by Ahmed Amr

For a rational discussion of our Middle Eastern imperial obsessions, Americans need to understand that our military adventures in the region are not driven by mere 'crude' considerations. More precisely, our soldiers and marines are killing and dying in Iraq to coerce an oil starved world to horde American dollars for future purchases of Saudi and Kuwaiti crude. Now, that might seem like a distinction without a difference and it does make for a piss poor anti-war slogan. However, it is a distinction that allows for an iron clad rebuttal against those who still buy into the silly notion that we are in the region to promote democracy and export 'our values.' In reality, we place military garrisons in the region to maintain the status of the dollar as an international means of exchange and convince the world of accepting our trade deficits as an American entitlement program. It's our way of making the world an offer they can't refuse....

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Oct05/Amr1003.htm

On September 27, 2005, Australian democracy surrendered to terrorism. On that day, a coalition of willing federal and state leaders agreed to anti-terrorism legislation that will enable police persecution of the Muslim community and threaten dissidents with imprisonment.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10495.htm

say US soldiers:

FOR the first time, American soldiers who personally tortured Iraqi prisoners have come forward to give testimony to human rights organisations about crimes they committed.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10493.htm

review finds:

Al-Hillali said Army Pfc. John N. Lee and Spec. Timothy I. Barron claimed to be Marines searching for weapons. But once inside his house, he said, they used a knife to pry open a briefcase filled with money and eventually stole $2,000 in cash, silver and other valuables.

http://tinyurl.com/dfkbj


From Information Clearing House

In an exclusive extract from his powerful new book about the Middle East, Robert Fisk watches in the Iraqi capital as the US air offensive begins in March 2003.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/fisk/article316530.ece


From Information Clearing House

In November 2003 Magnum photographer Paul Fusco began his essay on the funerals of the soldiers killed in Iraq. He travelled to some 27 different cities and towns, from Florida to Minnesota, Maine and New York.

This is a must watch interactive essay
http://www.magnuminmotion.com/#


From Information Clearing House

Army morale and recruitment are suffering because troops are seen as "guilty by association" with Prime Minister Tony's Blair's decision to invade Iraq, Britain's top soldier has said.

http://tinyurl.com/9825m


From Information Clearing House