Happy Birthday, War !!!

On January 15th, 1991... the Gulf War started. But did you know the US had war games in California Mohave desert in February 1990, almost a year before the military coalition attacked Iraq?

But that's another story.
Today, I'll have some light shed on the 1991 "Desert Storm". Or so I think...

"On August 2nd, 1990, Iraqi military forces, on orders from President Saddam Hussein, invaded and occupied the small country of Kuwait. The Persian Gulf War of 1991 (from January 16th to February 28th) was fought to expel Iraq and restore Kuwaiti independence.

The war introduced several technologically advanced weapon systems. As well, the United States forged a broad-based international coalition that confronted Iraq militarily strategy.

The military coalition consisted of: Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Honduras, Italy, Kuwait, Morocco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Korea, Spain, Syria Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The war also was financed by countries that were unable to send in troops. More than $53 billion were pledged and received. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were the largest donors. Switzerland also contributed to the allies, this after being neutral during both World War I and World War II.

The attack on Kuwait by Iraq caused the United Nations Security Council to pass several resolution to close Iraq from International trade. The Security Council wanted President Saddam Hussein removed his troops from Kuwait and to distroy nonconventional weapons. Read about two of the most importaint ones: Resolution 660, first resolution after the attack, and 678, to use all necessary means to free Kuwait".

It is said that over 10,000 Iraqi soldiers were killed on their retreat with their white flags held high. But that's another story.

More than a decade later, this still was the (perfect) excuse for a country to invade another regardless of a United Nations resolution. This happened after the country opened its borders to international observers that were looking for mass destruction weapons. Not found then (as reported by Hans Blix, the UN chief weapons inspector). Still unfound today, during/after the subsequent invasion.

What are the consequences ?!
Who paid for them ?!

Let me add some facts:
1) the crude oil price (US$/bbl) in 1990 was around $23.75 (considering the infation, something like today's $34) but the actual price is a little over $62, which means that we're paying $28 (some 90% more that we should) in speculation;
2) in the USA, the president requested a budget of $4,110,000,000 for the Department of Homeland Security (some 7% more than last year and over 100% more than in the mid nineties); for example, suitcases must travel unlocked in airplanes, even after they're inspected inside the airport (the basic passenger right of privacy is being denied here, or am I wrong?);
3) in 2004, the US presidential administration intended to seek about $70,000,000,000 in emergency funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2005, pushing total war costs close to $225,000,000,000 since the invasion of Iraq in early 2003. Adding the cost of Afghanistan from 2001 to the invasion of Iraq, and it's over $300,000,000,000. Notice how the White House always neatly omits that year and a half in Afghanistan to keep the "sound byte totals" down. Of this $300 Billion, so far, the largest share has gone to US corporations (military, security), one way or the other, with the second chunk going to our troops (who should be first) and the smallest chunk to reconstructions and populations.

All is left to say is: Happy Birthday, War !!!
You have really made an impact on our lives. All of our lives, regardless of geographic position, skin colour, gender or creed.

Don't confuse my words with the truth. This is merely my interpretation and a collection of facts.

Visit www.whodies.com, www.the7thfire.com, www.thenausea.com, www.reopen911.org and more you can find online for other opinions and photos.

Oooops... I failed on writting only about "Desert Storm". Maybe everything's connected or maybe I'm just keen on conspiracies. But weren't the 1991 and 2006 preseidents related in some way ?!... Or am I dillusional in any way ?

Blame it on my mind.
Always wandering.