Yes Plawolf, the UN collected a commission of more than $1 billion US on Saddams oil sales during the Oil-for-Food program. Skimming at the UN end and kickbacks and bribes at the other.

Sauron

This thread has taken a number of turns.

Not only is the US UI rate lower than Canada’s, our GNP is growing at a far lower rate and more importantly for our consumers, our disposable income haven’t kept pace with that of Americans.

Sauron

Arthur

Well you make a fair list starting from where your feet are standing.

Sauron

Well lets hope the U.N. role is minimal whatever deals are done.

We all know that the U.N. was responsible for skimming Iraqs oil wealth during the oil for food deal so it would be stupid to trust it with critical tasks.

It would be a shame to add Iraq to the long list of U.N. failures whereas the US and its close allies at least have a good record in that regard.

Sauron

Interesting comments all around.

Dutchy

You lost me with your comment about how would America feel if a sovereign state like Kuwait was attacked and overun. Isn’t that what Guf War 1991 was all about? Iraq occupation of Kuwait and ultimately S.A. if Saddam had not been stopped primarily because of US/UK action.

Regards

Sauron

I think ELP makes a key point, if a program has to be cancelled, let it be the F-35.

Return the development money, and put the resourses saved into perfecting the F/A-22, UCAVs and further development of the weapons and systems necessary to keep existing US designs viable. There may even be some F-35 technology that would benefit the F-22. On the other hand, scrapping the F-22 would be a disaster.

Sauron

I am quite content to remain a Canuck and live the good life, which for the most part, is thankfully under the radar scope of both Americans and Europeans. Actually in spite of their respective (and obvious) superiority complexes, I like both.

There is some merit in being taken for granted. The downside is it’s assumed we will automatically volenteer up to help you flatlanders out each time you get in over your heads. 😀

Regards and remember I will keep an eye out for you.

Sauron

There is no doubt about the fact that everyone here is outraged about this attack.

The main reason to believe the perps will be identified, is the remarkable level of international cooperation that goes on among the various police and security forces around the world inspite of the broader differences and arguments that we see every day at the political level.

The response by the Spanish people during the last few days is remarkable.

Sauron