The war

I just wish we had politicians of the calibre of the military running the war in Iraq. The aim is clearly to minimise the loss of life of both the Iraqis and the coalition troops. Unfortunately it appears that war could get nasty as there appears to be plans to fight a guerilla and urban war. This will inevitably mean the loss of civilian and western troops.

Of concern is the probability of a second war starting over northern Iraq involving the Kurds and the Turkish army. This has the potential to quickly expand and could lead to uprisings in the Kurdish areas of Turkey - which in turn could lead to terrorism.

Also the situation in Basra looks tense. The electricity and therefore the water supply has been destroyed - the most probably culprits - Iraqi forces loyal to Saddam. Irregular forces are sniping - mixing with Iraqi troops and then causing fire fights. I have the fear that these forces are going to try and put the western forces into a situation where they are seen killing civilians - and are also seen causing the deaths of thousands through lack of water, food and medical help etc. This in turn could trigger a civil war between different faction within Iraq - which will make the peace harder.

I hope - but it will never happen - that a lucky bomb - kills Saddam and the regime collapses. But it won't. So the build up to full war - and civil war - will be rougher - and many people will die.

The politicians - Bush and Blair - have not thought this issue out properly - and should take their responsibilities and resign. They obviously won't - but Blair will be ousted - and when the American people have to time to think this situation - they will turn on Bush - for playing with our troops lives.

Now let's see if we can save the lives of the American troops.

The weapon inspectors are beginning to succeed in neutralising the weapons of Saddam Hussein. However it is clear that Bush and his cronies still want war.

Why? I still cannot figure it - Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 attack - or - what was the war with Iran about - why is Saddam killing the Sh'ia religious leaders - cos - he quite rightly knows - that - they are the main opposition to him. Any weapon given to terrorists would almost certain be used against him or his regime.

I also ask why does America? - that's not real America - but Imperial America - that's the little group of people in Washington - and a few pals - in big corporations - that effectively control the country - and most of the world - well what they've got against Iraq - more specifically the people of Iraq.

OK we set Saddam up - to fight against Iran - and he was a good guy then - and the murdering of lots of his people - was OK - as we need friends in the Middle East - and besides - American - and British - companies could make good money selling weapons - to this guy - and we could - make - like - a complaint - we could mutter that it was sometimes necessary to sort out dissidents more ruthlessly than at home - well - we might joke - it would almost be better if we could do the same at home with some of those long haired liberals.

So we got our wires crossed - and when Saddam said he was going into Kuwait - we the west - sort of said - in our best dinner party speak - do you think that's wise - and by the way - why don't you sign this construction contract - instead of - AREN'T YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND.

So we got the war - the Iraq army was completely defeated but we

didn't grab or depose Saddam

not only didn't we disarm the republican guard - we even gave them transport to carry their weapons

and Daddy Bush encouraged the people of Iraq to revolt - and promised support -but

Imperial America - and Imperial Britain - just stood by and watched the massacres happen - the gassings and the genocide of groups like the marsh Arabs - we may have said - tut and oh dear

And that's how it stood - until now - a neutralised Iraq - an Iraq that is the strongest opponent of Islamic Fundamentalism - except Israel - is going to be attacked - not because of the threats of weapons of mass destruction - but because of the interests of a few American corporations - who donated generously - in the 'democratic' process.

The reaction of Bush to the weapons inspectors - and the UN - is bad. If he ignores the UN - and declares war unilaterally - then he - and his cronies - and advisors - are war criminals. If an American life is lost in this war - then he - and his cronies - and advisors - have committed manslaughter.

There could be an argument for war - when the weapon inspectors - have done their job - and have demonstrated that Iraq - has not removed weapons - or not co-operated fully. The suggestion by Blair - of a set of steps - with timetables - to prove that disarmament and co-operation was working - is a version of what the French - and the Germans - and the Russians - and the Chinese - and most of the European population - and at least a third of the American population - and the Canadians - and most of the Arab world want.

It is sad that the stance of the French - is more concerned about preventing the deaths of American servicemen - than is the President of the United States. It is clear that Bush wants war - which means Americans will die. This will then be used as an excuse to justify the theft of resources in Iraq - and to justify the spending of American tax payers' money - to the corporations that backed Bush - in projects linked to the defeated Iraq.

On the whole I like Americans - in my youthful hippy travelling days - I was often given lifts by American servicemen - I often hitched with American backpackers - and I liked most of those I've met. I hate the thought of their children - and their grandchildren - being pushed off into this war. This action reminds me of John - a quiet American guy - living in London - his last few days before going into the draft - to Vietnam - to fight - in a cause he didn't believe in - he was scared - terrified - but he went - because of duty - to his country. I don't want his children or grandchildren involved in this war.

Let's campaign now to stop American lives being lost - let's campaign for American servicemen not to be maimed - let's campaign for the weapon inspectors to be allowed to do their job properly and then only go to war if it is shown that Saddam has not complied with the UN requirements. Most likely Iraq would then be effectively neutralised. Or in that time Saddam may agree to go into exile - his army may revolt - he might die of natural causes - he may be assinated - all of which would mean no American lives were lost.

very amusing

The Odtaa files have been offline for a time as we are sabotaged by a person who is all brilliant - obviously intellectual - and clearly has women fighting to get near him - with his stories of how intelligent he is - a real puller.

The hassle have been primarily sending viruses from different accounts - which has meant that I have had to update my virus protection and mailing programs. I have also had to start blocking certain sites - and gee wiz - every few days he gets a new account - wow - fantastic - brilliant - I wish I was so smart.

I am not sure how but he has now put some block on Google so that most of the search requests don't appear on my traffic monitors - again - wow - fantastic - brilliant - I wish I was so smart.

So - Mr Brilliant - if you get your kicks - and waste your time - harassing a very small site - run by a 57 year old man - who is unemployed - then I suggest you look at yourself - get yourself into reality.

I accept the fact that you are brilliant - and I am not worthy of looking over your shoulder - as you brilliantly type the keystrokes - that fuck up someone's system. But - to be honest - I'm not really interested in all the clever techie stuff - I am not a worthy opponent - so - I accept your greatness - unblock my site - and leave me alone.

taking liberties

A soldier requested a two-day leave, as he was to become a father in the near future. When he returned to the base one week later, a sergeant asked:

Was it a boy or girl?

I don`t know yet. I`ll let you know in about 9 months.

customer choice

Basil goes to a department store.

Do you have colour TVs?

Yes, of course.

All right. I`ll take a green one.

military intelligence

A soldier keeps a mug upside down and tells the sergeant:

I can`t drink from this mug. It has no opening.

The sergeant examines the mug and says:

You are right. And look at this - its got no bottom

only when she coughs

"Mary! I didn`t know you smoked. When did you start?"

"That night my husband came home early and found a cigarette butt in the ashtray."

we will have the technology

During the United States and Russian Space Race, it was discovered that in the absence of gravity, normal pens did not function correctly. The ink would not run out of the pen.

The United States spent millions of dollars developing a pen that would work in space.

The Russians used pencils.

lack of equipment

This picture should shame the British government. Here is a picture of our front line troops and it is quite obvious that they are not being supplied with proper boots or uniforms. Still these Wrens - that's English English for female soldiers - are putting on a brave face and eager to get into action - their only thought being of England.

Nicked from spam porn - © sod you 2003