18 Comments

  1. merlinobrien on September 4, 2015 at 12:35 pm

    It would be interesting to measure (if possible) the pollution caused by America’s recent (needless) wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, especially the health defects caused by depleted Uranium.
    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/19/us-depleted-uranium-weapons-civilian-areas-iraq



    • quinersdiner on September 4, 2015 at 12:45 pm

      Indeed.



    • JoeKidd on September 7, 2015 at 9:29 am


      • merlinobrien on September 7, 2015 at 1:37 pm

        Joe, from your link it seems you believe there were WMD under the control of the Iraqis. Really?



        • quinersdiner on September 7, 2015 at 2:18 pm

          We know President Clinton believed he had WMDs: “Saddam Hussein has huge stockpiles of biological and chemical weapons. And some day, some way, I guarantee you, he’ll use the arsenal.” European intelligence thought he had WMDs. So did Joe Biden and John Kerry.



          • merlinobrien on September 9, 2015 at 4:04 pm

            In a country where the Republican and Democratic parties are both bought by the rich oligarchs and corporations in America why are you so surprised that Hilary or anyone else would support the war in Iraq or anywhere else for that matter? They’re puppets and in this election theater politics is finally being exposed. There were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq except those weapons used by the American forces themselves. It amazes me how much energy supporters of the Right in America put into their campaigns, when the policies they support make their situations worse and further the world crisis that exists today.
            Bernie Sanders talking about the war in Iraq: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdFw1btbkLM



          • quinersdiner on September 9, 2015 at 4:33 pm

            The evidence doesn’t support your position. I do appreciate your perspective and thank you for writing.



          • merlinobrien on September 10, 2015 at 3:06 am

            So, please present me with the evidence. Where are the WMD’s? And where is the evidence that the political parties in America aren’t bought? Hasn’t the Presidential hopeful, Donald Trump, already admitted his former role as an oligarch puppeteer? Or is he lying?
            I prefer facts to opinion, at this moment, the facts are on my side. If I see the evidence I’ll change my position.



          • quinersdiner on September 10, 2015 at 8:11 am

            I’ve responded in this blog several times on the WMDs. Check out past posts.



          • merlinobrien on September 10, 2015 at 3:32 pm

            Copy and paste, the burden of proof is on you.



          • merlinobrien on September 11, 2015 at 3:16 pm

            Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq:
            I think if anyone takes a hard look at the Iraq history and situation in the Middle East, you’ll see that the USA has made an incredible mess there. They have been the lead sponsor of terrorism in that region. WMD’s that were found in Iraq were already known. Saddam’s desire to gain WMD’s was based on his history, not on fact. There were no programmes. Charles Duelfer’s opinions seem to have developed over the years. His discussion in Northwest Michigan College is of great interest (the last video of his). Please take a look at all the videos in full.
            Charles Duelfer : Top CIA officer directing the investigation into Saddam Husein’s regime
            These are the highlights of Charles Duelfer’s report on Iraq WMD’s
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG8nX9E6kZo
            In this link he details belief that Saddam wanted to restart programmes for WMD’s, they conclude that the removal of Saddam was justified.
            In this next link we are told by Duelfer (2013) that the intelligence was wrong
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WMePcad2Ro

            Lastly, Duelfer talks about the disintegration of Iraq and how the US played a role in it all. He explains the situation rather well. He also talks about the reasons for the Kuwaiti invasion.
            (2014)
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJcUjRn16es
            For another perspective, take a look at this interceptor article in which the author explains the misconception that WMD’s were found in Iraq:
            https://theintercept.com/2015/04/10/twelve-years-later-u-s-media-still-cant-get-iraqi-wmd-story-right/
            The “newly ” discovered WMD’s was already known.
            https://theintercept.com/2014/10/15/despite-attempts-revise-history-bush-still-wrong-iraqi-wmds/
            Contrast with Fox News reports WMD’s found in Iraq:
            There is no evidenced presented that verifies the findings.
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeQ6sgXRak0
            Extra sources:
            https://www.cia.gov/library/reports/general-reports-1/iraq_wmd_2004
            https://www.cia.gov/library/reports/general-reports-1/iraq_wmd_2004/transmittal.html



          • quinersdiner on September 11, 2015 at 3:37 pm

            Everyone thought Hussein had the weapons. He booted out UN inspectors. Before his execution, he explained why he led everyone on to believe he had them. Discussion over. If only Obama hadn’t squandered our victory by pulling out our troops, creating a vacuum that ISIS quickly filled. Talk about bad foreign policy!



          • merlinobrien on September 12, 2015 at 2:37 am

            You’ve said it accurately. Everyone “believed”. Belief is not a fact. You can’t waste thousands of lives over an opinion. So, the discussion is not over. Can any world leader go to war over a belief? Don’t you think that a foreign policy based on belief is crazy? There was no victory in Iraq. I won’t defend Obama. He is also a “company” man. Like all American presidents he is just another puppet of private interest. The USA is the leading sponsor of terrorism around the world with more money spent on their military than all other countries in the world put together. The US has more military bases around the world than anyone else and they periodically go to war. They support and have supported dictators, effected regime change whenever they feel like it and are the greatest threat to world peace. There is so much evidence for my position, yet it takes “belief” to overlook such things. Please dispense with belief and show me evidence.



          • quinersdiner on September 10, 2015 at 8:12 am

            Regarding politicians being bought, Hillary certainly makes the case on you behalf.



          • merlinobrien on September 11, 2015 at 12:59 pm

            Almost all of them. Why make an example Hilary, when there are so many others?



  2. JoeKidd on September 7, 2015 at 9:26 am

    James Woods on Obama’s most recent selfie: “Because what else is there to photograph in Alaska?”
    http://twitchy.com/2015/09/04/james-woods-perfectly-sums-up-what-obamas-trip-to-alaska-was-all-about/ 



    • quinersdiner on September 7, 2015 at 9:46 am

      This is so funny and so apt. Thanks for sharing!



  3. merlinobrien on September 9, 2015 at 2:38 pm

    Bernie Sanders didn’t believe it. Bernie 2016!!! 🙂