And it appears that the Treasury Department is looking for Iraqi assets to freeze and seize, so that bill may get paid, anyway.

Those figures are slightly off. 25 Billion is the amount sold to Iraq over the last 20 years or so. Iraq still owes about 5 billion of that.

The point remains, however.

Another intended consequence of Bush's war that hasn't gotten much attention yet is that it will undermine financial incentives to sell arms to rogue nations by, er, downgrading the credit rating of rogue regimes.

The temptation to make sweetheart deals with unstable dictators is obviously too much for many in the world (including some Americans) to resist. But now, worldwide arms dealers must be doubting whether they will ever be able to collect on any deal they're considering with, say, Syria or Iran.

If Donald Rumsfelt managed to sell Saddam Hussain enough chemical / biological weapons to kill the entire worlds population 4 times over for only $250,000 then I would say Saddam got a good deal!

It's strange that a criminal arms dealer to rogue states and terrorist organisations is now defence secretary?

Even stranger is the fact that a warcrimes tribunal held in Sweden in the late 60's found the USA guilty of a policy of Genocide in Vietnam, and that the worst mass-murderer of civilians of that genocidal policy was Colin Powell, (who poinently was awarded a purple cross for 'bravery' for his service in Vietnam) currently, tauting for peace; oh, sorry that was last week now he's on the verge of perpetrating Crimes Against Humanity in Iraq, how times change.

the cowboy dictator George Bush after overthowing the Clinton Administration has now set about bankrupting the United States, he is now selling arms to himself or the american people for the defence establishment which operates in a multi-trillion $ business, in which he has a LARGE share. Also Saddam OWES the USA many Trillions of $'s according to an American University economics professor + taking control of the oil fields in Iraq, which will mean Bush will control the industrial output of every nation in the world, scary stuff. Or will he use this power to wage war on the 60 nations he specified as having terrorist problems, lets hope not, we dont need a third world war.

According to Greenspans comments Bush's financial policy of robbing the poor to give to the ultra-rich will ultimately lead to the catestrophic financial ruin of the US.

who supported the dictatorships in: -

Q1) Phillapines A. usa
Q2) South Korea A. usa
Q3) Indoneasia A. usa
Q4) Cambodia A. usa
Q5) China A. usa
Q6) Chile A. usa

who toppled these democratic governments?

Q1) Uraguy A. usa
Q2) Iran A. usa
Q3) Chile A. usa

who gave terrorist training to these former military governments and individuals?

Q1) Osama-bin-laden A. usa
Q2) Argentina A. usa
Q3) Brazil A. usa
Q4) Chile A. usa

Hey Ax, there is no such thing as a purple cross. You are a purple helmet.

I'll always wonder just where people like ax come from. Is there some secret corner of the globe, like "Nitwitislavia" or something, from whence they come?

Geez...and I was just thinking how it was nice that Vodkaman's comment section was relatively ass-hat free. Oh well...every streak is eventually broken.

Hey Ax, get a blog if you've got that much cranial diarrhea bottled up in your noggin!

The temptation to blame America is too great, I suppose... just bring up a lot of stuff that has little or nothing to do with the current situation - we can't let America get away with looking better than other countries for any reason, can we? We were also allied with Stalin once... I guess we never should have been enemies with him later.

Ax, my advice is to just not inhale.

This is my favorite part of ax's post:

"the cowboy dictator George Bush after overthowing the Clinton Administration has now set about bankrupting the United States, he is now selling arms to himself or the american people"

Boy, I couldn't make this stuff up. Where can I sign up to buy arms from W? I can hear it now: "Welcome to the White House, can I help you find anything today? Howitzers are in Aisle 7."

Hey ax,

1983 - 241 Marines killed by Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Q: Who financed the Hezbollah?
A: Iran

Why did the US aid Iraq in its war with Iran in the 1980's?

Because they feared Iran more.

Bonus event: Iraq's army was a lot weaker in 1991 than it would have been without the Iran/Iraq war.

But then again, the US aided the USSR in its fight with Hitlers Germany.

Sometimes realpolitik is unpleasant.

Ax - Thank you, thank you very much.

We need more people like you to point out such common sense items as:

"Also Saddam OWES the USA many Trillions of $'s according to an American University economics professor + taking control of the oil fields in Iraq, which will mean Bush will control the industrial output of every nation in the world, scary stuff. "

You have done a great service for the cause of reasoned debate. And, boy, did you *ever* show these right-wingers a thing or two about the wisdom, balance and intelligence of the hard left. They'll know better than to mess with *you* again!

I am sorry to admit that I was almost duped into believing this war was a good idea. But now that you've shown me the sweet light of reason, my friend, I can go back to hating everyone like you.

Ax you fuckwad, its either a purple heart or a silve star.

Dear White Trash Gun nut

Please don't help out the class dimwit. If he
doesn't have to try, he will never learn on his own.

Ax - question:

How can Bush overthrow the Clinton administration? I'll admit, as a Canadian, I may not have a complete understanding of U.S. law, but I thought a President could only serve 2 terms.
Maybe you truly are suffering under a corrupt dictatorship!?!

Better lock your door tonight.....

Ax, Ax, Ax ...

you're not supposed to give identifying information about yourself in your comments.

Yours make it just too easy, Ax ... or should I say "Noam"?

Another fine example of the sheer mendacity and insanity of the Left today. Damn, I misspelled "Scheer" again ...

I'm sure if we check ax's passport, it will say Margostan. For directions, consult Tim Blair.

Ax,

Thanks for the info. Now I know why economists can't be trusted, they can't count. According to our host here Saddam owes the US $250,000 but according to the American U Prof, it's trillions. Now if I could only get that darn calculator working to really figure this out...

Seems the ax is a bit dull.

They'll never understand, "cowboy" isn't a pejorative 'round here. .

Stop this dirty bastard Bush!

Ax, the USA is a democracy that holds elections ever four years.

Although many of your points are bogus, the most important principle that you're missing is that the current government bears no responisibility for the mistakes of its predecessors.

GWB's administration is no more responsible for Chile's coup than it's responsible for the Spanish Inquisition or the demise of neanderthal man.

Aah...it does take either a) a brave and hearty soul to bare one's self before one's enemies/foes with nothing more than high ideals and strength of character and intellect or b) the brain of a small and yet somehow cognisant single celled organism. So, "Ax", which category do you believe you fit into, you intellectual pygmy?
Why is it I read and watch the media and see the overthrowing of a genocidal dictator, and yet dip-shits such as above see only the "American Cowboy" dominating the world. Last time I checked, Britain and Australia were still free, democratic countries. Are we wrong too, dickhead?! I can only hope that the Republican Guard attempt to fire a VX laden Scud missile and have the fucker blow up on it's launcher! And the response from the Anti-war crowd would be? It's all
American propaganda, I s'pose...
You know something about the whole protest movement? It's always the same people. Students, Unions, Greenies, Middle-class do-gooders who missed the 60's etc. They piss and moan about EVERYTHING. Free education, not enough money for single mums, less work, more pay, no guns, and on and on and fucking on...
Today's hot tip. The war is on. We don't care what you think anymore. Be a graceful loser, shut up, and place your support behind our forces so they can concentrate on wasting this prick once and for all without worrying about whether they will be castigated on their return. Incidentally, first "Baby killer" sign I see when our troops come home triumphant, well, let's just say that the Vietnam stuff is still in our memeories, and we will tolerate your treasonous behaviour no longer. In conclusion, men and women of Op Iraqi Freedom, you have my unwavering support. PS Shoot one for me!

What's national pride for people without a home-country?

To start wars with people who have their own land.

Hey, stupid Bush-assfuckers, someting's wrong with your brain!

Er okay.

Yep, Bush overthrew the Clinton regime all right. Then he stood up in front of the Senate, denounced his compatriots in government, and had them all taken out and shot.

My mistake, that was the Saddam coup. These evil fascist dictators are so alike, aren't they?

[/heavy sarcasm]

Okay, Mike, I realize that you're trying to troll, and I should not take your bait. However, there is one thing in your last post that I feel I must respond to.

You call Americans "people without a home country." You say we're only creating national pride by attacking "people who have their own land."

I'm an American, and I've got some national pride for you. Americans are not united by such small-minded concepts as geography or language or culture. Americans are unified through a system of IDEAS- belief in free markets, democratically elected leadership, and freedom for all who choose to come here. I am PROUD that my nation does not require a particular piece of land to exist. I am proud that my nation is secure enough in the unifying principles of democracy and freedom that it does not feel the need to mandate an official language or religion. I am proud that the ideals on which this country was founded are strong enough to keep it together despite the diversity within, and that my country even encourages such diversity.

You say we have no "home country." It certainly is true that we are not tied to a piece of dirt. America would exist even without any territory, because we are a people united by the purest of ideas.

And I cannot be more proud of that.

PRAYING AND FASTING AND READING YOUR BIBLE WILL GET YOU CLOSE TO GOD!!!NOT PRAYING AND FASTING AND READING YOUR BIBLE WILL DRIVE YOU IN SANE!!!!!!!!!!GOD BLESS AMERICA

Waiting for what? Jesus to arrive in a UFO? Sheesh.

NICE USE OF CAPS THOUGH!!! VERY PURSUASIVE SIR!!!!!!!!!

Looks like the money figures are MUCH higher than are report here. About 150 billion for Russia. About 106 Billion for France, according to the CIA.

Story is here

Shameless self-promo.