Does this bother you?

Read "In Iraq, sex is traded for survival"and tell me if it bothers you. Because it certainly bothers me.

She said: "I'm a nice-looking woman and it wasn't difficult to find a client. When we got to the bed I tried to run away … I just couldn't do it, but he hit and raped me. When he paid me afterwards, it was finished for me.

"When I came home with some food I had bought from that money and saw my children screaming of happiness, I discovered that honour is insignificant compared to the hunger of my children."

So this is what we've helped to create.

Why doesn't our media do reports like that one? For those like me that wonder the real reasons for the war in Iraq, have a read of this article: Row over Iraq oil law

Strange Celebrations

The people of Iraq finally have somthing (small as it may be ) to cheer about. With Iraq causing an upset to advance to the Asian (Soccer) Cup Final. They beat our boys along the way 3 - 1. Good on them I say, they need a source of pride at the moment.

But after all they've been through, I must question one of their methods of celebration. I can fully understand why shooting an AK-47 into the air would be a fun way to celebrate anything, but is it a smart thing to do in crowed places like towns and cities?
This newspaper is reporting the deaths of 8 people from celebratory gunfure & this news agency is saying at least 50 have been injured for the same reason. Why? Surely they need no education about the dangers of playing with high-powered rifles.
Imagine being the person that survived all through the reign of Saddam Hussein and then 4 years of sectarian violence, only to be killed by a celebratory bullet. I know I shouldn't laugh at others deaths, but the whole thing does seem quite ironic.

Admitting the Obvious

So the Australian government is finally admitting the obvious. That one of the real reasons we went to war in Iraq is oil. Not weapons of mass destruction, or ousting Saddam, or Iraqi liberation or even "The War on Terror."

Side Fact: Al Qaeda had no presence in Iraq until after the 2003 invasion. Iraq was officially a secular nation, and Saddam had no time for extremist Islam.

Insight

I've been sick since Friday night (head cold) so I've had the biggest nothing weekend ever. I've literally done almost nothing for the last 3 days. Hence the more numerous blog postings.

As a result of this I've been able to finish a book I started reading towards the end of the holidays. Without holding you in suspense any longer, the book was called "The War Against Truth" written by Paul William Roberts. This guy was in Baghdad before and during the First Gulf War (1990) & was also in and around Baghdad during the beginning of & aftermath of the Second Gulf (Iraq) War (2003) While I could (& yet may) write many things about what I read, perhaps my best summary of the book is: 'If you're in a really good mood & wish to get really, really angry, then go & read this book.' I can't do justice to the way this guy describes walking through a Baghdad Hospital that has run-out of medical supplies.

Honestly reading this account has made me ashamed to be an Australian. To think that our government went along with all the lies that the propaganda machine of Bush II sold makes me incredibly angry. I can't imagine what being an Iraqi must be like. What advantage has Australia or any country gained from this (or any) war. Or more to the point, what advantage has Australia or any country gained in supporting a war that has killed so many people in such a violent way.

Quote of the Day

"He [Saddam Hussein] has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction. He is unable to use conventional power against his neighbors ... The [U.S] policy of containment has effictively disarmed the Iraqi dictator."

- U.S. Secretary of State. Colin Powell.

As quoted during a press conference in Cairo, Egypt on the 24th of February, 2001

Frankenstein

Found some stuff on The Age site tonight:
Saddam was a monster, but don't forget his 'Frankensteins' - The world deserves to know the full truth about the crimes that Saddam committed, as well as the people that helped him commit them.

Also on the subject of Iraq.
Despite knowing this: Bush admits US added to Iraq turmoil.
He's going to do this: Bush commits 20,000 more troops to Iraq

With the full knowledge that:
Bush warns of more troop deaths in last-ditch plan &
Surge' expected to intensify fighting are by far the most likely outcomes.

Why?