Gheddafi lambasts ‘African brother’ Obama

On the 38th anniversary of the expelling of the 12000 Americans from Libya and the closing down of their huge Wheelus airbase in Tripoli, brother Mumar Abu Miniar Al-Gheddafi told Obama “to be proud of his dark skin as the entire African continent is behind him”. Furthermore, Gheddafi asked Obama “to be with the oppressed, underprivileged and poor people of the world like the Africans and the Palestinians”. Gheddafi is afraid that Obama is suffering from an African complex which makes him to be more brutal than the White Americans who usually occupy the Whitehouse. As to Obama’s speech at AIPAC concerning Jerusalem, Gheddafi said “either Obama lacks knowledge of the Palestinian rights or he wanted to tell the Jews a big lie in order to win the election”
As to the excessive increase in oil price, Gheddafi blamed it on Bush's wars.

IOT Comment: Gheddafi toppled King Idris Al-Sinousi on September 1, 1969. Six months later, the Americans vacated Wheelus Airbase, which was one of their biggest airbases outside mainland America. The British forces did the same and vacated Tubrouq.

According to those who specialise in connecting dots, Hilary Clinton's reference to Bobby Kennedy assassination as a reason for her to continue campaigning, was not out of a vacuum. It seems that Hillary was passing MOSSAD threats to Obama if he ever dares to change US committments to Israel. Knowing MOSSAD criminal record, Obama took the threat seriously and rushed to address AIPAC; the rest is history.

Analysts study factual events and connect dots before formulating an intellectual opinion. While analists try to read between the lines before connecting imaginary dots and the construction of a gossip. An example to the analists are Bush, Cheney and their advisors who fabricated, forged and lied with regard to Iraq weapons of mass destruction.

All underdeveloped countries lack good leaderships to put their human and natural resources in a working formula. In Africa, and Latin America, the Whiteman came to give them the bible, to take their lands and to steal their resources. European empires like Britain, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Holland and France sent armies to control local resources and to send them back home. After decades of imperialism very few locals were educated. One can't blame one factor for why these countries remain behind but lack of education is a major contributor.

I wish I can move 10 million Germans to Saudi Arabia and replace them with 10 million Saudis. Aftre 25 years, Saudi Arabia will start exporting Mercedes Benz cars and Germany will monopolise the production of camel milk.

After WWII Germany and Japan were completely destroyed. But in few years, the highly-trained and educated people had re-built their countries.The effect of a good leadership is very clear in China.

Gheddafi is a maverick and on-the-job trainee. He took over the government on 01.09.69 at the age of 27 with an army rank of a First Lieutenant. He has neither stratey nor tactics. He always look for attention. He started promoting the third world theory, saying that Communism and Capitalism have failed and his third way, as stipulated in his 20-page Green Book as the solution. His People's Committees sounded logical but didn't allow them to work because he formed revolutionary committees to control them. He is surrounded by profiteers as most of his development projects are meant for kickbacks and fat commissions and to satisfy the actual needs of the country. The underpopulated country with huge oil revenues cover up most of Gheddafi mismanagement and haphazard domestic and foreign policies. At the beginning, he embraced Nasser Arabism. But later on, he started to find some Africans who are ready to listen to him against receiveing some payments. Gheddafi dreams of an invitation to the Whitehouse, but Bush didn't give him this pleasure.

There are more Jews living in NY than in Israel. They control American politics. After Tel Aviv, Israel's capital must be Washington.

Adnan Darwash, Iraq Occupation Times

“when the poor can't get bread, let them eat cake”

Bush’s plan to help American airlines (satire)

An interview with Iraq Occupation Times (IOT).
IOT: Higher fuel price is forcing US airlines to file for bankruptcy or for Chapter 11, what are the President plans to help the beleaguered US airlines?
Bush: The war on terror, and the American people agree with me on this, will be a long one and there are no ready-made solutions. We have told the world that it is either to be with us and fly US airlines or to be with the terrorists.
IOT: That is clear sir. But how the war on terror can help the US airlines?
Bush: were you trained as a journalist?
IOT: No Sir. I studied economics at Texas A& M when Mr R. Gates was president.
Bush: The reason I asked, is that journalists can’t keep any war secret these days. Back to your question: in the short-term, we are currently using US airlines to secretly fly thousands of our brave troops to airports in Iraq, Israel, Turkey, Persian Gulf States and to Afghanistan. We are paying top prices for our valuable men and women in uniform. We are asking airlines to cancel economy class and make business-class only flights. Afraid of impending war, most local businessmen will leave the area and need business class seats.
IOT: Mr President, how about the long–term prospect?
Bush: In order to reduce the potential terrorist attacks, we plan to ask our European allies to deport all Muslims living in their countries. Naturally the US will assist in the process if they choose to fly on US airlines. You agree with me that these immigrants will be happy to go home on business class. As the French say, “when the poor can't get bread, let them eat cake”
Adnan Darwash, Iraq Occupation Times

Religion is “the opium of nations”.

It was Karl Marx who said that religion is “the opium of nations”. He meant that religion acts as a sedative (Having a soothing, calming, or tranquilizing effect; reducing or relieving anxiety, stress, irritability, or excitement) for the oppressed people who should rebel against those who deprive them of a decent living. Nowadays, it seems that sport became the opium. In foot ball-mad Europe, people are more interested in goals scored by Ronaldo and not about the economic crises facing their respective nations manifested by high energy and food prices or by the home repossession.

In Iraq, people from all walks of life come out celebrating and firing in the air whenever a goal is scored ignoring the miserable living conditions under the brutal and barbaric American occupation. It was no wonder that a frustrated widow wrapped up her dynamite belt and went yesterday 14.06.08 to blow up people celebrating Iraq win on China killing and injuring scores of young Kurds including 12 police officers in a village near Baquba.

These days, football superstars make in a single week more that the yearly income of two university professors in the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany and Spain. Many may think that it is going too far, but it is a free market where at this moment in time entertainment comes before other aspects of the economy. Whether it is the right investment or not, it is irrelevant, as the free market economy has no human face.
Adnan Darwash, Iraq Occupation Times

Clouds striking to the ground

A huge tornado funnel cloud touches down in Orchard, Iowa, Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. The Globe Gazette and Mitchell County Press News reported that Lori Mehmen of Orchard, took the photo from outside her front door. Mehmen said the funnel cloud came near the ground and then went back up into the clouds. Besides tree and crop damage, no human injuries were reported.
(AP Photo/Lori Mehmen)

2:19 Or [the parable] of a violent cloudburst in the sky, with utter darkness, thunder and lightning: they put their fingers into their ears to keep out the peals of thunder, in terror of death; but God encompasses [with His might] all who deny the truth.

13:13 and the thunder extols His limitless glory and praises Him, and [so do] the angels, in awe of Him; and He [it is who] lets loose the thunderbolts and strikes with them whom He wills. And yet, they stubbornly argue about God, notwithstanding [all evidence] that He alone has the power to contrive whatever His unfathomable wisdom wills!

2:164 Verily, in the creation of the heavens and of the earth, and the succession of night and day: and in the ships that speed through the sea with what is useful to man: and in the waters which God sends down from the sky, giving life thereby to the earth after it had, been lifeless, and causing all manner of living creatures to multiply thereon: and in the change of the winds, and the clouds that run their appointed courses between sky and earth: [in all this] there are messages indeed for people who use their reason.

7:57 And He it is who sends forth the winds as a glad tiding of His coming grace-so that, when they have brought heavy clouds, We may drive them towards dead land and cause thereby water to descend; and by this means do We cause all manner of fruit to come forth. Even thus shall We cause the \dead to come forth: [and this] you ought to keep in mind.

30:46 for among His wonders is this: He sends forth [His messages as He sends forth] the winds that bear glad tidings, so that He might give you a taste of His grace [through life-giving rains], and that ships might sail at His behest, and that you might go about in quest of some of His bounties, and that you might have cause to be grateful.

30:48 It is God who sends forth the winds [of hope], so that they raise a cloud - whereupon He spreads it over the skies as He wills, and causes it to break up so that thou seest rain issue from within it: and as soon as He causes it to fall upon whomever He wills of His servants - lo! they rejoice,

one can cut the hate for America with the diamond encrusted sword

The American march on Baghdad to Israeli drums on 20.03.03 had awoken and rushed the Iraqi people into the adoption of a guerrilla warfare tactics in order to harass and to punish the invaders and their mercenaries. Until today, the Americans refuse to accept the fact that it is a genuine Iraqi resistance movement and continue to wrap Al-Qaeda around it. That is despite their latest find in Sinjar which showed the sophisticated Iraqi organisation of the resistance complete with a network of intelligence and counter-intelligence services. Adding insults to US occupation injuries Bush is insisting hat the Iraqis should sign a long-term security agreement unleashing his agents to intimidate and bribe their way. And that what will cause the revolution against the Americans in Iraq. The proposed agreement stipulates a wholesale surrender of Iraq sovereignty, territorial integrity and resources to America for generations to come; which is polarising popular opinion and labelling all those promoting it as traitors.

Not even Prime Minister Al-Maliki can sell the agreement as it reminds Iraqis of their stand against a similar agreement with Britain in 1948, when scores have died in street clashes forcing Saleh Jabbur government to resign and the agreement to be scrapped. Nothing demonstrates the fear of politicians from Iraqi anger than seeing Dr Ahmad Al-Chalabi, who promoted the US invasion, going out of his way to form an Independence Party to defend Iraq against American colonisation. Since no Iraqi Arab wanted to be implicated with signing such an agreement, the Iraqi government have nominated a non-Arab, Kurdish Dr Burham Saleh, to negotiate with Ambassdor Crocker. Bush, Gates and Crocker want the Iraqis to sign the agreement before the end of July 2008. The hate for America in Iraq is so thick that one can cut it with the diamond encrusted sword given to Bush by the Emir of Bahrain.
Adnan Darwash, Iraq Occupation Times

Western Culture made Hijab a disputed topic

By Zainab Mineeia
June 8, 2008
When I came to this country, I took off my hijab. It wasn't an easy decision. I worried at night that God would punish me for it. That's what I had been taught would happen, and it filled me with fear.

I was 27, coming from my home country of Iraq to study in California. I hoped that by taking off the hijab I had been wearing for eight years, I would be able to maintain a low profile. In Baghdad, you keep a low profile to stay alive. But in the United States, I merely wanted not to be judged.

Still, I was filled with anxiety. As I flew toward the United States, I wondered how I would feel when the moment came to appear with my head uncovered.

I knew, of course, that most women in the United States didn't cover their heads. Despite that, I worried that my appearance would draw attention. I was going to stand bare in front of everyone. My neck, my hair, the top of my chest would all be exposed. This might (or might not) go unnoticed by others, but I would be keenly aware of it. I didn't know if I was ready to handle this feeling.

When I arrived at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, at the end of the first leg of my journey, my head was still covered. I let my hair out briefly, but then I covered it again, unsure of myself. I packed the hijab away for good when I arrived at Denver International Airport.

I had talked with my parents about the fact that I might take off the hijab upon my arrival in the States; fortunately they were supportive of the idea. In fact, just a few days before leaving Iraq, I was sitting in the living room with my father.

"My daughter, when you arrive at the Jordanian airport, take your hijab off and fold it in your bag. There is no need to wear it anymore," he said while smoking his cigarette.

I did not comment, nor did I look him in the eye. I was embarrassed and did not want to talk about the subject with him or my mother. I was not used to talking to them about such sensitive, personal subjects. But his words meant a lot to me. Having his blessing was important.

Coming from Iraq, a conservative society in which Islam is the main religion, the hijab was something I had always known. Muslim women begin wearing the hijab at different ages -- some start as young as 8; others start later. Some never wear it at all. We wear it because we are told that it would be a sin not to cover ourselves -- and because we need to be without sin in order to get close to God. Women, we're told, are a source of enticement to men, and we need to be covered so that men won't desire us.

I made the decision to cover my head willingly and without any pressure from my family. My mother and sisters wore it, which made my choice easier. I was 19, and I was becoming more religious in those days and had begun to pray more frequently. I was convinced that it was the right thing to do.

The night before I first wore it to school, I stayed up most of the night. None of my friends knew what I was going to do. I expected it would surprise a lot of people. I was a girl who loved styling my hair and wearing nice things; my friends (many of whom were already wearing the hijab) would know how much I had to give up to wear it.

On the street, I felt a rush of mixed feelings: happiness and shyness, as well as fear that I would regret my decision in the future. But I never thought that taking it off would be an option. Once women wear the hijab, they are not likely to take it off.

These days, the hijab is a controversial subject. Some Muslims argue that it is a must for women, though others think it is not. My friend Dahlia Lamy, for instance, an Iraqi woman I knew in Baghdad who is now studying at Boston University, argues that no verse in the Koran clearly makes the hijab an obligation for women. Lamy is a practicing Muslim, but she believes that most women who wear the hijab have been forced to do so by their fathers and brothers. "I've never worn the hijab, nor do I intend to," she told me. In Turkey -- and even in France -- culture wars have raged over the wearing of the hijab in schools and other places.

The hijab takes different forms. In Iraq, it can be a chest-length veil that is placed around the head and sometimes can connect to a niqab, a cloth that covers the mouth and nose. The wearing of the niqab is not common in Iraq. In Iran and other Persian Gulf countries, women wear an abaya. An abaya is a long black gown that covers the entire body.

My hijab helped me during the rough days after the war began in 2003. It was like a shield, an invisible suit that I always had on when I went out, the suit that kept away the evil eye. It enabled me to keep that all-important low profile.

But even as the hijab kept me safe, it became a burden for many others. After the fall of Saddam Hussein, there was a dramatic increase in the number of women wearing the hijab. Since then, as religious groups have gained more power, it has become dangerous to be spotted without one -- so much so that even Christian women now wear the hijab when they go out. To me, that signified that something was wrong with my country.

The reason I came to the United States was to spend a semester at UC Davis before starting a master's degree program in journalism. I arrived on the flight from Denver in September 2006. It was late at night, and I went immediately to sleep. The next day was my first to go out without the hijab. That morning, I stood in front of the mirror and instead of straightening my hijab, I straightened my hair. It worried me, but I also felt happy.

At first, I looked behind me a lot as I walked down the street, wondering who was looking at me and what they were thinking. But over time, I got used to it. My conscience stopped bothering me, and I became accustomed to being without the hijab in the middle of the day. I remember early on when a woman sipping coffee on her porch said "Good morning" and smiled at me, as if I looked completely normal. That was a peaceful feeling.

For a while, I lived in Davis with another Iraqi woman, who had been wearing the hijab since 2002. When I told her that I had taken off my hijab when I came to the U.S., she was surprised and gave me the look. The look telling me that I had done something wrong. We discussed the issue many times; I felt guilty again and had second thoughts.

After some months, though, she moved to Massachusetts. One day, she called me, and we talked again about her hijab. This time she talked about the discomfort and sometimes even hostility that people seemed to feel when they met her and saw how she was dressed. "They try to hide it, but it's obvious," she said. She said that although real estate agents were positive over the phone, no one would rent her an apartment once they saw her in person. She explained that a woman from the student housing office had had the audacity to explain to her the way toilets are flushed, "As if my hijab was an anti-intelligence sign," she said. "I spent two days crying."
She called me again at the end of December and told me that she too had taken off the hijab. After the conversation ended, I felt a bit relieved; I had apparently made a wise decision and spared myself pain from the start.

At the same time, I was disappointed. We shouldn't have to hide the fact that we're Muslims in order to be treated like everyone else. In some ways, it's as bad to feel pressure to take off the hijab in the United States as it is to be pressured to keep it on in Baghdad. It's sad that people here do not always accept you for who you are.

For myself, I'm comfortable with my decision. But even today, I sometimes take my hijab out of the closet and place it over my head. It feels strange, not unlike the feeling I had when I was preparing to stop wearing it.

At the same time, when I put it on, I feel at home, as if I wasn't far away. It makes me miss the days when I used to match the color of my hijab with my clothes. The hijab was a part of my identity, a part of who I was, and those memories can't be erased.

Zainab Mineeia worked as a translator and reporter for The Times in Iraq in 2005 and 2006. She is now a graduate student at the Missouri School of Journalism.
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Crooked companies and corrupt officials preying on weaknesses in the military acquisition system

In this Sept. 19, 2007, file photo, cranes tower over a construction site in Irbil, north of Baghdad. The Army's Criminal Investigation Command is pushing for a dramatic increase in the number of special agents who hunt down crooked companies and corrupt officials preying on weaknesses in the military acquisition system. The dependence on contractors in combat zones has created an environment ripe for contract fraud. Deals are made quickly, often with foreign companies, in countries where bribes are a routine of doing business.
(AP Photo/Yahya Ahmed, File)

In this July 9, 2005, photo, bags of rice purchased from the United States are moved by Iraqi workers at the southern Iraq seaport terminal at Um Qasr.