The Agonist: Wolfowitz oil quote
Agonist points to contradictions in Wolfowitz's recent official statements: "May 31: Look, the primarily difference -- to put it a little too simply -- between North Korea and Iraq is that we had virtually no economic options with Iraq because the country floats on a sea of oil... June 3: The notion that the war was ever about oil is a complete piece of nonsense...."

Wolfy needs to go back to Strauss school and re-learn the difference between 'esoteric' (secret, real reasons) and 'exoteric' (public deceptions) doctrine. Or he could just take a tip from Tony Blair and lie and lie and lie about WMDs until either kingdom come or everyone forgets about it.

update: The Guardian has posted a clarification explaining that Wolfowitz did not state or imply that oil was the reason for the attack on Iraq. Well, they say that he is the smartest of the neocon bunch but its still not enough to fool people.

The Agonist: Wolfowitz oil quote
Agonist points to contradictions in Wolfowitz's recent official statements: "May 31: Look, the primarily difference -- to put it a little too simply -- between North Korea and Iraq is that we had virtually no economic options with Iraq because the country floats on a sea of oil... June 3: The notion that the war was ever about oil is a complete piece of nonsense...."

Wolfy needs to go back to Strauss school and re-learn the difference between 'esoteric' (secret, real reasons) and 'exoteric' (public deceptions) doctrine. Or he could just take a tip from Tony Blair and lie and lie and lie about WMDs until either kingdom come or everyone forgets about it.

update: The Guardian has posted a clarification explaining that Wolfowitz did not state or imply that oil was the reason for the attack on Iraq. Well, they say that he is the smartest of the neocon bunch but its still not enough to fool people.

Amnesty International - Library - Israel/Occupied Territories: Human rights should not be bargained away in roadmap negotiations
'Amnesty International calls on the participants in the "roadmap" peace plan summit in Jordan to recognize that respect for human rights and international law is a fundamental obligation - not a bargaining chip to be used in negotiations, or a concession... The failure of past agreements between Israel and the Palestinians has demonstrated that while a human rights agenda alone may not be the answer, it must be a central part of any solution. Only a just settlement, which respects the human rights of all parties, will endure.'

'In the past two and half years the Israeli army has killed more than 2,000 Palestinians and Palestinian armed groups have killed more than 700 Israelis. Most of those killed were civilians and included some 350 Palestinian children and more than 90 Israeli children... The Israeli army has also destroyed more than 3,000 Palestinian homes, vast areas of cultivated land, and hundreds of commercial and public properties. Prolonged and disproportionate closures and curfews imposed by the Israeli army throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip have impeded or prevented Palestinians' access to medical care, education and work. Poverty, unemployment and health problems, including malnutrition, have spiralled as a result.'

Amnesty International - Library - Israel/Occupied Territories: Human rights should not be bargained away in roadmap negotiations
'Amnesty International calls on the participants in the "roadmap" peace plan summit in Jordan to recognize that respect for human rights and international law is a fundamental obligation - not a bargaining chip to be used in negotiations, or a concession... The failure of past agreements between Israel and the Palestinians has demonstrated that while a human rights agenda alone may not be the answer, it must be a central part of any solution. Only a just settlement, which respects the human rights of all parties, will endure.'

'In the past two and half years the Israeli army has killed more than 2,000 Palestinians and Palestinian armed groups have killed more than 700 Israelis. Most of those killed were civilians and included some 350 Palestinian children and more than 90 Israeli children... The Israeli army has also destroyed more than 3,000 Palestinian homes, vast areas of cultivated land, and hundreds of commercial and public properties. Prolonged and disproportionate closures and curfews imposed by the Israeli army throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip have impeded or prevented Palestinians' access to medical care, education and work. Poverty, unemployment and health problems, including malnutrition, have spiralled as a result.'

Pew Poll Shows U.S. Isolation: In War's Wake, Hostility and Mistrust
'The poll forcefully supported the finding of an earlier survey that a U.S. war with Iraq would fuel anti-American sentiment. As could be expected, this feeling is strongest in the Muslim world, where negative attitudes toward the United States have soared since the war on Iraq began March 20 with a wave of American air attacks over Baghdad... Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center, said he had been surprised by the extent to which "the bottom has fallen out" in the Muslim world... "The figures confirm that the Iraq crisis has precipitated a profound crisis in trans-Atlantic relations, which I think had been building for some time," ... One casualty of the increased strains between America and Europe is NATO.'

Pew Poll Shows U.S. Isolation: In War's Wake, Hostility and Mistrust
'The poll forcefully supported the finding of an earlier survey that a U.S. war with Iraq would fuel anti-American sentiment. As could be expected, this feeling is strongest in the Muslim world, where negative attitudes toward the United States have soared since the war on Iraq began March 20 with a wave of American air attacks over Baghdad... Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center, said he had been surprised by the extent to which "the bottom has fallen out" in the Muslim world... "The figures confirm that the Iraq crisis has precipitated a profound crisis in trans-Atlantic relations, which I think had been building for some time," ... One casualty of the increased strains between America and Europe is NATO.'

Chomsky Interview: Does The Usa Intend To Dominate The Whole World By Force?
Among other important points, Chomsky again emphasises the distinction between pre-emptive war and preventive war. He also again raises the point that it was revealed only last October "to the shock and horror of those who paid attention" that the world was only one word away from nuclear war in 1962.

Chomsky Interview: Does The Usa Intend To Dominate The Whole World By Force?
Among other important points, Chomsky again emphasises the distinction between pre-emptive war and preventive war. He also again raises the point that it was revealed only last October "to the shock and horror of those who paid attention" that the world was only one word away from nuclear war in 1962.

Hugo Young withering article: WMD or not, Blair had already made up his mind
'I don't doubt Blair's sincerity in wanting to persuade himself and the voters, as well as the soldiers he sent to war, that the threat posed by Saddam's WMD was the total reason for the conflict. He does sincerity very well... He does it well because he cannot believe otherwise.'

In other words, Blair is a compulsive liar, the kind who convinces himself of his own lies. But the WMD hoax and the insane neocon Bush doctrine will impose its cost. Blair cant pretend he has that many friends in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, even in Britain or the the US itself over this absurd and criminal policy.

Hugo Young withering article: WMD or not, Blair had already made up his mind
'I don't doubt Blair's sincerity in wanting to persuade himself and the voters, as well as the soldiers he sent to war, that the threat posed by Saddam's WMD was the total reason for the conflict. He does sincerity very well... He does it well because he cannot believe otherwise.'

In other words, Blair is a compulsive liar, the kind who convinces himself of his own lies. But the WMD hoax and the insane neocon Bush doctrine will impose its cost. Blair cant pretend he has that many friends in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, even in Britain or the the US itself over this absurd and criminal policy.

'This looks like a cynical hoax'
"The evidence suggests that the prime minister misled the House of Commons in making the case for war. In some ways, Tony Blair reminds me of the late Robert Maxwell, the tycoon publisher. I knew Mr Maxwell for many years before I realised that he had a quite different attitude to truth and falsehood than the rest of us. What he told you was precisely what suited his self-interest at the time, no more and no less. Whether his statements were right or wrong was purely fortuitous. And he had no shame about it. What Mr Blair says, I have come to believe, accords with what he thinks should be true on moral grounds - Saddam Hussein is a bad man, he must therefore have possessed weapons of mass destruction. But I am not sure Mr Blair has any greater attachment to the literal truth than Mr Maxwell."

'This looks like a cynical hoax'
"The evidence suggests that the prime minister misled the House of Commons in making the case for war. In some ways, Tony Blair reminds me of the late Robert Maxwell, the tycoon publisher. I knew Mr Maxwell for many years before I realised that he had a quite different attitude to truth and falsehood than the rest of us. What he told you was precisely what suited his self-interest at the time, no more and no less. Whether his statements were right or wrong was purely fortuitous. And he had no shame about it. What Mr Blair says, I have come to believe, accords with what he thinks should be true on moral grounds - Saddam Hussein is a bad man, he must therefore have possessed weapons of mass destruction. But I am not sure Mr Blair has any greater attachment to the literal truth than Mr Maxwell."

TIME.com: Weapons of Mass Disappearance
Time article discusses the issue of the failure of the discovery of WMDs in Iraq. Blair and also Wolfowitz have expressed irritation and embarrassment over the insistent re-appearance of this issue. Everyone knew before the war that the issue of WMDs was merely a pretext for war, and normally after the war the WMDs and the lack of them would conveniently go into Orwell's Memory Hole. Therefore the prominence of its coverage in the corporate media at this stage implies for me that the establishment has had enough of the Bush Doctrine and the neo-conservatives and has decided to rein them in. Incidentally this also provides a prime opportunity for the ALP to relentlessly attack the Howard government over its uncritical support of UKUSA and the neocon Bush doctrine.

TIME.com: Weapons of Mass Disappearance
Time article discusses the issue of the failure of the discovery of WMDs in Iraq. Blair and also Wolfowitz have expressed irritation and embarrassment over the insistent re-appearance of this issue. Everyone knew before the war that the issue of WMDs was merely a pretext for war, and normally after the war the WMDs and the lack of them would conveniently go into Orwell's Memory Hole. Therefore the prominence of its coverage in the corporate media at this stage implies for me that the establishment has had enough of the Bush Doctrine and the neo-conservatives and has decided to rein them in. Incidentally this also provides a prime opportunity for the ALP to relentlessly attack the Howard government over its uncritical support of UKUSA and the neocon Bush doctrine.

Most Britons say regime change was war's aim
Discussion of recent poll figures in the UK which illustrate the success of the propaganda campaign prior to the Iraq war but the collapse in confidence in the Government following the war and the signal failure to discover the alleged 'weapons of mass destruction.'

Most Britons say regime change was war's aim
Discussion of recent poll figures in the UK which illustrate the success of the propaganda campaign prior to the Iraq war but the collapse in confidence in the Government following the war and the signal failure to discover the alleged 'weapons of mass destruction.'

Angry mother threatens war crimes trial against Blair
'The mother of a North soldier who died in the Gulf has said that Tony Blair should be prosecuted as a war criminal if no weapons of mass destruction are found in Iraq... Ann said: "If this turns out to be a lie then Tony Blair should resign. He should also be prosecuted under international law as a war criminal. If they don't find any weapons of mass destruction then this war has been based on a pack of lies and they have put all of our sons and daughters lives on the line for a lie."'

Angry mother threatens war crimes trial against Blair
'The mother of a North soldier who died in the Gulf has said that Tony Blair should be prosecuted as a war criminal if no weapons of mass destruction are found in Iraq... Ann said: "If this turns out to be a lie then Tony Blair should resign. He should also be prosecuted under international law as a war criminal. If they don't find any weapons of mass destruction then this war has been based on a pack of lies and they have put all of our sons and daughters lives on the line for a lie."'

Media Concentration Bench Remarks - dissenting commissioner Copps
'This morning we are at a crossroads - for television, radio and newspapers and for the American people. The decision we five make today will recast our entire media landscape for years to come. At issue is whether a few corporations will be ceded enhanced gatekeeper control over the civil dialogue of our country; more content control over our music, entertainment and information; and veto power over the majority of what our families watch, hear and read.'

Media Concentration Bench Remarks - dissenting commissioner Copps
'This morning we are at a crossroads - for television, radio and newspapers and for the American people. The decision we five make today will recast our entire media landscape for years to come. At issue is whether a few corporations will be ceded enhanced gatekeeper control over the civil dialogue of our country; more content control over our music, entertainment and information; and veto power over the majority of what our families watch, hear and read.'

Dissenting FCC commissioner Adelstein on new US media rules
'This is a sad day for me, and I think for the country. I'm afraid a dark storm cloud is now looming over the future of the American media. This is the most sweeping and destructive rollback of consumer protection rules in the history of American broadcasting... They chose to pursue gratuitous deregulation. This is by far the most dramatic weakening of our media ownership rules this country has ever seen... Judging from our record, public opposition is nearly unanimous, from ultra-conservatives to ultra-liberals, and virtually everyone in between. We have received about three-quarters of a million comments from the public in opposition to relaxing our ownership rules, a new record, and only a handful in support. Of the hundreds of citizens I heard from directly at field hearings across the country, not one stood up to call for relaxing the rules. Of the thousands of e-mails I personally received, I saw only one didn't oppose allowing further media concentration. The American people appear united in believing that media concentration has gone too far already and should go no further.'

Dissenting FCC commissioner Adelstein on new US media rules
'This is a sad day for me, and I think for the country. I'm afraid a dark storm cloud is now looming over the future of the American media. This is the most sweeping and destructive rollback of consumer protection rules in the history of American broadcasting... They chose to pursue gratuitous deregulation. This is by far the most dramatic weakening of our media ownership rules this country has ever seen... Judging from our record, public opposition is nearly unanimous, from ultra-conservatives to ultra-liberals, and virtually everyone in between. We have received about three-quarters of a million comments from the public in opposition to relaxing our ownership rules, a new record, and only a handful in support. Of the hundreds of citizens I heard from directly at field hearings across the country, not one stood up to call for relaxing the rules. Of the thousands of e-mails I personally received, I saw only one didn't oppose allowing further media concentration. The American people appear united in believing that media concentration has gone too far already and should go no further.'

A PNAC Primer, by Bernard Weiner
'The talk-show host seemed to gulp, and then replied: "If you really can demonstrate all that, you probably can deny George Bush a second term in 2004."

'Two things became apparent in that exchange: 1) Even a well-educated, intelligent radio commentator was unaware of some of this information; and, 2) Once presented with it, this conservative icon understood immediately the implications of what would happen if the American voting public found out about these policies.'

A PNAC Primer, by Bernard Weiner
'The talk-show host seemed to gulp, and then replied: "If you really can demonstrate all that, you probably can deny George Bush a second term in 2004."

'Two things became apparent in that exchange: 1) Even a well-educated, intelligent radio commentator was unaware of some of this information; and, 2) Once presented with it, this conservative icon understood immediately the implications of what would happen if the American voting public found out about these policies.'

'Regime Change' - Iran countdown begins
'Heading the hawks are defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld and vice-president Dick Cheney. Heading the doves is Secretary of State Colin Powell, this time in the company of Condoleezza Rice, head of the National Security Council, who last time was a hawk. But the hawk camp is once again the same posse of neo-conservatives in key posts who last time forced through the invasion policy on Iraq. The difference this time, however, is that the talk is not of open war but of destabilisation. Pentagon officials advocate fomenting a popular uprising to topple Iran’s government.'

'Regime Change' - Iran countdown begins
'Heading the hawks are defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld and vice-president Dick Cheney. Heading the doves is Secretary of State Colin Powell, this time in the company of Condoleezza Rice, head of the National Security Council, who last time was a hawk. But the hawk camp is once again the same posse of neo-conservatives in key posts who last time forced through the invasion policy on Iraq. The difference this time, however, is that the talk is not of open war but of destabilisation. Pentagon officials advocate fomenting a popular uprising to topple Iran’s government.'

Transcripts Raise Alarm Across NATO
The leak of the "Waldorf Transcript" in particular and the fuss being made over it and other leaks on both sides of the Atlantic seems to be something that should not be taken so much at face value but as an indication that the Anglo-American establishment is of a view that the more extreme elements of the Bush Administration must be reined in. The Bush doctrine could well be buried in Iraq.

Transcripts Raise Alarm Across NATO
The leak of the "Waldorf Transcript" in particular and the fuss being made over it and other leaks on both sides of the Atlantic seems to be something that should not be taken so much at face value but as an indication that the Anglo-American establishment is of a view that the more extreme elements of the Bush Administration must be reined in. The Bush doctrine could well be buried in Iraq.

Interview with Robin Cook MP: ‘Why Rumsfeld Is Wrong’
'Q: Isn’t it possible that Saddam Hussein ordered their destruction, as U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has suggested?
Cook: No. I don’t think it’s even remotely possible. I just cannot follow the Rumsfeld logic; that watching CNN and seeing the American build-up Saddam said to his generals, “It’s obvious that the U.S. is going to invade; we had better destroy our biggest weapons, so that when I am toppled there might be some very difficult questions for Donald Rumsfeld to answer.”'

Interview with Robin Cook MP: ‘Why Rumsfeld Is Wrong’
'Q: Isn’t it possible that Saddam Hussein ordered their destruction, as U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has suggested?
Cook: No. I don’t think it’s even remotely possible. I just cannot follow the Rumsfeld logic; that watching CNN and seeing the American build-up Saddam said to his generals, “It’s obvious that the U.S. is going to invade; we had better destroy our biggest weapons, so that when I am toppled there might be some very difficult questions for Donald Rumsfeld to answer.”'

Nader: Media Moguls Pay No Rent for Using Our Airwaves
'Such commercialism would not be so appalling except that these media moguls are doing all this on our property - the public airwaves - and paying us no rent for exclusive use of our property. Yet they are deciding who says what and who doesn't say what 24 hours a day. The public airwaves are the property of the American people. The FCC is our hapless, industry-indentured (paid junkets are a way of life for FCC officials) real estate agent that gives away the spectrum.'

'Above all, the people need to stop having to beg. We own the public airwaves and, after charging the radio and TV stations rent, there will be ample funds for a return to the people of their public airwaves for some time every day in the form of their own audience network. See http://www.csrl.org/modellaws/audiencenetwork.html.'

Nader: Media Moguls Pay No Rent for Using Our Airwaves
'Such commercialism would not be so appalling except that these media moguls are doing all this on our property - the public airwaves - and paying us no rent for exclusive use of our property. Yet they are deciding who says what and who doesn't say what 24 hours a day. The public airwaves are the property of the American people. The FCC is our hapless, industry-indentured (paid junkets are a way of life for FCC officials) real estate agent that gives away the spectrum.'

'Above all, the people need to stop having to beg. We own the public airwaves and, after charging the radio and TV stations rent, there will be ample funds for a return to the people of their public airwaves for some time every day in the form of their own audience network. See http://www.csrl.org/modellaws/audiencenetwork.html.'

A Threadbare Emperor Tours the World
'It begins with the dollar, which has plummeted some 30 percent against the Euro since Bush launched his imperial agenda after the Sep. 11, 2001 attacks on New York and the Pentagon. While the decline might aid U.S. exporters, normally cautious analysts are becoming increasingly agitated over whether foreign investors who kept the dollar up and the Treasury solvent during the 1990s are now moving their money elsewhere. ''A big foreign withdrawal ... could even trigger a panic,'' warned Newsweek's Robert Samuelson last week, a panic now made more likely as a result of the 330-billion-dollar tax cut Bush just bullied through Congress.'

'According to the 'Financial Times', Bush's fiscal policy shows that ''the lunatics are now in charge of the asylum'', while 'New York Times' columnist and Harvard economics professor Paul Krugman this week asserted that Washington's fiscal health is now dependent on ''investors remain(ing) in denial, unable to believe that the world's only superpower is turning into a banana republic''. His conclusion, similar to the FT's: ''The people now running America ... (are) radicals who want to do away with the social and economic system we have, and the fiscal crisis they are concocting may give them the excuse they need.'''

A Threadbare Emperor Tours the World
'It begins with the dollar, which has plummeted some 30 percent against the Euro since Bush launched his imperial agenda after the Sep. 11, 2001 attacks on New York and the Pentagon. While the decline might aid U.S. exporters, normally cautious analysts are becoming increasingly agitated over whether foreign investors who kept the dollar up and the Treasury solvent during the 1990s are now moving their money elsewhere. ''A big foreign withdrawal ... could even trigger a panic,'' warned Newsweek's Robert Samuelson last week, a panic now made more likely as a result of the 330-billion-dollar tax cut Bush just bullied through Congress.'

'According to the 'Financial Times', Bush's fiscal policy shows that ''the lunatics are now in charge of the asylum'', while 'New York Times' columnist and Harvard economics professor Paul Krugman this week asserted that Washington's fiscal health is now dependent on ''investors remain(ing) in denial, unable to believe that the world's only superpower is turning into a banana republic''. His conclusion, similar to the FT's: ''The people now running America ... (are) radicals who want to do away with the social and economic system we have, and the fiscal crisis they are concocting may give them the excuse they need.'''

3rd Annual Nigerian EMail Conference
'Like most Nigerians, you're probably finding that it's increasingly difficult to earn a decent living from email. That's why you need to attend the 3rd Annual Nigerian EMail Conference.'

3rd Annual Nigerian EMail Conference
'Like most Nigerians, you're probably finding that it's increasingly difficult to earn a decent living from email. That's why you need to attend the 3rd Annual Nigerian EMail Conference.'

Clean water in short supply in third world
'Sema Kedir, the mother of three found hanging from a tree near her home in central Ethiopia. The only clue to her fate lay in the shattered remains of a clay pot near by. She had collapsed on the final leg of the 12-mile hike from the nearest water well and spilled the precious liquid that would have kept her children alive for another day or two. Already in debt to a neighbor, she could not afford to raise money for a new pot: there seemed no way out.'

Clean water in short supply in third world
'Sema Kedir, the mother of three found hanging from a tree near her home in central Ethiopia. The only clue to her fate lay in the shattered remains of a clay pot near by. She had collapsed on the final leg of the 12-mile hike from the nearest water well and spilled the precious liquid that would have kept her children alive for another day or two. Already in debt to a neighbor, she could not afford to raise money for a new pot: there seemed no way out.'

Economist survey warns of boom and bust conditions in global housing market
This 8 page Economist survey is a very good report including informative graphs covering many countries. However it does not elucidate the most basic concepts of real estate, namely the distinction between land values and improvements; and the fact that land value is spurious capital based merely on the privatization of ground rent and which would not exist (nor would speculation) in a reformed land tenure and public revenue system.

'“BUYING property is by far the safest investment you can make. House prices will never fall like share prices.” This is the advice offered by countless estate agents around the globe.'

In 200 years of enclosed monopoly capitalism probably the number one constant is the land boom, bust and depression or recession. But they never learn. The land value cycle, like the single tax remedy of George, is definitely one for Orwell's Memory Hole.

'Over the past few years, house prices have been booming almost everywhere except Germany and Japan. Since the mid-1990s, house prices in Australia, Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden have all risen by more than 50% in real terms. American house prices are up a more modest 30%, but that is still the biggest real gain over any such period in recorded history. Commercial-property prices in some big cities have also been looking rather frothy... How long can the party last? Estate agents, builders, lenders, many economists and even Alan Greenspan, chairman of America's Federal Reserve, have all insisted that there is no house-price bubble.'

According to the George/Hoyt/Harrison 18 year cycle in land values the next peak (at least in Australia) should be in the year 2007. This means we have a good few years of boom times left yet and the last couple of years are usually the most spectacular...

Economist survey warns of boom and bust conditions in global housing market
This 8 page Economist survey is a very good report including informative graphs covering many countries. However it does not elucidate the most basic concepts of real estate, namely the distinction between land values and improvements; and the fact that land value is spurious capital based merely on the privatization of ground rent and which would not exist (nor would speculation) in a reformed land tenure and public revenue system.

'“BUYING property is by far the safest investment you can make. House prices will never fall like share prices.” This is the advice offered by countless estate agents around the globe.'

In 200 years of enclosed monopoly capitalism probably the number one constant is the land boom, bust and depression or recession. But they never learn. The land value cycle, like the single tax remedy of George, is definitely one for Orwell's Memory Hole.

'Over the past few years, house prices have been booming almost everywhere except Germany and Japan. Since the mid-1990s, house prices in Australia, Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden have all risen by more than 50% in real terms. American house prices are up a more modest 30%, but that is still the biggest real gain over any such period in recorded history. Commercial-property prices in some big cities have also been looking rather frothy... How long can the party last? Estate agents, builders, lenders, many economists and even Alan Greenspan, chairman of America's Federal Reserve, have all insisted that there is no house-price bubble.'

According to the George/Hoyt/Harrison 18 year cycle in land values the next peak (at least in Australia) should be in the year 2007. This means we have a good few years of boom times left yet and the last couple of years are usually the most spectacular...