Friday, May 09, 2003

Concerning the control of oil. The United States has placed a proposed resolution before the U.N. Security Counil to lift most of the sanctions against Iraq. The draft also -- surprise! -- would grant the United States "broad control over the country's oil industry and revenue until a permanent, representative Iraqi government is in place." (_Washington Post_) [Back In Iraq 2.0] Taking control of the oil industry, while looking really, really bad to the rest of the world, is probably the best that can be made of a bad situation. Istrabadi's right; if a transitional government took control of Iraq's oil revenue, there likely result would be wholesale robbing that would make the looters in the closing days of the war look like pikers. Granted, this will not help the United States' image in Iraq or in the Arab world. They're already convinced the U.S. was making an oil grab. The only way to combat this impression is to manage the oil industry in an enlightened and benevolent manner with no favortism given to corrupted Iraqis or American companies. Handing out crony contracts to Halliburton subsidiaries and other, well-connected American corporations ain't the way do this. The alternative -- handing the oil money to people like INC frontman Ahmed Chalabi who is wanted in Jordan for bank fraud -- is just as bad. 7:44:25 PM    comment () Data Entry Folks, Take Note .... Thought everyone here would enjoy the following e-mail exchange that took place this morning. Names hidden to protect the brazen, of course! :) JM: I work in a library, and my computer accidentially erased everyone's SSN #'s... Shucks, don't know how that happened! ;) DR: Are you serious? This is GREAT! I *love* it!!! Way to go! JM: Oh yeah. Took me the better part of the day, but somehow, I made that mistake.... (whistles) ------------------------ We could use a few more JMs, people! Not just in libraries, either. Blockbuster¨ clerks could develop severe cases of dyslexia, for instance ... (wink, wink) [Claire's Web Log] 11:56:10 AM    comment () Canuck Cops Nab True Crime Writer. After his book on a legendary murder case was published, a Canadian journalist posted his archived background material online -- and then was arrested. The book criticized the investigation. Are police trying to muzzle him or uphold a ban against publishing certain prurient material? By Charles Mandel. [Wired News] Unfortunately even though the US government thinks Canada has too much liberty, Canada is still not really a free country. 9:11:36 AM    comment () Bush and the Republican Gun Grabbers. President Bush's pledge to extend the ban on semiautomatic assault weapons has gun owners up in arms. The White House announcement came as a surprise to N.R.A. leaders and membership, who were stunned at the decision. Although the original legislation is scheduled to terminate in September 2004, Senate Democrats introduced a measure to continue the ban for an additional ten years -- a measure that Bush promises to sign if it reaches his desk. Title XI of the Federal Violent Crime Control Act of 1994 banned the manufacture and import of a certain class of guns defined by Congress as 'Assault Weapons.' These firearms were categorized as such by certain identifying features that are military-like in appearance, but have no bearing on 'efficiency,' or deadliness. The act also banned high capacity magazines that hold more than ten rounds. [FirearmNews.com] 9:05:27 AM    comment ()

© Copyright 2006 Ken Hagler. Last update: 2/15/2006; 1:54:12 PM.