Category Archives: International

International, Opinion, U.S.

Obama wants NATO to take lead in Libyan War, Turkey is Wild Card

President Obama is trying hard to convince France and the United kingdom to give NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) the command and control role for the war against Libya.

Obama is up against the wall after he insisted to Congress that direct U.S. involvement would be over in days.  It’s been several days.

The British and French agree to NATO’s role in the war with Libya, but they point out that Turkey is a member of NATO, and is opposed to military action against Libya.  Turkey is currently acting as a diplomatic go between, for Libya and the anti-Libyan UN coalition.

Obama is now busy trying to convince Turkey of the justification of military action.

I believe this is what planning and coordination is for.  At least Bush Jr understood that much.

Business/Economics, International, Opinion, U.S.

Qatar helping to bomb Libya because of Bribes?

Qatar is the only Arab League country that will take part in the attacks on Libya (so far), even after the Arab League changed their mind on supporting UNSCR 1973.  Is this because of the $1 billion Qatar beggared from U.S. and European companies back in 2008?

Reuters says it’s gotten hold of leaked diplomatic documents (thanks to WikiLeaks), that show U.S. and European companies were shocked when Qatar hit them up for $1 billion to help build a state of the art hospital (gee it’d be nice if U.S. companies would spend that much on health care here in the U.S.).  The shock was due to the fact that Qatar is supposed to be rich, and in fact the Qatar Foundation is funding the hospital to a tune of $7.9 billion, the most for any hospital in the world. Sidra Medical Center is set to open in 2012.

Reuters says each company doing business in Qatar was hit up for anywhere from $80 million to $240 million.  “The IOCs (international oil companies) are shocked and angered by the request. None of the U.S. IOCs are considering donations … and they are aware the perception of a quid pro quo could be construed as violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.”  -leaked document

Reuters says a few companies did not donate. Others say they are still in discussions over the donations (more than 2 years later?), but most, like several oil companies and even Microsoft, are declining comment.  Mmmm, have payments been made, and is Qatar’s involvement with UNSCR 1973 quid pro quo, or just international political ambition?

 

International

Japan still being hit by aftershocks, Iran getting hit by quakes

During live NHK broadcast, early today in Japan, they were hit by an aftershock, which caused the anchor to apologize for it.

Today Iran announced that two mild quakes hit in quick succession in southeastern Iran.  Iran has several major fault lines running through the country, producing many major quakes.

The worst in recent times hit Bam in southeastern Kerman province in December 2003, killing 31,000 people.  In December 2010, southeastern Iran was hit by a 6.5 quake.  Fault lines in southeaster Iran have been highly active for the past 10 years.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Sanctions against Iran are Fake, U.S. Companies did $15 million in sales to Iran in January

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. corporations sold $15.9 million worth of goods to Iran, in January 2011, despite U.S. sanctions.

Iran is under four rounds of UN Security Council sanctions (pushed by the United States), targeting the country’s energy and banking sectors, including a U.S. boycott of gasoline supplies.

Iranian officials say the sanctions have forced their businesses to become more efficient, and has actually increased their production capabilities.

More proof that our exalted leaders here in the U.S. are idiots (or liars)!

 

Idaho, International, Opinion, U.S.

Mike Simpson, Jim Risch, Mike Crapo against Mosque @ 9/11 Ground Zero, but support training Muslim pilots in Idaho

Idaho representative Mike Simpson, and senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo all protested against building a Mosque near 9/11 Ground Zero in New York City.

Yet they all support training Saudi Arabian pilots at Mountain Home, Idaho.  Most of the terrorists who hijacked the airliners on September 11, 2001, were from Saudi Arabia (no Iraqis or Afghans were involved in 9/11).  This is a prime example of talking out both sides of your mouth at the same time.  And supposedly most Idahoans voted for these guys.

Don’t forget Idahoans, your Governor Butch Otter supports this as well (and yes you voted overwhelmingly for him).

Peter Gadiel, whose son was killed in the World Trade Center, said this about the training of Saudi pilots in Idaho:  “Americans will die and the people in Washington don’t give a damn.”

Training of Saudi Arabian pilots and ground crews in Idaho, is part of the $60 billion arms deal made last year.

Most Saudis are Wahaab Muslims (Wahhabi), the same faction that Osama bin Laden is from, as well as our allies the Saudi Royal Family.   Iraqis are not Wahaab. Afghans are not Wahaab. They did not attack us on 9/11. Wahaab Saudis & Wahaab Yemenis attacked us on 9/11. Yet we’re over there killing Iraqis and Afghans, while training Wahaab Saudis in Idaho?

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World high tech economies tied to Japan, “…can’t do high tech without Japan.”

“There are a huge number of little bits of the high-tech food chain which are done nowhere but in Japan. Nobody else has the quality or the consistency, and in some cases the technology to do it.”-Sam Perry, senior investment manager of Pictet Japanese Equity Selection Fund.

Canon Inc has suspended all of its domestic camera production. One of the problems was a lack of gas which was affecting distribution, and stopping employees from getting to work where train services are minimal.

Nikon warned that power cuts, and shortages of parts, will make full production difficult.

Renesas Electronics Corp, the world’s No.5 chipmaker, started operations at one semiconductor plant.  Six of the company’s 22 factories remain closed.

 

International

Two faced Obama wants Gaddafi out, but says we’re not trying to bomb him, after we try to bomb him

Almost from day one of the so called revolution in Libya, President Obama said “It’s time for Gaddafi to go.”   He didn’t say that about Mubarak, not for several weeks of the Egyptian Revolution anyway.

Obama has said many times he wanted Gaddafi out.  Then Gaddafi’s compound is bombed by coalition forces, and the official statement from coalition leaders is that they were not trying to bomb Gaddafi. That’s one dumb smart bomb then.

Here is what Obama said today: “Now, I also have stated that it is U.S. policy that Gadhafi needs to go.” President Obama has basically admitted that trying to get rid of Gaddafi IS what he’s trying to do.   Obama then goes on to admit that UNSCR 1973 does not allow him to do that: “But when it comes to the military action, we are doing so in support of U.N. Resolution 1973 that specifically talks about humanitarian efforts, and we are going to make sure we stick to that mandate.”

Obama also says he’s hoping that other “tools” will be used to allow the Libyan people to kick Gaddafi out.  Remember, UNSCR 1973 is supposed to be about protecting peaceful civilians, not regime change.   Lies. lies and more lies!

International, U.S.

More Congressman want Obama to explain what the hell is he doing with Libya

Democrat AND Republican Congressman are demanding that Obama explain himself, regarding the military action against Libya.

Democrat Eleanor Holmes Norton: “We’re not coordinating with the rebels. Are we going to leave them surrounded, and with the mercy of Gadhafi? I’ve never seen anything so confused in my life.”

Republican Candice Miller: “The president should come home and call the Congress back into session and to make his case. He needs to define what the United States’ vital mission is here, what is our vital interest, how does he see the potential cost unfolding here.”

Democrat Mark Begich: “Specifically, Congress needs to understand the risk involved to the lives of our service members, how long the administration anticipates U.S. involvement, the impact of our involvement on our other national security priorities like Afghanistan, and what the ultimate objective is.”

Republican Richard Lugar: “I do not understand the mission because as far as I can tell in the United States there is no mission and there are no guidelines for success.”