When our governments steal oil this violent act make all of us unsafe

Since I uploaded this post there has been further discussion on the topic:

All about oil ? - repost By jquiggin | July 6, 2007 http://johnquiggin.com/index.php/archives/2007/07/06/all-about-oil-repost/#more-3597

A worthy read. You decide who to believe - not John Howard's spin doctors.

Dear Prime Minister,

For years your Government has adopted the Bush administration's Iraq policy as our own, even as that policy has repeatedly failed. With Australian troops still at risk and the situation in Iraq deteriorating, Australia urgently needs an independent Iraq policy.

We ask that you announce a plan for a new way forward, including a clearly defined exit strategy for Australia in Iraq.

*Petition updated as of February 15, 2007

www.getup.org.au/campaign/PleaseMrHoward

I thought going to war in Iraq was supposed to make us safer, not put us in more danger. And now we're hearing it was for their oil. Some of you may have seen me ask John Howard from my hospital bed whether he thought what happened to me was a result of the war in Iraq.

I did not think then that two years later we would be still be in this position, where I feel compelled to ask Mr Howard the same question. Yet here we are - our military presence is not making the Iraqis any safer; it is not making Australians any safer. Why, exactly, are we there then?

Louise Barry

Survivor, 2005 London Bombings

GetUp member

Howard, Bush stand firm on Iraq timeline, Reporter: Jim Middleton http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2005/s1418872.htm

Bomb victim grills PM Howard in new TV ad http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,22027003-1702,00.html

Howard links Iraq war to oil, Brendan Nicholson | July 5, 2007 http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/articles/2007/07/04/1183351327508.html

Well, Brendan Nelson also knows why Australian troops were used to illegally invade and occupy Iraq:

Nelson: Oil a factor in Iraq deployment, July 5, 2007 - 10:50AM http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/howard-links-iraq-war-to-oil/2007/07/04/1183351291906.html

Speaking this morning, Dr Nelson said oil was among the reasons to keep troops in Iraq.

"Energy security is extremely important to all nations throughout the world, and of course, in protecting and securing Australia's interests," he said.

"The Middle East itself, not only Iraq, but the entire region is an important supplier of energy oil, in particular, to the rest of the world."

Govt splits on Iraq war oil link

http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/05/1970982.htm

My comment:

These pernicious politicians should look straight into the eyes of soldiers who risk their lives and tell them that they are asked to do this so that we can drive cars without paying for the petrol we use. How many would agree to fight if they knew it was to enable us to steal the oil that belongs to the people of Iraq on whom we have heaped nothing but misery and destruction. John Howard and his cohort are unfit for public office. He and George W Bush and Tony Blair should be tried as war criminals.

Iraq: Growing opposition to oil law

http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Iraq/214809

Fear and Identity – are these the tools of modern politics?

Venue: The Irish Club, 171 Elizabeth Street, City

Thursday 5 July 2007, 6.30 for 7 pm start

All welcome, entry by donation

Organised by Willy Bach, Greens candidate for Griffith.

Introduced by Larissa Waters, Greens lead Senate candidate for Queensland.

Dr Winnifred Louis (PhD, McGill, Canada) is a Lecturer in the School of Psychology and a Research Associate of ACPACS, UQ. Her research focus is on decision-making in intergroup conflict. She will present research examining the role of threat in prejudice towards asylum seekers in Australia, and the ways that threat perceptions are shaped by social factors - entitled ‘The Psychology of Threat’ Dr Louis explains her work on John Howard’s ‘children overboard’ strategy which led to his victory in the 2001 federal election.

Dr Richard Matthews, is a philosopher and ethicist based at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada. His forthcoming book responds to recent claims by some commentators that, in an age of global terrorism, torture is justifiable and necessary in some cases. His book, The Absolute Violation: Why Torture Must be Forbidden, argues against this and defends the absolute prohibition against torture.

The topic of his book, ‘The indefensibility of torture’ will be discussed at this public lecture. The Howard government’s tacit support for the use of torture in the ‘War on Terror’ is well documented.

Both of our speakers will welcome questions.

The Irish Club is a licensed venue.

Contact Willy Bach: 04007 15627

Authorised by Ian Gittus, 26 Horan Street, West End, Qld 4101

War criminal Dick Cheney threatens Iran and the world

A Navy F/A-18 fighter jet is seen in the background as Vice President Dick Cheney arrives to greet sailors and Marines at a rally aboard the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, Friday, May 11, 2007. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert - AP)

As reported today in the Washington Post, the USA is now ready to launch an unprovoked and illegal act of military aggression on Iran.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/11/AR2007051100572.html?hpid=sec-politics

"Throughout the region our country has interests to protect and commitments to honor," Cheney told Navy staff aboard the USS John C. Stennis. "With two carrier strike groups in the Gulf, we're sending clear messages to friends and adversaries alike. We'll keep the sea lanes open. We'll stand with our friends in opposing extremism and strategic threats. We'll disrupt attacks on our own forces. We'll continue bringing relief to those who suffer and delivering justice to the enemies of freedom."

War criminal, US Vice President, Dick Cheney issued his threats in much the way George W Bush announced, "mission accomplished" in May 2003. We may be surprised to see whether loyal allies, Britain and Australia will join this latest irresponsible militarist adventure, whilst their troops are bogged down in the un-winnable conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Read this update from Noam Chomskey on the American plans to attack Iran:
US-Iran Policy Dynamics
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/

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