Recently in an entry in my Blog I told how I thought the war with Iran would begin. One of my points was that the US had cut a deal with the Saudis and that they would after the 1st, start by increase in oil production and then would slash prices; this in turn would force the Iranians to make adjustments in their production. Well today, the Saudis said they will be increasing production. One part of my prediction has come true.

Another form of pressure on Iran will be the harassment of diplomats, so far this year 2 separate occassions the US has raided and detained Iranians. Another nail in the coffin.

CHUQ
11/01/07

What Is Patriotism?

This very subject has haunted my for many many years. More so recently because of the conflicts against “terrorism”. At first, after 9/11, patriotism was sold wholesale to the American people, we were told to fly flags, buy diamonds, go on vacation; if we did not thew terrorists would win. It always struck me as odd that the leadership of the country would be concerned with retail problems at such a crisis time. But, I guess in retrospect, that we must keep the econmy going at all times; would not want the profit takers to suffer any set back because of a little bombing. God knows that these people dictate what we are suppose to do and when.

As a participant in the turmoil of the 60’s and 70’s I was use to the whole patriotism thing. You know America–Love It ot Leave It, attitudes. I found them stupid and irritating at best and as a “long haired hippie” and opposed to the Vietnam War, I was constantly being called a wealth of names, none which accurately defined who I was. As a veteran of that war I felt that my opposition was very partiotic and necessary..

Now, let’s take a look a patriotism. What is patriotism? To begin with it is a very subjective topic, it means many things to many people. The cult of patriotism is taught in school through such techniques as pledge alligance, singing of songs, civics and a wide array of indoctrination techniques. Now I will be sniped at because I use the word indoctrination, so be it, it means to educate. When an individual is in school it begins with your first Civics class and continues until graduation from high school. It becomes less prominent once the indivdual enters college.

Patriotism is nothing more than a way for the State apparatus to retain control over the people and what they think. IMO, patriotism is when a person works for the betterment of ALL citizens of the country; one who tries to bring about change for good, not one who blindly follows some slogan that has NO patriotic connection whatsoever. Blind patriotism is a chain that hampers the individual from making wise decisions based on fact not some figures that are thrown out to confuse and once cnfused will garner support. I am reminded of Geo. M. Cohen, the showman, when he said “Many a bum show has been saved by the flag”.

Patriotism will ALWAYS be in the eyes of the beholder and no amount of my rantings will change the fact that; if you fly the flag, you must be patriotic. Somehow, only a flag waver can know what patriotism is and what makes one a patriot. IMO, it is all bovine fecal matter.

CHUQ
1/1/07

IRAQ AND THE WAR ON TERROR

According to Bush, you are fighting and dying in a war on terror. This statement is spread around like bad peanut butter to all the national media sources. But what does that really mean? Ever since 9/11 Bush has invaded two countries, Afghanistan and Iraq, all in the name of America’s security. Is America more secure because of these invasions? NO! Because of his actions the Middle East is about as unstable as it has ever been. Your participation in these actions is not for security; you are being used as disposable tools in a failed foreign policy–a policy that no one in authority will admit is failing and failing badly. Who pays for this? You and your family pay with pain and suffering.

Since my war, Vietnam, the US has spent billions on hi-tech weaponry and massive tactical sessions that will prevent the US from ever experiencing Vietnam again. A waste–for all that time and money and nothing was learned–Washington is making the same mistakes as it did in Vietnam. What are those mistakes? No amount of hi-tech will beat a dedicated guerilla force.

Back to the war on terror, the present strategy is not working and the longer we remain on Iraqi soil the stronger and more intense the insurgency will become. The hi-tech solution did not work in Vietnam and is not working in Iraq, it anything the hi-tech solution is less effective in Iraq. You are fighting an invisible enemy while you, on the other hand, are a high profile. Who do you think will win that confrontation? You can prevail and the price will be more deaths and injuries.

Bush and his posse, spend all their waking hours trying to convince the American people that the war he started is winnable and he is not dragging the US into a long, costly, in lives and money, war that cannot be won. The only effect it will have is to devastate American families with the loss of their loved ones.

At the writing of this, there is no exit strategy from Iraq–as with Vietnam deaths will rise–injuries will rise–and the American soldier will be tasked with trying to do an impossible feat–win the war on terror through the actions in Iraq.

CHUQ

THE HANGING OF SADDAM

I have waited a reasonable length of time to allow all those that were excited about the death of Saddam to have their say. Please do not misunderstand me, I am not going to analyze the execution, that is for more intelligent minds to handle. I will talk about the trial and the sentence.

Saddam was put on trial for the murder of citizens of a small town in Iraq. He was tried and convicted by a system that was built by American lawyers. But what about the other deaths that cannot have closure? Would it not have been better to try him on all the incidences where he killed Iraqis? You kind of like in the US when a person kills in different cities or states they are tried for each one and then sentenced to whatever punishment the state sees fit.

IMO, Iraq tried Saddam on the one that had the best chnace of success, so that he could be put to death before other trials could take place. For the further the trials went I believe the more of an accomplice the US would have been in thiose deaths. Bush could not let that effect anyone. So, the Jubail trial was almost cut and dry and had the best percwentage of conviction, the Iraqi government went with that one. Once Saddam had been executed, then any involvement of the US in the deaths of other Iraqis would be silenced and the “good” name would be preserved.

Since the execution, no mention of other autrocities of Saddam has been mentioned. All say thay chapter is closed and I would say that a large sigh of relief has come from Washington. God only knows what would have come to light if the trials had continued.

CHUQ
09/01/07

ARAB STATES SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRACY

The support for Iraqi democracy and democracy in general is coming from the nations of the Gulf region. They have voiced a genuine(?) support for those fighting the insurgents and fighting for a base for democracy, which until now, was unexpected. Your would think that the presence of non-Islamic troops on Arabic soil would be a point of contention. Right? And in fact, these states are proposing a plan for support. The points of this plan are:

1–Strengthen and support Iraqi security forces.

2–Support for the Iraqi government in its efforts to disarm militias.

3–Apply maximum pressure on the regions powers to stop undermining security in Iraq.

4–Help mobilize the people to oppose extremists.

5–Be collaborative with all US-Iraqi endeavors.

All the proposals above sound good and promising coming from other Arab states, right? DO NOT get too excited the support offered is self-serving. Why? They are afraid if the US pulls out of Iraq, then the sectarian violence will spill over into their countries. So in essence, they Want YOU to fight and possibly die in Iraq to protect them from any future danger. By them, I am referring to the authoritarian regimes, the sultanates and emirates in the Middle East. They want YOU to protect their life and power.

Many have said that the Iraqi war is about oil, that is true, maybe not Iraqi oil, but the flow of oil in the region. If this sectarian violence spills over into the other countries then corporations like Exxon, Shell, etc. will be in trouble. So it boils down to the simple fact that YOU are fighting and dying for, not the US, but rather, Exxon.

Just ask yourself why was Iraq so important for two Bushes to invade?

CHUQ
3/1/07

PLEASE DO NOT HATE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

I have watched the hostilities in the Middle East for years, most recently, the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, then Gaza and the to Lebanon. I was glued to my television for at least 12 hours a day looking for news and information, especially CNN, who I thought were the more reliable news media. I was wrong! I found all reporting by the American media to be unbalanced, at best, and always in Israel’s favor. CNN had very few Arab experts and virtual no Lebanese or Palestinian experts, but put forth a wealth of American Middle East experts and a bunch of Israeli. When they finally interviewed an Arabic expert they would be cut short if any criticism of Israel was offered. This upset me for CNN even has an Arab affairs editor, MS Nasr, who got very little air time. The only Arab expert given any in depth coverage was some ex-jihadist (CNN term not mine) hawking his new book on “radical Islamists”. I found the man boorish and just another agent of the Bush Administration.

Since I am very interested in the Middle East, I had to go to International sources to get the news and coupled that with the small amount of news available in the US, so that I could be better informed.

Unfortunately, most Americans depend on CNN, FOX, ABC, MSNBC and the like of the news and opinions. Because of this they are understandably ignorant on affairs relating to the Middle East. They these types of organizations to form their opinions for them, especially when it involves Arabs, Islam or the Middle East. I regret that my countrymen allow these self-serving outlets form their opinions and that they (Americans) are not ambitious enough to get all the news and form their own opinions.

For example, I do a lot of posting on political discussion forums and at the height of the war in Lebanon, everyone had an opinion about Hezbollah, the war, Israel, etc. But once the ceasefire went into effect and the area slid from the headlines, there are very few posts on the Middle East. So I say that without the American national media, most Americans have no opinion of their own; they prefer to let someone else do the thinking for them.

For these reason, I say to my Lebanese, Palestinian and Arab comrades, please do not hate the American people, for they live in a world of ignorance. If you must hate–Hate the American media for not giving the complete story and news.

Peace

Chuq
9/2/06