Letters to the Editor, September 28, 2003

My deepest condolences to the Palestinian people for the sensible death of Mr. Edward Said.

In the last few months we have heard Donald Rumsfeld repeatedly claim that there were enough soldiers in Iraq to maintain the occupation. Now, it seems that was just one more deceit to add to the growing list of obfuscations.

The call up of thousands of more reserves amplifies the seriousness of the insurgency in Iraq and the shortsightedness of those who thought they had a plan to deal with it. This is not the "cakewalk" that the ideologues in the White House or their handmaidens in right wing radio predicted. The reality is that the American Goliath will be tied down for years to come, throwing money down a black hole and sacrificing US servicemen for some nebulous purpose.

Following Mr. Bush's "less than convincing" performance at the UN, we are reminded that there will be little if any aid from our traditional allies. And, why would it be otherwise? What assurances do they have that if they helped out today, the Bush Legions wouldn't be in Tehran or Damascus tomorrow?

No, the sad fact is that they have Bush in the cage of his own making and it is in the interests of world peace and stability that they keep him there.

Mike Whitney, Snohomish, WA, USA.

Bush and Blare got just about everything wrong

It seems Bush and Blare got just about everything wrong that it is possible to get wrong with Iraq - despite being forewarned. Or maybe they weren't that stupid and just lied and lied and lied. 'Quelle surprise' as Friend Jacques might say. Anyway Bush might still learn a thing or about Imperialism from the Romans who gave citizenship to just about anyone willing to fight for them. Think about the implications of this untapped market! The US could continue to invade at random any old country not espousing extreme right-wing Christian fundamentalist values, reigning down a withering barrage of death and destruction on defenceless civilian cities from the complete safety of the distant skies and / or missile launching submarines. I have noticed that the US is actually very good at this kind of 'humane' push-button procedure. The 'dirty work' of occupation 'a l' Israeli' could then be left to hardier more Rambo-like 'foreign' ! ;troops capable of sustaining ground operations. I guess it would - regretfully - be futile to suggest a sane, rational, balanced US foreign policy aimed at peace and understanding.

Phil G., Hong Kong

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Dear Senator Cleland,

I agree with what you mentioned (regarding the current Iraq occupation being like the Vietnam War and that the Iraq invasion/occupation had been in the planning for years by people like Dick Cheney and Paul Wolfowitz) in your recorded interview with Aaron Brown for his "Newsnight" program on CNN last night. However, Aaron Brown did not mention which newspaper your Op-ed article appeared.

Please keep in mind that Dick Cheney was on the board of advisors for JINSA (Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs) for years before the tragic 9/11 attack. Richard Perle is also a JINSAN (and Paul Wolfowitz was associated with JINSA if he is not still). JINSA had wanted regime change in Iraq long before the 9/11 attack. More on JINSA is included below as JINSANs are also associated with the PNAC (Project for a New American Century) agenda which apparently would like a conflict with China and Russia sooner rather than later. This is why the North Korean situation is so serious. JINSA Zionist extremists (like Cheney, Wolfowitz, Perle, Bolton, Feith, etc.) would rather have the US neutralize the North Korean regime (instead of peacefully negotiating with it) in order to prevent it from potentially sending missiles and WMDs to the perceived enemies of Israel. Please access the "Men from JINSA and CSP" article (by Jason Vest for "The Nation" magazine which is referenced below after the Pilger article from the UK "Daily Mirror").

In addition, former Republican Congressman Paul Findley mentioned (during "Middle East in Focus" with Don Bustany on Pacifica Radio in Los Angeles this past Tuesday) that the 9/11 attack would most likely not have happened if there had been serious debate about the Palestinian/Israeli conflict in the US Congress (as you can listen to what Congressman Findley had to say via the following URL):

http://www.itszone.co.uk/zone0/viewtopic.php?t=9481

The following was sent to Senator Kennedy's office, and a staff member there mentioned that it was being studied closely. It might even be mentioned by Senator Kennedy today during his discussion on Iraq this morning with the Black Caucus.

With kind regards,

James Morris
Los Angeles

The following story is absolutely despicable, and exposes the corrupt and ruthless nature of the Bush Global Corporate Empire, whose purpose of waging an illegal and immoral incursion-turned-bloody-guerrilla-quagmire, was to create chaos and havoc, reek destruction and mayhem, and rape Iraq while the people are on their knees and helpless. The terrible loss of thousands of human beings tragically massacred by the Bush Regime, in order to enrich these goons, constitutes a Crime Against Humanity.

"New Bridge Strategies, LLC is a unique company that was created specifically with the aim of assisting clients to evaluate and take advantage of business opportunities in the Middle East following the conclusion of the U.S.-led war in Iraq. Its activities will seek to expedite the creation of free and fair markets and new economic growth in Iraq, consistent with the policies of the Bush Administration. The opportunities evolving in Iraq today are of such an unprecedented nature and scope that no other existing firm has the necessary skills and experience to be effective both in Washington, D.C. and on the ground in Iraq."

A 'unique company'? You could say that. Who's the Chairman and Director of New Bridge? That would be Joe Allbaugh, President Bush's longtime right-hand-man and until about six months ago his head of the FEMA. Allbaugh was part of the president's so-called 'Iron Triangle' [ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/wh2000/stories/teambush072399.htm ] -- the other two being Karl Rove and Karen Hughes. And now Allbaugh's running a company that helps your company get the sweetest contracts in Iraq? That sound right to you?

Visit the site [ http://www.newbridgestrategies.com/index.asp ] to see their "interactive map of Iraq [which] will show areas of opportunity in the post-war rebuilding effort for specific industries."

When you collect the bulk of articles of the recent gulf crisis till its disposition today and review in perspective, you will perhaps arrive at the same conclusions as I do.

The crux of it sheds light on the age old methodology of a regime change some mighty military men can sit in their game room and contemplate. They are mighty indeed they can instill fear, agony, defeat and the euphoric jubilation of victory. Perhaps it has its roots, experience, knowledge, collection of data, resources from world war two, and the emergent powers to be to carry on to another generation of warriors. It also has the sickness of the capacity for human destruction. Iraq provides a new and novice expression since the collapse of soviet union.

A regime such as Saddam Hussein's merely satisfied the thirst, greed and aggression to destroy the enemy. I will be surprised if a regime such as of Iraq was equipped to deal with might of US. But it is intended more to send messages all over the world of opposing the only super power.

The myth of post war Europe was all that was a myth. If history were to be rewritten one wonders what is at stake but the oil refineries, the need to build pipelines, friendly governments (which are mostly Islamic and rudimentary) all over the Arabian peninsula. What evolves is what you might describe as an inevitable need for regime change.

The diabolical purposes, fabrication and execution are all rooted very deeply in the evil imperialism and its mutations, ever more virulent to fill their empty lives. Such are the ways and methods of the occident. Beware this may be just the beginning of a reversal of its earlier theme of defeat in Vietnam and loss of morale and faith in war by the masses. What evolves is perhaps a critical analysis of anatomy of a regime change.

If you think what was dished out against the docile lives of Arabs and their lands and riches was wrong then undertake or delegate a talented person or group to bring it to perspective. This might help other fledgling countries and their aspirations and modest resources not to befall into the hands of the west. This might help rewrite histories of what did or did not happen in the hues and cries of war. There has been an abundance of pains and pleasure of such past experiences around the world. It is entirely conceivable Saddam Hussein satisfied convenient causes of many and who are to gain but those running to the bank with the loots. But the innocent lives of the Iraqis I doubt will change for the better regardless of claims made or to be made.

The Governor of Jammu and Kashmir asked the students and faculty of Kashmir university to keep themselves aloof from politics and asserted sanctity of this centre of learning would be preserved. Speaking on inaugural function of north zone vice chancellors conference here Sinha said, "universities should be free from pollution of politics". and should only teach politics as a subject not practice it. He lauded the V C of Kashmir university Prof Jalees Ahmad khan for keeping the campus free from politics. Meanwhile students of university rejected the baseless and hollow claims of the authorities. University is used as a public relations complex for politicians on the other hand they are advocating depoliticising the campus, said a student. It is no more a university it has been changed as a platform for politicians where they spit there dirty politics when can mufti can speak politics in university campus if Vajpayee is invited to distribute certificates other ministers and member parliaments are allowed to speak on Kashmir politics why not a Kashmiri student or teacher, said a teacher. Lakhs are spent on so called academic activities where Politicians are given full chance. Nobody cares for students. Nobody tries to redress our problems. We are not even allowed to raise our voice the university authorities have banned forming or working of any students union in the campus that is a direct attack on the basic fundamental rights of a human being, said a angry student. the University should change its policy it should work for the betterment of university and education system of valley instead of being hospitable towards politicians.