The Big Secret Revealed

[lovuian]

Kucinich Reveals Dem Funding Bill Includes Privatization of Iraq Oil & Carte Blanche to Invade Iran

http://uslaboragainstwar.org/article.php?id=13498

In a meeting with the West Los Angeles Democratic Club on Saturday, May 5, Presidential candidate and Ohio Congress Representative Dennis Kucinich revealed that the Democrats in Congress had made some secret concessions to the Republicans in the initial Bill to continue funding the Iraq War that was vetoed, and in a subsequent version that is currently being negotiated. They include:

Privatization of Iraq’s Oil – in the original Bill, but not shared with the public. A rule was created that said this clause could not be removed during debate on House floor.
Bush could invade Iran without approval of Congress. A clause that would require him to get approval from Congress first was removed.

Timetable for troop withdrawal from Iraq to be removed from Bill (in post-veto version).
more...

And Congress wonders why their ratings are going down

[wildbilln864]

1. Kucinich is a great American Patriot!

Kucinich/Paul '08!

[John Q. Citizen]

3. Why would a good man like Kucinich run with an asshole like Ron Paul?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

5. You forgot...

Racist. Racist asshole.

[lovuian]

8. Found this link

http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_24518.shtml

and also this link

http://anythingtheysay.blogspot.com/

Thursday, June 07, 2007
The Iraqi Oil Law: strike one

But distracting celebrity gossip is not the real reason why you won't read much about the IFOU strike. Because the strike is about more than just the usual wage/benefit dispute, although that is there as well and provides some cover to the larger concern of the union over the Iraq Oil Law, a law that is now largely seen as a gift to foreign oil interests and comes at the expense of the Iraqi population in general. In fact, the head of the IFOU, Hassan Jum’a Awwad, wrote an open letter to Congress pleading with members there to untie the withdrawal of US troops from the passage of the oil law. Recall that this was something Dennis Kucinich revealed had been a "benchamrk" in the bill passed by the Democratic congress.

We see no good reason for linking the passing of the feeble Iraqi oil law to the withdrawal of the occupation troops from Iraq.

Everyone knows that the oil law does not serve the Iraqi people, and that it serves Bush, his supporters and the foreign companies at the expense of the Iraqi people who have been wronged and deprived of their right to their oil despite enduring all difficulties.

We ask our friends not to link withdrawal with the oil law, especially since the USA claimed that it came to Iraq as a liberator and not in order to control Iraq’s resources.

more...

It seems Paris Hilton was on the News

[wildbilln864]

15. Why is ....

he an asshole?
I'm not real familiar with Paul but am learning. Haven't had much time to look deeper though. I've seen him on a couple of tv exposures and agree with his supporting and defending the Constitution. :shrug:
Thanks!

[DemBones DemBones]

25. Like Kucinich, Paul voted against the IWR and the PATRIOT Act -- did

ANY of the other candidates do that? That's my response to the nasty remarks about Ron Paul. :hippie:


I've supported Kucinich for president since 2002, before he decided to run, don't know if I'd vote for Ron Paul but I agree with more of what he says than what most of the Dems are saying in regard to the war, "free trade," and civil liberties/the Constitution.

Both Kucinich and Paul also oppose NAFTA, CAFTA, GATT, and the WTO, would do away with them. I think both would end the useless war on drugs and legalize marijuana.

I am concerned about Ron Paul's desire to do away with Social Security and Medicare. I don't think he'd be able to get Congress to go along with it but I don't know if Americans could get along without a social safety net.

Paul does propose doing away with the IRS so I suppose he is essentially supporting "privatization" except that people would actually make their own private choices about where to save or invest the money they're now paying in taxes to support Social Security AND what they're paying in income taxes.

That makes it more palatable (and not just a gift to Wall Street) and more feasible but what happens to the people who don't or can't save enough, or people who become disabled? Social Security Disability Income doesn't pay much but a lot of disabled people live on their SSDI checks (usually under $1000 a month.) Would they be dependent on charity? Would old people who run out of money be dependent on charity? And what if states raise their taxes? I have to pay state income tax already as well as state sales tax, property taxes.

[CGowen]

36. The IRS is private so he isn't actually for privatization.

or is working for the private banks

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8895326251631673579&q=joe+banister&total=39&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1

[Cleita]

93. You said:

I am concerned about Ron Paul's desire to do away with Social Security and Medicare. I don't think he'd be able to get Congress to go along with it but I don't know if Americans could get along without a social safety net.

Americans cannot get along without that safety net. If it goes, be prepared to see homeless like you have never seen before and families burdened with trying to feed a parent or grandparent while they are working two jobs just to support their children. I personally will round up all my old lady friends who were formerly on SS and we will knock on your door looking for you to take us in.

[antigop]

99. Go get 'em, Cleita! You are absolutely right! Americans need a safety net. n/t

[me b zola]

26. On foreign policy he is great

On domestic policy he says he is a constitutionalist, but that comes from a libertarian rw bend. Paul wants to do away with Medicare--yep, straight from the horses mouth--and is extremely conservative including taking away a woman's right to choose.

Ron Paul is a decent man in the sense that he is principled in his beliefs (he is not up for grabs to the highest bidder), but his domestic policies are almost everything that we as progressives fight against.

[sellitman]

40. Ron Paul is a bigot

Here is a DU link to educate any wayward Paul supporters.

http://tinyurl.com/yr7hjb

[Roland99]

50. Ron Paul does NOT believe in separation of Church and State, either.

[peacetalksforall]

54. I am very sad that with a header and theme like this, that there are all

these posts about Ron Paul.

We're talking about a deal with the haters, thieves, torturers, and killers and people are talking about Ron Paul. We may not even get to an election.

[anitar1]

83. Thanks , higher class. It seems , as is usual, the op is

ignored and arguments break out regarding the merits of a person the poster hasn't even researched. I'm afraid I agree with so many posters who have pointed out that DU has become a place for people to argue and make snide remarks or worse. In other words , it is becoming a boring place. So I rarely read posts anymore. Hard to find much substance.

[sellitman]

41. Dup

Dup

[kenfrequed]

72. Uhm what???!

Ok, I know you expect people to be complete morons, but Kucinich and Paul, despite having similar views of the Patriot Act and the War on Iraq, are actually in different parties.

They are not 'running together' unless you are talking about their agreement on these two issues. Should we all support the War in Iraq and the Patriot Act because Ron Paul is against them?

Please explain what the heck you mean with more than one flame-bait sentence.

[Kikosexy2]

59. Time to ...

write, phone, email, etc. ...Congress and put them on notice! ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES!! I always had a feeling Nancy & Harry were having too many closed door meetings with Chimpie and some concessions were made...THIS REALLY PISSES ME OFF...GET MAD AS HELL AND NOT TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!!.....

[Flying Dream Blues]

2. K&R...everyone needs to see this.

This absolutely blows my mind.

[undergroundpanther]

4. Go K!!

Embarrass the living shit out of the corrupt. Shame the shameless two faced brown nosers. Tell the truth.
That's one thing corrupt people can't stand, the truth exposed to the people ..Kucinich with revealing this was a BIG can of whoop ass ...Takes one spray with the light of day and all the roaches in suits scurry for cover your ass and spin like dizzy water bugs!!

[eridani]

29. It was posted on DU in May as well n/t

[lovuian]

104. How did it sneak by me

Thanks to who posted it in May and sorry I missed it

Oh my kid was graduating thats why I missed it

[hang a left]

6. Not doubting the validity of your post

But this is the first time I have read anything about this. And this post is dated May 5.

Any other links to Kucinich saying this??

[lovuian]

7. I hadn't either if anybody can verify it would be greatly

appreciated... this news has definitely been squashed

[Nite Owl]

9. Dennis spoke for an hour on the

house floor about the oil privitization. First I've heard about the carte blanch to invade Iran though.

[lovuian]

10. I would not be surprised

Congress would not want to be part of it and yet they are if they made a secret pact with Bush

Dealing with the Devil isn't good
You end up selling your soul

[Nite Owl]

19. I wouldn't be surprised either

the silence about the oil deal is downright eerie. No one lets it pass their lips but Dennis. If it weren't true why aren't they denying it, calling him some name or something, but they aren't it's just silence.

[lovuian]

20. Nite Owl your so right

where is the Denials

I think they were going to say they didn't realize the clause was there cause they didn't read it


same tactic as THE PATRIOT ACT

how long can they use the same tactics over and over again

Thanks to Dennis for bringing the Truth out

[Nite Owl]

21. I haven't been this upset

since Alito. That was a huge mistake, not filibustering his nomination. No matter who we get in as President or how strong our majority becomes we have decades of decisions from him and Roberts too.

What do they read? Using that excuse over and over makes them seem pretty dumb or maybe they just think we are and will continue to accept their excuses.

[lovuian]

32. I think Presidential Directive 51 is just hanging there to be

sprung

I am firmly convinced they will FAIL

They FAILED in Iraq and they will Fail in this take over

The Awakening has begun and the trust me Noone is going to give their children or lives up for these corrupt goons so they can become Billionaires living in Paraguay

They will Fail because they are idiots and inept in everything they do

They have failed in everything they have done

they will FAIL FAIL FAIL

[Nite Owl]

34. All the pieces of the puzzle

are all seeming to fit together now aren't they.

Have they really failed? They have failed us, the American people, but they have done pretty well by their own. I guess it all depends on how one defines failure. Hopefully it won't be enough to just provide for the elite. What kind of society to they see and how can people live like that without utter rebellion. It can get to a point where people have no more to lose so there is less fear.

[undergroundpanther]

27. Fuck If Iran is invaded

Welcome to disaster people. Really.

Oh fuck fuck fuck.. Bush will toss a "pre emptive" nuke over there because of the Oil Bourse Same reason for Iraq invasion Saddam wanted to trade oil in Euros and drop the dollar..Halliburton /bush didn't Like that Saddam told the US oil tycoons to fuck off,..So they used the national guard like a tool sent some corporate mercinaries and invaded Iraq, they bomb, torture people , kill, if we invade Iran.. Korea will be pissed off and more ready to act, Russia will lose it,and other countries too ..and all hell will break loose ON US.People think the price of gas is bad now..just wait. FUCK!!

Bush is about to spring the trap those fucking neocon tyrant assholes have been plotting since before Nixon ,When the trap slams on our neck it will be too late to wake up ..These fuckers in Washington on BOTH sides will have fucked us all over,bad.

http://www.gnn.tv/threads/15627/Iranian_Oil_Bourse_Opens_for_Business_A_Final_Step_Toward_U_S_Dollar_Collapse_Preemptive_Nuclear_Strike
http://www.falseflagnews.com/editorials/from_2005_tarpley_iran_invasion_false-flag_terror
http://erlenda3.blogspot.com/2006/12/war-on-iran-unleashing-armageddon-in.html
http://www.tiesweb.org/dialogues/incorrect/archives/biancheri56.php3

[Nite Owl]

30. Worse than fucked

From your last link: http://www.tiesweb.org/dialogues/incorrect/archives/biancheri56.php3



Decoding of the aggravating factor “The military intervention against Iran”
Iran holds some significant geo-strategic assets in the current crisis, such as its ability to intervene easily and with a major impact on the oil provisioning of Asia and Europe (by blocking the Strait of Ormuz), on the conflicts in progress in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention the possible recourse to international terrorism. But besides these aspects, the growing distrust towards Washington creates a particularly problematic situation. Far from calming both Asian and European fears concerning the accession of Iran to the statute of nuclear power, a military intervention against Iran would result in an quasi-immediate dissociation of the European public opinions <6> which, in a context where Washington has lost its credibility in handling properly this type of case since the invasion of Iraq, will prevent the European governments from making any thing else than follow their public opinions. In parallel, the rising cost of oil which would follow such an intervention will lead Asian countries, China first and foremost, to oppose this option, thus forcing the United States (or Israel) to intervene on their own, without UN guarantee, therefore adding a severe military and diplomatic crisis to the economic and financial crisis.




The repercussions from invading Iran will make Iraq look like a day in the park.

[undergroundpanther]

31. I know

I reposted this reply in GD with a few extra links.
People need to understand this madness the neocons are doing HAS to be stopped,and waving signs and phone calls won't cut it if the Dem's are selling us Out like Kucinich has said.

[lovuian]

33. The Sleepers need to be Awakened

Long Live the Fighters for Truth

The same excuses over and over again and still the rape of the country our lives our children's futures and the world as we know it

but they will FAIL as they always FAIL

Anyone who has particpated in support of this regime will regret it

[undergroundpanther]

35. If these psychopaths don't kill us all first

They may live to regret it.

You know these pigs have no qualms with killing millions,that's what they think will save this planet.
Nazis were like that too, Nazis had a "green " side.
Most people never really consider much.

[AntiFascist]

78. Bush himself warned us that we have a serious addiction to oil...

what he didn't say is that he and his cronies will gleefully profit from serving that addiction. If some sort of extermination event is required to bring down the oil demand (fitting quite nicely into the religious-right "End Days" prophecies) then they will serve that purpose as well.

[Emit]

14. Here's another link

http://www.argonautnewspaper.com/articles/2007/05/10/news_-_features/westchester/v1.txt

Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich is keynote speaker at West L.A. Democratic Club


BY HELGA GENDELL

(Created: Thursday, May 10, 2007 1:00 PM PDT)


One little-known provision requested by President George W. Bush in the recently vetoed Iraq funding bill is that Iraq privatize its oil or the U.S. will pull out the troops and not send in any peace keepers, said Dennis Kucinich, an Ohio U.S. Congressman and presidential candidate.

Kucinich was the keynote speaker at an event on Saturday, May 5th, held by the West L.A. Democratic Club at the Venice Center for Peace with Justice and the Arts in Venice.

Kucinich said that six weeks ago he told Democratic colleagues about this provision, asking if they had read the bill because many were shocked to learn about it, and admitted they had not read much of the bill, which prompted Kucinich to remark, 'Just like the Patriot Act.'

Just before the president's veto of the Iraq funding bill, Kucinich said he attempted for the third time to remove the 'privatization of oil' bill portion and that some Democrats 'screamed at him that he was 'not a loyal party member'.'


'Democrats took the House of Representatives on war issues in the election, but this is 'bait and switch' because people wanted change, not the Democratic version of the war instead of the Republican war,' Kucinich said.

The congressman told the audience of over 200 people, 'You're the ones who decide who the next president will be. Come together, take steps to change the country, talk about the America we want to see, where the president and the vice president support the Constitution of the United States with honor and America rejects war as an instrumental policy.'

America understands when any country's leader says, 'All options are on the table,' (as the U.S. did with Iran) it means the possibility of war, said Kucinich.

Kucinich said he wants to be a healing president, end the occupation of Iraq, and restate America's position in the world.

Congress has the power of the purse and can pass legislation simply telling the president they won't pass any money to fund the war. Democrats should have told the president, 'No more money for Iraq,' Kucinich said.

~snip~

[lovuian]

17. Thanks Emit

:applause Dennis:

[leftchick]

77. 'While Washington Sleeps, Effort to Privatize Iraq’s Oil Continues'

http://www.commondreams.org/news2007/0518-04.htm

FLORIDA - MAY 18 -Today’s Washington Post had a headline story “Bush Open to Iraq Benchmarks.” Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) issued the following statement:

“The benchmarks include a provision, which would lead to privatization of Iraq’s oil wealth. The President is open to such legislation because it is his idea. He and the Vice President have consistently misled the Congress on this matter, attempting variously to mask the privatization scheme as ‘equitable revenue sharing’ and as a means toward ‘reconciliation.’ This is a grand deception.

“While the media is paying close attention to the process of negotiations between the Administration and Congress, very few are looking at the most substantive issue in all the benchmarks: The attempt to force Iraq to privatize its oil, a provision open for all who can read to see in the text of the bill before the Iraqi Parliament.

“Congress has had little or no examination of the consequences of the benchmarks which call for Iraq to pass a hydrocarbon law. It isn’t asking questions and the President isn’t telling.

“Of course the President isn’t ruling out punishing the Iraqi government for not reaching benchmarks, because his Administration has deceitfully linked concepts of reconciliation and equitable oil revenue sharing to passage of the Hydrocarbon Act which leads to privatization of Iraq’s oil wealth.


....lots more here too...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=kucinich+iraq+oil+congress&btnG=Google+Search

[Supersedeas]

88. thanks for the link

[leftchick]

132. I am literally shocked

that most people are not aware of this. Still!

[libodem]

11. What gives us the right?

I thought Iraq was a sovereign Democracy, why do we have any say? Why don't we take their Oil for the American People Why does it have to be for the corporations? We are paying for the exploitation of Iraq. It's not a Private Mission? Unless we ARE just back up for Halliburton and Exxon/mobile and Blackwater. Is this private or public? Whose oil is it? Ah, fuck shut the Iraq government down and just send some GOP While Male System CEO's and lets start runnin' this CASH COW for what it is! Where are those gasses to put all those pesky brown people to sleep for good? Saddam had it right. Why waste time and money imprisoning and torturing when you can just spread Chemicals through the air and kill the bickering hoards. Can The Army, drop Napalm and White Phosphorus on the entire county and just melt every thing but the pipeline and new bases? That would be some Surge progress.:sarcasm: Nuke that sand into glass. make it big enough to get Iran, Syria, and Jordan, Gaza. Let Bush have his legacy.

[ninkasi]

90. I'm so ashamed

The America I grew up loving, and believing in, is gone. We have now illegally invaded, and are occupying, a country which was no threat to us. We are slaughtering and torturing their citizens, and the Bush administration has used this war of choice as the excuse to do away with our civil liberties. All of this is being done in order to steal Iraq's oil. We have pounded their country into rubble, and taken away their infrastructure, leaving them with no reliable electricity, water, or sanitation. Their hospitals are now lacking in basic medical supplies, the Iraqi people have been made homeless, and poverty stricken.

This has been done by our Oil president and VP, and they have sent our sons and daughters to be sacrificed to enrich Bush-Cheney and their cronies. Now, on top of the moral outrage already committed, they want to illegally go to war with another country, an act which will draw most of the rest of the world into the fight. They don't care if America is destroyed in the process, because they can take their billions and live anywhere they want...like Paraguay. If only we had more Democratic representatives with the conscience and ethics of Dennis Kucinich, our country might heal, and repair the enormous amount of damage done by the greedy and corrupt neocons.

[williesgirl]

12. Why let the chief criminal invade any country without congress approval? This sucks. recommended

[MsMagnificent]

94. Great question

and as of yet I haven't seen the answer.

WHY would they allow Bush to declare war on his own without Congress?

Why???

[Czolgosz]

13. GO DENNIS GO!

[DemBones DemBones]

16. KUCINICH FOR PRESIDENT 2008 !!!

We could use an honest president for a change.

[Edweird]

18. Hmmm. If this is true, the "we haven't got the votes" crowd is in for a shock.

My anger with our reps has been building since the beginning with the "minor mistakes" and seeming "missteps" that took place, and culminated with the latest war funding bill. I felt sold out by that alone. This just leaves me speechless. What the fuck do we do now?

[dysfunctional press]

24. if i told you what we do now, the mods would delete my post.

they don't take kindly to the "r-word" around here...
even though it's the act that got this country started.

[EnviroBat]

60. I'm with you there...

:thumbsup:

[Discord]

70. I'm ready to fight for my country....

and it wont be in some foreign land.

[Cogito ergo doleo]

22. Dennis Kucinich 2008. K&R

[leftofthedial]

23. the congressional "democrats" just totally suck

only Kucinich and one or two others, depending on the issue, have the slightest credibility anymore

[Mind_your_head]

28. The *hits* to this 'democracy' keep coming........

Thank you Senator Kucinich :patriot: for bringing this to the fore......

[MadAnne]

69. Congressman n/t

[annabanana]

37. ARE THEY INSANE??

THIS is why bills should be dumped out here on the 'net... Ther is NO way these provisions should be stuck into the bills without any mention from the Press or anybody else

ESPECIALLY the "Go ahead and Invade Iran if you want to.. Just leave us out of it" clause...

Dear GOD what is going on down there..

[jberryhill]

134. All bills are available online at thomas.loc.gov

And you might notice that, in this entire thread about a purported piece of legislation, nobody bothered to identify the bill in question or provide a link to it.

[malaise]

38. Good fugging grief

I seriously give up on the political system.

[Vidar]

39. Thank you, Dennis.

[Skidmore]

42. I effin' don't want to hear one protestation that some of us who expect more

from this party are being disloyal. THIS sort of situatino is exactly why we speak up.

[snappyturtle]

43. I don't know whether to scream or cry...awful...K&R nt

[lonestarnot]

44. Boo Congress. Hang tough Dennis!

[acmavm]

45. What a victory last November, huh? What have our elected reps

done for us so far? Held some hearings that accomplished NOTHING. Told us to get impeachment out of our minds. Cut a secret trade deal with the bush** administration. Gave bush** all the money he wanted, no strings attached, for the current bloody unwinnable mess we're involved in. And now this shit.

Well, at least Pelosi has her priorities straight. She's going to fight for the right to have an adult child to with them on their little jaunts if a spouse can't go. There's a real threat to the country for ya, the taxpayers not funding their damn adult kids going on business treks with 'em.

[colorado_ufo]

57. Best summary yet of our disabled Congress.

[slipslidingaway]

46. Open Letter to US Congress and European Parliament

Sunday, May 13, 2007

http://www.basraoilunion.org/2007/05/open-letter-to-us-congress-and-european.html


"We wish to clarify certain matters relating to events in Iraq for our friends among the members of the US Congress. It is common knowledge that the occupation spared neither the old nor the young, and that Iraq is passing through the most difficult of times because all and sundry are hounding it and covet a share of its riches. We see no good reason for linking the passing of the feeble Iraqi oil law to the withdrawal of the occupation troops from Iraq.

Everyone knows that the oil law does not serve the Iraqi people, and that it serves Bush, his supporters and the foreign companies at the expense of the Iraqi people who have been wronged and deprived of their right to their oil despite enduring all difficulties...


We wish to see you take a true stance for the children of Iraq, and we always say that history will remember those who advance peace over war."

With my regards,

Hassan Jum’a Awwad
Head of the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions

[lovuian]

105. McCain goes shopping in Baghdad and buys Persian Rugs

for 5 bucks...

McCain shopping

http://youtube.com/watch?v=McfBxZ85v30

But no unions and just work like a slave and no unions

is this America or Stalin's Russia...cause its going to fail

[slipslidingaway]

118. Lindsey Graham bought the rugs, hope he can enjoy them :(

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/01/graham-mccain-rugs/

We really do not seem to care what the workers want. When calling the offices of the top three candidates I did ask how they could support this benchmark when the oil union was threatening a strike over various issues, the oil law being one of the demands. They could not answer the question.

[slipslidingaway]

47. U.S. Warns Iraq That Progress Is Needed Soon

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/12/world/middleeast/12military.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

" June 11 — The top American military commander for the Middle East has warned Iraq’s prime minister in a closed-door conversation that the Iraqi government needs to make tangible political progress by next month to counter the growing tide of opposition to the war in Congress...


In the meeting, Admiral Fallon focused on Iraq’s oil law, assuming it was closest to completion. “Is it reasonable to expect it to be completed in July?” he asked. “We have to show some progress in July for the upcoming report.”

Mr. Maliki said that the Kurds had raised concerns about revenue sharing arrangements, but he indicated that some progress on the oil law would be made. Ambassador Crocker pointed out that it was important that progress include the resolution of that thorny issue.

At one point, Mr. Maliki wondered aloud whether Congress would really give the Iraqis credit for tackling tough issues if they completed the oil law. Admiral Fallon reassured him that most Americans wanted the Iraqi government to succeed."



Interesting observations on the NY Times article FWIW, just found the blog yesterday.

http://zenhuber.blogspot.com/2007/06/william-fallon-hearts-nuri-al-maliki.html


"Commander Jeff Huber, U.S. Navy (Retired) was operations officer of a naval air wing and an aircraft carrier, and he commanded an E-2C Hawkeye aircraft squadron..."

[bbgrunt]

48. If this is true, we are done.

[OregonBlue]

49. And they wonder why all the talk about a third party. Call your Representatives

and demand to know if this is true?

[Roland99]

51. Good thing the liberal media paints Kucinich as a level-headed Patriot

instead of a far-left loony.




:sarcasm:

[bagrman]

52. Of course we'll nuke them , It's all we got left.

[dogday]

53. Of course they would allow this, read this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1070534&mesg_id=1070552

[peacetalksforall]

56. Then, Democrats should stop being hypocrites and we should

abandon the crap about democracy right now. Maybe Lieberman isn't such a fool. We are the fools.

We are dumber than the the lemmings for the RNC and Reverends and the military brass.

So the world is going to let us do this?

Hang on to your sons people - they are going to yank the able bodied ones off the street, but instead of their withering away in cages, ours will be carrying 75 pounds of equipment and taking orders from the corporations.

Am I let down? Do I believe Kucinich? Is Kucinich going to get to live? What drastic cry can peace loving people make?

[dogday]

61. Too late for me on the holding on to your Sons advice

My Son has already been to Iraq once although his battalion has been deployed twice, he was training the first time and lucked out... I am very afraid they will be calling him again to go back to Iraq... He does not want to go... I will support whatever decision he makes....

[peacetalksforall]

63. There is a little distinction between what has already gone down

and what is to come when taking this information and extracting and predicting.

Your son served for all kinds of beliefs.

What we are able to believe keeps changing and unraveling right before our reading eyes while our ears hear mostly untruths unless we pick who we listen to.

The key difference here is that we may have only one elected leader who can tell us the truth.

I thank your son for his beliefs and service.

I wish he could have only had to practice fighting for defense purposes.

Thanks for sharing.

[lovuian]

106. I predict the Democrats will be the supporters of the Draft

and its coming if we go to war with Iran

but How many will go??? I see a mass exit sign and believe me when the borders can't control what gets in
they won't control what goes out

[TwilightGardener]

55. This is not a secret--all publicized. The oil provision, the Iran language--

all was made public. Otherwise, how would I know about it? Remember when Nancy was booed by AIPAC, presumably over the requirement for congressional approval to bomb Iran? Remember the blue-dog Dems in the House refusing to allow the Iran clause? And the privatization of the oil has been in the works for a while--that's part of the oil deal the Iraqis have to pass. I give kudos to Dennis for talking about it, but he didnt' reveal a big secret, except to folks who weren't paying attention.

[peacetalksforall]

65. Everything you say is true, but I don't think I have heard it in

this conclusive way. I always thought that some Dems were fighting what traitorous Dems were doing.

I now hold all Dems in the same bucket with Lieberman.

We have Lieberman who tells the truth. We have Kucinich sho seems to have always told us the truth.
And in between we have Dem traitors?

How could they is the really important question?

I don't know how I'm going to get much work done today. I can't lift my heart up and I can't see too well.

It is XXXX to learn pretty conclusively that we have been betrayed.

I hope someone can prove that it isn't a done deal by Dems.

There now has to be a new title for these people. I would prefer that they would not call themselves Dems.

Right now I don't think there is poltical fight to work on.

God bless the people of Iran, God bless people who truly believe in brothehood.

Organized churches have changed the rules - you can only love your brother if they believe as you do.

[nealmhughes]

91. How true, General Clark and Mr. Kucinich have been saying this loudly and publicly for some time.

So has the foreign press, especially Le Monde Diplomatique, but of course, the big 4 networks can't be distracted from where Paris Hilton's getting out of jail party will be held in Vegas or the Sopranos finale to be distracted from serious political news. They have received not a single WH or DoD press release, a la mode de Judith Miller, hence no story.
It is amazing that we as a nation devote more time to circuses and "restless leg syndrome" than on the greatest theft that will ever known to mankind if the oil hijacking goes through. It will be nigh impossible to actually trump up enough evidence to justify any war with Iran, a country that although Iraq's neighbor, is nothing at all like Iraq. Nearly 80 million people and an area nearly the size of the entire US continental West and a determination in warfare that rivals the Red Army's human waves in Stalingrad.
Evidently now we truly are aiming to become a kleptocracy.

[TwilightGardener]

92. Yep, what's been going on right in front of our noses is absolutely surreal--

and still nobody's stopping the crazy train to Iran (again, cheers to Kucinich and Clark for trying).

[lovuian]

107. I'm pretty informed as well as the rest DUERS and

a bunch of us knew about privatization of the oil

but I didn't know about the carte blanche to bomb Iran

thats was a surprise

cause I can tell ya the Media isn't reporting it

[progressoid]

58. And it's still a secret.

Aside from Dennis' supporters and us internet addicts, nobody else knows (or maybe even cares).

[lovuian]

108. Its on You Tube now

I love it and it will be in other media too

[Auggie]

62. I'm thinking Green party. The Democrats are losing me.

[lutefisk]

73. I don't know - the Green Party thing didn't work out so well in 2000

I'm disgusted with "most" of the representatives in the Democratic party, but enabling a Republican victory by splitting the vote between Democrats and Greens just doesn't make sense. This is a two party system, and a small percentage of people voting for third party candidates won't change that, imho. I don't know what the answer is.

[Auggie]

81. I know, I know...

Damn -- this two party system is annoying.

[Individualist]

64. This is what DLC has done to the party.

Damn them and their supporters.

[Orsino]

66. Do we have anything more than his say-so yet?

I'm more inclined to believe Kucinich than anyone else in Congress, but we need to know exactly who signed onto exactly what.

[slipslidingaway]

75. Try the link below or read some of the articles Kucinich mentions

in his speech. Both Iraq supplementals passed by the congress have the passage of the Iraq oil/hydrocarbon law as one of the benchmarks for further funding and troops. How many in congress read the draft Iraq oil law before they voted for the benchmark and how many relied, once again, on the information given to them by the administration. Bush/Cheney wanted this benchmark and that in itself should send up a red flag IMO.


http://www.basraoilunion.org/

One reason given for the strike by the oil union in Iraq is because they want to have some input on the law as currently drafted.


http://priceofoil.org/thepriceofoil/war-terror/iraqi-oil-law/

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=110-h20070523-26

snip>>

"There have been several benchmarks set by the administration for the Iraqi Government, including passage of a so-called hydrocarbon law by the Iraqi Parliament. Many inside the Beltway are contemplating linking funding for the war in Iraq to the completion of these benchmarks, including passage of the hydrocarbon law by the Parliament.

This administration has led Congress into thinking that this bill is about fair distribution of oil revenues. In fact, as I mentioned earlier, except for three scant lines, the entire 33-page hydrocarbon law creates a structure to facilitate the privatization of Iraq oil.

Now, the war in Iraq is a stain on American history. Let us not further besmirch our Nation by participating in an outrageous exploitation of a nation which is in shambles due to the U.S. intervention.

Let me provide this House with an analysis of the underlying bill in the Iraqi Legislature, which this administration is trying to get Congress to pass to pressure the Iraqi Government to accept privatization. And this analysis that I'm offering at this moment is a version that passed the Iraqi Cabinet and was referred to the Iraqi Parliament."


Oil law timeline?

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/23353

[Orsino]

80. Sorry--should have specified...

...that I'm especially interested in this alleged go-ahead for war with Iran.

[slipslidingaway]

82. And I should have asked :) n/t

[slipslidingaway]

67. Related link here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1110014

[yy4me]

68. Anyone send this to KO yet? He seems to be our only media

voice. Good grief, we are toast!

[slipslidingaway]

71. Kucinich speaking from the Floor of the House, May 23, 2007

http://kucinich.us/node/4547
or
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=110-h20070523-26

"

Mr. Speaker, there is an issue of critical importance facing this Congress, and that issue relates to whether or not this Congress should pass legislation to continue to fund the war in Iraq.

The legislation contains a particular provision that would lead to the privatization of Iraq's oil, a provision that I'm quite concerned about, because I think that if we take that position, it will make it very difficult for us to ever be able to end the war...


I want this House to consider the fact that this Iraqi hydrocarbon law contains a mere three sentences that generally discusses the so-called fair distribution of oil. Except for three scant lines, the entire 33-page hydrocarbon law is about creating a complex legal structure to facilitate the privatization of Iraqi oil. As such, it is imperative that Members of Congress read the Iraqi Parliament's bill, because passage of any legislation that includes insisting that the Iraq Government push the passage of a hydrocarbon act puts this Congress on record to promote privatizing Iraq's oil."

[Terri S]

89. Thank You. !

I knew I'd read this somewhere but didn't have the link handy. There is no way anyone in Congress can say they had no idea this was part of the hydrocarbon law. * likes to point out that it has a provision for Sunnis/Shiites/Kurds to share oil weath equitably, but no one mentions the fact that this constitutes 3 lines in the law. The rest of it clearly gives 80% of Iraq's oil wealth to multi-national corporations. If WE know what is in this law, Congress cannot claim to not know. And knowing, to still vote for it shows what their true priorities are. What a glaring example of how a majority of both parties are truly more corporate-controlled than any would like to admit.

If it weren't for Kucinich, would anyone know about it at all ???

[slipslidingaway]

96. YW, Kucinich has made us aware that he brought this to the

attention of other members of Congress sometime at the end of March/beginning of April. Reid and Pelosi were asked about the Iraq oil/hydrocarbon law in January at a National Press Club conference and Reid dodged the question. IMHO If interested voters reading the internet are aware of the facts then our elected leaders should be as well.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1108553&mesg_id=1113618


2007-05-15

"Kucinich said that six weeks ago he told Democratic colleagues about this provision, asking if they had read the bill because many were shocked to learn about it, and admitted they had not read much of the bill, which prompted Kucinich to remark, "Just like the Patriot Act."

and the NIE?

http://kucinich.us/node/4488

[EVDebs]

74. Eh, this violates the War Powers Resolution of '73

The executive doesn't get 'invade' without Congress's approval. Read the act. This shit is what got us into the Iraq Occupation in the first place. Also see post #55 above.

[Amonester]

79. 'Carte Blanche' is not the same as 'invade'

Sadly, tragically, the traitors be damned when we'll all die of hunger and deseases in the Mother-Of-All-Economic-Depressions to come thanks to the FAILING DLCers and their War-Criminal neoCONers: 'carte blanche' reads like 'nuke bombings' (and devastating retaliation, since all politicians FAIL...).

May be a better 'life' awaits us, peaceful people, on "the other side" ... :shrug:

Thanks to Dennis Kucinich for speaking truth to power.

Oh! While we still can... Thanks to Congress for reading the bills. :sarcasm:

[WiseButAngrySara]

76. This can't be true!? WTF. I hate every slimebag in Congress if

this is true.

[whistle]

84. Was Dennis supposed to be a whistle blower on the democratic party leaders like that?

....Y E S !!!!!

[On the Road]

85. That Completely Changes My Opinion of the Original Vote

It would have been better simply to have the effort fail than to make those concessions. And if they did, it had better be because they were only going resend the same bill after it was vetoed. That is very disappointing.

[scarletwoman]

86. k & r -- I'm really saddened to see that any of this seems to be a shock to so many DUers.

Have so many people really been paying so little attention?

I've known about the "Oil Law" ever since Bremer & the CPA started pushing for it back in 2004, and finally finagled it into the proposed Iraq Constitution in early 2005. Many serious people have been on top of it from day one. All this information has been available on the 'net for YEARS -- why haven't people been paying attention?

Wars are fought for access to, and control of, resources, PERIOD -- throughout history.

Here, read up on the Iraq Oil Law: http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/oil/2005/crudedesigns.htm

sw

[slipslidingaway]

97. Great link, thanks. n/t

[dweller]

102. it's. alwasy. been. about.the.oil.

so, i'm not suprised.

sickened, saddened, but not suprised.
dp

[kimmerspixelated]

87. Now, we know why Pelosi has been looking so drained lately.

She has a noticable difference in her face. How can she live with herself? This absolutely sucks, and we must, must act now! With Kucinich and Conyers and the like, I hope things can change for the better! GET em!

[The Stranger]

95. Ralph Nader was right.

[onehandle]

125. Thank God he helped elect George W. Bush.

Hopefully Nader can help elect John McCain in 2008 and be even "Righter."

[Ken Burch]

131. If you want Nader out of the race, embrace his agenda

It's what SHOULD be the Democratic agenda anyway.

There's no difference between being "moderate" and "pro-business" and being Dubya. The Nineties proved that.

From now on, ONLY NOMINATE REAL DEMOCRATS!

That's how to win.

[onehandle]

136. I do, I do.

In the month before the election in 2008 I'll work hard in a close swing state (let's say...Florida) for a third party.

Why work for a fake Democratic nominee when we can elect a real Republican?

That big faker Al Gore.

He was such a fake.

He claims he invented the internets.

The fake.


Bush and Gore are exactly the same. Bush and Gore are exactly the same.

[Ken Burch]

137. That's not what I'm saying and you know it.

Stop parroting DLC lies. I'm calling for a winning, progressive approach. You want us to stay on the bland centrist route that has to lead to defeat. Why stay with failure?

Only a progressive Democratic party can win. Only a progressive Democratic party is WORTH electing.

You know I'm right on that.

[The Stranger]

139. If you keep up with current events, you will see it didn't matter what Nader did.

Once the Democrats get elected, they transform into the worst kind of Republicans.

And that is what Nader was telling you all along.

[onehandle]

140. Welcome to Democratic Underground.

With that kind of blanket statement what are you doing here?

[The Stranger]

141. Thanks for the welcome.

But I am not sure what exactly you are asking me.

[downindixie]

98. It makes no sense!

This would put every Democract out of congress if true.It makes no sense to me.

[slipslidingaway]

100. And the position of the other candidates is ???

If someone has an answer please post, I've called the offices of the top three candidates to find out their position on the draft oil law and have not received a response.

This is not a small matter to the people of Iraq, it is their future.


http://kucinich.us/node/4547

"Iraq's five trade union federations, representing hundreds of thousands of workers, released a statement opposing the law and rejecting 'the handing of control over oil to foreign companies, which would undermine the sovereignty of the state and the dignity of the Iraqi people.' They ask for more time, less pressure, and a chance at the democracy they have been promised."

Let me share with this House some basic facts about Iraqi oil because, over the past several months, we have had many different news agencies citing diverse reports about how much oil Iraq has.

From the Petroleum Economist Magazine, they estimate that Iraq has 200 billion barrels of oil. The Federation of American Scientists' estimate is 215 billion barrels of oil. The Council on Foreign Relations estimates Iraq has 220 billion barrels of oil. And the Center for Global Energy Studies estimates 300 billion barrels of oil. These figures, by the way, from a report from the Brookings Institution dated May 12, 2003.

Now, for the sake of discussion, let's take this figure of 300 billion barrels of oil so we can see how much money we are talking about here. As I mentioned earlier, the price of oil, somewhere around $65 a barrel right now and moving up quickly, as American consumers are finding out. It is not unusual to predict at this moment that the price of oil could go to $70 a barrel. Now, if it does go to $70 a barrel, we are looking here at a potential value of Iraqi oil at being about $21 trillion. Now, if the foreign oil companies have control over 80 percent or more, you start to get an idea of the kind of money that is at stake here and why there is such pressure being put on the Iraqi Government to privatize their oil.

[mudesi]

101. Explain, again, why Kucinich is "unelectable"?

He's the only one with any principals whatsoever.

[Solon]

114. Because he tells the truth, Americans hate the truth. n/t

[spanone]

103. I find it hard to believe that they gave bu$h* a pass on Iran invasion.

[slipslidingaway]

109. Here is the article linked from the Kucinich site, it does not mention

the 'pass on Iran' and I could not find a full transcript or video from the event. Who knows what deals were cut behind closed doors, I can only hope this was not one of them.

http://www.argonautnewspaper.com/articles/2007/05/10/news_-_features/westchester/v1.txt

http://kucinich.us/node/4488


In the broader sense removing the Iran language from the spending bill might be seen as a pass???

Democrats Won't Press Bush On Iran
Drop Demand That President Get Congressional Approval Before Moving Against Iran

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/13/politics/main2562894.shtml

"Fast Fact

The Iran-related proposal stemmed from a desire to make sure Mr. Bush did not launch an attack without going to Congress for approval, but drew opposition from numerous members of the rank and file in a series of closed-door sessions last week."

[lovuian]

111. There it is slipsliding away Great Link Thank you

Can the American public demand who the numerous members of the rank and file in a series of closed door sessions were that took the clause out

I WANT THOS FREAKIN NAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whats our rights as a American citizen

isn't there a law about closed meetings??? Lawyers ??? help me here

And a Great Poll would be
Do you think we will invade Iran with Congress's approval???....or without???
cause if we Invade Iran without then we know lets make a deal happened

[slipslidingaway]

115. I would love to know the names and reasons as well. I doubt

that we would invade Iran, bomb them maybe.

[hurricaneric]

110. This is just more reason to hate on Dems

Where's the proof? I need more than one person, reporting what one other person said to beleive this kind of bollocks. Maybe I'm just tired of everyone hating on the Dems for not doing everything now now now with their ... what 1 seat majority in the Senate. I think the vast majority of us want this war to end, I know I do, but we can't expect the new and fragile democratic majority to snap their fingers and make it so. There is less in this article to make me want to put pressure on congress then there is to make me simply disgusted. That's not necessarily productive.

[scarletwoman]

112. There's plenty of empirical evidence -- the "Oil Law" is what it is.

See my post #86 for the full story.

And just because you managed to remain ignorant of the fact that the "no attack on Iran" amendment was deleted from the final version of the Iraq war funding bill doesn't mean that it didn't happen.

Just because YOU weren't paying attention to these things doesn't mean that they aren't true.

[hurricaneric]

113. If it makes u feel better

to throw around insults then I'm sure you must be right and all knowing. The fact that the no attacking Iran was taken out of the bill doesn't mean we give Bush a free pass to do so. Get a grip.

[scarletwoman]

117. Okay -- then tell me exactly how Dems are standing against letting it happen.

I hear Hillary making speeches that "No option must be taken off the table", when it comes to Iran. I don't hear ANY Dem, except Kucinich, saying "Absolutely not -- no attack on Iran".

Has the AUMF been repealed? Has the IWR been repealed? Are these resolutions even being debated? No?

Well then, Bush still has a free hand. Until there is an unequivocal NO, there exists an implicit permission. Don't rag on me, rag on the Dems.

[hurricaneric]

121. My main point is ...

this story is a month old. Ever since the funding went through, there have been recriminations against the Dems for not doing enough to stop the war in Iraq. What the hell could they have done. There is no veto proof majority. Look, i'm as pissed about this crap as the next person, but the way to change things is not by dogging on Dems or eachother for that matter it's by staying focused on gthe ones who are really to blame. The Republicans and particularly Bush and Co.

[scarletwoman]

127. "this story is a month old" -- So? Have any of the facts changed since then?

If the Dems are going to be complicit in the Imperial project, you damn well best believe I'm going to "dog" on them.

[slipslidingaway]

116. Hating? hardly. Questioning definitely. n/t

[StClone]

119. Bring back Saddam

Is there any way that he could have been worst than:

1) Transfer of Iraqi oil control to huge oligarchs.
2) Billions of U.S. tax $$$ lost, wasted and bilked
3) World at war as Iran is targeted for de-nuking
4) Humanity by the millions maimed, dead and displaced

[slipslidingaway]

120. Worth a repeat, just change the topic

"The war in Iraq is as immoral a conflict as the United States has ever been involved in. Past wars were fought in a day and age where information was not readily available on the totality of issues surrounding a given conflict. One could excuse citizens if they were not equipped with the knowledge and information necessary to empower them to speak out against bad policy. Not so today. For someone today to proclaim ignorance as an excuse for inactivity is as morally and intellectually weak an argument as can be imagined. The truth about those who claim they simply “didn’t know” lies in their own lack of commitment to a strong America, one founded on principles and values worth fighting for, and one where every American is committed to the defense of the same. Ignorance is bad citizenship. In this day and age, bad citizenship carries ramifications beyond the environs of our local communities. Given America’s dominant role in the world, bad American citizenship has a way of manifesting itself globally."

The Good American
by Scott Ritter

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/11/1126/

[wordpix]

122. go Kooch! Keep going, I plan to vote for you in the primaries b/c of this!

Not to mention your push to impeach Dickhead Darth

[greyghost]

123. And this is a surprise....

how?

It's always been about the oil!

I've been flamed for saying this for weeks:

WE ARE NEVER LEAVING IRAQ.


It doesn't matter who's in control of the White House and Congress.

[onehandle]

124. This is from "US Labor Against War" and is dated over a month ago.

And of course "Democratic" Underground steps up to eat it up.

[Ken Burch]

130. You can't deny that it's the truth

And you also can't deny that privatization is a betrayal of Democratic principles. It's the REPUBLICANS who are supposed to do whatever Big Oil wants. We're supposed to fight for working people, wherever they are.

No one but rich Texans benefits from the privatization of Iraqi oil.

[On the Road]

126. I Can't Believe I'm Saying This,

but this is true -- especially if Clinton and Obama were involved -- I might have to switch my support to Kucinich.

[alternativecat2]

128. Everyone needs to see the documentary "Why We Fight"

This is a very important documentary on all the stupid things the US government has got us into after WWII.

Why We Fight includes a clips of a speech where Dwight D. Eisenhower warned the American People we have to work diligently to keep the Military Industrial Complex in check http://www.sonyclassics.com/whywefight/

I'm trying to become involved in http://www.timeday.org because I believe one of or biggest problems as Americans, is we're so overworked, we don't have time to ride herd on or corrupt politicians, investigate ones that can't afford the big time media coverage and campaign for them.

I've come to believe that whether a polotician is a Democrats or a Republican, if he/she is getting lots of campaign money, he/she is getting corporate money, so his/her loylty is not going to be to the American people but all those big corporations that donated to the campaign.

[Imagevision]

129. Anyone think Obama or Hillary would address this...? Kucinich in 2008

[illinoisprogressive]

133. I'm beginning to like this guy

[jberryhill]

135. How can something be "in" a bill, but not shared with the public?

That line makes about zero sense to me.

What specific bill or resolution are you referring to?

http://thomas.loc.gov

[tritsofme]

138. Bullshit on the Iran quip

Removing language that forces Bush to get approval before invading Iran does not equate to carte blanche to invade Iran.

A disingenuous statement, that made me stop reading the article.