The New Cold War Resolution: A DIY Guide to Heating Things Up / Sputnik US - News, Opinion, Radio

The US House of Representatives passed a resolution Thursday condemning Russia for its alleged policy of aggression against neighboring countries. Critics are calling it a dangerous provocation that highlights U.S. hypocrisy and threatens to further damage relations, already at a historic low.
Former congressman Ron Paul has called House Resolution 758 "16 pages of war propaganda that should have made even neocons blush, if they were capable of such a thing."

Indeed, the resolution will likely only serve to bring the "New Cold War" closer to a frightening boiling point. But after all, there's money to be made in this madness. And here's how it's done:

Step 1: Note that moves to decrease the size of the U.S. military threaten the profits of the military industrial complex. That just won’t do. Proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Determine a new enemy that it will be easy to provoke. Like a bear. A bear! Yes! Russia! I mean, taxpayers spent more than $20 trillion — yes, trillion! — on a decades-long war-non-war with the Soviet Union. And what’s good for Lockheed Martin is good for… well, Lockheed Martin.

Step 3: Find a country that neighbors the target country. Ukraine seemed ripe for a change, didn't it? What with that democratically elected, but Moscow-friendly president they had. Do Americans know where Ukraine is? Meh, doesn’t matter. The ones that don’t know where it is will want to intervene even more. This is ‘Merica, after al!

Complete story at - The New Cold War Resolution: A DIY Guide to Heating Things Up / Sputnik US - News, Opinion, Radio

Iraq: the Biggest Petroleum Heist in History? | The Smirking Chimp

“Prior to the 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq, US and other western oil companies were all but completely shut out of Iraq’s oil market. But thanks to the invasion and occupation, the companies are now back inside Iraq and producing oil there for the first time since being forced out of the country in 1973.”
— Antonia Juhasz, oil industry analyst, Al Jazeera.

These are the ‘best of times’ for the oil giants in Iraq. Production is up, profits are soaring, and big oil is rolling in dough. Here’s the story from the Wall Street Journal:

“Iraq’s oil production surged to its highest level in over 30 years last month, surprising skeptics of the country’s efforts to restore its oil industry after decades of war and neglect.” (Wall Street Journal)

Mission accomplished?

You bet. But for those who still cling to the idea that the US was serious about promoting democracy or removing a vicious dictator or eliminating WMD or any of the other kooky excuses, consider what we’ve learned in the last couple weeks. Here’s the story from Aljazeera:

“While the US military has formally ended its occupation of Iraq, some of the largest western oil companies, ExxonMobil, BP and Shell, remain.

Complete story at - Iraq: the Biggest Petroleum Heist in History? | The Smirking Chimp

The Farce Is Complete: Joe Biden's Son Joins Board Of Largest Ukraine Gas Producer | Zero Hedge

R. Hunter Biden will be in charge of the Holdings’ legal unit and will provide support for the Company among international organizations. On his new appointment, he commented: “Burisma’s track record of innovations and industry leadership in the field of natural gas means that it can be a strong driver of a strong economy in Ukraine. As a new member of the Board, I believe that my assistance in consulting the Company on matters of transparency, corporate governance and responsibility, international expansion and other priorities will contribute to the economy and benefit the people of Ukraine.”

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Burisma Holdings, Mr. Alan Apter, noted: “The company’s strategy is aimed at the strongest concentration of professional staff and the introduction of best corporate practices, and we’re delighted that Mr. Biden is joining us to help us achieve these goals.”

R. Hunter Biden is a counsel to Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP, a national law firm based in New York, USA, which served in cases including “Bush vs. Gore”, and “U.S. vs. Microsoft”. He is one of the co-founders and a managing partner of the investment advisory company Rosemont Seneca Partners, as well as chairman of the board of Rosemont Seneca Advisors. He is an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s Masters Program in the School of Foreign Service.

Complete story at - The Farce Is Complete: Joe Biden's Son Joins Board Of Largest Ukraine Gas Producer | Zero Hedge