date:20031106

In a message dated 11/5/2003 10:22:54 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

Adam Dada,

 You've "shaved" Mulindwa to his true colors. He is a 
hatemonger who should be exposed. He's a hyna who tries to hide his identity 
to spread hate, wars and mistrust among ordinary Ugandan citizens. He's not 
alon. He's on payroll of Adhola's. You've said all that was on my 
mind.Thanks alot.

J. Ssenyange


Ssenyange:

How much is Adhola paying Mulindwa?

MK

ugnet_: TWO AMERICANS KILLED IN IRAQ






  
  



  
  

  
  


  
39 minutes ago
  
  By ROBERT H. REID, Associated Press 
  Writer 
  BAGHDAD, Iraq - Two American soldiers were 
  killed in separate attacks near Baghdad and along the Syrian border, the 
  U.S. military said Thursday, and a Polish major was seriously wounded in 
  an ambush south of the capital. 
  
  The new violence occurred as a senior Japanese official said his 
  country would stand by its commitment to send peacekeepers to Iraq (news 
  - web 
  sites) despite the heightened threat to Japanese military and civilian 
  personnel. 
  
  Yukio Okamoto, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's top diplomatic 
  adviser, said withdrawing from Iraq would send the wrong message to 
  "terrorists who seek to thwart international support efforts," the Kyodo 
  news agency reported Thursday. 
  
  The Philippines also promised not to pull out its 177-strong 
  humanitarian and peacekeeping contingent in Iraq despite increasing danger 
  in that country, Foreign Secretary Blas Ople said. 
  
  One soldier from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment was killed about 8 
  a.m. Thursday when his truck hit a land mine near the Husaybah border 
  crossing point with Syria about 200 miles northwest of Baghdad, the 
  military said. 
  
  A paratrooper from the 82nd Airborne Division was killed and two others 
  wounded when their patrol came under rocket-propelled grenade and small 
  arms fire near Mahmudiyah, 15 miles south of Baghdad, about 8 p.m. 
  Wednesday, the military said. 
  
  Their deaths brought to 140 the number of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq 
  by hostile fire since President Bush (news 
  - web 
  sites) declared an end to major combat May 1. A total of 114 U.S. 
  soldiers were killed in the active combat phase which began March 20. 
  
  The Polish officer was shot Thursday as he was returning from a 
  promotion ceremony for the Iraqi civil defense corps, which was organized 
  to help maintain internal security, Polish officials said. 
  
  His convoy was returning to the Polish base when gunmen opened fire 
  about 25 miles from Karbala, the Poles said. It was the first Polish 
  casualty by hostile fire in Iraq. 
  
  Elsewhere, two rockets were fired Wednesday evening at a U.S. 
  civil-military operations center in Samara north of Baghdad but caused no 
  damage or casualties, Maj. Jossyln Aberle, spokeswoman of the 4th Infantry 
  Division, said. 
  
  Okamoto was visiting Iraq in preparation for the dispatching of 
  Japanese troops. The Japanese plan to send a 150-member advance contingent 
  to southern Iraq by the end of the year and 550 soldiers early next year 
  to provide water supply, medical and other services. 
  
  The Japanese are expected to be deployed in a quiet sector of southern 
  Iraq along the Euphrates River near Samawah. 
  
  Escalating attacks against coalition forces and threats of terrorist 
  attacks have prompted three coalition members  Spain, the Netherlands and 
  Bulgaria  to reduce the number of diplomatic personnel in Baghdad, 
  although none of the U.S. partners has moved to reduce military personnel 
  here. 
  
  Concern over security mounted after a series of attacks which began 
  around the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which began here 
  Nov. 3. In attacks this month, insurgents have rocketed the Al-Rasheed 
  Hotel, fired mortars at the coalition headquarters compound in Baghdad and 
  shot down a U.S. Army Chinook helicopter, killing 15 U.S. troops and 
  wounding 21. 
  
  Iraqi politicians have suggested establishing a new paramilitary force 
  with broad intelligence-gathering and arrest powers to help coalition 
  troops combat the insurgents. 
  
  In a statement Wednesday, the coalition said chief administrator L. 
  Paul Bremer was "open to discussing the proposal" but did not know if the 
  Iraqis would accept his conditions. 
  
  The statement, by Bremer's spokesman Dan Senor, said the new force must 
  be approved by U.S. and Iraqi authorities and exclude "extremists and 
  former regime loyalists." 
  
  


  
  
  
  
  Members must be integrated into the command structure of the Iraqi 
  administration, coordinated with coalition forces, trained in human rights 
  protection and investigation, and "committed to serve on behalf of all 
  citizens of a unified Iraq." 
  "There will be no units that represent a political party, faction or 
  ethnic group," Senor said. "To date, however, we are still learning 
  whether the advocates of a

ugnet_: TWO AMERICANS KILLED IN IRAQ










  
  

  
  


  
39 minutes ago
  
  By ROBERT H. REID, Associated Press 
  Writer 
  BAGHDAD, Iraq - Two American soldiers were 
  killed in separate attacks near Baghdad and along the Syrian border, the 
  U.S. military said Thursday, and a Polish major was seriously wounded in 
  an ambush south of the capital. 
   
  The new violence occurred as a senior Japanese official said his 
  country would stand by its commitment to send peacekeepers to Iraq (news 
  - web 
  sites) despite the heightened threat to Japanese military and civilian 
  personnel. 
  
  Yukio Okamoto, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's top diplomatic 
  adviser, said withdrawing from Iraq would send the wrong message to 
  "terrorists who seek to thwart international support efforts," the Kyodo 
  news agency reported Thursday. 
  
  The Philippines also promised not to pull out its 177-strong 
  humanitarian and peacekeeping contingent in Iraq despite increasing danger 
  in that country, Foreign Secretary Blas Ople said. 
  
  One soldier from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment was killed about 8 
  a.m. Thursday when his truck hit a land mine near the Husaybah border 
  crossing point with Syria about 200 miles northwest of Baghdad, the 
  military said. 
  
  A paratrooper from the 82nd Airborne Division was killed and two others 
  wounded when their patrol came under rocket-propelled grenade and small 
  arms fire near Mahmudiyah, 15 miles south of Baghdad, about 8 p.m. 
  Wednesday, the military said. 
  
  Their deaths brought to 140 the number of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq 
  by hostile fire since President Bush (news 
  - web 
  sites) declared an end to major combat May 1. A total of 114 U.S. 
  soldiers were killed in the active combat phase which began March 20. 
  
  The Polish officer was shot Thursday as he was returning from a 
  promotion ceremony for the Iraqi civil defense corps, which was organized 
  to help maintain internal security, Polish officials said. 
  
  His convoy was returning to the Polish base when gunmen opened fire 
  about 25 miles from Karbala, the Poles said. It was the first Polish 
  casualty by hostile fire in Iraq. 
  
  Elsewhere, two rockets were fired Wednesday evening at a U.S. 
  civil-military operations center in Samara north of Baghdad but caused no 
  damage or casualties, Maj. Jossyln Aberle, spokeswoman of the 4th Infantry 
  Division, said. 
  
  Okamoto was visiting Iraq in preparation for the dispatching of 
  Japanese troops. The Japanese plan to send a 150-member advance contingent 
  to southern Iraq by the end of the year and 550 soldiers early next year 
  to provide water supply, medical and other services. 
  
  The Japanese are expected to be deployed in a quiet sector of southern 
  Iraq along the Euphrates River near Samawah. 
  
  Escalating attacks against coalition forces and threats of terrorist 
  attacks have prompted three coalition members  Spain, the Netherlands and 
  Bulgaria  to reduce the number of diplomatic personnel in Baghdad, 
  although none of the U.S. partners has moved to reduce military personnel 
  here. 
  
  Concern over security mounted after a series of attacks which began 
  around the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which began here 
  Nov. 3. In attacks this month, insurgents have rocketed the Al-Rasheed 
  Hotel, fired mortars at the coalition headquarters compound in Baghdad and 
  shot down a U.S. Army Chinook helicopter, killing 15 U.S. troops and 
  wounding 21. 
  
  Iraqi politicians have suggested establishing a new paramilitary force 
  with broad intelligence-gathering and arrest powers to help coalition 
  troops combat the insurgents. 
  
  In a statement Wednesday, the coalition said chief administrator L. 
  Paul Bremer was "open to discussing the proposal" but did not know if the 
  Iraqis would accept his conditions. 
  
  The statement, by Bremer's spokesman Dan Senor, said the new force must 
  be approved by U.S. and Iraqi authorities and exclude "extremists and 
  former regime loyalists." 
  
  


  
  
  
  
  Members must be integrated into the command structure of the Iraqi 
  administration, coordinated with coalition forces, trained in human rights 
  protection and investigation, and "committed to serve on behalf of all 
  citizens of a unified Iraq." 
  "There will be no units that represent a political party, faction or 
  ethnic group," Senor said. "To date, however, we are still learning 
  whether the advocates of a new

ugnet_: ACCESSING UGANDACOM IS THIS EASY






  
  

  
  
  
  
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 The 
Mulindwas Communication Group"With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in 
anarchy" 
Groupe de communication Mulindwas "avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans 
l'anarchie"

ugnet_: Matters Arising: The Generalismo's Land Grab

2003-11-06 Thread Lugemwa FN

Mw. Oryema,

That is exactly why we need to negotiate our unity through an all-inclusive federalism, instead of pretending that we are united. We have a lot in common and let us use of diversity to craft a strong union.

The bigger problem is the 'remote control' approach which can not work because the centercan no longer hold.

"Tic dwong oloyo kom gamente ma dit woko."

With a negotiated all-inclusive federalism, Uganda will be stonger and much more peaceful.

http://successisthekey.tripod.com

F.N. Lugemwa

Oryema Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: - Mw, Joseph, Separation and divorce are part of that genuine federalism we are searching for. It is genuine because even after seperation, on the cultural and social level there are many valuable items we have picked from each other over the years that will never die. Take for example the Gomesi, it is more of a Baganda women way of dressing, but if you travel throughout Uganda, you will find an Acholi woman, a Mukedi woman, a Jonam woman or a Munyoro woman wearing that Gomesi. The Ojono (malwa) is an Ateso drink, but Naguru in Kampala is far away from Soroti, and yet you find men joyfully enjoying their luseke on weekends. Agwara and Adungu dance is an Alur thing, but it had almost become a national dance during the Amin years. Amaido (Groundnuts) is enjoyed throughout Uganda and yet Iteso would like to claim it as their own.. The Bahimas lived peacefully with the Baganda tending their cows till 1
986 when
things changed. Before things changed these Bahimas would ride on their bicycles selling fresh milk every morning. The cross-breeding Christine is reffering to, is very real. I recall the Late Gad Brig, Wilson Toko who was married to a Munyoro woman being asked at an international conference, what language his children spoke at home He simply answered Lugunyoro the Lu standing for Lugbara and the rest for Lunyoro. Linguistically, most Ugandans through education, work and travel within Uganda have managed to pick up each oher's languages. Through the same we now understand each others beliefs, art, moral law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by the dififferent ethnic groups as members of our society. It is to be hoped that this knowledge will help us reach a negotiated settlement and have a peaceful divorce. It is important to take note, however painful this divorce may be, it is necessary for a better future of Uganda. The very Europeans who drew border
s in
Africa seperating parents from their own children, have, in the last several years, redrawn their own borders for the sake of peace and stability. I see no reason why we should continue to carry this burden which is causing so much pain and bloodshed!! Oryema From: "Joseph Senyonjo" Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: CC: , Subject: RE: [FedsNet] Matters Arising: The Generalismo's Land Grab Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 14:54:03 -0500 I say let's fight for genuine federalism. I would hate to loose any part of Uganda. The Acoli, in particular, are some of the most culturally dynamic people in Uganda and make our country all the richer. There is no escaping the fact that like it or not we now Ugandans and have 'cross-pollinated' each other to such an extent that any part divorcing would break family ties with potentially severe trauma. That only leaves Federalism for all Ugandans such that each region or part feels empowered a
nd
integral to the nation. Joseph -Original Message- From: J Ssemakula [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 1:57 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [FedsNet] Matters Arising: The Generalismos Land Grab A divorce should negotiated, preceeded of course with attempts at reconciliation. A messy divorce as happend in Eriterea should be avoided by all means, in favor of the amicable Slovakian model. If it is the will of the majority in Acoli to their separate ways, then we should let them go in peace, for none of us will benefit from acrimony. However, the average Acoli has the to right to ask: what has the government of Uganda done for me or my homeland in the last 20 years? Original Message Follows From: "Oryema Johnson" Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] &
gt; To:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [FedsNet] Matters Arising: The Generalismos Land Grab Date: Wed, 05 Nov 2003 13:09:28 + -- Customize MSN Messenger with backgrounds, emoticons and more. Yahoo! Groups Sponsor To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. - MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

ugnet_: The City Man behaviour

2003-11-06 Thread dbbwanika db



http://www.idr.co.ug/dfwa-u/gallery.htm

slum on the front-line

Nakivubo channel , and Uganda engineer - a marvel

Makeree University rotting - an ivory tower

Ghettoised in the rare 

decay soon here 

destitute all over tomorrow

KCC in the know 

at long last Uganda Modernising 

Africa.

ugnet_: Two documents from Pres. Pheko of PAC

2003-11-06 Thread RWalker949

REPLY TO KADER ASMAL, ANC MINISTER OF EDUCATION - That
PEOPLES LIVES HAVE IMPROVED
By Dr. Motsoko Pheko
Prof. Kader Asmal delights in defending the indefensible and undermining the intelligence of the people. His article in a daily newspaper on 29th October 2OO3; that Peoples lives have improved since 1994 is a myth, which cannot go unchallenged. Which people is he talking about? Certainly, it is not the majority population of this country the African people. Let me start with education. In 2OO2 out of 667O43 students who registered for Matric only 4OO,OOO sat for their examinations. 267O43 dropped out. In 2OO3 sixty percent of Matric students dropped out. Only 4O% are this year writing their Matric. Several students from the African majority population are not able to complete their university degrees and other studies because their parents are poor. That is why the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) is advocating free education. Prof. Asmal has told Parliament in reply to PAC s demand for free education; that there is no such a thing as free education. The PAC insists that there is such a thing as free education. If poor countries such as Zambia and Tanzania could give free education; South Africa can certainly do better with the wealth of gold, diamonds and platinum it possesses.

On Friday the 3rd of October 2OO3, our platinum sold for US$ 723 per ounce. That is about R 5O61 per ounce. On the 29th October our platinum sold for US $755.5O per ounce. That is over R 62OO per ounce. Where does this enormous wealth go? Some of it must go for free education of the majority population of this country who have been the victims of colonialism and apartheid, and were denied proper education. Education is the key for the success and advancement of a country. In South Africa, this must be done to level the playfield. A nation, which does not educate its children and people, is committing national suicide.

The harsh reality is that since 1994 over 1O million people have experienced water cuts. The same trend is emerging with electricity. Over two million families have lost their homes because they could not pay their utility bills. Sheriffs came and collected everything. Sheriffs still terrorise these poor people and dispossess them of the little they have.

Unemployment is over 41% in provinces such as Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. Privatisation of strategic state assets by the ANC government has created unprecedented high rate of unemployment in this country. That is why the PAC is advocating an unemployment allowance of at least R 5OO per month. Over 5OO,OOO people, mainly Africans have died of HIV/AIDS while the present government is dragging its feet over providing the appropriate drugs proposed by the PAC, NAPWA, TAC and other organisations for free treatment of this terrible disease which is an attack on our future. The ANC government has betrayed the land question. It is wrong for the leaders of the ANC to say that the problem in South Africa is homelessness, not landlessness. Homes are not built in the clouds or air. They are built on the land. Today the constitution of this country under the ANC government confines land claims to after June 1913. In other words to the crumbs of 13% which were allocated to the now 77.6% African majority, under the colonial Native Land Act 1913 and Native Land Trust Act 1936. That is why today 1O million Africans live in squatter camps where Prof. Asmal cannot spend even one weekend to demonstrate that peoples lives have improved in South Africa since the ANC took over the government.

Contrary to the misleading information for purposes of elections by Prof. Asmal, in South Africa; and despite its abundant riches, 95% of Africans are poor. The highest unemployment rate is among the African people. The African rural areas are experiencing 75% poverty. South Africa is the most unequal society in the world, after Brazil. In South Africa today, the lowest households representing 53% of the population consume only 1O% of the money while the top 1O% of the households accounting for 5% to 8% of the population consumes 4O% of the money in this country.

The World Bank Report has confirmed these figures. The poorest people in our country live on less R 281 per month. The poorest white person lives on R 5O55 per month. Since 1994 Africans have become poorer by 19% while the Whites have become richer by 15%. This is because the economic policy of the present government develops areas that are already developed. It enriches those that are already rich. That is why the ANC leadership talks of Black Economic Empowerment which in practice merely enriches a tiny black elite. What has increased in this country is not the improvement of the peoples lives but corruption in the top leadership of the ANC ruling elite, crime, laws promoting moral degeneration, poverty, disease, ignorance and the economic oppression of the African people and their continued land

ugnet_: What a Woman should do

By Katie A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE one old love she can imagine going back to...and one who reminds her how far she has come.A WOMAN SHOULD HAVEenough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own... even if she never wants to or needs to.A WOMAN SHOULD HAVEsomething perfect to wear ifthe employer or date of her dreamswants to see her in an hour.A WOMAN SHOULD HAVEa youth she's content to leave behind.A WOMAN SHOULD HAVEa past juicy enough thatshe's looking forward to retelling it in her old age.A WOMAN SHOULD HAVEa set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill,and a black lace bra.A WOMAN SHOULD HAVEone friend who always makes her laughand one who lets her cry.A WOMAN SHOULD HAVEa
 good piece of furniturenot previously owned by anyone else in her family.A WOMAN SHOULD HAVEeight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,and recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored.A WOMAN SHOULD HAVEa feeling of control over her destiny. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...how to fall in love without losing herself.EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...how to quit a job,break up with a lover,and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...when to try harder andwhen to walk away.EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips,or the nature of her parents.EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...that her childhood may not have been
 perfect,but its over.EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...what she would and wouldn't do for love or more.EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...how to live alone...even if she doesn't like it.EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...whom she can trust, whom she can't,and why she shouldn't take it personally.EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...where to go...be it to her best friend's kitchen table...or a charming inn in the woods..when her soul needs soothing.EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...what she canand can't accomplish.in a day, a month, and a year. Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo!
Messenger

ugnet_: Just for Laughs(The best medicine in the world)


"Two weasels are sitting on a bar stool. One starts to insult the other one. He screams, 'I slept with your mother!' "The bar gets quiet as everyone listens to see what the other weasel will do. 

"The first again yells, 'I SLEPT WITH YOUR MOTHER!'

"The other says: 'Go home dad, you're drunk.'" 
Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo!
Messenger

Re: ugnet_: Two documents from Pres. Pheko of PAC

2003-11-06 Thread Mitayo Potosi

This is very good reading, both for,  Kigongo (who calls himself a Mukooki) 
and Engineer Kaheru. Perhaps  it would enlighten them a bit.

~

1.

REPLY TO KADER ASMAL, ANC MINISTER OF EDUCATION - That
“PEOPLE‘S LIVES HAVE IMPROVED”
By Dr. Motsoko Pheko
Prof. Kader Asmal delights in defending the indefensible and undermining the 
intelligence of the people. His article in a daily newspaper on 29th October 
2OO3; that “People’s lives have improved” since 1994 is a myth, which 
cannot go unchallenged. Which people is he talking about? Certainly, it is 
not the majority population of this country – the African people.

Let me start with education. In 2OO2 out of 667O43 students who registered 
for Matric only 4OO,OOO sat for their examinations. 267O43 dropped out. In 
2OO3 sixty percent of Matric students dropped out. Only 4O% are this year 
writing their Matric. Several students from the African majority population 
are not able to complete their university degrees and other studies because 
their parents are poor.

That is why the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) is advocating free 
education.  Prof. Asmal has told Parliament in reply to PAC ‘s demand for 
free education; that “there is no such a thing as free education”.  The 
PAC insists that there is such a thing as free education. If poor countries 
such as Zambia and Tanzania could give free education; South Africa can 
certainly do better with the wealth of gold, diamonds and platinum it 
possesses.

On Friday the 3rd of October 2OO3, our platinum sold for US$ 723 per ounce. 
That is about R 5O61 per ounce. On the 29th October our platinum sold for US 
$755.5O per ounce. That is over R 62OO per ounce. Where does this enormous 
wealth go? Some of it must go for free education of the majority population 
of this country who have been the victims of colonialism and apartheid, and 
were denied proper education. Education is the key for the success and 
advancement of a country. In South Africa, this must be done to level the 
playfield. A nation, which does not educate its children and people, is 
committing national suicide.

The harsh reality is that since 1994 over 1O million people have experienced 
water cuts. The same trend is emerging with electricity. Over two million 
families have lost their homes because they could not pay their utility 
bills. Sheriffs came and collected everything.  Sheriffs still terrorise 
these poor people and dispossess them of the little they have.

Unemployment is over 41% in provinces such as Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.
Privatisation of strategic state assets by the ANC government has created 
unprecedented high rate of unemployment in this country. That is why the PAC 
is advocating an unemployment allowance of at least R 5OO per month.

Over 5OO,OOO people, mainly Africans have died of HIV/AIDS while the present 
government is dragging its feet over providing the appropriate drugs 
proposed by the PAC, NAPWA, TAC and other organisations for free treatment 
of this terrible disease which is an attack on our future. The ANC 
government has betrayed the land question. It is wrong for the leaders of 
the ANC to say that “the problem in South Africa is homelessness, not 
landlessness”. Homes are not built in the clouds or air. They are built on 
the land. Today the constitution of this country under the ANC government 
confines land claims to “after June 1913”.

In other words to the crumbs of 13% which were allocated to the now 77.6% 
African majority, under the colonial Native Land Act 1913 and Native Land 
Trust Act 1936. That is why today 1O million Africans live in squatter camps 
where Prof. Asmal cannot spend even one weekend to demonstrate that 
“people’s lives have improved” in South Africa since the ANC  took 
over the government.

Contrary to the misleading information for purposes of elections by Prof. 
Asmal, in South Africa; and despite its abundant riches, 95% of Africans are 
poor. The highest unemployment rate is among the African people. The African 
rural areas are experiencing 75% poverty. South Africa is the most unequal 
society in the world, after Brazil. In South Africa today, the lowest 
households representing 53% of the population consume only 1O% of the money 
while the top 1O% of the households accounting for 5% to 8% of the 
population consumes 4O% of the money in this country.

The World Bank Report has confirmed these figures. The poorest people in our 
country live on less R 281 per month. The poorest white person lives on R 
5O55 per month. Since 1994 Africans have become poorer by 19% while the 
Whites have become richer by 15%.  This is because the economic policy of 
the present government develops areas that are already developed. It 
enriches those that are already rich. That is why the ANC leadership talks 
of “Black Economic Empowerment” which in practice merely enriches a tiny 
black elite.

What has increased

Re: ugnet_: Museveni in America

2003-11-06 Thread J Ssemakula


Mr. Musaazi:
Semantics aside, my points seems to have been lost somewhere. 
If you look at the stats that showed a US $20million deficit that Uganda has with USA, you'll notice that the bulk of that deficit is due to imports of 'machinery'  'equipment'. As for COMESA, our deficit is the neighborhood of  US $450million annually. Souldn't we worry about that before bothering with the rest of the world? If other African countries can find a market in Uganda, how come we cannot find a market in those same countries? 
(Egypt's COMESAS deficit is monstrous, compared to Uganda, -- but they get $1billion annually from good old USA, as a peace dividend)
Uganda seems to have madeup her mind to persist in exporting low-value 'cash-crops'. It is not America's fault that we have failed to bulidup our manufacturing capacity -- which is what would allow us to add-value to our export by pre-processing them, and to reduce our dependency on foreign manufacturers. 
We, Ugandans, have been at the helm for nearly half-a- century but we have yet to get our act together. Let us stop this "kiiso kya mbuzi" attitude: we are responsible for our own fate. 
Part of the the capacity comes from man-power planning, which in turn is going to be critically impacted by our education policy. Which factories or service companies rushing out to hire UPE leavers (a great majority do not continue with education for a variety of reasons)? This is not to say that UPE is bad, but rather that it is is a luxury we cannot afford yet. I know that a mercedes is fantastic car and would very much like to have a 500 CLK, but my wallet can only afford a Yugo.
It is the same Mu7 who refuses to negotiate peace with his enemies and would rather spend gobs of our money to 'modernize' the army etc. Who is going to invest in a country where peace is, at best, intermittent, as is power supply, etc. 
I am saying that let us first deal with things we can control and then tackle the next task.
Finally, agriculture is good, but I think it is time to re-evaluate our traditional 'cash-crops'. Not long ago, there was famine in Mali. Yet in that same year, Mali's cotton exports went up by at least 5%. None of can eat cotton yet, so it is prudent to invest in growing food. I do know that Mu7 encourages our farmers to grow grains for export. But he cannot seem to control members of his family who are already embroiled in scandals and corruption in this potentially lucrative sector!
Our problems are mostly homegrown, that is the point.
Original Message Follows 
From: "emmanuel musaazi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Subject: Re: ugnet_: Museveni in America 
Date: Wed, 05 Nov 2003 18:01:57 -0500 

Mr. Ssemakula, my view on this is that President Museveni is being pragmatic by trying to make the best of a bad situation. By bad situation i mean Uganda being an under developed country with all the baggage that comes with that. 

Here is why i have agreed with President Museveni and this will also tie in with Tanzania's decision to pull out of COMESA. Firstly the classification "third world" is a misnomer. For example China, South Korea, India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and South Africa are classified as third world countries along with Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Lesotho and Kenya. Mean while United States of America has a US$3.3 Billion dollar trade deficit with "third world" China, however "third world" Uganda has (as you stated) a US$20 Million dollar trade deficit with the United States, it is obvious from this example that it would be very difficult in any forum in which third world issues are being discussed, and where Uganda and China sit as equals i.e. "third world" countries, for Uganda's unique situation and economic needs to get catered for, and normally at the end of such meetings communiques are realesed stating what and what has been done for third world countries and what 
 they stand to benefit. The reality is usually, that the upper echelon of the third world pack benefit. 

Secondly in some other third world fora, there is usually more talk than action and this brings me to the Tanzania/COMESA issue. According to President Mkapa, Tanzania pulled out of COMESA because he felt COMESA was too much of a talk shop "We have a propensity for starting and joining all kinds of organisations," he said. "The result was that we were spending more time in conferences than implementing the decisions.". Those are President Mkapa's own words. Although it has been said that the main reason was because the COMESA region is soon to be a trade free zone which means it will be a tarrif-free zone and according to analysts Tanzania was earning a lot from import duties, than exports so...you put 2 and 2 together. Back to your question, the fore mentioned reasons, plus the post-cold war internationa political environment which makes easier for countries to freely associate, calls for a more

Re: ugnet_: Obote2 and Luwero

2003-11-06 Thread jonah kasangwawo

Mulindwa,

you will not distract me from the issue with your usual diversionary tactics 
- I know them too well. After making wild allegations about the late Prof. 
Lule, you asked to be filled in, which I kindly did. Now you are saying 
you'll leave it at that (your concoctions) ! Of course you have nothing to 
add; your lies have been exposed. You are a pathological liar and I'm not 
giving you any 'Goddam break' until you stop telling lies. If you don't know 
something, its better you shut up instead of inventing stuff you can't even 
substantiate.

I repeat here that Prof Lule never drank alcohol, therefore he couldn't have 
died of alcohol poisoning as you are claiming. If you have proof to the 
contrary then provide it. Otherwise you better shut up about this issue and 
move on to stuff you're used to like the 'real government of Uganda' trash.

Kasangwawo

From: Edward Mulindwa [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: ugnet_: Obote2 and Luwero
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 16:29:58 -0500
Mwaami Kasangwawo

You must be ashamed of your self. For by the comments you guys make in 
these
forums are the same we judge you by. I am not going to sit here today and
put up the history of a past president, and I will live it at where I left
it. I do not have the time to waste with Kasangwawo who claims to have
teetotalled with the past president. Your claim that he never drunk in his
entire life shows how close you were with the man. His family suing me, hum
that is a good one, for you are setting a task to a family which is 
entirely
following dad's steps faithfully. Oh you do not believe me? Ask NRM which
proffesionalised in hiring and firing them (As it was playing the fracas of
pleasing Baganda). Give me a Goddam break.

Em

The Mulindwas Communication Group
With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy
Groupe de communication Mulindwas
avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans l'anarchie
- Original Message -
From: jonah kasangwawo [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 12:03 PM
Subject: Re: ugnet_: Obote2 and Luwero
 Mulindwa,

 Time out ! Stop your lies !

 You again seem to think that if you keep on repeating your lies they'll
 become the truth. Your belief that since your hero is alcoholic then all
the
 other former presidents must have been alcoholics is just bogus. First 
you
 make all sorts of claims and then you ask to be filled in, implying that
you
 actually don't know what you are talking about. Well, I'll fill you in 
and
 quench your ignorance.

 Professor Lule (RIP) was a teetotaler. The man never drank alcohol in 
his
 whole life. He suffered for a long time from leukaemia, to which he
finally
 succumbed. For you to go around peddling such barefaced lies about him 
is
 despicable. And you call that putting sense into the discussion ! His
family
 should sue you for defamation.

 Kasangwawo

 From: Edward Mulindwa [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Subject: Re: ugnet_: Obote2 and Luwero
 Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2003 18:43:00 -0500
 
 Mwaami Musaazi
 
 You see I respond to you when ever you make sense, but this posting I 
see
 nothing to respond to. I am sorry.
 Except you have made a remark that I feel I must clear out, and I quote
 I'm
 asking since you had the indignity of insulting a dead man. Now I 
delude
 my
 self that you are referring to my calling our past president a 
drunkard.
 Now why did you think that I mentioned that for I hate Baganda? May be 
I
 have a thing on Moslems, for he was a Moslem. My be I have a thing on
 Moslems who turn Christians for they want to be enrolled in the then
 prestigious Buddo, which would not at a time take a Moslem, for he did.
Why
 were you only concerned for I raised the issue for he was a Muganda?
 
 And lastly Mwaami Musaazi, let us put some sense into this discussion, 
if
 my
 calling Professor Lule a drunkard who dies of Alcohol poison in his
body,
 is not a true fact, please by all means state so. And if you do not 
know,
 do
 the civilized thing and shut the hell up. For it must bother any body 
who
 sees that you are concerned by a comment done against a past president,
and
 you can only cover it with You hate Baganda  Mwaami Musaazi be 
sensible
 for once, what did Lule die from? Feel us in.
 
 Em
 
  The Mulindwas Communication Group
 With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy
  Groupe de communication Mulindwas
 avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans l'anarchie
 
 
 - Original Message -
 From: emmanuel musaazi [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 10:01 AM
 Subject: Re: ugnet_: Obote2 and Luwero
 
 
   My gosh Mulindwa, your hatred for Buganda is astonishing...anyway,
   personally i'm ok with that,

Re: ugnet_: ACCESSING UGANDACOM IS THIS EASY

2003-11-06 Thread jonah kasangwawo

Jesus, is the man desperate ! Just how many times are you going to post this 
? Do you really believe anyone else here is willing to take on the burden of 
receiving your garbage twice ?

From: Edward Mulindwa [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED], 
[EMAIL PROTECTED],[EMAIL PROTECTED],Rwanda 
[EMAIL PROTECTED],[EMAIL PROTECTED], 
[EMAIL PROTECTED],[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: ugnet_: ACCESSING UGANDACOM IS THIS EASY
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2003 07:47:02 -0500

  Post message:

  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  Subscribe:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  Unsubscribe:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  List owner:
  [EMAIL PROTECTED]

The Mulindwas Communication Group
With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy
Groupe de communication Mulindwas
avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans l'anarchie
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ugnet_: Beware of hollow titles

Beware of hollow titles By Hilary Joseph Bainemigisha Nov 7, 2003

Eneke, the bird, said that since men had learnt to shoot without missing, she learnt to fly without perching.
For a long time now, people have been presenting themselves in wrappings that are more impressive than they really are to hook up people of a specific class.

The man being beaten allegedly pretended to be one of the revellers and stole the woman's phone at a concert in Nakivubo. The people we esteem so highly can turn out to be very hollow (Photo by Willy Tamale).You date a person who thinks that the only cool place to go is Grand Imperial Hotel. So to get her, you start directing several harsh words to 'bufundas' like The Venue.

We all believe that class is an integral criterion when choosing a partner. I bet that is what makes most women use the 'stereo accent' to speak both English and Luganda.
Cleaners become clerks, drivers become car owners, teachers become lecturers, and lumpens, State House operatives in the name of dating.
That is why it is not time wasting to check out every detail related to the class that the new person presents on the CV.
During our high school times, we had our own tricks that melted most steel-belted resistances. It was the time when video had just come. It was only available in town halls. There were no video decks in ordinary homes. So walking around with a video tape, implying you had a video deck at home, was such a boosting tactic.
One of us brought a spoilt video tape from Kampala and we took turns to walk around Mbarara town holding the tape. A smart boy in Azzaro shirt, Jackson trousers, sharpie shoes and video tape in hand was a very convincing citizen of the high class.
We drank water in beer bottles too. Beer was a preserve of the rich, more expensive than most students' pocket money. Thank God the beer bottle is tinted.
In nightclubs, we played drama. You would organise with a friend to find you dancing with this cute girl and ask you for a moment of consultation. You would refuse and demand that he tells you whatever in your girl's hearing. Then he would ask to borrow your car to drop his girlfriend. You would refuse citing several times you have lent them your car and they delayed there or spoilt it.
He would plead calling you all praising titles till you relented and gave him the keys. It also helped if you gave tips like 'don't rev it so high, the tappets have a problem'. (I still don't know what that meant).
Then the woman would think you were a son of a UPC stalwart. She would kill any girl trying to make eyes at you. Later as you take a special, you would go regretting why you gave away your car.
These days people still borrow clothes. And even cars, suits and houses.
One Nalwooga discovered after marriage that the house, cars and clothes of her husband actually belonged to his brother who was on kyeyo abroad.
Men have discovered that the mobile phone can load on you several pips. You receive an arranged call and your kyana hears you talking of having met the Brigadier about the CDFU programme and that he got so impressed with your account that he gave you the contract.
When the bebe is a university student, you receive calls from powerful employers about the people you recommended for jobs.
When she is a businesswoman, then your agent must call you about the container or vehicles, which are arriving that weekend and you assure him that the money is ready, as usual.
All these do not require big capital investments - just airtime. By the time you are smoked out, you will have become the chairman of NRM-O.
And let no person deceive you that they have foolproof armour against deceit in dating. I used to think the same until the Principal Revenue Officer I met in her office at one of URA stations in Kampala turned out to be a mere relative after disarming me of several quarters of Uganda Wa. I was almost declaring myself successful at having 'penetrated the URA system'.
Incidentally, I had also told her I was an ISO staff.
© 2003 The Monitor Publications

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ugnet_: Consecrating a gay bishop was an abomination

Consecrating a gay bishop was an abominationOn November 2, the New Hampshire diocese of the Anglican Church in the United States consecrated the Rev Gene Robinson as the first publicly gay bishop in the church.
The consecration did not really come as a surprise to anyone. I don't think anyone expected the diocese to elect a bishop only to back down about consecrating him.
I am also very sure that the pro-gay lobby groups see this as some sort of victory, some defiant gesture that will make the rest of Christians see homosexuality in a new light (and probably rewrite the Bible to give it a new pro-gay look).
Sorry folks. Homosexuality was a sin in the days of Sodom, is a sin today, and will always be a sin as long as God reigns supreme.
Consecrating Robinson as a bishop changes nothing, and I believe few people who were opposed to homosexuality before the consecration are going to change their minds about this unnatural practice.
But in one respect, they have succeeded - making the provinces of the Anglican Church to part ways. This is inevitable. For the Anglican Church cannot call itself Christian and in the same breath advocate homosexuality.
It is tragic too, because no Christian rejoices in having to settle disputes in such a manner. We have brethren who are misguided in their admiration of their own intellect and who imagine Christianity to be one huge philanthropic enterprise of accepting and accommodating sin in the name of loving your neighbour.
The spotlight will now shift to the church leaders who stood against homosexuality (including Kenya's Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi). They have been called to be shepherds of the flock. If the flock has ever needed that leadership, it is now.
This is not the time to get cold feet. It is not the time to procrastinate and it is certainly not the time to start bandying arguments about the pros and cons of homosexuality in the church. It is time to walk firmly at the head of the flock and follow the path set out by God.
Church leaders should be like a general in command of an army during war. His action determines not just his own fate but also that of the solders under his command.
Will Archbishop Nzimbi have the courage to do what is right or will he run to the cover of pseudo-intellectual debates and condemn his flock to destruction?
MARTIN NJAGA, Kiambu.

The evil ordination of a homosexual as a bishop in the Anglican denomination reminds me that the church came about due to an act of adultery by the King of England.
That ordination is against the teachings of the Bible. Those behind the abomination suffer from a defective interpretation of theology based on the protestant idea of free will.
It is a crying pity that the concept of freedom of choice has been allowed to suppress religion.
In a country where Christianity is under severe assault from a judiciary that is essentially anti-Christ, Americans need to look more closely at the preamble to their constitution and decide to either do as they say or say as they do.
KARIUKI MUIRI, Karatina.
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ugnet_: Flocking with birds of similar feathers

Flocking with birds of similar feathers By Fred Daka Kamwada Nov 7, 2003




Love is blind; it made the Prince marry Cinderella, the peasant girl. Locally, bosses marry their housegirls and people date partners beneath their station.But some people take the issue of status and class very seriously. 
I don't blame them. This is what our parents advised us. "It helps in congeniality, prestige and respectability in society," my mother often said.
In his book, Beckham; My World, soccer star David Beckham revealed one of the reasons why he married Victoria Adams of the Spice Girls, one of the most popular female music groups of the time in the UK. 
Beckham says that he would be lying to intimate that the issue of popularity and celebrity status did not influence the attraction for each other.
Having 75 million pounds between them, the Beckhams are one of the richest couples in the world. 
Many people believe dating people who fit superbly in their class makes things easier, smoother and compatible.
Someone of your class will not misinterpret your actions or complain about patronizing treatment. They will read your actions without prejudice. 
But the person of lower class than you, will develop an inferiority complex whenever a contentious issue crops up and the chance of an honest and sincere but healthy argument will not materialize. 
I have a friend whose husband flies into rage whenever he thinks that she is sounding academic. Last year, he beat her up because she had hung a decorated artwork piece saying; 'Don't argue with a fool...'
This quickly brought Nelson Mandela to my attention. He married presidential material in Graca Marcel, the widow of former president of Mozambique, the late Samora Marcel. After all birds of the same feathers flock together.
Some people feel that dating below your status is a form of status devaluation, an evidence of an inferiority complex and element of despotism. They are accused of wanting to dominate, assume control and seek powers of dissolving parliament at free will. 
Celebrated musician Jennifer Lopez learnt the hard way when she tried out Puff Diddy Combs, but the relationship could not workout and maybe that is why she has now settled for a more modest man called Affleck.
Finally, one risk of depending upon status to get a partner is the factor of counterfeit products. Many people know how to pretend that they are some body else. When you rely on what you see, you hit the wrong bird with the only stone you had.
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ugnet_: Gado's world,when fighting corruption becomes a race against society





Friday, November 07, 2003 







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ugnet_: Bukenya backs Nkoyoyo on gays

Bukenya backs Nkoyoyo on gaysBy Mwanguhya Charles MpagiNov 7, 2003

KAMPALA Vice President Gilbert Bukenya has praised Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyoyos stand against homosexuality.
Bukenya yesterday criticised the consecration of the Rev. Canon V. Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire in the United States on Sunday.
Bukenya said he is happy that Nkoyoyo strongly opposed the consecration of Robinson and rejected homosexuality in the church.
He urged the church to come out strongly and correct peoples morals.
The evils of development, the evils of industrialisation and this sophisticated civilisation is what you are seeing. We shall fight but the battle is very big, he told journalists at the weekly government media briefing at the Cabinet Library in Kampala.
Robinson is the first openly gay Anglican to be consecrated bishop.
The consecration has drawn the wrath of conservative Anglicans, and threatens to split the 70-million-member worldwide Anglican Communion.
The Church of Uganda denounced the consecration, saying it was cutting ties with the diocese of New Hampshire.
Anglicans in Latin America, Asia and the rest of Africa also came out strongly against the consecration.
Bukenya said yesterday that he supported the Church of Ugandas move.
Said the vice president: I am a believer in God. God didnt create man to sleep with another man or a woman to sleep with another woman. You people, dont copy these things because they are terrible.
He said he was shocked to see Robinsons partner kiss him after the consecration.
He also condemned nude shows staged in bars and pornography on the Internet.
This was the first time Bukenya was appearing at the government briefing since he was appointed vice president on May 23.
This weeks briefing was moved from the Ministry of Information headquarters at Nakasero, the usual venue, to the Cabinet Library at Parliament buildings for the vice presidents sake.
Bukenya also supported Mayor Ssebaana Kizitos planned eviction of residents of Naguru and Nakawa housing estates. However, he said the exercise must be done humanely. Put a humane eye, he urged.
Kananathan probed
The vice president also said he is investigating Apparels Tri-Star boss V. Kananathans alleged bad record.
Mr Kananathan is the managing director of Apparels Tri-Star, a company which exports textiles to the United States under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
Ms Miria Matembe, the former minister of Ethics and Integrity, blew the whistle on Kananathan. She told Parliament on Wednesday that she caused the arrest of Kananathan for criminal acts sometime back.
Apparels Tri- Star has been at the centre of controversy since more than 200 of its female staff went on strike and were promptly fired late last month.
Keep UPC out
Bukenya said the opposition Uganda Peoples Congress should be kept out of power for at least 20 more years.
Bukenya said UPC had committed many atrocities and cannot be entrusted with power yet.
UPC must explain why they killed our people, they must account during their time. Have they changed? I am still worried. They must be kept out of the steering position at least for another 10 to 20 years, he said.
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ugnet_: ACCESSING UGANDACOM IS THIS EASY

Mwaami Kasangwawo

Kill him and he gets out of your way, isn't that what you did to Northerners
for then Uganda's problem will be solved?


Em

The Mulindwas Communication Group
With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy
Groupe de communication Mulindwas
avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans l'anarchie


- Original Message -
From: jonah kasangwawo [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 5:15 PM
Subject: Re: ugnet_: ACCESSING UGANDACOM IS THIS EASY


 Jesus, is the man desperate ! Just how many times are you going to post
this
 ? Do you really believe anyone else here is willing to take on the burden
of
 receiving your garbage twice ?


 From: Edward Mulindwa [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED],
 [EMAIL PROTECTED],[EMAIL PROTECTED],Rwanda
 [EMAIL PROTECTED],[EMAIL PROTECTED],
 [EMAIL PROTECTED],[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Subject: ugnet_: ACCESSING UGANDACOM IS THIS EASY
 Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2003 07:47:02 -0500
 
 
 
 
 
Post message:
 
 
 
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Unsubscribe:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
List owner:
 
 
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 
 
 
 
 
  The Mulindwas Communication Group
 With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy
  Groupe de communication Mulindwas
 avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans l'anarchie

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Re: ugnet_: Obote2 and Luwero

Mwaami Kasangwawo

I repeat here that Prof Lule never drank alcohol, therefore he couldn't
have died of alcohol poisoning as you are claiming. If you have proof to the
contrary then provide it

I wish and hope that you fully understand what you are asking for. A working
head would have started by wondering why Lule and non other, but that is not
you. And I fully respect your decision to stay dam. Keep on pulling this one
and you will get what you want, I will put the entire family history on the
net. Just keep on pushing on issues you are ignorant about, thinking that I
left it where I left it for I had nothing better to do with my time.


Em

The Mulindwas Communication Group
With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy
Groupe de communication Mulindwas
avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans l'anarchie
- Original Message -
From: jonah kasangwawo [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 5:07 PM
Subject: Re: ugnet_: Obote2 and Luwero


 Mulindwa,

 you will not distract me from the issue with your usual diversionary
tactics
 - I know them too well. After making wild allegations about the late Prof.
 Lule, you asked to be filled in, which I kindly did. Now you are saying
 you'll leave it at that (your concoctions) ! Of course you have nothing to
 add; your lies have been exposed. You are a pathological liar and I'm not
 giving you any 'Goddam break' until you stop telling lies. If you don't
know
 something, its better you shut up instead of inventing stuff you can't
even
 substantiate.

 I repeat here that Prof Lule never drank alcohol, therefore he couldn't
have
 died of alcohol poisoning as you are claiming. If you have proof to the
 contrary then provide it. Otherwise you better shut up about this issue
and
 move on to stuff you're used to like the 'real government of Uganda'
trash.

 Kasangwawo

 From: Edward Mulindwa [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Subject: Re: ugnet_: Obote2 and Luwero
 Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 16:29:58 -0500
 
 Mwaami Kasangwawo
 
 You must be ashamed of your self. For by the comments you guys make in
 these
 forums are the same we judge you by. I am not going to sit here today and
 put up the history of a past president, and I will live it at where I
left
 it. I do not have the time to waste with Kasangwawo who claims to have
 teetotalled with the past president. Your claim that he never drunk in
his
 entire life shows how close you were with the man. His family suing me,
hum
 that is a good one, for you are setting a task to a family which is
 entirely
 following dad's steps faithfully. Oh you do not believe me? Ask NRM which
 proffesionalised in hiring and firing them (As it was playing the fracas
of
 pleasing Baganda). Give me a Goddam break.
 
 Em
 
  The Mulindwas Communication Group
 With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy
  Groupe de communication Mulindwas
 avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans l'anarchie
 
 
 - Original Message -
 From: jonah kasangwawo [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 12:03 PM
 Subject: Re: ugnet_: Obote2 and Luwero
 
 
   Mulindwa,
  
   Time out ! Stop your lies !
  
   You again seem to think that if you keep on repeating your lies
they'll
   become the truth. Your belief that since your hero is alcoholic then
all
 the
   other former presidents must have been alcoholics is just bogus. First
 you
   make all sorts of claims and then you ask to be filled in, implying
that
 you
   actually don't know what you are talking about. Well, I'll fill you in
 and
   quench your ignorance.
  
   Professor Lule (RIP) was a teetotaler. The man never drank alcohol in
 his
   whole life. He suffered for a long time from leukaemia, to which he
 finally
   succumbed. For you to go around peddling such barefaced lies about him
 is
   despicable. And you call that putting sense into the discussion ! His
 family
   should sue you for defamation.
  
   Kasangwawo
  
   From: Edward Mulindwa [EMAIL PROTECTED]
   Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
   To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
   CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
   Subject: Re: ugnet_: Obote2 and Luwero
   Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2003 18:43:00 -0500
   
   Mwaami Musaazi
   
   You see I respond to you when ever you make sense, but this posting I
 see
   nothing to respond to. I am sorry.
   Except you have made a remark that I feel I must clear out, and I
quote
   I'm
   asking since you had the indignity of insulting a dead man. Now I
 delude
   my
   self that you are referring to my calling our past president a
 drunkard.
   Now why did you think that I mentioned that for I hate Baganda? May
be
 I
   have a thing on Moslems, for he was a Moslem. My be I have a thing on
   Moslems who turn Christians for they want to be enrolled in the then
   prestigious Buddo, which

ugnet_: MONUC Offices Come Under Fire in Bunia, One Peacekeeper Wounded

MONUC Offices Come Under Fire in Bunia, One Peacekeeper Wounded

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UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

November 6, 2003
Posted to the web November 6, 2003

Nairobi

One UN peacekeeping soldier was wounded on Wednesday when the offices of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) in the northeastern town of Bunia came under fire.

"A UN military observer of Bangladeshi nationality was shot in the leg," Leocadio Salmeron, the MONUC spokesman in Bunia, the main town in Ituri District, told reporters.

"The attacks came from the area around the residences of leaders of the UPC [Union des patriotes congolais, a primarily ethnic Hema militia] but also from the Yambi neighbourhood, which is mainly inhabited by ethnic Lendus," Salmeron said.

He added that gunfire was exchanged from 8.30 p.m. until 11.30 a.m. Assailant casualties were unknown and MONUC said it had not yet determined their identity.

"There was gunfire throughout the town until four in the morning," Piet Kanyinda, the owner of a hotel near MONUC's offices, told IRIN. "MONUC tanks and armoured vehicles patrolled all during the night."

A representative of the Ituri interim administration, Deogratias Amandiyo, said the UPC attacked MONUC's offices and the home of Ituri interim administrator Emmanuel Leku Apuobo, in response to MONUC's refusal to authorise the militia to hold a meeting.

Although the UPC had received written authorisation from Leku to hold a meeting, MONUC denied it permission. "All public meetings are prohibited for the time being," Salmeron said.

UPC security officer Rafiki Saba, taking issue with the decision, said, "MONUC has allowed other armed groups to hold meetings, but it prohibits us from meeting so that we can become a political party."

Insecurity in Bunia has once again become a primary concern for humanitarian organisations in the region, some of whom have considered evacuating their staff.

"A meeting was convened by MONUC in order to plan for the possible evacuation of certain personnel," one aid worker told IRIN.

"For the moment, the situation appears to have calmed, and since three in the morning MONUC [has] gained control of the situation," Seraphin Kazadi, of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Bunia, told IRIN.

"But if another episode such as this takes place, we will be obliged to evacuate," he said.

Re: ugnet_: Museveni in America

2003-11-06 Thread emmanuel musaazi

Mr. Semekula, if you recall, i ended my last dialogue with you, thus you 
can lead a horse to water but you can't force it to drink the water, this 
is the problem with Uganda and Ugandans, we also attempt to eat our cake and 
have it at the same time. Development starts from the bottom. Your arguments 
are insignificant because you are failing to apreciate where President 
Museveni found the country and where we are now. I think it is erronous of 
you to argue that primary education is not important to the overall 
development of Uganda, because that is the starting point of the overall 
education of a human being. If a person has primary education, then that 
increases the chances of that person getting a higher education. Primary 
education also prepares some people for technical education.

It is had been documented that primary school enrollement has trippled since 
President Museveni took office. I don't subscribe to the thinking of those 
who say that majority of the students don't complete prmary education, 
because enrollements in tertiary institutions have balooned in recent years. 
Right now in Uganda a first degree is becoming like a high school diploma. 
Poeple don't recognize your educational achievements until you obtain a 
masters or over. Now to me that is progress. At present there is an 
achievement crisis because graduating students (particularly from 
Universities) need jobs and jobs aren't readily available. This is why 
President Museveni has been talking so much about the need to diversify 
Uganda's economy, 1) because the work force is available (create jobs) 2) 
increase Uganda's tax base thereby reducing relayance on foreingn donors, 3) 
leading to overall economic development. Mr Semakula, do you think those 
Agoa girls would be employable if they didn't have at least a primary 
education? Who do you think is going to be manning the small/medium sized 
factories that investors will setup? villagers without any education? I 
think Uganda under President Museveni, is  come now man. I know you don't 
like President Museveni but at least give praise where praise is due. All 
that President Museveni has done for Uganda may not be appreciated now but 
some time in the future it will, i asure that.

I don't understand the argument you are making about Uganda's trade deficit 
with America vs COMESA. To me a deficit is a deficit irrespective of where 
it comes from and it is not good. However Uganda can not afford to strangle 
herself because she is trying to avoid deficits. Unless your argument is 
that Uganda should have more trade with America than COMESA. Trade Mr. 
Semekalu is not exclusively government based, Uganda is a democratic, 
capitalist society, Ugandans are choosing to buy more from COMESA, probably 
because of proximity and cost, that's my guess. But when it comes to more 
sophisticated merchandise America is chosen. Deficits must be brought down, 
but i must stress that such an effort can not be an exclusively government 
one. Besides most countries have some deficit o another, it is a tight rope 
walk to have a good trade balance. Even the almight America can't quite get 
it right.We must also realise that, the whole bussiness of trade and 
economic growth is not exclusively a government responsibility. Ugandans 
must be made to realise that they are in competion with the whole world even 
in their own countries, as globalization becomes more perversive. Let me 
give you an example to illustrate what i'm talking about:

According to statistics from the academy, there are at least 2.5 million 
college students, more than 60 percent of whom are studying science and 
technology. These well-educated youths are expected to enter the country's 
labor market incrementally in the coming years. Meanwhile the average labor 
costs of industries in China are only 5 percent of those in developed 
countries like the United States, Japan and Germany, said the statistics.No 
other country can provide such a huge number of cheap educated laborers, 
noted Lu. Such a comparative advantage will last at least two decades and 
contribute to the country's further economic growth, according to Lu.

The above are some statics from China. Therefore there is no room for 
complecency, all hands must be on deck in order for Uganda get where it 
should be with respect to economic development. You see how our President 
has to go out to virtually beg for investments and markets for Uganda, 
therefore when the opportunities come Ugandans ought to take advantage. It 
should also be made clear that lobying for investments is not only done by 
third world countries even leaders of developed countries do it too, because 
it doesn't make sense having a capacity to manufacture if you don't have 
contracts or markets for your goods.

About the instability in Uganda and how it effects development, of course a 
peacefull Uganda will be a more prosperous Uganda, i don't want to go into 
who is to blame over

ugnet_: Museveni is Stumbling Block to Dialogue Says UPC

Museveni is Stumbling Block to Dialogue Says UPC



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New Vision (Kampala)

November 6, 2003 
Posted to the web November 6, 2003 

Richard Mutumba
Kampala 

THE Uganda People's Congress (UPC) has accused President Yoweri Museveni of being the stumbling block to national dialogue and consensus.

The party made the accusation yesterday during a press conference addressed by its presidential policy commission member and Makerere University don, Afuna Aduula.

UPC was responding to recent accusations by Museveni that it had no political vision for Uganda's prosperity.

"The language Museveni used in The New Vision last Friday was in bad faith and only serves as a sign that he harbours the greatest disdain for Ugandans. Museveni is not serious with national dialogue," Aduula said.

He said Museveni's preference had always been to treat his political opponents as enemies, fascists and primitive.

The don said UPC had a good record in the struggle for independence and had a progressive and nationalistic post independent government.

"May be Museveni has a very short memory when he asserts that he has never violated any iota of the 1995 Constitution. UPC reminds him that after the promulgation of the Constitution, many anomalies have emerged including the illegal creation of the office of Prime Minister," he narrated.

ugnet_: Arrow Group to Raise More Troops

Arrow Group to Raise More Troops



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New Vision (Kampala)

November 6, 2003 
Posted to the web November 6, 2003 

Nathan Etengu
Kampala 

The Arrow Group force will soon raise 16 battalions (about 11,000 combatants) to take charge of the security in the Teso region, Capt. Mike Mukula said on Monday.

Mukula, the chairman of the Arrow Group Force, said demand for the recruitment and deployment of more personnel to the Arrow Group would be stretched according to the security threats.

"The recruitment will continue. We have already received gumboots and other logistical support for the Arrow Group force. We have also installed high technology communication equipment that has linked us to all our commanders in Teso region," Mukula said.

He was speaking at the burial of a former commander of the Arrow Group in Arapai sector, Lt. Sam Otai.

Otai died in Mulago hospital where he had been admitted for more than one month.

Mukula delivered sh5m given by President Yoweri Museveni on behalf of the Government to the bereaved family. The UPDF contributed sh1m and met burial expenses.

==
Just to help you reason 
when you read the above article , in your analytical mind... what do you conclude about the UPDF?

MK

ugnet_: Uganda-U.s. Create Public/Private Information Technology Partnership

Uganda-U.s. Create Public/Private Information Technology Partnership



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United States Department of State (Washington, DC)

November 5, 2003 
Posted to the web November 6, 2003 

Jim Fisher-Thompson
Washington, DC 

An information technology (IT) partnership between the U.S. Government, Uganda and the private sector is helping President Yoweri Museveni position his country as a major player and regional center for the burgeoning computer services market in sub-Saharan Africa.

Both Museveni and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Andrew Natsios made this point during a November 5 signing near USAID headquarters of two public/private partnership agreements with Cisco Systems and the EDS Corporation. The $14.3 million deal, which includes the establishment of ten Network Academies within Uganda's university system, is partially funded by the Leland Initiative, a U.S. Government effort aimed at connecting African nations to the Internet.

var bnum=new Number(Math.floor( * Math.random())+1);document.write(""); document.write(""); document.write("");  
Natsios praised the collaborative effort as "another chapter in a very successful information technology alliance [in which], since 1996, USAID has invested $75 million to develop Africa's IT sector, much of it through Leland Initiative partnerships, such as the one we are celebrating today."

The agreements, he said, were also "a testament to the leadership of President Museveni[and] also a reflection of the technical expertise that Uganda's Makerere University has shown."

The impact on Uganda's and the region's economy could be considerable, a USAID press release added, as "this innovative and pioneering alliance...jumpstarts the foundation for an information technology-trained workforce, and will provide the skills needed to establish a vibrant private sector in Uganda."

Cisco, a computer software firm will partner with professional computer trainer, EDS, to establish 10 computer network academies that will include: "Training and certification in network computing, information technology essentials, programming languages and voice and data cabling fundamentals."

Uganda is a logical place for such an effort, the release concluded, because it "is a leader in bringing the Internet and improved telecommunications to Africa."

President Museveni, who interrupted an investment tour of the United States to sign the agreements, said, "We have been working with USAID for many years now," adding that he was looking forward to the new IT partnership, which he hoped would make his country a regional IT center.

Ambassador Edith Ssempala, who has been Uganda's envoy in Washington for seven years, told the Washington File Museveni was in the United States "basically to promote the tourist industry" as well as other investment possibilities in Uganda.

Asked what she thought the role of the private sector in Uganda's development ought to be, Ssempala said, "We believe it has to be the real engine for change. This has been the missing link in development in Africa and so we have made it a central element in all of our development partnerships."

Ssempala said Uganda's message for U.S. investors is "that Uganda is a country that offers numerous opportunities to investors; where investors will make money -- about a 30% return in profits -- and Uganda and its people will benefit. We are ready; our investment climate is receptive; and the return on investment is great."

But just as important, "When you invest in Uganda, it is not just in that 24-million-person market. You are investing in the almost 100-million-person market of the East African community. So, it's a huge opportunity for Americans -- we are open for business!"

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

ugnet_: AGOA BOSS IS A CROOK!!

Matembe Questions AGOA Boss Integrity

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New Vision (Kampala)

November 6, 2003
Posted to the web November 6, 2003

Henry Mukasa And Joyce Namutebi
Kampala

FORMER Minister of Ethics and Integrity Miria Matembe yesterday described Tri-Star managing director, Vellupillai Kanathan as a crook and said she was shocked when the Government decided to deal with him.

"I don't know whether the Government knows the type of man they are dealing with... a man who I jailed for a week because of fraudulent activities but was removed (from prison) by the conspiracy of ISO and ESO," Matembe said as MPs shouted "shame, shame."

Matembe who is also Mbarara woman MP was contributing to debate on a ministerial statement made by the state minister for trade, Richard Nduhuura on 'trade and investment between Uganda and USA.

Tri-Star is a company that makes apparels for export to the US market under the Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) arrangement.

Nduhura told Parliament that Uganda exports $1m worth of garments to the US markets despite the numerous constraints that the country still has in harnessing the duty free "vast and rich market."

He said as a result, the cotton sector is being revamped and factories being rehabilitated. He said over 131,570 bales of cotton are being produced.

Matembe said former security minister Muruli Mukasa and ambassador Kweronda Ruhemba are witnesses that Kananathan is a criminal.

Matembe said at public functions where President Yoweri Museveni is, Kananathan asks photographers to take his picture when near the head of state "and then uses them as a passport."

"Do you think there's hope (in Tri-star)? It can be like the Malaysian investor in UCB," she said.

Matembe, in an emotional voice, said although the initiative was supposed to be a break through for African countries, Uganda is not fully benefiting because the Government had failed to build institutions and dealt with individuals.

Vice President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya said the Government is going to investigate allegations against Kananathan.

He, however, said it's Kumar Dewapura who owns Tri-Star "but went into problems when he dealt with Kananathan.

ugnet_: Govt Ignored Displaced Children, Says Pader Boss

Govt Ignored Displaced Children, Says Pader Boss



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New Vision (Kampala)

November 6, 2003 
Posted to the web November 6, 2003 

Maurice Okore
Kampala 

Pader district chairman Edwin Komakech has accused the Government of neglecting children affected by the war in northern Uganda.

"I have never seen or heard of any government official visiting these children who spend cold nights on the streets of Kitgum, Pader and Gulu. No one seems to care about them," Komakech said.

He said some officials had never crossed the Nile to find out the children's condition.

Komakech was speaking during the launch of the Human Rights and Peace Centre-conducted report on the causes of the Joseph Kony war, at Hotel Africana recently.

He also said the war was no longer an Acholi affair but a national issue. He said there were Iteso, Madi and other tribes among the rebel ranks.

Komakech said most key players in the war were profiteering from the conflict.

Re: ugnet_: US, UK Fueled Kony War - Report

In a message dated 11/6/2003 7:44:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

It said the conflict was a hatred war, which was first started by Obote in his attempt to get rid of Acholi and Catholics from the Government.


The notion, some moron somewhere is trying to peddle, that Dr. Obote tried to get rid of Acholi and Catholics from the UPC government is nothing other then absolute nonsense. That someone could even begin to think along this line is rather incomprehensible to some of us. 

Matek

ugnet_: US, UK Fueled Kony War - Report

US, UK Fueled Kony War - Report



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New Vision (Kampala)

November 6, 2003 
Posted to the web November 6, 2003 

Anne Mugisa And Maurice Okore
Kampala 

A study on the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebellion in northern Uganda has blamed the US and British governments for causing and prolonging the conflict.

The report recently launched in Kampala by the Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC), also blamed former president Milton Obote and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) for the war, which has raged for 17 years.

It said the conflict was a hatred war, which was first started by Obote in his attempt to get rid of Acholi and Catholics from the Government.

"This has also been part of the US and British policy in...the Great Lakes Region. The US support to Uganda in fighting the then Islamic fundamentalist regime in Sudan and Uganda's support to the SPLM/A is what motivated the Sudan government to give military assistance to the LRA," the HURIPEC report said.

It attacked the US for supporting the UPDF "Operation Iron Fist" which aims at routing the LRA. It said this complicated the conflict within Uganda.

The study was carried out by HURIPEC under the Makerere University Faculty of Law assisted by the Canadian-based LIU Institute of Global Issues, Norwegian Refugee Council, Africa Study Centre and Gulu based Human Rights groups.

Re: ugnet_: Museveni in America

2003-11-06 Thread Y Yaobang

musaazi,
This is a good cut/paste job. So, who wrote the piece that you pasted here under your e-mail id. You were even too embarrassed enough not to sign it like you normally do! What a fake and an empty head you are!
y
From: "emmanuel musaazi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Subject: Re: ugnet_: Museveni in America 
Date: Thu, 06 Nov 2003 19:34:26 -0500 

Mr. Semekula, if you recall, i ended my last dialogue with you, thus 
"you can lead a horse to water but you can't force it to drink the 
water", this is the problem with Uganda and Ugandans, we also 
attempt to eat our cake and have it at the same time. Development 
starts from the bottom. Your arguments are insignificant because you 
are failing to apreciate where President Museveni found the country 
and where we are now. I think it is erronous of you to argue that 
primary education is not important to the overall development of 
Uganda, because that is the starting point of the overall education 
of a human being. If a person has primary education, then that 
increases the chances of that person getting a higher education. 
Primary education also prepares some people for technical education. 

It is had been documented that primary school enrollement has 
trippled since President Museveni took office. I don't subscribe to 
the thinking of those who say that majority of the students don't 
complete prmary education, because enrollements in tertiary 
institutions have balooned in recent years. Right now in Uganda a 
first degree is becoming like a high school diploma. Poeple don't 
recognize your educational achievements until you obtain a masters 
or over. Now to me that is progress. At present there is an 
achievement crisis because graduating students (particularly from 
Universities) need jobs and jobs aren't readily available. This is 
why President Museveni has been talking so much about the need to 
diversify Uganda's economy, 1) because the work force is available 
(create jobs) 2) increase Uganda's tax base thereby reducing 
relayance on foreingn donors, 3) leading to overall economic 
development. Mr Semakula, do you think those "Agoa girls" would be 
employable if they didn't have at least a primary education? Who do 
you think is going to be manning the small/medium sized factories 
that investors will setup? villagers without any education? I think 
Uganda under President Museveni, is come now man. I know you don't 
like President Museveni but at least give praise where praise is 
due. All that President Museveni has done for Uganda may not be 
appreciated now but some time in the future it will, i asure that. 

I don't understand the argument you are making about Uganda's trade 
deficit with America vs COMESA. To me a deficit is a deficit 
irrespective of where it comes from and it is not good. However 
Uganda can not afford to strangle herself because she is trying to 
avoid deficits. Unless your argument is that Uganda should have more 
trade with America than COMESA. Trade Mr. Semekalu is not 
exclusively government based, Uganda is a democratic, capitalist 
society, Ugandans are choosing to buy more from COMESA, probably 
because of proximity and cost, that's my guess. But when it comes to 
more sophisticated merchandise America is chosen. Deficits must be 
brought down, but i must stress that such an effort can not be an 
exclusively government one. Besides most countries have some deficit 
o another, it is a tight rope walk to have a good trade balance. 
Even the almight America can't quite get it right.We must also 
realise that, the whole bussiness of trade and economic growth is 
not exclusively a government responsibility. Ugandans must be made 
to realise that they are in competion with the whole world even in 
their own countries, as globalization becomes more perversive. Let 
me give you an example to illustrate what i'm talking about: 

"According to statistics from the academy, there are at least 2.5 
million college students, more than 60 percent of whom are studying 
science and technology. These well-educated youths are expected to 
enter the country's labor market incrementally in the coming years. 
Meanwhile the average labor costs of industries in China are only 5 
percent of those in developed countries like the United States, 
Japan and Germany, said the statistics."No other country can provide 
such a huge number of cheap educated laborers," noted Lu. Such a 
"comparative advantage" will last at least two decades and 
contribute to the country's further economic growth, according to 
Lu." 

The above are some statics from China. Therefore there is no room 
for complecency, all hands must be on deck in order for Uganda get 
where it should be with respect to economic development. You see how 
our President has to go out to virtually beg for investments and 
markets for Uganda, therefore when the opportunities come Ugandans 
ought to take advantage. It should also be

ugnet_: Bush must reverse his misguided policy and get out of Iraq now

How Many Body Bags?
By Robert Scheer
LA Times

Tuesday 04 November 2003

Bush must reverse his misguided policy and get out of Iraq now

On Sunday, 19 more young Americans died in Iraq serving the vanity of an American president who woefully betrayed them and who has no idea where his policies are taking the country.
This is a president who, as is now amply clear, has systematically lied to the troops and the nation about the reasons for going to war, distorting evidence to claim that the United States was threatened by Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction and linking Iraq to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Having led the country by the nose into a clumsy, ill-advised Middle East power grab, President Bush is faced with a terrible quandary: What do we do now?
The first thing is to resist the logic of the self-fulfilling prophecy: Bush claimed Iraq was a center of international terrorism it wasn't and now says that because terrorists are coming over Iraqi borders to take potshots at Americans, we need to stay and fight them.
"We won't run," Bush said, cavalierly dismissing the lives of the young soldiers mired in his folly. This amounts to using our young men and women as bait and assumes there are a finite number of fanatics who can be dispensed with once and for all.
In fact, the U.S. occupation of the historic center of the Arab world has provided Al Qaeda and other like-minded groups with their most effective recruiting poster yet, and we are fighting them on their terms and on their turf.
Meanwhile, attacks also are coming from various Iraqi quarters: those who enjoyed favors under Hussein and those who may have been glad to see the U.S. overthrow the tyrant but have since become alienated by an occupation that inevitably inspires nationalist as well as religious opposition.
Why can't we learn from our history in Vietnam and the experiences of the French in Algeria and the Israelis in the West Bank and Gaza that no occupation by an army of "the other" is ever welcome?
Only last week, Israel's army chief of staff issued a warning on the limits of an occupying power to achieve its goals through the exercise of military force. "It increases hatred for Israel and strengthens the terror organizations," Lt. Gen. Moshe Yaalon told Israeli reporters, adding: "In our tactical interests, we are operating contrary to our strategic interests."
Some pundits and politicians, even those who may have been skeptical about the war to begin with, now argue that we must "finish the job," even if it means increasing our commitment of troops or ruling Iraq indefinitely. This is, however, exactly the kind of stubborn and mushy thinking that led us into the hell of the Vietnam War and the deaths of 58,000 Americans and more than 2 million Vietnamese and Cambodians.
The occupation of Iraq is not working and will not work. For Iraqis, our culture is offensive and our tactics heavy-handed. As none other than the American-sponsored Iraqi politician Ahmad Chalabi put it after the latest guerrilla attacks: "The Americans, their methods, their operations and their procedures are singularly unsuited to deal with this kind of problem."
And U.S. intentions in Iraq are far from clear. Though there may be an echo of "white man's burden" that seeks to export "civilization," even that highly questionable goal is clouded and undermined by the fact that Washington inevitably will put a higher priority on having a new Iraq serve the U.S.' superpower needs oil, commerce, military power rather than meet the needs of regular Iraqis.
Unless we are willing to trade the lives of U.S. troops and Iraqis for the obsessions of empire, we must end the occupation now.
The U.S. can give Chalabi and his crowd the money they need to operate in the short run and similarly aid the more established Shiite groups. It can beg the United Nations Security Council to take over this mess, with financial support from the U.S., and smooth the transfer of power enough to let the president save face by declaring the mission a victory.
Such a wise reversal of course might even help Bush get reelected his poll numbers on Iraq are sinking. If he can back off from the edge of the cliff to which his hyper-aggressive foreign policy has taken us, the public might be conned into giving him another term. Personally, I think the president should be impeached for his lies. But more important, he should redeem himself by coming to his senses and ending the carnage and instability he has wrought in Iraq and the world.
---

ugnet_: Issue for Bush: How to Speak of Casualties?


Issue for Bush: How to Speak of Casualties?
By Elisabeth Bumiller
New York Times 

Wednesday 05 November 2003

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4  When the Chinook helicopter was shot down on Sunday in Iraq, killing 15 Americans, President Bush let his defense secretary do the talking and stayed out of sight at his ranch. The president has not attended the funeral of any American soldiers killed in action, White House officials say. And with violence in Baghdad dominating the headlines this week, he has used his public appearances to focus on the health of the economy and the wildfires in California. 

But after some of the deadliest attacks yet on American forces, the White House is struggling with the political consequences for a president who has said little publicly about the mounting casualties of the occupation.

The quandary for Mr. Bush, administration officials say, is in finding a balance: expressing sympathy for fallen soldiers without drawing more attention to the casualties by commenting daily on every new death.

White House officials say their strategy, for now, is to avoid having the president mention some deaths but not others, and so avoid inequity. (Mr. Bush does send a personal letter to the family of every soldier killed in action and has met privately with relatives at military bases.) 

"He never wants to elevate or diminish one sacrifice made over another," said Dan Bartlett, the White House communications director.

Or, as another White House official put it: "If you're the brother or mother of a soldier who was killed on Saturday, and nothing was said, and then the president says something on Sunday? Unless the president starts saying it for all of them, he can't do it."

Republicans also acknowledge that White House officials, mindful of history, do not want Mr. Bush to become hostage to daily body counts, much as President Lyndon B. Johnson was during the Vietnam War. Concern about being consumed by the headlines, administration officials say, is another reason the president did not specifically address the downed Chinook on Sunday.

"If a helicopter were hit an hour later, after he came out and spoke, should he come out again?" Mr. Bartlett said. The public "wants the commander in chief to have proper perspective and keep his eye on the big picture and the ball. At the same time, they want their president to understand the hardship and sacrifice that many Americans are enduring at a time of war. And we believe he's striking that balance."

So Mr. Bush is continuing to refer as broadly as possible to the sacrifice of all, as when reporters asked him in California on Tuesday to comment directly on the attack against the helicopter.

"I am saddened any time that there's a loss of life," replied Mr. Bush, who added that the soldiers killed had died "for a cause greater than themselves," the campaign against terrorism. 

Some Republicans say they are concerned that the White House strategy leaves the president open to accusations from Democrats that he is isolated from the real pain of war. 

"I have to say, I think we have to note tragedies of this magnitude," the Senate Democratic leader, Tom Daschle of South Dakota, told reporters on Tuesday, referring to Sunday's attack. "I think it needs to be expressed over and over by the president, and I think all deference ought to be given those dead and wounded who return home."

David R. Gergen, who worked in the Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Clinton White Houses, called the subject a "tender" one. He said he understood the White House concern about allowing Mr. Bush to be drawn into every death in Iraq, and recalled past presidents who were advised by their staffs not to meet with the families of American hostages.

"Even so," Mr. Gergen said, "we're now encountering deaths at rates we haven't seen since Vietnam, and I think it's important for the country to hear from the president at times like these, and for families to know. I think the weight is on the side of clear _expression_."

Others say the White House strategy can add to the anguish of families who have lost loved ones in Iraq. Thomas Wilson, an uncle of Staff Sgt. Joe N. Wilson, 30, of Crystal Springs, Miss., who was killed in the helicopter attack, went so far as to tell a reporter on Monday that Mr. Bush and members of his family needed to experience Iraq for themselves. "Then he'll realize what's going on," Mr. Wilson said. "As long as they ain't over there, he don't care."

Mr. Bartlett would not discuss how much concern comments like Mr. Wilson's had created at the White House.

"The president writes a letter to every family of a fallen soldier and meets privately with families of soldiers at military bases," Mr. Bartlett said. "He grieves with them, he understands. I'm not going to judge anybody's comments made in such a difficult period. People say a lot of things."

Some close to the president say another reason he has not expressed more public sympathy for individual soldiers killed in

ugnet_: Judge is Shot Dead as Iraqis' Hatred of Occupiers Grows

Judge is Shot Dead as Iraqis' Hatred of Occupiers Grows
by Patrick Cockburn in al-Qadasiya
Independent UK

Wednesday 05 November 2003

Gunmen shot dead a prominent judge in Mosul in northern Iraq yesterday, a day after another judge was kidnapped and killed in Najaf in the south of the country.

A car with tinted windows drew up outside the house of Ismail Yousef, a judge in Mosul's appeal court, early in the morning. Several men got out and shot the judge in the chest and side. The reason for the killing is a mystery; he was not involved in prosecuting Baathists.

On Monday, a senior judge, Mohan Jaber al-Shoueli, was kidnapped with his deputy in the city of Najaf to the south of Baghdad. According to the deputy who was later released, the gunmen said they were obeying the orders of Saddam. Mystery surrounds the murder because Najaf is a Shia holy city and most of its population hated the deposed president.

The assassination of two judges at opposite ends of the country differs from other killings in Iraq in that the victims were prominent enough for their names to be recorded.

In the little farming village of al-Qadasiya yesterday, buried deep in the Iraqi countryside south of Balad and only accessible by dusty tracks, relatives were mourning six men who died in a pick-up truck when they were ambushed by American troops after returning from Ramadan prayers on Sunday night.

Sitting in a tent, surrounded by neighbours who had come to comfort him, Abed Obaid Yass said his 61-year-old brother, Salman, his two sons, Arkan and Daoud, and two cousins had gone to a small cement mosque for prayers. They left the mosque at 8pm thinking they were safe because "the Americans announced over a loudspeaker that curfew was lifted". They drove home in three trucks, the last of which suddenly came under fire. Five people were hit, including the driver, but they kept going.

When they got back to the village, the driver died but two men offered to take the wounded to hospital in another pick-up. But they were attacked again and five more people were killed. One old man who was wounded escaped into the bushes beside the road and watched an American ambush party surround the pick-up, which they presumably thought was being used by guerrillas. The villagers deny that anybody in the truck was involved in the resistance. They said there had been no attacks on American troops in the district that night.

But a few miles away lies the scene where a US bulldozer had uprooted part of a grove of orange trees and a few date palms from which American troops had been ambushed a week before. The owner, an ageing sheikh, persuaded them to stop, saying there was no way he could prevent guer- rillas using the trees for cover.

The men gathered in the mourning tent were bitter about the killings but they were almost as angry that nobody in the outside world knew or cared their relatives had been killed. They had made an attempt to tell others what had happened to them since the American-led invasion. Close to the road was a banner in broken English reading: "Them removed the tree and killed the kids, women and elderlies and cracked the houses."

The US army does not keep a count of Iraqi civilians killed in such incidents, but the hostility they create towards the occupation goes a long way to explain why guerrilla war is becoming endemic in this part of the Iraqi countryside.

---

Jump to TO Features for Thursday 6 November 2003

ugnet_: Illegally in the U.S., and Never a Day Off at Wal-Mart

Illegally in the U.S., and Never a Day Off at Wal-Mart
By Steven Greenhouse
New York Times

Wednesday 05 November 2003

They came from Russia, Poland and Lithuania, and their tales of washing and waxing Wal-Mart's floors for seven nights a week sound much like Pavel's.

Last February, Pavel responded to an intriguing Web site that boasted of cleaning jobs in the United States paying four times what he was earning as a restaurant manager in the Czech Republic. He flew from Prague to New York on a tourist visa and took a bus to Lynchburg, Va., where a subcontractor delivered him to a giant Wal-Mart.

Pavel immediately began on the midnight shift and said he soon learned that he would never receive a night off. He said he worked every night for the next eight months. In this way, Pavel, who refused to give his last name, became one pawn among hundreds employed by subcontractors that clean Wal-Mart stores across the nation, paying many workers off the books.

Pavel's unhappy stay in the United States ended with a shock when federal agents raided 60 Wal-Marts on Oct. 23 and arrested him and 250 other janitors as being illegal immigrants. Yesterday, the company acknowledged that it had received a target letter from federal prosecutors accusing it of violating immigration laws and saying that Wal-Mart faced a grand jury investigation.

The 21-state raid last month exposed an unseemly secret about Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer: Hundreds of illegal immigrants worked at its stores, and its subcontractors appear to have violated overtime, Social Security and workers' compensation laws.

Company officials deny having known that illegal immigrants worked in their stores, saying they required their cleaning contractors to use only legal workers.

But two federal law enforcement officials said in interviews that Wal-Mart executives must have known about the immigration violations because federal agents rounded up 102 illegal immigrant janitors at Wal-Marts in 1998 and 2001. In the October raid, federal agents searched the office of an executive at Wal-Mart's headquarters, carting away boxes of papers. Federal officials said prosecutors had wiretaps and recordings of conversations between Wal-Mart officials and subcontractors.

The use of illegal workers appeared to benefit Wal-Mart, its shareholders and managers by minimizing the company's costs, and it benefited consumers by helping hold down Wal-Mart's prices. Cleaning contractors profited, and thousands of foreign workers were able to earn more than they could back home.

But the system also had its costs janitors said they were forced to work seven days a week, were not paid overtime and often endured harsh conditions. Foreigners got jobs that Americans might have wanted. And taxpayers sometimes ended up paying for the illegal workers' emergency health care or their children's education in American schools.

"We Czechs are willing to sacrifice and work hard, but we definitely weren't earning enough money," said Pavel, 33, in a telephone interview from the Czech Embassy before he was deported last Friday. He said he received $380 in cash for his 56-hour workweeks. That came to $6.79 an hour, and he did not receive time-and-a-half for overtime.

In interviews, federal law enforcement officials, cleaning contractors, industry experts and seven illegal immigrant cleaners at Wal-Mart, including Pavel, said subcontracting allowed Wal-Mart to benefit while enabling it to deny responsibility.

Wal-Mart officials said it made sense to contract out the cleaning work because that enabled store managers to concentrate on what they do best, operating stores that provide low-cost merchandise. Wal-Mart uses about 100 contractors to clean nearly 1,000 of its stores.

Several industry executives said the questionable contractors made it hard for legitimate operators to bid low enough to win contracts at Wal-Mart.

"When you don't pay taxes, don't pay Social Security and don't pay workers' comp, you have a 40 percent cost advantage," said Lilia Garcia, executive director of the Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund, a group financed by California cleaning contractors to police fly-by-night competitors. "It makes it hard for companies that follow the rules."

After the arrests, Wal-Mart, which had $245 billion in revenues last year, said it was beginning a review to ensure that no illegal immigrants worked in its 3,470 American stores.

"We take every action that we can to make sure our workers are legal workers, and in this case, be assured we will take whatever corrective actions are necessary," said Tom Williams, a spokesman for Wal-Mart, based in Bentonville, Ark.

He said of the target letter, "The notification gives us time to provide the attorney general's office information that supports our position."

Many people, from janitors to federal investigators, said Wal-Mart store managers and officials at headquarters knew about widespread use of cleaners who are illegal

ugnet_: Academic economists often cite Stein's Law, ...........

This Can't Go On
By Paul Krugman
New York Times

Tuesday 4 November 2003

Academic economists often cite Stein's Law, a principle enunciated by the late Herbert Stein, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers during the Nixon administration. The law comes with various wordings; my favorite is: "Things that can't go on forever, don't." Believe it or not, that's a useful reminder.

For we're now led by men who think that macho posturing makes Stein's Law go away. On issues ranging from budgets to foreign policy, they insist that we can sustain the unsustainable. And when challenged to explain how, they engage in magical thinking.

The prime example I have hammered on in this column is, of course, the federal budget. Realistic budget projections say that current policies aren't remotely sustainable. For example, a month ago a joint report of the Committee for Economic Development (a business group), the bipartisan Concord Coalition and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities concluded that under current policies, federal debt would rise by $5 trillion over the next decade. And then baby boomers will start collecting benefits, and our debt will really explode.

Such explosive growth in debt can't go on forever, and it won't. Yet our current leaders and their apologists insist that the problem will magically solve itself. Last year's deficit came in slightly below forecasts, and we've had one quarter of good economic growth see, we'll grow out of the deficit!

But we won't, and there will eventually be a day of reckoning. As Bill Gross of Pimco, the giant bond manager, says, "Sooner, perhaps later, our Asian creditors will wake up and smell the coffee." (Yes, the federal budget and the value of the dollar now depend on huge purchases of Treasury bills by the governments of Japan and China.) When they do, he predicts "higher import costs, a cutback in spending on cheap foreign goods, rising inflation, perhaps chaotic financial markets, a lower standard of living." Something to look forward to.

But the day of reckoning seems closer on a different front.

Some Americans may share the views of the Republican congressman who said that progress in Iraq was "a better and more important story than losing a couple of soldiers every day." (Support the troops!)

But whether or not you think troop losses are important, there's growing evidence that our Iraq strategy is unsustainable. The immediate issue is manpower. Some politicians are calling for a bigger force in Iraq but even our current force levels can't be maintained.

In September the Congressional Budget Office analyzed how many U.S. soldiers could be kept in Iraq without extending tours beyond one year. The conclusion was that force levels would have to start dropping rapidly about five months from now, and that the forces in Iraq and Kuwait would eventually have to shrink by almost two-thirds. As the report explains, the Pentagon can use various expedients to maintain a larger force in Iraq, but all of these expedients would threaten to undermine our military readiness.

At a broader level, the accelerating pace at which Americans are being killed and wounded and the strains of occupation duties clearly pose difficulties for recruitment in a volunteer military. And at a still broader level, public support for this war whose original rationale has turned out to be a mirage, if not a deliberate deception will wilt if losses go on at this rate, no matter how tough the president talks.

For sure, good things are happening in Iraq. But are we making the kind of progress that would allow us to withdraw large numbers of soldiers, and greatly reduce casualties, in the fairly near future? That's a hard case to make.

Yet we keep expecting a magic solution. We'll get European, Indian and Pakistani forces to help us! But since we went to war without international support, they're not interested. We'll bring in the Turks! But the Iraqi Governing Council itself is bitterly opposed. We'll engage in "Iraqification," creating local forces that take the place of American troops! Let's hope that works but hope is not a plan.

Just as the federal government is in no immediate danger of running out of money, our forces in Iraq are in no danger of outright defeat. But in both cases, current policies appear to be unsustainable: we can't go on like this indefinitely. And things that can't go on forever, don't.

---

Jump to TO Features for Wednesday 5 November 2003

ugnet_: STEINS LAW ALSO APPLIES TO YOWERI MUSEVENI KAGUTA


Academic economists often cite Stein's Law, a principle enunciated by the late Herbert Stein, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers during the Nixon administration.

ugnet_: A High Price for a Hollow Victory.. West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd


A High Price for a Hollow Victory
  West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd
  t r u t h o u t | Statement

  Monday 03 November 2003

  Senator Byrd delivered the following remarks as the Senate debated whether to grant final Congressional approval to the President's $87 billion funding request for the military and Iraqi reconstruction.

  The Iraq supplemental conference report before the Senate today has been widely described as a victory for President Bush. If hardball politics and lock-step partisanship are the stuff of which victory is made, then I suppose the assessments are accurate.  But if reasoned discourse, integrity, and accountability are the measures of true victory, then this package falls far short of the mark.

  In the end, the President wrung virtually every important concession he sought from the House-Senate conference committee. Key provisions that the Senate had debated extensively, voted on, and included in its version of the bill - such as providing
half of the Iraq reconstruction funding in the form of loans instead of grants - were thrown overboard in the conference agreement.  Senators who had made compelling arguments on the Senate floor only days earlier to limit American taxpayers' liability by providing some of the Iraq reconstruction aid in the form of loans suddenly reversed their position in conference and bowed to the power of the presidency.

  Before us today is a massive $87 billion supplemental appropriations package that commits this nation to a long and costly occupation and reconstruction of Iraq, and yet the collective wisdom of the House and Senate appropriations conference that produced it was little more than a shadow play, choreographed to stifle dissent and rubber stamp the President's request.

  Perhaps this take-no-prisoners approach is how the President and his advisers define victory, but I fear they are fixated on the muscle of the politics instead of the wisdom of the policy. The fact of the matter is, when it comes to policy, the Iraq supplemental is a monument to failure.

  Consider, for example, that before the war, the President's policy advisers assured the American people that Iraq would largely be able to finance its own reconstruction through oil revenues, seized assets, and increased economic productivity.

  The $18 billion in this supplemental earmarked for the reconstruction of Iraq is testament to the fallacy of that prediction. It is the American taxpayer, not the Iraqi oil industry, that is being called upon to shoulder the financial burden of rebuilding Iraq.

  The international community, on which the Administration pinned such hope for helping in the reconstruction of Iraq, has collectively ponied up only $13 billion, and the bulk of those pledges, $9 billion, is in the form of loans or credits, not grants.  But still, the President claims victory for arm-twisting Congress into reversing itself on the question of loans and providing the entire $18 billion in U.S. tax dollars in the form of outright grants to Iraq.  I readily admit that how his convoluted logic can be construed as a victory for the President is beyond me.

  But reconstruction is only part of the story.  On May 1, the President stood on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln - -  strategically postured beneath a banner that declared "Mission Accomplished" - - and pronounced the end of major combat  operations in Iraq.

  Since that day, however, more American military personnel have been killed in Iraq than were killed during the major combat phase of the war. According to the Defense Department, 376 American troops have been killed to date in Iraq, and nearly two-thirds of those deaths - 238 - have occurred since May 1. When President Bush uttered the unwise challenge, "Bring 'em on" on July 2, the enemy did indeed "bring them on", and with a vengeance!  Since the President made that comment, more than 165 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq.  And as the death toll mounts, it has become clear that the enemy intends to keep on "bringing 'em on."

  The $66 billion in this supplemental, required  to continue the U.S. military occupation of Iraq over the next year, and the steadily rising death toll, are testament to the utter hollowness of the President's declaration aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and the careless bravado of his challenge to "bring 'em on". 

  It has been said many times on the floor of this Senate that a vote for this supplemental is a vote for our troops in Iraq.  The implication is that a vote against the supplemental is a vote against our troops.  I find that twisted logic to be both irrational and offensive. To my mind, backing a flawed policy with a flawed appropriations bill hurts our troops in Iraq more than it helps them. Endorsing and funding a policy that does nothing to relieve American troops in Iraq is not, in my opinion, a "support the troops" measure.  Our troops in Iraq and elsewhere in the world have no stronger advocate than

ugnet_: Insurgents' Attacks in Iraq Intensifying

Insurgents' Attacks in Iraq Intensifying
The Associated Press

Sunday 02 November 2003

BAGHDAD, Iraq - ``As we fight this low-intensity conflict,'' the American general said, ``there will be ... more tragedies in the future.'' Hours later, in the flash of a guerrilla missile, tragedy struck again and the intensity of this American conflict moved up a notch.

The big, lumbering Chinook helicopter that crashed in flames Sunday in the Euphrates River farm country west of here took with it not just the lives of 15 U.S. soldiers, but also any hopes anyone may have harbored that the war in Iraq would end anytime soon.

After six months, the anti-U.S. resistance is smarter, more active, more effective. The American command says it sees growing signs of coordinated planning. Signs of its growing boldness are unmistakable.

In little more than a week, in an arc stretching through the guerrilla belt from north of Baghdad to the west, the insurgents have stunned the U.S. occupation army with one blow after another.

On Oct. 25, they brought down a helicopter for the first time in four months, a Black Hawk of the 4th Infantry Division felled by ground fire at Tikrit, hometown of the fugitive ex-president Saddam Hussein. At sunrise the next day, they battered the occupation's headquarters hotel in Baghdad with a volley of rockets -- fired practically from its doorstep -- forcing out hundreds of U.S. staff members.

Two days later, last Tuesday, an Abrams tank, 68-ton symbol of U.S. Army might, was destroyed for the first time during the six-month-old occupation, blown off the road by an insurgent land mine or makeshift bomb north of Baghdad.

Then, on Sunday, a guerrilla gunner -- apparently armed with a shoulder-fired, heat-seeking missile and positioned in a date-palm grove -- shot the Chinook out the skies, the biggest U.S. military target yet.

The intensity is seen not just in the targets, but in the numbers.

The average number of attacks, around 12 a day in midsummer, reached 33 a day by late October. In seven weeks of war in March and April, 114 Americans were killed in combat. But even more -- some 140 U.S. military personnel -- have been killed in action since President Bush declared ``major combat'' ended on May 1.

In Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has begun talking of a ``long, hard slog'' ahead. The rhetoric among the American leadership in Baghdad is hardening, too, as they try to steel the resolve of their Iraqi and coalition allies, of the American public, of the American soldier.

``They believe they can drain the coalition of its will by inflicting a steady stream of casualties. They are wrong,'' the U.S. occupation chief, L. Paul Bremer, declared at a Baghdad news conference Saturday evening.

At the same session, the overall U.S. commander here, Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, marshaled such words as ``difficulty,'' ``sacrifice'' and ``perseverance'' as he spoke of the road ahead.

``Undoubtedly, as we continue to fight this low-intensity conflict, there will be more obstacles, more setbacks, and more tragedies in the future,'' Sanchez said Saturday.

The very next day was deadlier for U.S. forces than any but one since the fighting in Iraq began.

As they move ahead, Sanchez's aides say, their most urgent need is for intelligence, better, quicker information from cooperative Iraqis about who is organizing the attacks, and where and when. Right now, Sanchez acknowledged, ``I can't give you an answer.''

Increasingly, as well, the Baghdad command is pushing to shift the security burden onto Iraqis themselves -- police, paramilitary civil defense, urban security guards. Bremer said Saturday he would accelerate their training and deployment.

But cooperative Iraqi informants may prove difficult to enlist in the zone of resistance around Baghdad, where resentment of the U.S. occupation runs deep. And Iraqi security forces -- hastily trained, underpaid, themselves often resentful of the Americans -- may prove a thin shield for a large foreign army far from home, an army whose troops travel in vulnerable convoys and low-flying Chinooks.

Thus far the attacks on his formidable, 130,000-member army have been ``strategically insignificant,'' Gen. Sanchez said. But their political significance, inevitably, will grow.

Back in Washington, the Pentagon has banned photographs of the arriving coffins of U.S. dead. In Iraq, at the site of the helicopter shootdown, American troops tried to confiscate news photographers' digital camera disks. No matter: The picture from Iraq, day by day, will grow sharp and clear.

``We have to be realistic,'' Bremer said after learning of Sunday's heavy toll. ``We're in a war here.''

ugnet_: It's one thing to burn school library books; it's another not to have any books

Read It and Weep
By Art Buchwald
The Washington Post

Thursday 06 November 2003

It's one thing to burn school library books; it's another not to have any books to burn.

I visited a public school in Northwest Washington. Some friends were holding a benefit to raise money for a library that had no books, desks, chairs or computers.

The District of Columbia is a victim of tax cuts, and libraries are being closed or shortchanged. It turns out the Bush administration and Congress are not as interested in libraries as one might think.

The question is, "Do we need books in America to educate our children?"

It's the old guns vs. butter story -- or butter vs. guns.

The military-industrial complex (aka the Pentagon) says it needs many more billions of dollars than it thought, not only to fight a war but also to keep the peace. It argues that the money could better be used not just for today's weapons but also for ones that have not yet been developed.

The choices for the military are easy: an aircraft carrier or Mark Twain, a Black Hawk helicopter or Shakespeare.

The military-industrial complex has its priorities, and the public believes everything the MIC tells them. You may wonder who makes these decisions. They are men and women who look just like you and me. They must choose wisely and economically, and if they make a several-billion-dollar mistake, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld says, "nobody's perfect."

The MIC has thousands of lobbyists in Washington to make sure America has all the guns it needs. This is not to say those in the Defense Department are against education -- it's just not something they do.

A library doesn't kill anybody. School officials are not against producing cruise missiles -- it's just not something they do.

The educators say: "The reason Johnny can't read is that he has no books. It is not only education that is getting shortchanged. So are health, Social Security and the environment -- and anything else that has to do with butter."

Of course, no one is to blame. That, lobbyists tell you, is the way the cookie crumbles.

President Bush is not against butter, but with his tax cut he claims that whatever butter he gives us is enough. He hopes his tax cut will jump-start the economy. He says the only way to do it is to shortchange the states and cities that are now even running out of margarine.

With the tax cut, he maintains he can provide guns and butter and rebuild Iraq at the same time. And so the controversy continues unabated.

How many guns for Iraq and how much butter for our schoolchildren?

I left the school wondering why Johnny can't read. Was it the fault of government? I couldn't answer the question, but I discovered that maybe the administration and Congress can't read, either. And that scares the hell out me.

---

ugnet_: Buck Doesn't Stop With President Bush...Helen Thomas..Hearst News Paper


Buck Doesn't Stop With President Bush
  By Helen Thomas
  Hearst Newspapers

  Thursday 06 November 2003

  WASHINGTON - Though President Bush is not a student of history, he surely has heard of Harry Truman's famous declaration: "The buck stops here." 

  That slogan was enshrined in a desk-top sign in Truman's Oval Office. I thought of it while watching all of the buck-passing that has become a White House ritual lately, especially in the sticky fallout from the U.S. invasion of Iraq and its aftermath. 

  There have been presidents who have taken blame for a catastrophe, bad judgment or a plan gone wrong. 

  In the case of the Iraq attack, President Bush may yet own up to his mistake in leading the nation to war on the basis of false advertising about weapons of mass destruction and Iraq as haven of Sept. 11 terrorists. 

  That rhetoric in the rush to war has turned out to be a bunch of hooey. 

  But until that day of reckoning, the buck-passing is picking up speed. 

  For example, it looks like the Central Intelligence Agency is going to be the scapegoat for the discredited information concerning Saddam Hussein's arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. 

  No such weapons have been found, despite the pre-war insistence by Bush and others in his administration that Saddam had hoards of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. 

  The White House has the choice of either 1) blaming the CIA for bad intelligence or 2) admitting that the entire war was a pretext to keep Bush buoyant in the public opinion polls as a war-time president. Of the two, option No. 1 is much preferred. 

  This means the designated fall guy is likely to be CIA Director George Tenet, whose job may be jeopardy. 

  Also in the buck-passing file is the administration's poor planning for the aftermath of the war in Iraq. The blame has fallen on Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. 

  Rumsfeld was primarily involved in winning the war quickly, but he insisted on running the occupation, even though postwar restoration and a campaign to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqis ordinarily would have been work for the State Department and the Agency for International Development. 

  But Bush let Rumsfeld have his way, at least initially. 

  Last month, in a slap at Rumsfeld, Bush tapped trusted national security adviser Condoleezza Rice to coordinate postwar operations in Iraq. Don't expect her to dictate to Rumsfeld. He is a pro at infighting and isn't about to be Bush's whipping boy. 

  It's not clear at this point where this case of buck-passing will end. Stay tuned. 

  Another buck being passed is the blame game over who was responsible for the backdrop banner, "Mission Accomplished," that was strung across the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln on May 1 when Bush delivered a televised address to the nation declaring the end of major combat in Iraq. 

  At a Rose Garden news conference last week, Bush disavowed any indication that the banner was a premature announcement that the war was over. 

  Mounting casualties in Iraq have made him face that reality. 

  Bush insisted that the banner was put up by the sailors to suggest that their mission was accomplished. The Navy says the White House made the banner. The White House insists it was the Navy's idea. 

  Sometimes presidents have done a mea culpa. In April 1961 President John F. Kennedy took responsibility for the ill-fated Bay of Pigs attempt by U.S.-backed Cuban exiles to invade Cuba. 

  It was an operation planned by the Eisenhower administration but Kennedy adopted it after he became president. 

  However, he had second thoughts and failed to send the promised air cover. The result was a catastrophic defeat for the invaders. 

  Kennedy's popularity polls fell immediately after the foreign policy debacle, but his public standing went back up in a short time. 

  On April 25, 1980, eight American servicemen died in a secret helicopter landing in Iran in a failed attempt to rescue 53 American hostages held by the Khomeini regime. 

  When news of the failed rescue mission reached Washington, President Jimmy Carter went before the cameras to acknowledge full responsibility. 

  Carter was not as lucky as Kennedy. His efforts to use negotiations to rescue the Americans -- mainly embassy personnel in Teheran -- also were unsuccessful. 

  Iran strung him along and the hostages weren't freed until the day his successor, Ronald Reagan, was sworn in. Which brings us to the present. 

  If the Iraqi resistance continues and American casualties mount, voters next year may assign blame. The ballot box has the last word in stopping buck-passing.

  ---

  Jump to TO Features for Friday 07 November 2003

ugnet_: f I Were Bush's Speechwriter... By Andy Rooney CBS News

If I Were Bush's Speechwriter...
By Andy Rooney
CBS News

Sunday 2 November 2003

Years ago, I was asked to write a speech for President Nixon.

I didn't do that, but I wish President Bush would ask me to write a speech for him now.

Here's what I'd write if he asked me to - which is unlikely:

My fellow Americans - (the word "fellow" includes women in political speeches):

My fellow Americans. One of the reasons we invaded Iraq was because I suggested Saddam Hussein had something to do with the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. No evidence that's so, I wish I hadn't said it.

I said we were going to get Saddam Hussein. To be honest, we don't know whether we got him or not. Probably not.

I said we'd get Osama bin Laden and wipe out al Qaeda. We haven't been able to do that, either. I'm as disappointed as you are.

I probably shouldn't have said Iraq had nuclear weapons. Our guys and the U.N. have looked under every bed in Iraq and can't find one.

In one speech, I told you Saddam Hussein tried to buy the makings of nuclear bombs from Africa. That was a mistake and I wish I hadn't said that. I get bad information sometimes just like you do.

On May 1, I declared major combat was over and gave you the impression the war was over. I shouldn't have declared that. Since then, 215 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq. As the person who sent them there, how terrible do you think that makes me feel?

I promised to leave no child behind when it comes to education. Then I asked for an additional $87 billion for Iraq. It has to come from somewhere. I hope the kids aren't going to have to pay for it - now in school or later when they're your age.

When I landed on the deck of the carrier, I wish they hadn't put up the sign saying MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. It isn't accomplished.

Maybe it should have been MISSION IMPOSSIBLE.

I've made some mistakes and I regret it. Let me just read you excerpts from something my father wrote five years ago in his book, A World Transformed.

I firmly believed we should not march into Baghdad ...To occupy Iraq would instantly shatter our coalition, turning the whole Arab world against us and make a broken tyrant, into a latter-day Arab hero

This is my father writing this.

...assigning young soldiers to a fruitless hunt for a securely entrenched dictator and condemning them to fight in what would be an unwinnable urban guerrilla war.

We should all take our father's advice.

That's the speech I'd write for President Bush. No charge.

---

ugnet_: Land Where Calling an Ambulance is First Step to Bankruptcy