and slower into the hole, and probably get stuck just around the event horizon, we would perceive his time to stop.

Time as such is not an item, it is not an energy level, it is correctly an abstract way of measuring change, you can not save time in a bottle.

Celsius or Fahrenheit, degrees doesn't exist either. It's an abstract way of telling how much electromagnetic energy a body is radiating.

There are no "Mile trees" where you harvest miles, or "Gallon mines", where you mine for gallons.

Octane, in gas doesn't exist either, it's an abstract way of telling when the fuel will self ignite under certain compression.

It's a scale or degree in comparison with something similar, in order to describe a magnitude or speed of perpetual motion.

So in that sense, I agree, Time doesn't exist. Still I would have a hard time catching the train without it.

Ok lets do some Dinars now.

The Ohio Dem congressman that are calling for the Iraqi HCL law to be taken off the table, describing the law to be an enabler for greedy oil companies to steal the Iraqi oil.

Barrel full of s..t.

Our congressmen might before they open their mouth, perhaps study the subject at least to the point that they can make an intelligent statement.

The Iraqi oil, is by Iraqi law the property of the state of Iraq.

Iraq have a very under developed oil production structure, completely degenerated, and in panicky need of investment, the stuff barely holds together no more.

Iraq is in need of oil revenues very quickly in order to build up the Iraqi society, from millions living on ONE Dollar a day to something that at least is a dignified life.

The good deals, highlighted, is an arrangement for the oil companies investing, to get their investments back as quick as possible, and not a continuous give away to greedy oil barons. The money is already fronted by the oil companies, when investing, so it's not something that is given away.

Rest of the profit is pretty much in line with any other international oil deal.

The Norwegian oil is Norwegian, and the British oil is British, in the North sea, but a lot of international oil companies are drilling there.

How come the Dem congressman from Ohio are so concerned about oil companies are stealing oil from Iraq, and doesn't mention with one word the possibility that Shell, BP or Exxon is stealing from Britain or Norway?

Seems like when you don't have a clue, but just open your mouth, the words your saying are posted in any and all newspaper that want to further paint a grim and unjust picture of any dealings with Iraq.

Wouldn't surprise me at all if that Dem Congressman from Ohio can be seen in a few weeks over in Iraq, where he is talking with some insurgency people, trying to get another ally in his quest for fairness.

The scary part is, these are the people that are running this country.

Complete idiots, making a name for themselves, but have no touch with reality.

So there they sit, making law after law after law, all forbidding laws.

You cant fish or hunt after or before a set time, you cant buy a beer because it is Sunday, you can't run a car unless you have a sticker on it, that has to be renewed every year.

You cant do it, unless you have a permit, and in order to get a permit, you have to apply for a permit, and it will get denied unless you fill in all the lines correctly.

You will of course not be notified that it has been denied in any other form than with snail mail, so ten days later you get their answer as no, and you have to start again, spending another day trying to get another application form,(only the original issued application forms are valid) applying again.

Don't ask an agency to send it for you, as this will only take another fifteen days, where the authority will send it back to the agency, telling THEM that the application will only be mailed to the original person in question.

This even if the agency asked to have it sent there.

These kind of state and Government idiots are on occasion on a political career, uneducated, biased, and full of shit they completely unembarrassed, claim such a stupid thing that the HCL are a way of STEALING THE IRAQI OIL.

Makes me wonder, where do they find these people.

The progress in Iraq is well underway, indeed this is a turnaround year, let the economic make it's work let the investment begin, let the oil flow, and to those with a lesser, naive and feeble mind, shut up.

-- March 16, 2007 2:04 AM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

President Bush welcomes defeat of Iraq pull-out plan
Mar 16, 2007

WASHINGTON: US President George W. Bush on Thursday praised the defeat of a Senate measure calling for a US withdrawal from Iraq by late March 2008 and warned against a similar push in the House next week.

"Today, the United States Senate wisely rejected a resolution that would have placed an artificial timetable on our mission in Iraq," he said in a speech to fellow Republicans after the bill went down to a 48-50 vote defeat.

The US president painted the pull-out proposals, mostly backed by Democrats, as a betrayal of US troops in the war-wracked country and said retreating from Iraq would invite Islamist extremists to attack on US soil.

Bush accused some in the House of Representatives of trying to use an emergency war-funding request up for debate next week to try to "micromanage" the war or "force a precipitous withdrawal" from Iraq.

Democrats who control the US Congress have taken the White House's 120-billion-dollar budget request for wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and inserted a demand for the withdrawal of US combat troops from Iraq by September 2008 at the latest.

The Republican minority in the House had opposed the move, which also threatened to compel withdrawal even before September next year, if Bush cannot certify benchmarks for progress are being met in Iraq.

Bush warned that a hasty withdrawal would infect all of Iraq with "a contagion of violence" that could spread across the entire Middle East.

"The enemy would emerge from the chaos emboldened, with new safe havens, and new recruits, and new resources and an even greater determination to harm the United States of America," he said.

"If we were to leave Iraq before the job is done, the enemy would follow us to the United States of America and we're not going to let it happen," he said. "I believe the members of Congress are sincere when they say they support our troops.

And now is the time for them to show that support. Our men and women in uniform are risking their lives and they need the firm support of the United States Congress," he said.

http://www.keralanext.com/news/?id=986061

-- March 16, 2007 2:37 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Roger;

Thanks.. great analysis about Iraq and the Ohio Dem congressman portraying the oil companies as greedy capitalist opportunists and calling for the Iraqi HCL law to be taken off the table. Obviously, as you pointed out, this HCL law being implemented will put the Iraqi economy back on its feet, give the oil companies a fair rate of return for the risk they are taking and finally allow the Iraqi people a decent standard of living.. and that is EVIL? Well.. maybe if you are a Leftwing Socialist and one step from agreeing with Marx.. but not in the mind of those of us who want to see Iraq PROSPER and continue to own and use its resources for the good and prosperity of its people. Delaying the oil companies from development of those fields only helps one set of interests.. those of the enemy. Hence, this man and those like him who are decrying the oil company development of Iraq's oil fields are aiding and abetting THE ENEMY.. they are FOR the aims of the enemy, and as previously stated, those who are not against someone are for them (as Jesus said). If the Democrats and this Congressman are helping the aims of the terrorists by seeking to delay the production from the Iraqi oil fields which will bring in much needed improvement in the lot of the Iraqi people.. then I don't really think he is on the side of the US or of Iraq. He is on the terrorist's side, whether he sees that or not. So.. I agree with you, he needs to research it before he opens his mouth and spouts off terrorist propaganda and tries to introduce that which accomplishes the terrorist's aims as a measure in the US political sphere.

As for the concept of time not existing.. it may seem to be merely splitting hairs as we do experience it no matter how it is nonexistent from the point of view of another space. You are right, we still have to go through the present time one moment at a time. As you said, time is only measured (in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, centuries, etc.. we do measure it a lot, don't we?) but it is experienced in the present only one moment at a time. That is why God revealed Himself as the great "I AM" and not as the great 'I was' or 'I will be.' God wished to say He is a God of this moment, and went out of His way to explain that by naming Himself "I AM." I think that is very relevant to a proper view of time because it has so many implications for understanding that continuum. "I AM" was the name by which Moses was introduced to the God who gave him the Ten Commandments, and when Jesus claimed to be "I AM".. the very name of that God who appeared to Moses, they took up stones to stone Him to death for claiming to be the God of the Old Testament. First, here is where God says He is God of NOW, not of later, the great "I AM":

Exo 3:13 Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?"
Exo 3:14 And God said to Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.

Having called Himself by a name showing His existence in our moment by moment timespace, when Jesus claimed the same name for Himself, those hearing Him sought to stone Him as a false prophet:

Joh 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad."
Joh 8:57 Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?"
Joh 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
Joh 8:59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him...

I do think they understood the claim to deity Jesus was making, hence the stones in their hands. But it is strange that so many do not understand that Jesus claimed to be God - the SAME God that spoke to Moses and gave him the Ten Commandments - and called Himself "I AM." In another place (where they were slightly less hasty to throw those stones,) Jesus had opportunity to ask them why they were taking up stones, and they said, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God." (John 10:33). THEY understood His claim to deity, yet I find it strange that the Islamics (and others) never have.

The reason I bring this up is that, as far as time is concerned, God says that He is a God of the present - "I AM" - and so He is a God of the now. That has many implications for time-space theory and whether time can be distorted or travelled through, and understanding this may be as important as understanding E=MC2 to the discipline of physics.. one day.

Sara.

-- March 16, 2007 3:40 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Being consistent with what I just said about those seeking to STOP the oil production acting FOR the terrorist's interests and against the good of the Iraqi people and the US.... applying that here:

Iraqi leader fears ouster over oil money
By STEVEN R. HURST - AP
03/15/07

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki fears the Americans will torpedo his government if parliament does not pass a law to fairly divvy up the country's oil wealth among Iraqis by the end of June, close associates of the leader told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The legislature has not even taken up the draft measure, which is only one of several U.S. benchmarks that are seen by al-Maliki as key to continued American support, a crucial need for the survival of his troubled administration.

Aside from the oil law, the associates said, American officials have told the hardline Shiite Muslim prime minister that they want an Iraqi government in place by year's end acceptable to the country's Sunni Arab neighbors, particularly Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt.

"They have said it must be secular and inclusive," one al-Maliki associate said.

To that end, al-Maliki made an unannounced visit Tuesday to Ramadi, the Sunni Arab insurgent stronghold, to meet with tribal leaders, the provincial governor and security chiefs in a bid to signal his willingness for reconciliation to end the bitter sectarian war that has riven Iraq for more than a year.

Compounding al-Maliki's fears about a withdrawal of American support were visits to Saudi Arabia by two key political figures in an admitted bid to win support for a major Iraqi political realignment. Saudi Arabia is a major U.S. ally and oil supplier.

Former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, a Shiite Muslim, flew to the Saudi capital Tuesday, a day after the arrival there of Masoud Barzani, leader of Iraq's largely autonomous Kurdish region. Most Kurds are Sunni Muslims.

"Allawi is there to enlist support for a new political front that rises above sectarian structures now in place," the former prime minister's spokesman, Izzat al-Shahbandar, told the AP.

Barzani spokesman Abdul-Khaleq Zanganah said the two Iraqis met in Kurdistan before the trip for talks on forming a "national front to take over for the political bloc now supporting al-Maliki."

It appears certain the United States was informed about the Allawi and Barzani opening to the Saudis, who are deeply concerned that al-Maliki could become a puppet of Iran, the Shiite theocracy on Iraq's eastern border they view as a threat to the region's stability.

One al-Maliki confidant said the Americans had voiced displeasure with the prime minister's government even though he has managed so far to blunt major resistance from the Mahdi Army militia to the joint U.S.-Iraqi security operation in Baghdad. The Shiite militia is loyal to anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose political backing secured the premiership for al-Maliki.

"They have said they are frustrated that he has done nothing to oust the Sadrists, that the oil law has not moved forward, that there is no genuine effort on reconciliation and no movement on new regional elections," said the official, who like the other associates agreed to discuss the situation only if not quoted by name because of the political sensitivities.

Passage of the oil law, which seeks a fair distribution of revenues among all Iraq's sectarian and ethnic groups, has become a major issue for the United States, which had initially counted on financing Iraq's post-invasion reconstruction with oil revenues.

The al-Maliki associates said U.S. officials, who they would not name, told the prime minister that President Bush was committed to the current government but continued White House support depended on positive action on all the benchmarks - especially the oil law and sectarian reconciliation - by the close of this parliamentary session June 30.

"Al-Maliki is committed to meeting the deadline because he is convinced he would not survive in power without U.S. support," one of the associates said.

Standing in the way of forward movement is a recalcitrant Cabinet, which al-Maliki has promised to reshuffle by the end of this week. So far, however, he is at loggerheads with the political groupings in parliament that are threatening to withdraw support for the prime minister if he does not allow the blocs to name replacements for Cabinet positions.

http://www.buffalonews.com/260/story/32561.html

It is obvious that the aims of the terrorists have continued to be furthered in Iraq and these benchmarks which support the Iraqi people and the US interests are not met. Saudi Arabia is concerned Maliki is in Iran's back pocket and working for their interests as "he has done nothing to oust the Sadrists.. the oil law has not moved forward... there is no genuine effort on reconciliation and no movement on new regional elections." All of this proves by Maliki's actions whose interests he is furthering - whether sincerely or only by default - just as with the congressman who is seeking to stop the oil law here. The ousting of this man who is working for the interests of the terrorists and not the Iraqi people may be a necessity and the US is planning toward that aim as they see his unwillingness to move forward on the benchmarks which are essential to the TRUE interests of the Iraqi people and the United States.

Sara.

-- March 16, 2007 4:09 PM ∞

---

Sara Madgid wrote:

Thanks, RobN, for your thoughts on the news media bias.
I was disturbed to read that CNN is going to do a piece on
Shia Death Squads which is "based on the work of an anonymous journalist" -
Why don't they just come right out and say it is straight from the terrorists?
But there is a LOT of good info given in this protesting article on Iraq..
information which shows the incredible progress there..
and so it makes this article a very worthwhile read:

CNN Uses 'Anonymous Journalist' for Report on Shia Death Squads
Posted by Mark Finkelstein March 16, 2007

Next week marks the fourth anniversary of Operation Iraq Freedom. How does CNN plan to observe the event? An update, perhaps, on General Petraeus’ new strategy to win the war, and the initial positive – if still early – reports from the battlefield?

Please. I did say "CNN." The network is set to run a one hour special: “Death Squads Reveals Links between Shia Death Squads, Iraqi Security Forces.” CNN's report will in significant part be based on the work of an anonymous journalist.

Before considering the CNN report, let's review some of the recent developments in Iraq, as gleaned from MNF spokesman Maj. Gen. William Caldwell's press conference of March 14th:

- Prime Minister Maliki has affirmed that there will be no political interference in security operations. Iraq's leaders have lifted restrictions on Iraqi and Coalition forces that prevented them from going into certain areas, and U.S. and Iraqi troops are now pursuing the enemy in neighborhoods like Sadr City, where operations were once restricted.
- Iraqi and Coalition forces have secured significant sections of Sadr City without a shot fired in anger, an unimaginable achievement just months ago.
- About half of the planned joint security stations have been established in neighborhoods across Baghdad, helping coalition forces develop trust of local residents.
- Sectarian killings have been lower in Baghdad over the past several weeks than in the previous month.
- Sectarian displacement appears to have slowed or even stopped, with increasing numbers of families returning to their homes.

Other recent positive developments:

- More than 700 Shia radicals have been detained by Iraqi and Coalition forces in just the last 6 months.
- The PM and Minister of the Interior have fired or reassigned more than 10,000 personnel from the Iraqi Interior Ministry – people who were working subversively to stoke sectarian violence. http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0305iraq0305.html
- In Feb., Iraq’s Deputy Minister of Health was arrested by Iraqi security forces and Coalition forces – an action that would be been unthinkable a few months ago.

=====

But if CNN's press release about its "Death Squads" report is any indication, the network doesn't plan to cover the progress that has been made in recent months in its special.

CNN's report also raises a journalistic issue. Its press release states that: "Death Squads is a co-production of CNN and Channel 4/Quicksilver Media and is reported by a team of journalists: British journalist Deborah Davies, an Iraqi journalist working anonymously and CNN’s John Roberts."

We're all familiar with anonymous sources. But anonymous journalists? We can understand the personal security concerns. But as the only Iraqi on the team, Mr. X is likely the key to some of the more sensitive, and potentially controversial, allegations being reported. Doesn't his anonymity raise a serious credibility issue? Paging Howard Kurtz and Fox News Watch!

Comments:

1) Dyne Says:

Is not the first question in journalistic reporting, "Who?"
This includes the person's name, background, political/religious affiliation, and motives.

2) bigtimer Says:

Great point Mark!

Anonymous journalist?

What!?!

The left in the media will do their utmost for our defeat in this war, they know darned good and well we are making progress, so they will have to counter this now, the surge has to be bad, we cannot have victory at all costs...period.

If the leftists are reporting this, or better yet, the lack of reporting that has been done on the news from the likes of CNN...it truly is disgraceful to the utmost...let alone despicable.

The enemy within proves who they are every single day...in our living rooms..world-wide.

CNN, do you not understand why your ratings are zilch or do you not care whatsoever about your ratings, which equals revenue...

By Friday I cannot even turn it to that station when Wolfie is spewing his DNC talking points which I usually do during most of the week..

Agenda and outcome is all the care about, at expense to their stockholders, which evidently they do not care about...or the stockholders don't either...

Beats me anymore...I just despise them...the work they do to not give our fine military any credit is outrageous...just outrageous.

http://newsbusters.org/node/11468

-- March 16, 2007 8:09 PM ∞

---

david brock wrote:

some new news about iraqi dinar reval tonight...

-- March 16, 2007 9:09 PM ∞

---

david brock wrote:

cnbc just had something on about iraqi dinars. that americans and soldiers are hording,buying iraqi dinars,and then he shows an old saddam dinar and said its worthless and all iraqi dinars are not a good investment and will never be worth anything.

i think the guy is actually one of cnbc's fast money traders. i think he himself is very uninformed.

-- March 16, 2007 9:47 PM ∞

---

Valerio wrote:

David Brock,
Whats the news?

-- March 16, 2007 10:03 PM ∞

---

akadjjam wrote:

Hello, all

I would like to properly introduce myself...

Sorry for just busting in earlier…..

And I hope my presence is welcome...

As you may have gathered I am a DJ and I hail from Tampa, Fl...

I have been in the shadows as it has been said earlier in this segment of this blog since Nov of 2004 and I have a vested interest in the outcome of Iraq as I believe all of us here do.

First I would like to thank each and everyone on this blog that has posted on or off topic….
It has been almost religious reading for me.

Second I would like to offer my entertainment services for the roast. Looks like we’re all getting closer...YEAH BABY!!!!

Last I saw a report today from the MSM that was actually the most positive that I have seen thus far,
On MSNBC today there was a report that was covered with Senior Bush and an Iraqi official that I did not catch as I was walking through the living room …as the report goes it was all structured around the progress and the future success of the HCL.

I was shocked and let out an enormous YES!!!

Loud enough for my neighbor to here, only 8 ft away with the windows open... loll.

The point is it was broadcast 1 time and 1 time only, but it was broadcast.

Progress in the MSM?

I understand that one report does not build a house, but maybe the progress in Iraq has become undeniable, or at least the negative reports are at an all time low for all the news that I have seen.

Above and beyond all that we think we know, I also have friends on the ground in the war zone.

The one thing I do believe is what they all have told me, by the way when things were ugly, 2 years ago. I was told if I just saw the gym, the mess hall, the base as a whole.

“THE US GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLANS OF LEAVING!”

Dems are just posturing for 08

We can’t leave….sorry to say but

We can’t leave.

In their words

“We will be there for a very long time.”

I admit I was nervous, not my only investment, and I have no ties to anyone selling Dinars.

But I will repeat their words,

“We will be there for a very long time.”

Rob N

Thanks for all the hard work you do for all of us in the shadows…..I Don’t have time in my day, Yet!!!, to search all the sites listed here, so your time is appreciated by me an inspired this post.
And yes I have bought more….

Thank you..all

Roger, Thanks for the stimulating remarks.

Carole. Keep the boat engine warm…..

Sara, what are your thoughts on the afterlife? Exist or not? Is it another plain?

Curious on your thoughts, not a challenge.

Panhandler, thanks for your due diligence.

Chelseadave, have a pint for me been to London a time or 3.

The Famous Red Lion in Chesterfield,

thefamousredlion.com,

Home of the bent spire is a favorite spot,
and I always do a run in Hyde Park...a must.

If you were not mentioned,
I Thank You

A special thanks to everyone on the ground.

-- March 17, 2007 2:01 AM ∞

---

Anonymous wrote:

akadjjam,

Welcome to the show, this blog is a little bit more expressed than the one line comments you can read in other blogs.

I can see you have been lurking for some years as a reader only, and you say you have interest in Iraq.

May I ask are you an investor in Dinars, (I guess) or do you have other investment or interest in Iraq?

If you been reading the blog for such a long time, you pretty much by now have picked up the pace, and seen the "vibes" we have here, and you should fit right in.

Please post on occasion, we could use more DNA here.

Sara,

Yes it is interesting, I think we're touching on the same thing here.

The phenomenon we call Present Time.

The I AM, God, spirit or whatever we call it, is the present time.

Makes me wonder, if present time is spiritual in essence.

Every time a spirit in one way or the other is invalidated he will become less in present time.

Every time a spirit in one way or the other is validated, he will be more in present time.

As present time exist because we see it, it must mean this is what we are, and as spirits are not the physical universe, merely looking at it, and operate in it( hey we need some kind of playground) the condition of present time will exist once we decides that: I AM.

If it is not observed, no one there to observe, play in it, or plainly just doesn't exist, there will be nothing there to create a time track for him.

(He probably took off to another dimension for a cheeseburger)

That leads me to ponder one thing, it seems very plausible to me, that the present time AND spirit, can be reduced into being the same thing.

Yes it's interesting Sara, and religion in this sense is more my style rather than doom others for sinners, screaming minarets, and isolation on a mountaintop.

Sara, this time I had a computer crash, did you remember that calculator I told about some time ago, where all the currencies automatically was calculated to, if you bookmarked it, can you please try to find it, and post it again.

-- March 17, 2007 4:14 AM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Now I'm not anynomous no more

-- March 17, 2007 4:16 AM ∞

---

Valerio wrote:

AKADJJam,
Thanks for comming out! I welcome you. What type of DJ'ing do you do?
Since you are going to provide services at the roast, I presume that you regularly do this type of gig. I'm a guitar player myself, and I'll be entertaining (or annoying) also, and hopefully there will be some other musicians among us willing to join in. I'll be writing a special song for the event. Hopefully the day will come sooner, rather than later.

-- March 17, 2007 4:43 AM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Donald Trump Is Living Proof...
If given enough seed money from your dad...to weather the loses from bad decisions while you learn... you can be successful....

After reading his interview about President Bush on Woff(CNN) That business sense is not always indicative of rational,common sense thinking...

That the most important thing to a democrat is to get a democrat in the white house regardless of its affect on America as a whole

+++++++++++

From the layman's point of view...TIME is simply being aware...it is a perception...nothing more...nothing less...Past and Future are terms used to show awareness of the present...example...without joy...you could not recognize saddness...without the feel of touch you could not recognize feeling...crying gives you the recognition of laughter...all are gifts...THE PROVERBIAL ANSWER when THE QUESTION IS ASK OF A CERTAIN EVENT, OR THING...
ANS: WHATEVER YOU WANT IT TO MEAN???? Thus you have the different views of the human race...all clamoring to say their VIEW IS SUPERIOR

-- March 17, 2007 9:28 AM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

ROGER!
Plans are moving forward...will be making trip leaving out next Friday AM or Sat AM...will give you a report by email..

-- March 17, 2007 9:54 AM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

CHLORINE GAS BOMBS IN IRAQ...
I believe there are now 365 CURRENT documented cases of WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION...
LETS ALL WATCH THE MSM AND SEE HOW THEY SPEND THAT INFORMATION...The silence may be deafening...

-- March 17, 2007 10:09 AM ∞

---

Valerio wrote:

At the very moment you become conscious of present time that moment is past.

-- March 17, 2007 12:22 PM ∞

---

Paul wrote:

Hi All,

Has anyone seen this? Any thoughts?
tia.

CBI adopts fixed ID exchange rate
Baghdad (NINA)- The Central Bank of Iraq CBI has announced adopting the exchange rate of Iraqi Dinar against the US Dollar, settled on last Thursday’s auction until March 19. A CBI statement said Saturday that the measure came within the previously adopted measures, aiming at boosting Iraqi Dinar...

http://www.ninanews.com/ninaII/indexeng.php
__________________
Sources at the Central Bank told the nation »« that this policy will continue until the Iraqi dinar thrive and become the preferred currency in daily dealings. With those sources expressed its confidence in achieving this policy even finishing off phenomenon (dollarization).

-- March 17, 2007 8:12 PM ∞

---

Carole wrote:

Hi All,
Still vacationing and having a very good time.

Every couple of days look in on T&B.

I was wondering--what has happened to Tim Bitts? I miss him!!

Have met quite a few people that are into DINAR investing. Have pointed them to this site. Muy cousin actually does "day tradiing " on currency on the Forex. He tried to explain it all to me. I may dabble in it.

Well, hope this hits soon, fo everyone's sake.

Take care

Carole

-- March 18, 2007 12:32 AM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Carl,

Cool, Let me know if there is any Q's.

Paul,

Have read it over and over, and it seems like it is one of those commonly produced articles or messages that says a lot but doesn't really say anything.

As I read it:
-"The current exchange rate will be good until the 19th."

Another way of saying it is:

-"We will skip work, calling in sick and have a goat barbie, and we will be back on the job in two days, and take up the slack from there."

Valerio,

Good observation, it seems like a trap of some sort, the present time, is here, but the past is immediately upon the present time.

If you make a really brilliant creation, or have a really brilliant idea, that aha moment was so satisfying that it's easy to re create it from the past.

Storing it on the time track and bring it up an look at the jewel on occasion.

Present time don't have a memory facility for storage, like the mind we are using.

It does have one thing that beats it all though.

It knows.

Sara,

Perhaps your June prediction is getting more real.

Very soon the Iraqi stock market will be open for foreign investors, and if they don't revalue the currency, foreigners can buy up much of the Iraqi industry, for a bargain price.

The banks are right now not in too good of a condition in Iraq, some, like business banks have done some really good progress, but still overall, the banks are to a high degree the agent that pays people state subsidiaries. Compared with here, instead of people on welfare lining up in the social services centers, over there they line up in the bank instead.

This will all change over time, when the boom is on. So right now, you can make some really good deal on Iraqi bank stocks.

When the foreign investors are getting in on the stock market, private investments are getting to Iraqis industry.

As everything, this is Iraq, and it is slow go, but I predict in about May June sometime you will see the stock market doing the foreign deal.

Ad that to the oil law, the HCL, still bogged down, and still the "we are aaaaalmost done" reports are trickling in, but by Apr or May there is no way around it, they must get their thumb out of their rear end sometime this lifetime.

The big budget, as far as I recalled reading on it, the budget calender starts the 1st of Apr. And this time around it is a very very big budget.

There are so many things that are coming together around Apr, May Jun, that at least if they want to do a reval, that time would be a very good opportunity.

They might do the slow reval as we see it now, but that would be a very big disadvantage for the Iraqis, if they are following the market instead of leading the market.

If you chase the market you are always at disadvantage.

See it like a Real Estate owner that bought a house and some land at a good price, and wants to sell it when the market is high.

He's asking just a bit too much, and when the market goes down he waits, and then he lower the price just a little bit , but too late, because the market has already gone further down, so now he waits and waits, find no buyer, and lower it a bit more, again too late because now the market is even lower.

On and on it goes until he chases the market down to it's bottom, at this time he is desperate, and sell it for less than he bought it for, takes his losses, and move in with his wife to his mother in law.

So you never chase the market, especially a state with it's own internal economy.

They can set the market.

So if the Iraqis are a bit on the smart side (ha) they would have an excellent opportunity around that time.

If they don't do it, and instead they decides to chase the market, with the exchange rate, the rate of increase on the Dinar can be expected to accelerate the more hot the internal market is.

If it happens, well Jun doesn't seem to bad of a time.

-- March 18, 2007 1:26 AM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Carl,

Yes, the problem with present time, and the viewpoint that observes from it, every viewpoint is unique.

If you can accept it, and enjoy your own point of view, and live with the frustration that you will never be able to fully make someone else duplicate what you have experienced, you will have a happy life.

The arse that have the idea that sunset and sunrise happens in his butt, and the universe rotates in concentric circles around HIM, gives his viewpoint and present time such an importance that he must exert any conceivable effort to MAKE other people understand him, even if it involves cutting their head off, beating the wife, or abuse their children.

Imagine this complete looser, with everything he loves, in pain around him, children with belt marks, wife with hair ripped out, and black eyes, and while he is beating his 5 year old with a book over the head for not reading absolutely correct, he his mumbling his problem over and over again....-"Why will they not understaaaaand ?"

-- March 18, 2007 1:46 AM ∞

---

Terry853 wrote:

Mostly I am a JAFO. On all the threads these days you see a lot of what seems like depression!! Every body that has been in this thing for any length of time knows of the SHAKEOUT!!!It seems to be working with some success!! What is the dinar stalled at. 1277 ?? What is the approximate value of the Euro right now. Regardless any other oil field service company hands out there. If so you know what this business pays. Iraq will be the same in a few years. Big Bucks!! Hang in there folks.
Hey Tim Bits, Where you at!!
I know that there are a couple of well informed people here who can give me a very detailed answer on this question. Is not Babylon, 30 Km north of Bagdad supposed to be amazingly wealthy when the world decides to go nuts!!

-- March 18, 2007 1:55 AM ∞

---

Tim Bitts wrote:

Terry853:

thanks for asking. I am in the middle of making some big changes in my life. I sold my business, have to wrap it up in a few months, lots to do there, also am starting a new venture, have done some travelling, and will be moving to a different part of Canada soon, selling the house, etc. No worries. As Arnold Swarzenagger said, "I'll be back!"

I peak in from time to time, but will be back in the fall. I expect an RV in 2007 or 2008.

I've started to notice a subtle shift in the mainstream media. They are becoming a bit less hostile to the inevitability and desirability of American success in Iraq, and the success of the Iraqi economy, and oil industry, and some are starting to catch up to people on this blog, who have been absolutely and firmly convinced, years ago, that American success in Iraq is definitely not just an option. It is a must.

The success of Iraq, and specifically a secure and inexpensive supply of oil to run the American economy is essential to America, if America is to continue, long-term, as a wealthy super-power. Iraqi success is absolutely vital to the overall long term health of the American economy, and that affects everyone.

Iraq may contain one out of three barrels of oil on the planet, by some estimates. This vital commodity allows our entire civilization to continue. There is great controversy over how much oil is left in the world, how much demand will continue to grow in the future, and how much new technology will affect that overall picture, but there is no controversy over the fact that Iraq sits on a considerable amount of the future energy needs of the world, and that the oil in Iraq is of a very high quality, and, even with terrorism a factor, it is very cheap to produce. Letting control of that enormously valuable resource slip into radical hands would be economic suicide for the United States.

An American loss in Iraq is unthinkable and would have dire negative consequences for generations, fueling and super-charging terrorism, and seriously threatening American global pre-eminance, economically and militarily. America MUST win. The stakes are simply guargantuan. And America WILL win!

That means we should all buy more dinars. We'll be wealthy some day!

....Hi to all on this site! I miss coming here, lots of great people on this site, take care, I will come by sometimes, and then get more involved later this year. Thanks.

-- March 18, 2007 3:34 AM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Terry853,

Hi, yes, well, we're a bit worn out, but those that are waiting for something good, never waits too long.

Absolutely, Babylon is on the same legendary page as El Dorado, Atlantis, and Shangri La.

Streets made of gold, and food everywhere.

The bonus is that of those cities only Babylon was a real city.

Well what was in the past doesn't necessary guarantee a future, once upon a time. India was one of the most rich, if not THE riches country on earth, where big gems and gold was sold on the street market. However all the ingredients for a rich Iraqi future is there.

As for the current freeze with the Dinar, ...an explanation, well the Iraqis do what we do on this blog only, talk.

Difference is, we do it on our leisure time, they do it professionally.

Tim Bitts,

Long time no see, wow that's a big change in your life, selling house , business and all.

Amazing to what length some can go to, just to buy more Dinars.

What are you up to now, where are you heading and what are you getting into?

-- March 18, 2007 4:10 AM ∞

---

akadjjam wrote:

Thanks for the welcome party,

Anonymous and or Roger …lol … I can feel your pain in that post

Now I'm not anonymous no more... If I busted you out I apologize…honestly was talking about some of your earlier posts not the anonymous one ….lol

And thank you Valerio ….

Would like to say that I honestly envy you for playing an instrument I have tried to learn to no avail….Hat is currently bowed….

First things first and that’s to answer all questions and comments,

Anonymous… my only vested interest at this moment is in Dinars other investments my come…how substantial is what you are really wondering…well I am just a lowly DJ in the big ole world right now …..But it does look like I may have that bar on the sand in Coastal Rica after all… I happened to have a friend hiding some property for sale for us… if the freaking Dems can just stay out of the way.

Ooops, did I say that out loud…lol

One more thing I have surfed and surfed and yes this seems to be the only blog that is actually stimulating.

Progress in any situation is a beautiful thing!!!

Valerio

Man we could probably bore this blog to death …

but to answer your question as short as possible.

If it has lights and sound I have done it...

Light and sound for bands large and small...not the huge concerts but big enough to now my limit, but that was ages ago …like Ready for the World days …

Great group…

Didn’t work their concerts but just think in that era

Also did a couple of plays…lights and sound …really an art

Did some radio in but was very boring ….can’t getting a feel of what the people are responding too…

But all along my calling was clubs... started spinning in 1984 in a teen club 6hrs on Sunday day by the way …lol

Now at the ripe old age of 37 still spinning and currently decided to come play with some of the best here in Tampa, just wanted to test my skills just to see if I could survive in such a saturated market... huge gamble and one of the biggest tests in my life …so far happy to report my head is above water gaining a following …believe me, some of the best DJ”S have houses right around the corner…

Currently spinning Electro, House mostly like Axwell, Bob Sinclair and others, if you like Break beat, House, any Electro, Honestly this is the home of electro of all genres ..

You have

Malicious Mike… a style one to his own…

Chris Craze both spins at the Hard Rock Café…aka Floyd’s

Big Concert on the beach here every summer... last years was

http://sunset06.com/ party kind of like Ibiza

Concert include everybody from Moby on down ….a must for any electro fan
Have a deal for anyone on this blog for a stay… and I won’t profit a dollar just keeping some condos filled for a friend….

LOL, now that I have ran my mouth once again for to long …I hope you enjoyed goodnight and to all of us

GOOD LUCK ON OUR BETS!!!!

-- March 18, 2007 4:55 AM ∞

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akadjjam wrote:

Again Thanks for the welcome

-- March 18, 2007 5:05 AM ∞

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akadjjam wrote:

Bye the way found a four leaf lover today hoping it means , all is weel....on pPatties Day and I'm Irish...lol

-- March 18, 2007 5:14 AM ∞

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Chris wrote:

Announcement No.(885)

D.G. of Foreign Exchange Control

The 885 daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq day Sunday 2007/ 3/ 18 so the results were as follows :

Details Notes
Number of banks 16 -----
Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1277 -----
Auction price buying dinar / US $ ----- -----
Amount sold at auction price (US $) 74.415.000 -----
Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) -----
Total offers for buying (US $) 74.415.000 -----
Total offers for selling (US $) ----- -----

-- March 18, 2007 7:33 AM ∞

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panhandler wrote:

SILLY ROGER. . . EL DORADO IS REAL. . . JUST NORTHEAST OF WICHITA. . . LOL

-- March 18, 2007 9:12 AM ∞

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Carl wrote:

BENCH MARKS
So far Iraq has met all of the goals and guidelines set forth by the IMF.

The Security crackdown is starting to pay dividends as the militia violence is down..The Southern Providences have reported very little violence...with things settling down...73% of the Iraqi people believe that a state of CIVIL WAR does not exist in Iraq..I guess the MSM media didn't poll the Iraqi people before classifying the situation on their own...The Ego..Self-Importance...and Attitude of Arrogance tends to corrupt one's vision..

Recent Iraqi poll indicates that most of the Iraqi people, despite the killing..kidnappings, etc are still better off now than under Saddam..

Read article regarding a 5 year UN & Iraq Plan to build the Iraqi economy. Based on this...presently the dinar has slowed to a scale value of about 60-80 points a year...If this trend keeps then the projected dinar value in 5 years will be around 977 to 877 per dollar...(While slow for me it is better than the last 2 years) As for myself, I believe as the oil fields come on line, the agriculture end of the date and wheat fields kick in, we will start to see a acceleration of the dinar value toward the end of the 5 years..Of course this also depends on the present situation with Iran being cooled down to a slow steamer..instead of a boil...so it appears under the present climate we will be looking at around 2010 before a significant movement is seen)
I base this on the slow political actions of the Iraqi Government...time to improve the security throughout Iraq...the time for the dates and wheat to be significant contributor to the international market, the time to explore the oil fields, analyze the profitability of the fields vs expense outlay, develop roads into the fields,build power facilities,housing,fencing,build storage facilities,get oil pumping equipment into the remote areas,string pipelines to move the oil to the refineries,lines to move the oil from the fineries to the ports for distribution, etc..all of this has to be done before one drop of newly pumped oil can be extracted from the ground...now take into consideration how long it takes us here in the USA to complete a road system with everything already here, and you start to get the magnitude of the endeavor to bring just the oil fields on line...this does not include the political things that have to be done within the smaller villages where all of this is going to take place.)

-- March 18, 2007 9:52 AM ∞

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Tim Bitts wrote:

Roger, hi, part of the proceeds of the business will go into investing in companies that will be players, in the coming "oil rush" that will flood Iraq with rigs, in the next few years. I want a little variety in my Iraqi investments.

I am heading to a somewhat remote location in northern Canada, where I can spend a fair bit of time on outdoor pursuits, like hiking and canoeing, and nature photography. I'm able to take a couple of years off, without working. I should have access to the internet, when I come back home from the woods, from periodic trips. I'll stay in touch.

-- March 18, 2007 1:51 PM ∞

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Turtle wrote:

Roger: I think Terry853 is making a Bible reference when talking about Babylon when the world goes nuts. Babylon is pretty close to Baghdad but I don't know the distance. I have some neat pics though. It is stated in the Bible that Babylon will be rebuilt to it's former glory and will be the capitol of the new world. Anyway, it's something I put a lot of thought into at one time but according the the scriptures as I understand, this could only currently happen if the US loses and Iran takes over. If the US wins this war and attcks Iran and Syria, there could be long run implications of possibility. Anyway, I don't see those final days scenerios playing out well for the dinar.

-- March 18, 2007 2:32 PM ∞

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Sara Madgid wrote:

Wow.. a lot to catch up on when you get busy with other stuff.. isn't there?

Welcome akadjjam. You asked for my thoughts on the afterlife.. hmmm.. Well, obviously, Jesus said there was one and that He was going to prepare a place for His followers somewhere - in some location or place:

Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me.
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Soo.. since Jesus said there was an afterlife - with a "place" in His Father God's 'house' which is prepared for those who follow Him - I would say there is a real afterlife which has some degree of physicality and locality to it. Even if it is difficult to explain to earthly minds because it is beyond this plane of existence, as the Bible says, 1Co 2:9 it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him.

So.. all I know from this is.. it is a bit too difficult to explain in terms we can understand from our viewpoint in the world. I believe it likely this speaks of an existence in a higher dimensional plane which is too hard for us to grasp at this point in time. It is like this says, "You wouldn't even understand what it will be like - it hasn't even entered into your minds or hearts.. it is so far beyond this earthly plane of existence as to be incomprehensible to the human mind at this point in time." It is like explaining a third dimensional world to a second dimensional creature. Jesus claimed to come from this other extra dimensional plane of existence where He will take us, and said He came down from there and was returning to there, so He claimed to know what He was talking about concerning these things. Also, He rose from the dead.. which gave Him a unique credibility concerning dominating other realms (including death), in my opinion. :) Jesus said:

Joh 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you of heavenly things?
Joh 3:13 And no man has ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

First off, Jesus said they were having a difficult time with the earthly things He was saying to them plainly, so how on earth could He get into that which is beyond present physics? Second, Jesus is "the Son of man" He refers to in the second verse. Jesus very often claimed to be the Son of man in the Scriptures. It was a title He used to refer to His incarnate presence. (Matt 8:20, 9:6, 11:19, 12:8, 12:32, 12:40, 13:37.. etc, etc. Mat 16:13 - "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of man, am?"" )

In this passage in John 3, above, Jesus said that He (the Son of man) came down from heaven, quote, "He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man " - He came DOWN to our earthly plane of existence from those realms which are higher in dimension than our existence. He also said we would have a difficult time grasping what He might wish to teach us if He tried to explain what those heavenly realms are like. And lastly, He claimed, as He stood directly in front of them, to actually BE IN HEAVEN.. ( the Son of man which is in heaven - in John 3:13, above ). This is, of course, a direct claim to Deity, since God is present everywhere at once - Omnipresent. Jesus was standing there and saying He was IN HEAVEN (right then). He wasn't "a god" but "THE God" - the One who is Omnipresent - present everywhere at once. So in this passage of Scripture He said that He was from heaven and also was (in the present, at the time He uttered these words) present both in heaven and on earth.. because He was God incarnate (God come to earth in human flesh.) Hence, His claims about what it is like in the afterlife hold definitive authority to me since Jesus had actually BEEN THERE, was from there, had seen the things He spoke of, understood that realm (which He said we would have difficulty grasping) and actually was there in real time reality as He spoke these words. In brief, those are my thoughts on the Afterlife.. :)

Sara.

-- March 18, 2007 8:43 PM ∞

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Anthony R wrote:

Just my thoughts Turtle, but if the end of days scenario is unfolding, my monopoly money (Dinars), is my smallest concern to be honest.

-- March 18, 2007 11:27 PM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Panhandler,

El Dorado is also one of the counties here in the Ca Mother Lode area, probably the name was minted during the Gold rush.

The "real" El Dorado was the elusive place the Spanish conquistador's was looking for, the town that was built of gold.

They went into the jungle and found themselves only to be the target of Curare darts.

I get a hit of gold fever myself on occasion, and are doing recreational gold panning.

It's fun, but it's really back breaking if you want to be serious about it.

Turtle,

Babylon as the Capitol of the World???

As a metaphor perhaps.

I can't see any city being the Capitol of the world at all.

In order for that to happen, a World Government must first come into play, and even though the world is globalizing in business, in culture and politics, it's not any closer now than it was 100 years back.

A guy from the south wants to speak his accent, and have local government, and a guy from Boston wants to do the same. They rarely even read each others newspaper.

The "we" and "us" feeling is very narrow in people, and I have a hard time see that we will have any common ground with Olaf in Norway, or Boris in Russia.

We are even baffled daily, by the way the Iraqis execute their thinking process.

It's a complete blank in western eyes, how would we possible get a "we" and 'us" feeling about it?

Any World Government in a possible up and coming existence can not exist other than as an enforced entity.

Just hope they don't impose Goose Marching, if that happens.

Tim Bitts,

Good plan, and a good quality of life.

Have you already made the list of the companies that are on the doorstep of Iraq?

When you go out a year or a couple of months up there in the middle of nowhere, get a good scope with you.

Summertime look into the Teapot, or Scorpius, you will see into the center of our Galaxy with billions stars, star clusters and all kind of fun things.

Wintertime will reveal most number of Galaxies.

May I suggest a possible purchase, get Celestron refractor apochromatic, very good quality, 4 inch and a focus of 1000 mm.(one whole meter), get some good quality eyepieces, (oculars).

Don't do an axial mount, just get a good Azimuth mount, with knob adjustments.

Once you have seen an up close of what's out there, you will never be the same.

Just a suggestion for you when you are heading to the wilderness area and are going to be there for a while.

Hope to hear back from you on occasion.

akadjjam,

No you didn't scare me away in any form or way, the reason I ended up as "anonymous" for a posting there, was that I have had a PC crash and are building up all my routines again, and just plainly forgot to permanently mark my entry with my handle.

Carl,

It's plausible that Iran and Iraq don't have really too much of a conflict with each other, there is and always have been a very big interchange, like Canada and US, and the conflict is more based on US / Iran than anything else.

The physical border of Iran/Iraq was set by us westerners early in the last century, and the concept of two countries wasn't really real to the people there, as they have for thousands of years always had their trade routes, and commercial dealings with each other.

Iran will be a big influence in Iraq, and vice versa.

For them this is just a natural thing, but for us, any presence of anything that is spelled Iran is synonymous with Iranian covert action, infiltration or support of enemy forces.

I'm absolutely convinced, as proof of it has been brought to the table, that the Iranians in fact ARE doing covert operations in Iraq, but most Iran/Iraq dealings is just old business as usual.

Up until about a moth ago, the Iranians officials were on the front page almost everyday saying or proclaiming something, they seem to keep a low profile lately. Maybe just a fluke, or they might be up to something, or they have got problems of their own, keeping their noses within their own borders.

If they have got problems of their own, and are keeping quiet or busy on their side of the fence, I think we put their problems there for them to consume.

The US/Iran confrontation is very much an intelligence operation.

-- March 19, 2007 1:32 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Sara,

What if Jesus have been reincarnated for two thousand years, and is presently a bank manager in Wachovia, Wisconsin, driving a Dodge Turbo Diesel, and in need of a root canal. He is a Vietnam Vet, and consider himself a Democrat and is an avid deer hunter, have cheated on the tax form about 16 times, and considers stop smoking .....what if?

-- March 19, 2007 1:45 AM ∞

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Tim Bitts wrote:

Roger, I like Western Oil Sands, based in Calgary. They have an interest in part of the Athabasca oil sands development in Alberta, and they have a wholly owned subsidiary, Western Zagros, that is currently looking for oil in Kurdistan, Iraq. See: www.westernoilsands.com/

Thanks for the night viewing tips.

-- March 19, 2007 1:59 AM ∞

---

Roger wrote:

Carl,

yes the long term is where we have to look for a stable and increasing Dinar, but if there is an RV in the works, the following months is one of the most excellent places to execute that maneuver.

Lets say for the sake of the argument that there will be an RV, that might not be much of an RV, more an adjustment, but significant enough that it will be a difference from now.

They have the choice, chase the market and be the effect, always in need of adjusting or counter the fluctuations, or be in command of the market, and do their RV or an aggressive Dinar revaluation on a progressive sliding scale.

I have a feeling that right now they are not even up to ask themselves the question, -"what is happening, and what will we do."

It's more -"What did that IMF guy say we should do?"

The World Bank HAS commended the Iraqi Central Bank for raising the Dinar, and both are studying proposals to raise the Dinar, and even suggestions to get it up to it's former value of over 3 Dollars to the Dinar.

Between goat barbies and WB/IMF incompetency ( read: bureaucratic slow paper pushing, non responsible mangers, always have to ask their boss, to go ahead, in order to not screw up and be responsible for anything, and they in turn has to ask their boss, in order to again not be responsible for a screw up, the last in line is a non educated, voted in, member of the World Bank, from Ugabebe, that is schooled in Socialism, and doesn't have a clue of how economics really works)...things that need to happen will not happen.

IMF told the Iraqis to skip some subsidiaries on fuel, as part of the deal to get rid of the debt, well they have got rid of about 80% of their debt by now, and that is remarkable.

The higher fuel price will reflect immediately on an economy that have 15-20 million people living on LESS than a Dollar a day.

In itself this is in the long run not too bad, because the money stays in Iraq, and will in this way be reloaded into the Iraqi state finance.

In the short run this is a blow to the market, as their currency value is so extremely low, and this makes it harder to run things, keep in mind that humming generators is the norm in Iraq, rather than a functioning electric grid.

This will affect air conditioning, TV, food preservation, any electronic communication, and a lot of other basic things.

However, again, the state if Iraq have been slow, and very incompetent in refunding their income into projects that benefit the country and will create jobs.

The Iraqi state has been a Socialistic state under Saddam, where food and fuel have been government handouts.

That can of course not continue, and it will be a painful adventure to wean off the Iraqis from the bottle, and the problem here is, that they culturally seem to solve such problems with going out in a pack, and shoot people that they consider are doing wrongs against them.

And on top of it all, the HCL is still stuck.

I don't have a clue how these people even think.

We gave away this country far far too early, it is obvious that the Iraqis are right now a bunch of very incompetent, non result , managers, that are more interested in their clan than getting this show on the road.

When we say the word Iraq, we see the whole thing as one unity.

For them that is very low on the scale, it is clear that Iraq is very compartmentalized where all this unimportant questions are for them very burning.

The priorities are not straight over there.

They need to win a Soccer tournament, and get some national heroes very quick.

Toss in a hard line PM on the deal, and we might see some action, right now, it's talk, talk, talk.

-- March 19, 2007 2:34 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

The pressure increasing on the Iraqi Dinar.

GCC the Gulf Coast guys that are pumping as much as they can, hoarding in money, and displaying Bugattis and high line Mercedes on the streets, are in heavy discussions about revaluing their currency.

This is not Iraq, but it will impact Iraq as this is the next door neighbours.

Next coming month the GCC will hold a conference and the agenda is known, IMF will be there and the burning question is a revalue of their currencies.

The Dollar is as it is a falling currency right now, not a wanted currency to peg to, but a basket of currencies are on the agenda.

An evaluation of the currency value on an individual basis will be done, some of the members will revalue as much as 30% ,some to 15% and some will not revalue.

The hottest currency right now is the Saudi Currency, that has the most probable cause for revalue.

The money flowing into those places are unbelievable, for example, we are bitching on China, where a trade deficit is an irritating phenomenon, but we have about a one fifth MORE trade deficit with the Gulf region.

They export oil, but buys Bugatti's and Mercedes instead.

Anyhow, most probably a currency reval will take place in that region pretty quick. A month or two and it should be done.

So where does that leave Iraq, and the Dinar?

Well as stated earlier, a currency is not only valued on how stable or productive a country is, but also how the currency is valued IN COMPARISON with other currencies.

A reval of most of the important countries in the region will immediately devalue the Dinars value, not on the exchange basis it is operating on now, but on the buying power it has in the region.

So even if it holds the same Dollar exchange rate, it will be a lesser valued currency in the neighbouring states.

This move, that is currently underway in the GCC states, will undoubtedly get a lot of interest from the Iraqis, and just by the fact that it is a revaluation, will make the concept of a revaluation much more real to the Iraqis.

Hope they get the hint.

-- March 19, 2007 4:31 AM ∞

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Chris wrote:

Announcement No.(886)

D.G. of Foreign Exchange Control

The 886 daily currency auction was held in the Central Bank of Iraq day Monday 2007/ 3/ 19 so the results were as follows :

Details Notes
Number of banks 16 -----
Auction price selling dinar / US $ 1277 -----
Auction price buying dinar / US $ ----- -----
Amount sold at auction price (US $) 88.015.000 -----
Amount purchased at Auction price (US $) -----
Total offers for buying (US $) 88.015.000 -----
Total offers for selling (US $) ----- -----

-- March 19, 2007 4:46 AM ∞

---

Carl wrote:

Roger!
I agree with you on the Iran/Iraq view regarding their relationship. That is why I always said if, we go to WAR with Iran, Iraq is lost...as the Iraqi Shiites will merge with the Iranian Shiites.. Business wise..I believe the Iranians are a excellent trading partner for the Iraqis..

Regarding the Dinar...Yes! there are internal and external pressures to revalue...but this revaluation will be done slowly at a snails pace for several different reasons...Their infrastructure can not support a fast revalue....The Electrical, Water, Roads, Warehousing, Grain Storage Bins, Transportation,Security, Sewage, Tribal and Community Politics ..etc.. infrastructure is not adequate to promote the manufacturing infrastructure (more Jobs) needed to improve their production of export goods... at the fast pace needed...The question is... which comes first the chicken or the egg?..I suggest in this Iraqi senario...the chicken must grow to laying status before the golden egg is laid...

The time frame I observe is based on my observation of human nature in the natural process of planning, and implimetation of the plans..It takes time...and time is just another ingredient needed whether you are baking a cake or trying to build an economy...the value of your currency is based on that result of those plans...some decisions made today will have to be adjusted tomorrow to meet the ever changing needs of the Iraqi people...unfortunately...the needs change faster than the governments ability to react to the problem (that is just one of the many reasons for the present unrest in certain regions)...thus they are presently a reactive government and not a proactive government...

MY! MY! MY!
Oh! What is a good democrat to do??? All of this good news coming out of Iraq about the security crackdown working...Plus! The Iraqi people actually think they are better off under Maliki than Saddam...Well! kick my grit bowl!!!

THE DISAPPEARING ACT...
It seems Iran in the past 3 months has developed a problem of... a string of top Revolutionary Guards and Generals disappearing...also 17 other Revolutionary Guards were killed within the past 30 days...nothing like a little covert action to stir things up within the central Iranian Command..I bet their pucker factor has now reached the scale of 10 and climbing..

-- March 19, 2007 6:28 AM ∞

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Roger wrote:

Carl,

Yup, seems to be disease of some sort in the higher Iranian ranks.

Abdullah do you think?....Abdullah? ...strange he was standing here just a minute ago.

The Dinar....time,... whataya mean, I want the millions now.

-- March 19, 2007 9:30 AM ∞

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Sara Madgid wrote:

Roger.. I think this is the calculator.. http://coinmill.com/IQD_calculator.html

As for the spiritual discussion being more to your taste.. that is good. :)
Interesting thoughts you had.. but Jesus never mentioned any reincarnation, only an afterlife..
and as I said, I do think He knew what He was talking about from actual experiential knowledge of it..
not just pontificating from imaginings. So I expect an afterlife, not a reincarnation, as Jesus' word is trustworthy.

Carl - Your view on the Dems wishing the WH at any cost.. seem true to me, too.

As for AWARENESS or self-awareness being important to our human race.. I agree.

But I think the question isn't who wins an argument or makes themselves out to be the "superior view or opinion", but to me.. the real question is.. what is GOD's Opinion/View. Since it really doesn't matter what you or I think.. but only what He does, in the end. That is the Judgement Seat of God.. right? God judges men, right? Sooo.. even if you have someone who can teach/preach or sweet talk himself out of any trouble in this life.. I just don't think it will jive with the Lord on that Day. It is THAT judgement that I seek to hear and listen to.. even if others don't like what they hear and don't wish to hear it.. I do. It also seems to be unpopular from time to time.. in the Bible days, there were prophets telling the people "peace, peace" from God (supposedly) but the prophet writing the Bible said that God said it was not peace, but a time of war. I think I would not wish to be among the "popular" prophets and believing their words, even if everyone else did. I guess to me it is more important to be right than to win an argument with someone who is good at debating... be they Islamic, MSM or anything else.

As for the chlorine gas attacks.. the MSM has been very silent about linking it with one of the MANY reasons the US went to Iraq (WMD) in their coverage.. haven't they?

And thanks so very much for pointing out that 73% of the Iraqis don't think it is a Civil War.. though the MSM does. Perhaps it was more this attitude of arrogance in viewpoint, rather than a religious (ie - terrorist) viewpoint which spurred your comments on those with a "superior view or opinion" but I took it in the context of religious discussion and so answered it that way. Also, I am discussing Islam at length on the side, so that may have crept in as a bias in how I took that point you made.. sorry if I misconstrued it in any way. I appreciated your saying, "Recent Iraqi poll indicates that most of the Iraqi people, despite the killing..kidnappings, etc are still better off now than under Saddam.." That is good news and not highlighted in the MSM, so thanks for mentioning it. I haven't been on news for a couple of days, and that is good news to hear. :)

Your five year plan sounds slow and steady.. but I still think Iraq could use with the "kickstart" of a stimulant like the RV to get things up and running.. Since there will NEVER be an announcement saying "The Iraqi Dinar will RV tomorrow at 1:1 USD!!" - it is watching for something no one will even admit anyone might be working on. Hence, your five year plan looks logical.. IF there is no plan by the Powers That Be to do a RV to kickstart things for the Iraqis. I still hope that the plan to RV exists, and I know you hope so, too. Like being lost at sea where you "pray for help (from God) but row for shore." - I expect that rowing toward the shoreline of the five year plan is logical and trustworthy. But hoping for the RV is like hoping for the Coast Guard to find you long before you would sight land from rowing on your own.. :) And survival of those in the boat may depend on it.

Roger - Yes, June is still looking good to me, too. :)

But I would take anytime sooner if anyone wished for it to go sooner, too. I just look at June as the last ditch attempt.. like the deadline for the Constitution in Iraq to be ratified.. which also went to the wire.

Tim Bitts - Glad you are still around.. I was wondering where you were, too! I agree with you concerning Iraqi oil, "Letting control of that enormously valuable resource slip into radical hands would be economic suicide for the United States." and I also agree with you that more people in the US are slowly coming to the conclusion this blog long ago came to on this and the other related points, as you astutely observed, "An American loss in Iraq is unthinkable and would have dire negative consequences for generations, fueling and super-charging terrorism, and seriously threatening American global pre-eminance, economically and militarily. America MUST win. The stakes are simply guargantuan. And America WILL win!"

I think the hardest point of that for the MSM to swallow is that America WILL win.. but the other points are slowly being drummed into their minds, which is good. Don't be a stranger, we appreciate your contributions to the blog! All the best to you and yours.. hope the move goes smoothly. :)

Sara.

-- March 19, 2007 10:03 AM ∞

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Sara Madgid wrote:

Tim Bitts said he was interested in the Oil sands of Alberta and had an interest in them. As I was checking for news, this item came up which relates. I thought it worth posting.. because it is something which could affect that investment profoundly. As this article shows, Canada may go for the view of the Global Warming advocates and tax the industry there heavily so that it will take the profit out of that investment (to the tune of multi-BILLIONS of dollars).. Global Warming is, after all, a big tax grab under the guise of being science.

Sara.

===

Carbon wars may pit province against province
SHAWN MCCARTHY
Globe and Mail Update

A get-tough strategy to combat global warming could produce multibillion-dollar transfers from coal-fired provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan to provinces like Quebec and Manitoba that rely on hydroelectric power, says a new study from CIBC World Markets Inc.

Jeffrey Rubin, chief economist with CIBC World Markets, said he expects Canada will have to adopt an effective emissions credit market that includes strict limits on carbon dioxide emissions and large fines for companies that exceed those limits.

Mr. Rubin said Tuesday that governments in Ottawa and Alberta are pursuing a minimalist policy that will actually lead to significantly higher greenhouse gas emissions. Eventually, he said, Canada will have to get tougher, prodded by a growing movement in the United States to combat global warming.

“The carbon wars promise to be anything but regionally neutral.”

He said a Canadian-based cap-and-trade credit system would entail “very significant transfers” between oil- and coal-rich Alberta and Saskatchewan and provinces that rely less on fossil fuels.

Alberta recently imposed new limits on greenhouse gas emissions based on so-called intensity targets — the amount of carbon dioxide produced per barrel of oil or megawatt of electricity. The government said it would fine companies that exceed their limits $15 for every tonne of additional CO{-2}, a figure the former Liberal government and the current Conservative government have also embraced.

Alberta and Saskatchewan currently account for 40 per cent of Canada greenhouse gas emissions, and represented 60 per cent of the growth in those emissions between 1990 and 2004.

While critics have focused on Alberta's oil sands as a potential source of major increases in greenhouse gas emissions, Mr. Rubin said the current interprovincial breakdown has as much to do with how the provinces generate their electricity.

Those that rely heavily on coal would be major purchasers of emission credits under a cap-and-trade system, while those that depend on hydro and nuclear could be sellers of credits.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070313.wgreenhouse0313/BNStory/Business/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20070313.wgreenhouse0313

So those who are thinking of investing in the Oil Sands in Canada ought to be aware that the Canadian government may tax the Oil Sands so heavily with the "carbon" tax as to make that industry unprofitable to invest in.

Sara.

-- March 19, 2007 10:20 AM ∞

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Sara Madgid wrote:

Consensus My Eye: Global Warming Skeptics Win NYC Debate With Believers
Posted by Noel Sheppard on March 16, 2007

You probably didn’t hear about a rather topical debate concerning man’s role in global warming that took place in New York City Wednesday night.

Want to know why the media will likely ignore this fascinating event? Well, because the panel of skeptics beat the believers.

How large was the victory?

Well, before the debate took place, the tough New York crowd was polled, and the results showed that they believed global warming was a crisis by a margin of 57 percent to 30 percent. However, after the debate, this changed to the crowd feeling it wasn’t a crisis, with skeptics topping believers 46 to 42 percent.

So much for consensus, huh? As reported by Marc Morano at the EPW blog (emphasis added throughout):

Just days before former Vice President Al Gore’s scheduled visit to testify about global warming before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, a high profile climate debate between prominent scientists Wednesday evening ended with global warming skeptics being voted the clear winner by a tough New York City before an audience of hundreds of people.

[…]

After the stunning victory, one of the scientists on the side promoting the belief in a climate "crisis" appeared to concede defeat by noting his debate team was ‘pretty dull" and at "a sharp disadvantage" against the skeptics. ScientificAmerican.com’s blog agreed, saying the believers in a man-made climate catastrophe “seemed underarmed for the debate and, not surprising, it swung against them."

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The evening was not without well-timed jabs at hypocrites like soon-to-be-Dr. Al Gore and his adoring fans in Hollywood who preach to the populace the need for a change in energy usage while they use the planet’s natural resources at a staggering clip:

"What we see in this is an enormous danger for politicians in terms of their hypocrisy. I’m not going to say anything about Al Gore and his house. But it is a very serious point," quipped University of London emeritus professor Philip Stott to laughter from the audience.

The audience also applauded a call by novelist Michael Crichton to stop the hypocrisy of environmentalists and Hollywood liberals by enacting a ban on private jet travel.

"Let’s have the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), the Sierra Club and Greenpeace make it a rule that all of their members, cannot fly on private jets. They must get their houses off the [power] grid. They must live in the way that they’re telling everyone else to live. And if they won’t do that, why should we? And why should we take them seriously?" Crichton said to applause audience.

"I suddenly think about my friends, you know, getting on their private jets. And I think, well, you know, maybe they have the right idea. Maybe all that we have to do is mouth a few platitudes, show a good expression of concern on our faces, buy a Prius, drive it around for a while and give it to the maid, attend a few fundraisers and you’re done. Because, actually, all anybody really wants to do is talk about it."

"I mean, haven’t we actually raised temperatures so much that we, as stewards of the planet, have to act? These are the questions that friends of mine ask as they are getting on board their private jets to fly to their second and third homes. [LAUGHTER]"

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University of London professor emeritus Philip Stott stated:

"In the early 20th century, 95% of scientists believe in eugenics. [LAUGHTER] Science does not progress by consensus, it progresses by falsification and by what we call paradigm shifts."

"The first Earth Day in America claimed the following, that because of global cooling, the population of America would have collapsed to 22 million by the year 2000. And of the average calorie intake of the average American would be wait for this, 2,400 calories, would good it were. [LAUGHTER] It’s nonsense and very dangerous. And what we have fundamentally forgotten is simple primary school science. Climate always changes."

"Angela Merkel the German chancellor, my own good prime minister (Tony Blair) for whom I voted -- let me emphasize, arguing in public two weeks ago as to who in Annie get the gun style could produce the best temperature. ‘I could do two degrees C said Angela.’ ‘No, I could only do three said Tony.’ [LAUGHTER] Stand back a minute, those are politicians, telling you that they can control climate to a degree Celsius.”

“And can I remind everybody that IPCC that we keep talking about, very honestly admits that we know very little about 80% of the factors behind climate change. Well let’s use an engineer; I don’t think I’d want to cross Brooklyn Bridge if it were built by an engineer who only understood 80% of the forces on that bridge. [LAUGHTER]”

===

And, MIT professor Richard Lindzen declared:

"Now, much of the current alarm, I would suggest, is based on ignorance of what is normal for weather and climate."

"The impact on temperature per unit carbon dioxide actually goes down, not up, with increasing CO2. The role of anthropogenic greenhouse gases is not directly related to the emissions rate or even CO2 levels, which is what the legislation is hitting on, but rather to the impact of these gases on the greenhouse effect."

"The real signature of greenhouse warming is not surface temperature but temperature in the middle of the troposphere, about five kilometers. And that is going up even slower than the temperature at the surface."

===

Any questions about why the media ignored this New York, New York debate? After all, to paraphrase Frank Sinatra, if you can make your point there, you can make it anywhere!!!

http://newsbusters.org/node/11461

-- March 19, 2007 10:37 AM ∞

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Sara Madgid wrote:

The Poll You’ll Never Hear About: Only 27% of Iraqis Believe it’s a Civil War
Posted by Noel Sheppard on March 19, 2007
There were two Iraq polls released on Sunday. One is guaranteed to be headline news. The other will likely be totally ignored.

In fact, one of the polls was already referenced by George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week,” as well as reported by USA Today and CNN.

Know what the difference is between these surveys, both of which rather compelling as they asked questions of Iraqi citizens? Well, one painted a rather dire picture of conditions in the embattled country, while the other found a very optimistic people who don’t believe their nation is in a civil war.

As the American media will likely focus all of its attention on the more pessimistic survey, here is the contrary view nobody other than Fox News is likely to cover as reported by the Sunday Times (emphasis added throughout):

DESPITE sectarian slaughter, ethnic cleansing and suicide bombs, an opinion poll conducted on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq has found a striking resilience and optimism among the inhabitants.

The poll, the biggest since coalition troops entered Iraq on March 20, 2003, shows that by a majority of two to one, Iraqis prefer the current leadership to Saddam Hussein’s regime, regardless of the security crisis and a lack of public services.

The survey, published today, also reveals that contrary to the views of many western analysts, most Iraqis do not believe they are embroiled in a civil war.

===

Is it becoming clear why you are unlikely to hear anything about this poll? Yet, that was only the beginning of the startling findings:

The 400 interviewers who fanned out across Iraq last month found that the sense of security felt by Baghdad residents had significantly improved since polling carried out before the US announced in January that it was sending in a “surge” of more than 20,000 extra troops.

[…]

49% of those questioned preferred life under Nouri al-Maliki, the prime minister, to living under Saddam. Only 26% said things had been better in Saddam’s era, while 16% said the two leaders were as bad as each other and the rest did not know or refused to answer.

Another surprise was that only 27% believed they were caught up in a civil war. Again, that number divided along religious lines, with 41% of Sunnis believing Iraq was in a civil war, compared with only 15% of Shi’ites.

“We’ve been polling in Iraq since 2005 and the finding that most surprised us was how many Iraqis expressed support for the present government,” said Johnny Heald, managing director of ORB. “Given the level of violence in Iraq, it shows an unexpected level of optimism.”

Despite the sectarian divide, 64% of Iraqis still want to see a united Iraq under a central national government.

Rather unfortunate that Americans will likely hear very little about this survey, wouldn’t you agree?

What a disgrace.

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