Memorial Day

Baghdad ER

So today we honor the dead. I think we should also honor the living. Especially those who are struggling to live with serious disabilites as a result of this war. How about let's not cut their medical benefits any more than they have been. How about let's make sure they get some counseling so they can deal with the fireworks on July 4th without hitting the deck.

PLANNING NATIONAL STRATEGIES--Marine interests at stake / Japanese shipping faces crewing crisis
The Daily Yomiuri, Japan - May 26, 2006

Metering

7. The IAMB was informed that no progress had been made with regards to the metering contract.
8. The IAMB expressed concern that this process had taken a long time, and urged the Government of Iraq to expedite the process.
Controls in the Ministries

9. The lack of metering notwithstanding, the IAMB was informed that controls were in place with regards to the oil quantities exported and the issuance of invoices in respect thereof.

The country of the Thousand Scandals and One Scandal
By Dr. Kadhim al-Miqdadi

...Our oil is being squandered. Oil smuggling has become a usual trade in Iraq and is taking different forms and facets.



There is the official smuggling, semi-official smuggling, tribal smuggling and sectarian smuggling.



Meters measuring oil output, exports and quantities of products churned out by refineries are said to be most of the time out of order.



Our oil meters are even less efficient and reliable than the taxi meters illiterate drivers use in a developing country in Africa...



Think the US could spare some of these?

Yeah, yeah, I know, that's pretty funny, eh? Probably not somthing Big Dick-shoot-em-in-the face is gonna suggest, huh? But now Dick CAN say that Al-Qaeda is in Iraq. Good Job Dick-head.



Because Dick don't need no stinkin' Constitution, & neither do we.

and NEWSCOMA reminds us via Alternet that it's not all about oil, it's about power.