Iraq's New Laws, From Greg Palast

Posted on Wednesday, October 27 at 09:18 by N Say
The Economy Plan goes boldly where no invasion plan has gone before: the complete rewrite, it says, of a conquered state's "policies, laws and regulations." Here's what you'll find in the Plan: A highly detailed program, begun years before the tanks rolled, for imposing a new regime of low taxes on big business, and quick sales of Iraq's banks and bridges—in fact, "ALL state enterprises"—to foreign operators. There's more in the Plan, part of which became public when the State Department hired consulting firm to track the progress of the Iraq makeover. Example: This is likely history's first military assault plan appended to a program for toughening the target nation's copyright laws. And when it comes to oil, the Plan leaves nothing to chance—or to the Iraqis. Beginning on page 73, the secret drafters emphasized that Iraq would have to "privatize" (i.e., sell off) its "oil and supporting industries." The Plan makes it clear that—even if we didn't go in for the oil—we certainly won't leave without it. If the Economy Plan reads like a Christmas wishlist drafted by U.S. corporate lobbyists, that's because it was.... http://207.44.245.159/article7146.htm

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  1. Thu Oct 28, 2004 1:00 am
    Oh come on now - everyone knows the war was about protecting America because Saddam had and was developing more WMD and was in bed with Osama. Not to mention they were also bringing them democracy and freedom!

    One thing is for sure - almost 50% of Americans and a small percentage of non-thinking Canadians still think the above regardless of the proof otherwise. Lies are now truth, and war is now peace. Oh what a wonderful world the right is creating. Let us all rejoice in the splendor of rightwing dogma.

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    If there was ever a time for Canadians to become pushy - now is the time - for time is running out on this nation called Canada.

  2. Thu Oct 28, 2004 5:36 am
    Left-wing Canadians are so blinded by their anti-Americanism that they could excuse any atrocity and neglect the sacrifices made by good people in order to make life better for Iraqis and Americans alike.

    Many Canadians may stand for nothing and blame 'corporate elites' or zionists or whatever for all the trouble in the world, but some Canadians still believe in standing up for peace, order and good government AND believe that we should export these ideals to the rest of the world because they work better than the savagery imposed on many people by their own governments.

    It's your loss for not understanding that.

  3. Thu Oct 28, 2004 6:50 am
    What are you getting at? Because one takes difference with the illegal actions of a nation that makes them anti-american? Is that the best defence you can muster?

    Like I said - lies have become truth and facts are something best avoided with dogma and jingo.

    Roy

  4. Thu Oct 28, 2004 9:10 am
    Well, when basically every war boils down to controlling some sort of resource base.. either to have access to it cheaper or exclusively, or to keep it from someone else.. how can one not blame the greed of governments (whose offices are filled practically exclusively with big business)? Fairness, equality, and peace are precieved as naive concepts when it comes to ruling factions. It's all about screwing you for the sake of us.

    I really don't think one should complain or try to silence anyone with any sort of criticism at all of any war. It may not stop wars from happening, but it forces the parties that are waging them to explain themselves every step of the way. What the criticisms are do not even particularly matter. Just be there. Hound the powers that be. Nip at their heels. It's the only way us regular folk can keep our authority figures in check.

    Unanimous support is the most dangerous thing imaginable.

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    Revolution.

  5. Thu Oct 28, 2004 9:18 am
    p.s. Make the life of Iraqis and Americans better? hahahahah. If you actually believe the war in Iraq is about ridding the world of terrorism and the spreading of democracy, then you are lost. These are merely politically driven fabricated motives to spit at the American people in order to satisfy their moral sensibilities. Do not get your news from CNN. That entire network is bought and paid for, as well as the other major media corporations. If you want real debate, go underground/independant. Read history. Don't have your opinion dumbed-down and spoon fed to you.

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    Revolution.

  6. Thu Oct 28, 2004 2:15 pm
    You ignore history but implore others to read it?

    Anyhow, CNN cut a deal with Saddam Hussein in order to be the only news organization reporting from Baghdad, they would not report the bad stuff so they could keep saying they were 'exclusive', so the Lefties should be loving CNN because of the company they don't mind getting cozy with, brutal dictators and the like.

    Independent/underground information is 99% fantasy, it cannot stand up to being peer-reviewed by knowledgeable people, so while it may make for fun reading, it's completely useless for anyone trying to understand the world better.

  7. Thu Oct 28, 2004 7:21 pm
    Independant/underground may not be 100% accurate, agreed, but at least it's uncensored debate. It's not politically correct and tip-toe careful. Questioning authority is an absolutely vital exercise, and the major media outlets have unbelievable authority. The majority of people view the world through their lens, percieve it through their analysis. I'm not suggesting people believe everything ANYONE has to say wholeheartidly, corporate or independant, I'm saying compare and contrast ALL new sources, not just major U.S. corporate ad-based selling media conglomorates.

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    Revolution.

  8. Thu Oct 28, 2004 11:57 pm
    What tripe! NO leftie supporters dictators - that is for rightwing politicians and governments.

    US - Saddam, Shah of Iran, Saudis, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Pinochet etc.

    You need to learn some history before claiming to be an expert.

  9. Fri Oct 29, 2004 5:07 pm
    Cuba

  10. Sun Oct 31, 2004 4:52 pm
    Can you tell me, exactly what the problem with Cuba is? And if you claim 'human rights' I'd like you to document them. And then I'd like you to compare the 'human rights' in the US and other coutries that Americans have destroyed. Go ahead. I'm waiting.

  11. Sun Oct 31, 2004 7:05 pm
    Do you live under a rock with your eyes and ears closed?

    If you know nothing about current events in Cuba or its history then you should do some research. Try to keep an open mind because too many left-wing types deflate their arguments by being narrow-minded.



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