Oil and Democracy Don’t Mix

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• Reader Comments (16)

  Page 1 of 1 pages

  yeah come on now blame the usa for everything you can.  we do a lot of things wrong but can the people in those places fix their own houses or what? they get bazillions of usa bucks so we know they have the dough to build. whine whine blame blame everything on the usa

  Posted by trey on Feb 4, 2004 at 11:45 AM

  Every American needs to read the book “Crude Politics” by Paul Sperry. The book puts a clear focus on just how interwoven the war on terror and the oil business have become.

  Posted by chris on Feb 4, 2004 at 2:38 PM

  Dear editor: Oil and democracy don’t mix was a great essay. Sadly, this situation will continue to be the norm for the rest of the dwindling “Age of Oil.”

  What is at stake from the perspective of the West is no less than the entire neoliberal economic world order of unlimited growth and consumption. This really isn’t a war on terror but the first round in the new age of resource wars--oil is only the first resource that will be contested by the governments of a system which is coming to an end.

  The only question is: how bloody will the END become.

  Regards, R. Nemo.

  Posted by richard nemo on Feb 4, 2004 at 4:29 PM

  Chaney the loudmouth in 1996, guess he did not have such a bum ticker then.
  Think he would be so disposed as to take on the Devine in 2004? Perhaps having a defibrillating pacemaker and a bedside cardiologist might make him bolder. If so, let’s hope the Devine does not have a sence of humor.

  Posted by Cole... on Feb 4, 2004 at 7:41 PM

  The author quite right-- After all, the Good Lord put oil in Texas.

  ATS

  Posted by ATS on Feb 5, 2004 at 8:25 AM

  Democracy and oil do mix.  In fact, recently released CIA documents show the role the US and England had in overthrowing democratically elected P.M. Mossadeq of Iran in l953.  Covert CIA operations helped overthrow Mossadeq and bring the Shah of Iran to power, a US puppet and brutal dictator who ruled for about 20 years.  Iranians finally overthrew the Shah, but this brought fundamentalists into power. The book All the Shah’s Men by Kinser is a good source.  Those who know history know the US then backed Saddam Hussein in a war against Iran, provided him with WMD’s and even help him use them against the Iranians.  Reagan also illegally provided arms to the Iranians (Iran Contra).  Oh how little the American people know!

  Posted by Jim on Feb 5, 2004 at 6:48 PM

  TREY Huh???????????
  First with the slaves and now this.
  
  who gets bazillions of usa bucks?? certainly not the average citizen of any oil rich country. You know, the ones that are being oppressed.
  I’m sure if you gave those bazillions of usa bucks to the average iraqi joe six-pack he’d of headed straight out to buy himself a gun big enough to blow saddams head off a long time ago.

  Posted by Cant help it on Feb 5, 2004 at 11:35 PM

  wow. frida berrigan-thank you for your great article. i agree with most opinions here, but am disgusted with the violent tone. People. we must treat others with kindness, and a deep love and respect or this world will never be a place where everyone is able to live a humane life. a deep disrespect for others has gotten us into this mess, and will never extricate us. Think on this foremost.

  Posted by jen d. on Feb 6, 2004 at 10:21 PM

  “how little the American people know!”

  Sez yiu.

  When did you find out the facts you printed?  What, you read one book and you’re well-informed?

  Nothing you printed in your post is news. These things have been well known in America for decades.

  How can say say “how little the American people know”

  I probably knew everything you are talking about before you were born and I found it all out in America.

  Get a grip.

  Posted by Nus on Feb 9, 2004 at 2:51 PM

  Jen d - you’re only half right. The forces that are bringing empire to bear don’t care about the need to be nice. They only care about winning, which means absolute power and domination no matter what the cost.

  The only thing standing between them and a complete shredding of our Bill of Rights - and our way of life - is a bunch of old hippies and students aided by a handful of very wealthy progressives like George Soros and the internet. . .

  The other side doesn’t care a whit about being nice, and they sure as hell won’t extend any courtesy towards us. “Kindness, and a deep love and respect” are great for our side, but unfortunately this is going to be a fight to the finish.

  I have both hope and fear that it will be in my lifetime. . . Then, as you eloquently put it, people may finally be able to live a human life. In the meantime, it’s time to fight back - even if it means flaming those loser Bush-backers in a most vulgar and unpleasant manner.

  Those people are destroying this country, and people sure as hell should be righteously pissed about it. Trey, it’s not about blaming the USA: it’s about owning up to our mistakes, taking responsibility for the sh*t and moving on. . .  That’s what we teach small children to do, you’d think as a nation we’d be able to stomach it. Some so-called adults could take lessons from children on the importance of cleaning up your own mess. It would just be merely pathetic if our own kids weren’t fighting and dying for an AWOL oligarchy. 
  

  Posted by Ed Mellon on Feb 9, 2004 at 6:50 PM

  Hi

  Posted by Mark on Feb 11, 2004 at 9:41 AM

  The US has a long, sordid and pathetic history of supporting murderous thugs and dictators, as long as they would allow various Fortune 500 companies access to their country’s natural resources.

  And after nearly 100 years of this type of brutality, the chickens are finally coming home to roost.

  The fact that 9/11 happened did not surprise me.
  Considering our bloody hands, the only surprise is that 9/11 did not happen sooner.

  Posted by Greg Bacon on Feb 13, 2004 at 5:32 AM

  dear ms berrigan:

  i’ve written this letter quite a few times to no avail--I’m not sure where to start.

  i’m concerned about the use of secret high tech surveillance weapons to intrude, steal information and coerce.

  a simpler way to put it would be to talk of the clearly visible radiological harm on conflict areas and on selected individuals in other
  places.

  also that I’v been obviously pursued by UAV’s, often.

  perhaps you know some about this already-- but people don’t reply, or if they do they don’t ask me what I
  know. I have to wonder how others feel they know all they need to about this matter.

  I’d be happy to tell you some things about the Australian exposure, or
  to send on notes or fictional representation.

  Can you make a contact?

  Following are two letters I wrote yesterday-- none through to Bagdad

  sincerely, kim seabrook

  Editors, Inymedia Melbourne
  re:yesterday’s email to you re:email to Baghdad re: radiological effects

  The email failed to get through yesterday and
  it has failed to get through three times today. I often
  have this problem with communication of this matter.

  Also, I mentioned that I’d like to talk with someone
  at Indymedia Melbourne, as well, regarding the issue of
  radiological--radar and low frequency radio wave--
  poisoning.  I think it’s an issue on which we could be
  helpful to people in conflict areas.

  There isn’t any way that I can check on interference.  CAn you
  send to Baghdad and see if you can get through?

  Can you find out if there are any investigative staff
  there who may be interested-- could send another
  email address?
  Thanks
  Kim
  

  Posted by kim seabrook on Feb 19, 2004 at 8:50 PM

  2nd 1/2 of the letter
  i.e.
  letter to baghdad

  To the editors
  Almuajaha, Baghdad

  I’d like to make contact with a person/people in Iraq, possibly people
  at a media center would be able to respond, regarding the issue of radiological
  harm/poisoning, and Very Low Frequency radio wave poisoning.
  There’s necessarily a high level of radar in conflict areas, I
  think. 

  Also, I don’t know exactly what kind of
  material needs people have, how much aid gets through and so forth.

  Firstly I hope to exchange information that might be helpful and also, maybe
  to send small packages, particularly of radar survival type stuff.
  I pick stuff up second hand, so do others I know who’ve become aware of
  the issue in different ways in their own lives.  Sunglasses, things for drumming,
  air pillows, leather shoes; there are many different ways to offset effects
  and a variety of ways is helpful.  I think other people in Australia would like to
  have a way to communicate to over there.

  It seems that the big NGO’s are in the way of cross countries communication--
  red-taped and constricted but also distancing.

  Maybe eventually I’d like to see set-up visitor exchanges on a group to group basis. 
  This feels like an ambitious thing to say, without a group
  structure existing now, but, how to start if you can’t get an immediate sense of
  how it is in such a situation?

  I write to you (at Indymedia) because I’d like some way of checking that this at least
  got through to your end.  I’m hoping the local Melbourne Indymedia will help with this.

  Thanks editors,
  Good luck in Baghdad
  Kim Seabrook
  

  or
  c/- Post Office Seaford
  Victoria,
  

  Posted by kim seabrook on Feb 19, 2004 at 8:53 PM

  2nd 1/2 of the letter
  i.e.
  letter to baghdad

  To the editors
  Almuajaha, Baghdad

  I’d like to make contact with a person/people in Iraq, possibly people
  at a media center would be able to respond, regarding the issue of radiological
  harm/poisoning, and Very Low Frequency radio wave poisoning.
  There’s necessarily a high level of radar in conflict areas, I
  think. 

  Also, I don’t know exactly what kind of
  material needs people have, how much aid gets through and so forth.

  Firstly I hope to exchange information that might be helpful and also, maybe
  to send small packages, particularly of radar survival type stuff.
  I pick stuff up second hand, so do others I know who’ve become aware of
  the issue in different ways in their own lives.  Sunglasses, things for drumming,
  air pillows, leather shoes; there are many different ways to offset effects
  and a variety of ways is helpful.  I think other people in Australia would like to
  have a way to communicate to over there.

  It seems that the big NGO’s are in the way of cross countries communication--
  red-taped and constricted but also distancing.

  Maybe eventually I’d like to see set-up visitor exchanges on a group to group basis. 
  This feels like an ambitious thing to say, without a group
  structure existing now, but, how to start if you can’t get an immediate sense of
  how it is in such a situation?

  I write to you (at Indymedia) because I’d like some way of checking that this at least
  got through to your end.  I’m hoping the local Melbourne Indymedia will help with this.

  Thanks editors,
  Good luck in Baghdad
  Kim Seabrook
  

  or
  c/- Post Office Seaford
  Victoria,
  

  Posted by kim seabrook on Feb 19, 2004 at 8:53 PM

  2nd 1/2 of the letter
  i.e.
  letter to baghdad

  To the editors
  Almuajaha, Baghdad

  I’d like to make contact with a person/people in Iraq, possibly people
  at a media center would be able to respond, regarding the issue of radiological
  harm/poisoning, and Very Low Frequency radio wave poisoning.
  There’s necessarily a high level of radar in conflict areas, I
  think. 

  Also, I don’t know exactly what kind of
  material needs people have, how much aid gets through and so forth.

  Firstly I hope to exchange information that might be helpful and also, maybe
  to send small packages, particularly of radar survival type stuff.
  I pick stuff up second hand, so do others I know who’ve become aware of
  the issue in different ways in their own lives.  Sunglasses, things for drumming,
  air pillows, leather shoes; there are many different ways to offset effects
  and a variety of ways is helpful.  I think other people in Australia would like to
  have a way to communicate to over there.

  It seems that the big NGO’s are in the way of cross countries communication--
  red-taped and constricted but also distancing.

  Maybe eventually I’d like to see set-up visitor exchanges on a group to group basis. 
  This feels like an ambitious thing to say, without a group
  structure existing now, but, how to start if you can’t get an immediate sense of
  how it is in such a situation?

  I write to you (at Indymedia) because I’d like some way of checking that this at least
  got through to your end.  I’m hoping the local Melbourne Indymedia will help with this.

  Thanks editors,
  Good luck in Baghdad
  Kim Seabrook
  

  or
  c/- Post Office Seaford
  Victoria,
  

  Posted by kim seabrook on Feb 19, 2004 at 8:53 PM

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