The Oil-For-Food Stuff And Other Thievery

by La Shawn on October 7, 2004

in General

I confess my ignorance on this matter, and I’d appreciate if you commenters with knowledge of the oil-for-food scandal would tell me what it’s all about. JustOneMinute blogs about it and Halliburton. (I’m beginning to dislike that word.) Power Line also has information.

Since I can’t follow all the news all the time, what’s this about liberal thugs stealing campaign signs? And violence? Not the “give peace a chance” crowd! I thought they were into slaughtering only the unborn. You live and learn, I guess.

Power Line blogs about the violence, too. B4B has more on the crazy Dems. Also see Dean’s comments. If you haven’t heard of Politburo Diktat, you’re missing out. Great satire.

Mark Noonan: “The Most Important Vote You’ll Ever Cast”

Right Wing News: “John Kerry: Wrong Man, Wrong Time, Wrong Party”

“Bush Holds Narrow Two-Point Lead on Kerry”: poppycock.

Captain’s Quater’s: Florida Pulls Into Bush Column” — Say it is so!

“Higher Voter Registration Could Affect Election”: Hey, whether the people choose Bush or Kerry, as long as they’re legally registered, that’s the way it ought to be (even if I’m crying myself to sleep on election night!).

More from Malkin.

Update: Check out this post from one of my commenters (slighly modified):

I’m confused….Let me see, have I got this straight?

Clinton awards Halliburton no-bid contract in Yugoslavia — Good…
Bush awards Halliburton no-bid contract in Iraq — Bad…

Clinton spends 77 billion on war in Serbia — Good…
Bush spends 87 billion in Iraq — Bad…

Clinton imposes regime change in Serbia — Good…
Bush imposes regime change in Iraq — Bad…

Clinton bombs Christian Serbs on behalf of Muslim Albanian Terrorists — Good…
Bush liberates 25 million from genocidal dictator – Bad…

Clinton bombs Chinese embassy — Good…
Bush bombs terrorist camps — Bad…

Clinton commits felonies while in office — Good…
Bush lands on aircraft carrier in a flight suit — Bad…

Clinton says mass graves in Serbia — Good…
Entire world says WMD in Iraq — Bad…

No mass graves found in Serbia — Good…
No WMD found Iraq — Bad…

Stock market crashes in 2000 under Clinton — Good…
Recession under Bush after 9-11 — Bad…

Clinton imposes largest tax increase in history — Good…
Bush instigates moderate tax cuts for all Americans — Bad…

Clinton refuses to take custody of Bin Laden — Good…
Then World Trade Centers fall under Bush — Bad…

Clinton calls for regime change in Iraq — Good…
Bush imposes regime change in Iraq – Bad…

Terrorist training in Afghanistan under Clinton — Good…
Bush destroys training camps in Afghanistan — Bad…

Milosevic not yet convicted — Good…
Saddam in custody — Bad…

Oh, it’s so confusing!From the St. Pete Times. Author
unknown

{ 1 trackback }

Generation Why?
10.07.04 at 5:40 pm

{ 44 comments }

Sister Toldjah 10.07.04 at 8:42 am

It’s quite a disturbing trend, La Shawn. If you highlight and click the link on my name here, I’ve linked up to a couple of places (like Kerry Spot and Alpha Patriot) who talk about these despicable acts of political violence. Normally, I’d just put my short URL in there, but since you requested more info …well, there you go.

DagneyT 10.07.04 at 8:56 am

Blogs for Bush has some pretty gloomy comments about this, some even suggesting a coming “rebellion” when Bush wins! It’s a frightening trend that I lay at the feet of MSM & Michael Mooreon, not to mention the willing accomplice of Terry McAwful! Their vitriol has poisoned our country!

Oil for Food is not going to be vigorously investigated until after the election, because of the strong ties between sKerry and the UN. What they know so far is that the dirty hands extend clear up to Kofi Annan’s son!

LB 10.07.04 at 8:57 am

Rebellion? It’s a good thing I’m not afraid of liberals…

Andy 10.07.04 at 9:34 am

http://www.acepilots.com/unscam/ is a blog dedicated to UNSCAM. It’s been up and running ever since last Feb/Mar 04. I used to follow it, but the details of avarice and greed is so disgusting that I couldn’t bear to keep tabs on it any more — around the time Kofi appointed Volcker & Co. I figure that the UN, France, Germany, Russia and other players are guilty as charged, the only question is how much so. Saddam got at least $10B. Should Bush win re-election, things should get interesting with regards to what the US & Iraq are going to do about it.

Chris Roberts 10.07.04 at 10:08 am

Oil-for-Food was a primary reason that France, Germany, and Russia opposed our actions towards Iraq and Saddam. Officials from all three countries were indirect benefactors of monies spread around by Saddam to front organizations and European countries. Saddam then used this cash to build palaces for himself, fund terrorism, and purchase weapons and technology for his military. The UN shows its complicity and corruption by refusing to disclose records. This includes documents which would show how far up the knowledge of the graft traveled. This graft benefited Kofi Annan by allowing his son to pocket millions of dollars from a Swiss company! The House has already begun its investigation and has shown complete outrage at what little information it has found so far. This scandal will show how irelevant the UN was in the Iraq equation, and how idiotic it would be to ever make sure our foreign policy passed the “global test.”

Ripper 10.07.04 at 10:08 am

Simple explanation of a complicated scan.

1-Saddam sold oil cheap to friends, who gave him a cash cut of their discount. (Stealing from the register).

2- Saddam paid to much for food, etc. His suppliers gave him cash kickbacks on the overcharges.

3- The U.N. people in charge of preventing these scams didn’t, were they paid off? That’s what the investigation is about.

4- The total amount of cash he stole from this program set up to feed the poor sets a world record, his loot pile may not be surpassed for centuries.

Joshua 10.07.04 at 10:12 am

ha… don’t listen to troll polls.

Raymond C. Coleman 10.07.04 at 10:24 am

Bush can EASILY handle WMD issue. Don’t believe the hype.

Americans for Bush, calm down and understand that we are 20 something days out and Democrat desperation is setting in. heck, in the VP debate, John Edwards even resorted to invoking the names of MLK Jr. and Nelson Mandela. When the Donks play the race card, you know they are getting whupped.

The media is in full campaign for Kerry mode. HOLD THE LINE!!! The enemy is in final assault mode. HOLD THE LINE!!!!

George W. Bush simply has to use the following in his debate to defuse this non-issue:

Ø 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/11 changed EVERYTHING

Ø After 9/11/01, the POTUS could no longer assume things, he had to take action when directly threatened by our enemies not matter whether fully vetted or not.

Ø Saddam may not have had the actual weapons stockpiles ready at the fire, but Bush never said he did. He said he could reconstitute and THEN be ready to immediately deploy the weapons. Bush was correct not to take chances with this fool after 9/11. Trusting the UN to find weapons is like trusting Richard Simmons to find his manhood.

Ø Saddam Hussein was paying the families of homicide bombers in Israel and thus had a DIRECT hand in causing death and mayhem outside the borders of Iraq. He was therefore a qualified international threat on that evidence alone.

Ø Saddam Hussein did harbor terrorists whom he could have passed weapons onto. One of the world’s most notorious terrorists, Abu Nidal was living in and recently died in Baghdad. Other were there as well. Al Qaeda was well represented in Iraq.

Ø The latest report did however say that Saddam was simply waiting for the coast to clear before he would reconstitute his WMD programs. President Bush’s “pre-emptive” action not only prevented that, but destroyed the infrastructure necessary to do it.

Ø MANY TRUCKS WITH UNKNOWN CONTENTS HEADED QUICKLY INTO SYRIA PRECEEDING THE BATTLE. Numerous reports from international sources indicate the STRONG possibility that Saddam Hussein hid weapons in the Bekaa Valley in much the same way he flew his fighter jets into Iran in order to keep them away from US bombs and missiles.

Ø America under Democrat leadership had been attacked repeatedly with no response and continuing that cowardice only emboldened the enemy up to and including the 9/11 attacks.

Ø 3000 Americans died on 9/11 and none have died in the US since and when even ONE American is killed, the US is within its God given rights to destroy anything, anyone, any group or any nation even remotely involved.

Ø HINDSIGHT IS 20/20. Monday morning quarterbacking does not make America safe and tough talk doesn’t kill terrorists. Soldiers, bombs, planes, bullets and a President with conviction, honor and the vision and moral grounding to lead this nation is what kills terrorists.

This morning on the Mark Larsen Morning Magazine on radio AM 1040 in Tampa, a caller named “Chris” made a brilliant point that of course bristled (as evidenced by his quick dismissal of the caller) the increasingly anti-Bush commentator Larsen. In fairness to Larsen, he says he is going to hold his nose and vote for Bush in that he “supports” the troops.

The caller Chris said and I am paraphrasing, that US intelligence gathering entities operate under call signs such as CIA, FBI, NSA, ATF and DEA while the terrorists operate and spread their propaganda under the call signs ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC and Fox. He said the incessant running of negative footage in Iraq and the blatant campaigning the networks are doing for John Kerry in order to defeat Bush is what is getting our soldiers killed. I thought the comment was on highly on point. I only wish President Bush could use it. Then again, I wish President Bush would take it to Kerry’s grill when he insults this nation and our troops, but……anyway Bush can handle this issue EASILY if he reaches down, grabs ‘em and use the points he has already made and that I reiterated above.

Raymond C. Coleman

Tampa, FL

Raymond C. Coleman 10.07.04 at 10:55 am

I’m confused….Let me see, have I got this straight?

Clinton awards Halliburton no-bid contract in Yugoslavia – Good…

Bush awards Halliburton no-bid contract in Iraq – Bad…
Clinton spends 77 billion on war in Serbia – Good…

Bush spends 87 billion in Iraq – Bad…

Clinton imposes regime change in Serbia – Good…

Bush imposes regime change in Iraq – Bad…

Clinton bombs Christian Serbs on behalf of Muslim Albanian Terrorists – Good…
Bush liberates 25 million from genocidal dictator – Bad..
Clinton bombs Chinese embassy – Good….

Bush bombs terrorist camps – Bad….

Clinton commits felonies while in office – Good…

Bush lands on aircraft carrier in a flight suit – Bad…
Clinton says mass graves in Serbia – Good…

Entire world says WMD in Iraq – Bad…

No mass graves found in Serbia – Good…

No WMD found Iraq – Bad…

Stock market crashes in 2000 under Clinton – Good…

Recession under Bush after 9-11 – Bad…

Clinton imposes largest tax increase in history – Good…
Bush instigates moderate tax cuts for all Americans – Bad…
Clinton refuses to take custody of Bin Laden – Good…
Then World Trade Centers fall under Bush – Bad…

Clinton calls for regime change in Iraq – Good…

Bush imposes regime change in Iraq – Bad…

Terrorist training in Afghanistan under Clinton – Good…
Bush destroys training camps in Afghanistan – Bad…
Milosevic not yet convicted – Good…

Saddam in custody – Bad…

Oh, it’s so confusing!

From the St. Pete Times. Author unknown- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -

Pat Wilson 10.07.04 at 11:10 am

My car was keyed in a Wal-mart parking lot and the only reason I can think of was the Bush/Cheney bumper sticker. I guess the punishment for people who do those things is that they have to be themselves for life.

Chris Roberts 10.07.04 at 11:32 am

Pat, check out NationalReview.com for the great article about this phenomenon. And I’m keeping my fingers crossed. My two vehicles haven’t been touched, yet.

Chris Roberts 10.07.04 at 11:52 am

legalxxx.blogspot.com links to a Washington Times article detailing French complicity in Oil-for-Food. Hammers the Kerry idea of global test.

Stephen Schultz 10.07.04 at 12:07 pm

Raymond, well said.

As I was reading your posts, the term Principle Centered Leadership came to mind. It is obvious that George Bush bases his decisions and actions on a core set of values. (I don’t know if I care for the term Values. People can value crime, people can value dishonesty, and people can value power or the misuse thereof.) My point, there are internalized concepts of character that he demonstrates.

For example; courage, purposefulness, self-discipline, responsibility, trustworthiness, determination, reliability, loyalty, kindness, faithfulness, compassion, modesty and confidence.

When life is lived and decisions made based on principles of character, not public opinion, international opinion or polls, you walk with confidence and you have earned the respect of those you may be called on to lead.

The left often accuses Bush, or conservatives in general, of being arrogant, conceited, stubborn or unwilling to compromise. Character and quiet confidence will gain my vote every time.

Raymond C. Coleman 10.07.04 at 12:23 pm

I agree 100% Stephen and I think the American people see his steely will as well and perfer it to jelly-like or at best, semi-cartilaginous spined show horse in these periolous times. Better to blow up a mosque and be wrong, than not blow it up and it turn out to be the operations center of the next attack on a US city.

Stephen Schultz 10.07.04 at 1:35 pm

Bombing Mosques is over the top. I don’t agree with that. President Bush and the Generals on the ground have shown courage through restraint. I don’t think anyone disputs the notion we could go into the Sunni Triangle militarily and clean it out once and for all.

There is long lasting growth that occurs when an individual, as well as a people, take responsibily and are acountable for their actions. The Mosques will be cleared out, but it needs to be Iraqi’s who do it, not Americans, on a matter of principle.

When we first tried to use Iraqi troops, they ran away. Now they are securing Samara and other hot beds for the terrorists. Police stations are being bombed, killing 20 to 30 recruits at a time, and the next day 20 to 30 new recruits are back in line. They get it!

Andy 10.07.04 at 1:42 pm

Excellent point Stephen, courage thru restraint. It may cost us in the short run, but pays off in the long.

Raymond C. Coleman 10.07.04 at 2:38 pm

BS. Not only should we bomb mosques, but daycare centers and hospitals and ANYWHERE these low lives gather to sew evil and death. Their cult aka “islam” is killing Americans and whenever we are attacked by these cutl members, we should respond in such a way that their will disappears or they do.

If I were President and we were attacked again, my response would be a MOAB missle strike to the heart of Mecca DURING the Hajj!!!!!

DON’T MESS WITH THE US!!!!…..period.

Kiki B. 10.07.04 at 3:03 pm

Last night, I was listening to Mike Gallagher on the radio, and 2 calls in a row were people calling in to say that their cars had been vandalized because they had Bush/Cheney stickers on them. One man had his car hit and the air let out of his tires, and the other woman had the back end of her Suburban crushed in. Ahhh…these are the “peaceful” people doing this. These are the Dems. who are sooooooooo against violence.

I was also on Instapundit, and he linked to a Liberal site where they were discussing the shooting of the Republican Headquarters in Tennessee, I believe. One poster couldn’t understand what the big deal was since no one was hurt or killed. Nice sentiment.(Sarcasm) However, I did like the one poster on there that said to all the previous foul-mouthed, hateful posters, “You do realize that those people (Republicans) probably pack more heat than you do, and can use it better?”. Very astute observation. :-)

Raymond C. Coleman 10.07.04 at 3:24 pm

I have come out to my car and found dried sputum all over my rear window and side mirror due most probably to the Bush-cheney stickers.

Like I’ve said, Democrats (90%) are angry, hateful people.

sergeantjones 10.07.04 at 4:07 pm

Hey, Ray there is something called the Law of Armed Conflict, we as Americans will follow this law if fighting for the military, no one wants to be found breaking any of these laws and be subject to the UCMJ. It’s not worth it. I believe the Iraqis will have to step it up! Bush will win the election in November.

SCSIwuzzy 10.07.04 at 4:26 pm

One thing I have noticed in my travels through Philadelphia (walk a mile each way to the train most days): There are anti-bush stickers, some quite foul or droll, everywhere the HS/college age hippy wannabes congregate. They’ll put them on street and traffic signs (so that you can no longer read them), on parking meters (so that you cannot tell how much time is left), shop windows, park benches or anywhere else they can reach.
I haven’t seen any Bush tagging, however. This is a very liberal town, so it could just be the numbers… anyone live in a Bush bastion? Are there stickers defacing public property or shop windows and doors?
As for my Bush stickered pickemup truck, the only problem I’ve had was from 20 something neo-hippie who mouthed off at an intersection… and ran a red light when I put it in park an opened the door.

Raymond C. Coleman 10.07.04 at 4:34 pm

UCMJ does not apply to the Commander-in-Chief. AND more importantly, the so called “Laws” of armed conflict were written before the diaperheads started their jihad again.

islam-facsist terrors has de facto re-written ALL rules of engagement. The Geneva Convention doesn’t even apply anymore and since we are the ONLY country that really ever adhered to its tenets, to hell with rules when your people are being killed by these devils via some of the most vile and underhanded tactics ever.

To beat the enemy, you become more mean, viscious, evil, wicked and nasty than the enemy.

SCSIwuzzy 10.07.04 at 4:39 pm

Raymond,
I disagree. The fact that we have limits and lines we won’t cross, is a prime difference between the islamo-fascists and the coalition in how they are fighting this war.
While ruthlessness and a willingness to visit violence upon the enemy is needed to win a war, I don’t think sinking into depravity is required.

Andy 10.07.04 at 5:22 pm

SCSI; Agreed. Emotionally it would feel most gratifying, however, cold logic must prevail. It makes no sense to vent our emotional rage unchecked only to suffer longterm damages later.

What if there were no My Lai and other atrocities committed? That should be the lesson of Nam. Fight hard, but fair, even if it means we take on collateral damage as a result of restraint.

We hold to certain laws of war, even if it’s unilateral, to spare the women & children whenever possible, not destroy hospitals and houses of worship. It’s one thing to inadvertantly destroy such with dumb bombs, but we’re technologically at the point where such acts are but an artifact of history.

And yes the UCMJ will bust ANYONE from JCS down to the private for such violations. This does not mean that we will never ever deliberately bomb a church or hospital, but that decision can only be made at a higher pay scale than SecDef.

Andy 10.07.04 at 6:21 pm

Look for Team sKerry to denigriate the Duelfer Report.

Bucktowndusty 10.07.04 at 9:39 pm

It is exactly because Afghanistan DIDN’T have oil that Russia, Germany, and France (and liberal Democrats) didn’t mind American soldiers spilling blood there.

When oil was present and an issue (Iraq) they squeeled like the fattened-on-oil-kickback pigs they are.

Joshua 10.07.04 at 10:01 pm

Raymond,

It is because there is a “D” after Clinton’s name and there is an “R” after Bush’s name.
Simple as that.

“D” bombs good, “R” bombs bad.

Class dismissed…..

Joshua 10.07.04 at 10:06 pm

Also read:

‘Inside the Asylum: Why the United Nations and Old Europe Are Worse Than You Think’
by Jed Babbin (Former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense)

I am about halfway through it. Very good book.

Raymond C. Coleman 10.07.04 at 10:14 pm

Andy,

You appear to have a good heart, but please don’t ever take a job where you are responsible for someone’s safety and security.

If ever drafted into Rangel’s military, please ask for a cook, hospital orderly or chaplain’s MOS.

Leave the war fighting to the REAL men.

Peace!

Raymond C. Coleman 10.07.04 at 10:15 pm

Agreed Joshua. Agreed indeed.

Jim 10.07.04 at 10:25 pm

Actually, according to the spin NPR put on it this afternoon, Duelfer proves, “BUSHLIED!!!!”, and that the sanctions were most definitely, obviously, and absolutely working, which anyone who had the intelligence of a toadstool would have known all along–of course, I don’t have such intelligence (academic or strategic), so I didn’t know that, and still don’t (and won’t) know.

In other words, why would the MSM allow such a pesky thing as a fact get in the way?

Andy 10.08.04 at 1:35 am

Raymond, what about women ;)

Don’t worry, I’ve been responsible for other’s safety & security for a good couple decades. For all we know, you might have even been under my responsibilty a time or two, although not battle-tested. Just my luck to have missed out on various engagements. I might have been at the wrong place, at the wrong time, but I doubt the wrong man. 8)

Peace!

SCSIwuzzy 10.08.04 at 10:10 am

Andy, Raymond,
The main lesson I wish we had learned from the Vietnam war: let the warriors fight the wars the politicians get us into, and don’t stop until they’ve finished the job.
With politicians at home in DC dictating how things could be done, it left the officers and troops on the ground with limited options…
Bush and co are allowing some of the same things to happen in Iraq, and Kerry… don’t even get me started on how I think Senator weather-cock will handle things.

Andy 10.08.04 at 10:18 am

Agreed SCSI

Raymond C. Coleman 10.08.04 at 11:06 am

Sorry Scuzzy,

While I respect a woman’s desire to serve her country, based on DIRECT PERSONAL experience, I don’t put much stock in their fighting ability and think it is a HORRIBLE idea and failed experiment to put women into battle. In fact, their being admitted to an no co-ed integrated military as a social experiment and at a lower standard when it comes to admission requirements sickens me.

I think women play a vital role in SUPPORT MOSs, but they do not add ANY value to fight capability. In fact they hinder and weaken it.

The old format in which women served in a separate auxilliary corps was the best and we should return to that.

Just giving you the raw and uncut version.

Raymond C. Coleman 10.08.04 at 11:08 am

Bush is not killing enough people and breaking enough hardware and buildings for this to be considered a war. We need someone who is totally offensive minded to prosecute this war. Someone like me, Gen. George S. Patton or Coach Steve Spurrier. LOL!!

SCSIwuzzy 10.08.04 at 11:32 am

Raymond,
I never said anyting about women in service.

Raymond C. Coleman 10.08.04 at 1:12 pm

OH, that is what I thought you were implying.

SCSIwuzzy 10.08.04 at 1:33 pm

Nope.
My posistion on women in service is the same as it is for men. If they can throw a grande far enough, run fast enough, and hike all day with a full pack, then they are good enough.
That fewer women can meet that standard is no reason to lower it.
There are other jobs to be done that don’t require the physical strength and endurance that men have the edge with.
And when fighting sick SOBs like the islamo-fascists… the last thing I want to do is to hand them an infidel woman.

Raymond C. Coleman 10.08.04 at 3:11 pm

And your “ifs” would never be confirmed on a workable level. The fact of the matter is that a woman even at her best is probably only as strong as a below to average man. At least with that below to average man, I can still work on him to make him stronger, faster,and better. The girl is maxed out and useless.

The standard was what it was to insure a qualified soldier. It was never created to keep girls out. Now it is lower and we see the results. Lawsuits, rapes, false claims of rape, pregancies, STD, etc. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

I agree with most of what you posted Scuzzy!

SCSIwuzzy 10.08.04 at 3:55 pm

Raymond,
that was my point. If an individual can meet the standard, them let them serve.
I may want to serve with my family members in the Army and USMC, but I have floating kneecap and nerve damage in my left hand (from seperate accidents in my youth). Both preclude me from combat service, and no matter how much I may want to do it, the Pentagon is right to exclude me.
Now, if you get women who are built like russian olympians before they tested for drugs… by all means, hand them a gun and train them.
And for those who can’t pass the test, if the need is great enough, there is always need for people in the QMC and other non-combat jobs that can be filled by the less able. :)
Just what some of the other posters need… more REMFs.

Raymond C. Coleman 10.08.04 at 4:09 pm

Let qualified women in but KEEP THEM SEPARATE from the men. Form the “Pink Berets” or something. Just keep them out of the way of the REAL soldiers.

Idler 10.10.04 at 5:00 pm

Mr. Coleman:

As always, fine posts- your methodology of war reminds me very much of Sean Connery’s speech in the Untouchables…
Something alone the lines of:

“They put one of yours in the hospital, you put two of theirs in the morgue.That’s the Chicago way.”

Gonna have to look at that movie again……

Raymond C. Coleman 10.11.04 at 11:09 am

Idler, that is just common sense!

Comments on this entry are closed.

Previous post: Idiocy By Any Other Name

Next post: Demond Hunter Is Home!