marineonwatch

I hear Goldman Sachs and Fannie Mae have already applied for morgage leading licenses there. LOL Go RV!!!

Hello Scooter: I hope the day is going well. Too much rain everywhere on the east coast. I wanted to ask what positive or negative scenarios can occur from the IMF meeting today in DC concerning Iraq? Will this have an impact on chapter 7 being lifted and if so, what other obsticles need to be lifted first? Also, one final question...I have been reading up on Maliki, his relationship w/ Syria, Iran, and Egypt, and the death warrents that were placed upon him from Saddam in the 1990's. Also connected to this was an intense conflict w/ the Kurds and al Sidr. Do you feel the old feuds and alliances are the main stumbling blocks regarding Maliki and the formulation of the GOI or is this just a red herring? My condolences on your loss. My prayers for you and your family. God Bless. s/f

from www.govtrack http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-835&tab=summary Bill summary 2/3/2009--Introduced. Dollar Bill Act of 2009 - Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) to make and maintain the value of the U.S. dollar at a market value of 0.002 of a troy ounce of gold. Instructs the Board, in regulating such value, to: (1) conduct open market operations against an explicit target for the price of gold on the exchange operated by the Commodities Exchange, Inc. (COMEX) of the New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc; and (2) use its banking and bank regulatory powers to maintain and promote stable, effective financial markets during and after the transition to such defined value. Prohibits the Board from conducting open market operations indirectly, as in the current practice of targeting the Federal Funds rate. Declares that, effective January 1, 2009, entities that depreciate capital assets for tax purposes shall be entitled to 100% expensing of all capital investment for tax purposes in the year that the investment is made. Requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to calculate the impact on federal revenues of the tax changes under this Act on a present value basis in the manner that such calculations are done by the Social Security Trustees, taking into account that: (1) first year expensing of capital investment accelerates, but does not change, the total amount of the depreciation that taxpayers take based upon their investments; and (2) capital investments by businesses have historically earned much higher returns than the interest rate on government bonds.

I realize I am going to take heat from this response from friends and enemies alike, but I feel compelled to state a few things about this post that need to be expressed. Here goes... I’m posting the because I’m concerned over the reaction and attention my earlier post is getting. I am not surprised at the reaction and attention. ANY UNPOPULAR POST is likely to get a similar post from a group who has had expectations unmet and feel a need to express that emotion at the messenger. Many of the posters on this site (me probably agter this one) have experienced this phenomena, and the vindictiveness can be very unfair. I’m NOT playing games with your emotions. I’m doing my best to share what I can that will help set your expectations, not destroy them or pump them up. Isn’t that a positive and honorable thing? I’m confused! I’ve been blasted in emails, questioned in comments, and hammered on other sites for doing the difficult thing… share information that I TOO am disappointed in, that I didn’t want to hear, that created controversy… the very thing I detest the VERY MOST! Whenever "intel" is presented, it is up to the receiver to decide if it is trusted, believable, and/or have bering on decisions or status of what they observe. I believe DD has done this consistantly and has been a reliable resource in helping all of us try to understand the process of revaluation and the culture/government of the Iraqi people. He has not deliberately tried to get you to believe something that was untrue, invest in unsafe practices, or hoist himself up as the "guru of gurus". Others here have anointed him based on his consistant track record and fact based research. Unfortunately, bad news most assuredly brings controversy, even if it was meant with the best of intentions, Would you rather me LIE?!!! Absolutely not!! Truth is one of the things we MUST have on this site. Many posts in the forums are taken as fact before they take the wise precaution of checking sources, comparing other "intel", or even consider alterior reasons before filing that news in the trust pile. As we know, some people do lie (whether intentionally or by ignorance, here or worldwide). If ALL I wanted was entertainment, I'd watch TV, see a movie, or visit friends. Since the purpose of this site is to gather, evaluate, and share what we know on dinar spectulation and the Iraqi situation, belief in accurate information remains with the reader. We ASSUME the contributer is honorable and sharing correct information, but validity comes with time and history. Again, we must be responsible for what we believe is true and hold ourselves accountable. The sweet sentiment behind telling someone what they want to hear usually has a bitter after taste that I choose not to consume. Listen… I do not even know if the information I shared is accurate. I even placed it in the “RUMORS: DO NOT BELIEVE!” section. Take it as just MORE information to reference, and keep it that way. It is unfortunate there are some who hang on some people's every word and take it as gospel. I question my pastor, my relatives, my friends, and my governments' statements to understand if it is truth, lie, rumor, or spectulation. Many do not do this and become upset that they are wrong or have misinterpreted the information. I commend you for feeling the need and/or desire to share your knowledge regarding a possible delay in the RV, but you also must know, not everyone will understand. The fact you have been willing to share what you know has been a blessing to us all and I, for one, have benefited from it. WHO I heard this from even has been wrong before. Though, I do hold this person in high regard, and trust the genuine nature of the information. You did a responsible thing in stating your unknown source is fallible and that you believe it to be true. This doesn't mean it is, but can lead others to believe it based on their trust in you and your reputation. Many people feel the same way when being told to evacuate when a hurricane is threatening and curse the messenger if the storm does not follow its predicted course. These same people praise the same person if it does. Leadership has its burdens. Even that person may be given a load of bull in order to confuse everyone. I take issue with this response. While I feel your post becomes somewhat defensive here, saying you hold this person in high regard and then saying he has the capacity to intentionaly mislead your followers does not justify the original post. It also leads one to think you might not have made the original post without further information. This experience has caused me to decide to simply pull back inward, and wait this out. Just take this as my official write-off of myself when it comes to sharing MY information and thoughts. I am sad to see this statement. There are many on this site who have felt the same way when they have said something wrong, been treated differently because they were a "newbie" and had expectations unmet, or chased from a chat room because they had an unpopular or contrary belief. Our treatment of each other needs to be more responsible that this. We read posts of members who have sacrificed and lost, struggle daily, and put their life on hold for the chance of a better life only to be berated with glib comments and snide attacks. None of us are truly immune from the verbal criticisms we receive, yet if we let it dictate our purpose for being here, we all will diminish due to its effect. WE ALL need to do better at responding to any post and "check the egos at the door". Well...I've had my say. I realize my grammer and punctuation will be scrutinized, by thoughts carved up and taken out of context, and will lose some status from those willing to discard MY BELIEF as inconsequential. I'm sure I fall in good company. Thank you for your time and consideration. GoRV!

Heck, if her Dad is invested in dinar and has connestions in DC, I'll date her. Ask her if she likes older men. The things I do for my country... Go RV!

Erbil Shows Baghdad path out of political impasse KurdishMedia.com - By Eugen Iladi26/09/2010 00:00:00 The inability of Iraqi political elites to form a government more than six months after the March elections is hardly surprising given the fragmented poll results and deep divisions separating top leaders. All major parties and their representatives seem determined to hold onto power as a matter of political, economic and perhaps even physical survival. The stalemate is aggravating the security and economic situation and threatens to drive the war-ravaged country further into political instability and massive unrest. An uptick in violence since March could signal renewed sectarian divides and a new impetus for the insurgency. But things don’t have to escalate to that level and Baghdad need only look in its own backyard for models of a better arrangement. Erbil, the capital of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan, has transformed itself into a haven of safety, functionality and prosperity by regional standards. The Kurdistan Regional Government, while not free of infighting and political maneuvering, is by far a more efficient administrator of local resources and services compared to the overall situation elsewhere in Iraq. Instead of opposing further Kurdish autonomy and self-reliance, Baghdad could learn from the region and emulate some of its successes. Incorporating functional elements that work in Erbil would not only help the entire country move forward but could also foster a bond and a sense of shared values between the regions that form the emerging federal democracy of Iraq. The two dominant political parties of Kurdistan, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) have between them monopolized most aspects of life in Kurdistan based on their historical and heroic fight against Saddam Hussein’s regime. When a new challenging opposition movement, Gorran, gained the second highest number of seats in the 2009 local elections, none of the players resorted to overt violence to overcome their opponents. Instead, they expressed their differences and fought at the polls. Another stark contrast between the thriving Kurdistan region and the rest of the country is its ability to provide basic services for the population. While Baghdad continues to be plagued by massive power shortages, Erbil enjoys a constant flow of electricity with only minor interruptions. In fact, Kurdistan consumers get an average of 20 hours of constant electricity per day and projections call for closing that gap by early next year when new power plants are due to come on line. This is in large part due to investment programs and incentives that attracted foreign operators to build generating facilities in the autonomous region, taking advantage of its vast oil and gas resources. Kurdistan estimates its oil reserves at about 45 billion barrels and its natural gas reserves at 20 trillion cubic meters. Erbil is also welcoming of investment from abroad. The German Chamber of Commerce chapter in Erbil promotes business ties and attracts major German companies to the region. Italian, French, Austrian, American, Russian Turkish and other Arab energy, construction, apparel, and manufacturing companies are also investing in the region at an accelerated pace. RWE, Rosneft and a slew of smaller but significant players clamor for a piece of the action in this most stable of all Iraqi regions. Turkey is emerging as the premier trading partner of Kurdistan with economic ties expected to push towards $10 billion by next year, a significant development given the uneasy historical relations between Ankara and Erbil. Cultural and travel ties are also increasing with Erbil stealing the lime light from Baghdad. France maintains a cultural center in Erbil and the German School reopened its first location in the country earlier this month after its previous Baghdad school was closed down in 1990. Austrian Airlines has a direct Vienna-Erbil link and Lufthansa resumed its Erbil route this spring, after a two-decade hiatus, while postponing indefinitely the resumption of Baghdad flights. The Erbil Stock Market is scheduled to start trading during the first quarter of 2011 with a startup capital of nearly $10 million. With an open attitude towards investment and a legislation to match it, the KRG is forging ahead with major oil and gas, commercial and residential construction projects worth several billion dollars. The new Baghdad central government, when one is formed again, would be well served to learn from Erbil. KurdishMedia.com - By Eugen Iladi26/09/2010 00:00:00

Since I have been on this and a few other dinar sites (with my email posted) I have recieved several of these types of emails. Be wary!!! Always check the address from where it came from. If the post ends in a different country abbreviation (e.g. .hk, .ru. etc...) it is from a foreign source you probably don't know. These often have worms, spyware or other devices attached to the email and can cause havoc for you, your computer and anyone on your computer address book. Be safe rather than being sorry.

For those looking for a link, this is from GOP.gov. http://www.gop.gov/bill/111/2/hr1586senateamendments

Scooter: I did a bit of research regarding the senate ammedments regarding HB 1586 and fopund this. I hope it helps. This is straight from the web site. H.R. 1586 Senate Amendments Senate Amendments to H.R. 1586—The State Bailout Bill Date August 10, 2010 111th Congress, 2nd Session FLOOR SITUATION On Tuesday, August 10, 2010, the House is expected to consider the Senate amendments to H.R. 1586 (originally the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act). The House-passed text of the FAA authorization was replaced by the Senate by an amendment sponsored by Sens. Reid (D-NV) and Murray (D-WA) which includes $26.1 billion in federal bailouts for states that is partially offset with permanent tax increases and rescissions. The amended version of the bill passed the Senate on Thursday, August 5, 2010, by a vote of 61-39. According to Democrat House Leadership, the Rules Committee will meet on Monday, August 9, 2010, to report a rule for consideration of the bill. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The bill contains a total of $26.1 billion in temporary state bailouts paid for with permanent tax increases and spending reductions (mainly from the “stimulus” bill). The bill provides $10 billion for a state education bailout that can only be used to pay teacher salaries. In order to receive the education money, states would be prohibited from reducing their education budgets below 2009 levels and the federal money could not be used to reduce the state’s debt. Thus, the bill not only shields states from making tough budget choices, it prohibits them from doing so. In addition, the bill extends the increased federal Medicaid matching rate of 6.2 percent through 2010 and begins to phase out the increased rate by June, 2011. This provision will cost $16.1 billion. The bill is partially offset by $9.7 billion in permanent tax increases which would impact U.S. multinational companies. These taxes have been used by Democrats at least three other times as offsets for other spending bills. While Democrats call these “tax loopholes,” these tax hikes could risk jobs and put American companies at a competitive disadvantage when operating in foreign markets. In addition, the bill contains $14 billion dollars in spending reductions from the Democrats’ stimulus bill. The Democrats call this a spending cut, but stimulus money is designated as emergency funding and therefore not subject to PAYGO. CBO does not recognize any savings from stimulus reductions for the purposes of statutory PAYGO. Thus, CBO estimates that this bill will actually increase the deficit by $12.6 billion. STATE BAILOUTS State Education Bailout: The legislation includes $10 billion for an “Education Jobs Fund” to supplement states’ education costs. The bill stipulates that the funds shall be distributed by the Department of Education through their respective funding formulas or based on each district’s share of Title I funds. States may only use the funds to pay the salaries of employees and the bill prohibits the spending from being used to add to “rainy-day funds” or to reduce state debt. The bill also forbids states from reducing education expenditures below FY 2009 levels. Thus, states would be barred from reducing spending to address their current budget shortfalls. In addition, the bill would require the Secretary of Education to refuse a Governor who did not want access to the $10 billion slush fund and provide the funds to another state entity for distribution. This provision would cost $10 billion over ten years. The fund is similar to the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, which was created in the first “stimulus” and has already distributed $53.5 billion to states to supplement education budgets. The president claimed that this spending would create millions of jobs. Instead, the funding was largely used to subsidize existing obligations, delaying tough budget decisions that would otherwise be essential. In a number of areas, cash-strapped state and local governments used the money to give employees raises. Meanwhile, these governments were shielded from budgeting within their means to meet funding gaps. In addition, states are barred from making reforms that would lower education spending and ease budget pressures. These federal bailouts not only allow state governments to skirt fiscal responsibility with fungible federal money, but they forbid them from cutting spending or reducing debt. Extension of “Stimulus” Increase in FMAP: The bill would extend the federal Medicaid matching rate of 6.2 percent to all states through December 2010. The legislation would then begin to phase down the FMAP increase to 3.2 percent for the first three months of 2011 and 1.2 percent from April through June 2011. This provision would cost $16.1 billion over ten years. TAX INCREASES, RESCISSIONS AND OTHER OFFSET PROVISIONS Tax Increases The legislation includes $9.7 billion in permanent tax increases to offset a portion of temporary state bailouts. These tax provisions would impact U.S. multinational companies and increase the cost of doing business for companies during a recession. These tax hikes could risk jobs and put American companies at a competitive disadvantage when operating in foreign markets. In addition, these same tax provisions have been used as offsets for no less than two other pieces of House-passed legislation in the past two weeks (H.R. 5893 and H.R. 5982). Rules to Prevent Splitting Foreign Tax Credits from the Income to Which They Relate: This provision would implement a matching rule that suspends the recognition of foreign tax credits until the related foreign income is taken into account for taxing purposes in the U.S. This provision would apply to all split foreign taxes claimed by taxpayers after the date of introduction. According to JCT, this provision would increase taxes by $4.25 billion over ten years. Denial of Foreign Tax Credit with Respect to Foreign Income Not Subject to U.S. Taxation by Reason of Covered Asset Acquisition: This provision would prohibit taxpayers from claiming the foreign tax credit with regard to foreign income that is never subject to U.S. taxation because of a covered asset acquisition. The legislation would apply to related party transactions occurring after the date of introduction. According to JCT, this provision would increase taxes by $3.64 billion over ten years. Separate Application of Foreign Tax Credit Limitation to Items Resourced Under Treaties: The legislation abides by the treaty commitment to treating income as a foreign source, but segregates the income so that it is not the basis for claiming foreign tax credits that have nothing to do with double taxation. The bill would conform the foreign tax credit treatment of taxpayers operating abroad through foreign branches and disregarded entities to the treatment already afforded to taxpayers operating through foreign corporations. According to JCT, this provision would increase taxes by $250 million over ten years. Limitation on the Amount of Foreign Taxes Deemed Paid with Respect to Section 956 Inclusions: The bill would limit the amount of foreign tax credits that may be claimed on a deemed dividend under section 956 to the amount that would have been allowed with respect to an actual dividend. According to JCT, this provision would increase taxes by $704 million over ten years. Special Rule with Respect to Certain Redemptions by Foreign Subsidiaries: The bill would eliminate a tax planning technique that allows foreign-based multinationals (e.g. a foreign-based company that owns a U.S. company, and that U.S. company owns a foreign subsidiary) earnings to bypass the U.S. tax system. According to JCT, this provision would increase taxes by $250 million over ten years. Modification of Affiliation Rule for Purposes of Rules Allocating Interest Expense: The bill would prevent taxpayers from using certain techniques to minimize the amount of foreign source interest expense, which has the effect of boosting foreign source income – thus allowing taxpayer to utilize more foreign tax credits. According to JCT, this provision would increase taxes by $390 million over ten years. Termination of Special Rules for Interest and Dividend Received from Persons Meeting the 80-percent Foreign Business Requirement: The bill terminates the “80/20” rule that exclude a corporation with gross income of at least 80 percent from a foreign source income and attributable to foreign trade or business during a three-year period from a 30 percent withholding tax. Some corporations that meet specific requirements and are not abusing the “80/20” company rules may receive relief. According to JCT, this provision would increase taxes by $153 million over ten years. Limitation on Extension of Statute of Limitations for Failure to Notify Secretary of Certain Foreign Transfers: The bill would make a technical correction to the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE). This provision would clarify the circumstances in which the statute of limitations period for corporations that fail to provide certain information on cross-border transactions or foreign assets. According to JCT, this provision would have no revenue impact over ten years. Elimination of the Advance Earned Income Tax Credit: The bill eliminates the ability of recipients of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to receive advanced payments throughout the year by having their payments of withheld income reduced by their employer. According to Senate Democrat staff, the advanced option is employed by three percent of EITC recipients. According to CBO, this provision will reduce spending and increase revenue by $1.13 billion over ten years. Spending Offsets Medicaid Average Manufacturer Price: The bill would include inhalation, infusion, and injectable drugs not dispensed through retail community pharmacies in the calculation of the Medicaid average manufacturer price (AMP). Under current law, the AMP calculation excludes certain payments and rebates if received from or provided to entities other than retail community pharmacies. According to CBO, including these additional drugs in the AMP calculation will reduce spending by $795 million over five years and $2 billion over ten years. Stimulus Food Stamp Provisions: The bill would terminate stimulus spending increases for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, on March 31, 2014. According to CBO, this provision would reduce spending by $7.4 billion over five years and $11.9 billion over ten. Some Members may question the accounting methods which lead CBO to score this provision as a spending reduction. Since the SNAP spending baseline was raised 18 months ago in the Democrats’ stimulus, the bill merely reduces a significant funding increase that was designated as emergency spending and never offset. In essence, the Democrats increased the spending baseline without offsetting the cost and are now returning the baseline to its original trajectory and calling it a “savings.” Because this spending was designated as emergency, these savings are not counted in the calculation of the effect of the bill on the deficit under the Statutory Pay As You Go Act. Since these funds—and roughly $2 billion of emergency rescissions in the bill—cannot be counted as a savings under PAYGO, the legislation violates the Democrats’ statutory PAYGO by $12.6 billion. Rescissions The bill includes $6.7 billion in rescissions, including approximately $2.5 billion in Department of Defense rescissions. In addition, the bill includes roughly $2.3 billion in rescission from the stimulus bill. Since these funds are regarded as emergency spending, these savings are not taken into consideration when calculating the deficit effect of the bill for PAYGO. A list of the specific rescissions in the bill follows. •$2.2 billion in unobligated Highway Trust Fund contract authority. •$1.8 billion in funds appropriated to the Department of Defense, primarily from previously appropriated funding for operations and maintenance and procurement. •$1.5 billion from stimulus funding for the Department of Energy’s Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program. •$500 million in funds appropriated to the Department of Defense for military construction. •$302 million in stimulus funding provided to the Department of Commerce for broadband grants. •$260.5 million in stimulus funding provided to the Department of Defense. •$122 million in funding provided to the Department of Agriculture for past emergencies. •$115 million in miscellaneous stimulus rescissions. •$70 million in funding appropriated to the Department of State and USAID for the Civilian Stabilization Initiative. •$50 million in funding appropriated for the Millennium Challenge Corporation. •$50 million in funding from the Department of Education for literacy. •$14.2 million in funding provided in as early as 2004 to the National Park Service and the Fish & Wildlife Service. •$10.7 million in miscellaneous Department of Education rescissions. •$7.9 million in funds appropriated in 2004 and 2006 to the Federal Aviation Administration. •$6.1 million in Stimulus funding provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs for which the purpose has been completed. •$100 million in funding appropriated to the General Services Administration. •$82 million from the Department of Education Student Aid Administration. •$47 million in Stimulus funding to the Commissioner of Social Security. •$28.6 million in Stimulus funding appropriated to the Department of Interior and the EPA. •$20 million from the Department of Energy for nuclear energy. •$18 million in funding appropriated to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. •$6 million in funds appropriated in 1995 to the Department of Health and Human Services. COST The bill includes $26.1 billion in new spending which is offset with $27.4 billion in increased taxes and spending reductions. However, CBO states that $14 billion of spending reductions come from emergency funding which is not subject to PAYGO and thus cannot be used as an offset. Therefore, according to CBO, the bill violates statutory PAYGO and increases the deficit by $12.6 billion. ADDITIONAL VIEWS More “Stimulus” Spending: The bill contains $10 billion in so-called “teacher jobs” spending. This money would be used to bail out states with shortfalls in their education budget. The funding is on top of $53.6 billion that was provided to states in the Democrats’ stimulus bill through the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund in order to fill education gaps. According to the Department of Education, the “one-time appropriation” in the stimulus bill was meant as “a historic infusion of funds that is expected to be temporary.” While Democrats may argue that the increased government spending will result in the creation of jobs, past experience suggests otherwise. Since last year more than a trillion dollars has been spent by Democrats on so-called “jobs” legislation that has done little to lower unemployment or curb the effects of the recession. As it has been widely reported, the Obama Administration said in late January 2009, if the $1 trillion stimulus bill was passed unemployment would not surpass 8 percent. However, unemployment has hovered near 10 percent since the stimulus was passed and the recent drop in the unemployment rate—from 9.9 percent to 9.7 percent—was due only to 410,000 new government jobs. Even the country’s economic growth rate has disappointingly slowed from 5.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 to the 3 percent in the first quarter of 2010. Such growth rates are entirely insufficient to put the 15 million unemployed Americans back to work. In short, government spending has done nothing to improve our nation’s economic station and done much to impair fiscal stability. Prohibits Responsible Budgeting: Some Members may be concerned that the bill bars states from making reforms which may be necessary to maintain a fiscally responsible state budgeting process. The bill temporarily shields states from addressing budget and funding gaps within their means to meet funding gaps. In addition, states are prohibited from reforming and reducing education spending to ease budget pressures. These federal bailouts not only allow state governments to skirt fiscal responsibility with federal money, but they forbid them from cutting spending or reducing debt. Permanent Tax Increases for Temporary Bailouts: Some Members may be concerned that the legislation includes $9.7 billion in permanent tax increases to offset a portion of temporary state bailouts. These tax provisions would impact U.S. multinational companies and increase the cost of doing business for companies during a recession. These taxes risk jobs and put American companies at a competitive disadvantage when operating in foreign markets. PAYGO Violations and Gimmicks: According to CBO, the net effect of the legislation is a deficit reduction of $1.3 billion. However, this estimate includes $14 billion in spending reduction from Food Stamps and stimulus rescission which are designated as emergency funding and thus not subject to PAYGO. According to CBO, these savings are not counted in the calculation of the effect on the deficit under the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010. Some Members may be that CBO’s estimated effect of the bill for compliance with statutory PAYGO is an increase in the deficit of $12.6 billion over ten years and would be a violation of the Democrats’ PAYGO.

Found this online - from The Guardian.uk. Thought you'd enjoy it. Now help Iraq to stand on its ownThe UN security council can curb the influence of foreign interests, and strengthen Iraq's sovereignty from within Ali Al-Mawlawi guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 7 September 2010 12.11 BST Article historyThe United Nations and the Iraqi government issued a joint report last month highlighting significant shortfalls in the country's progress towards achieving the UN millennium development goals (MDGs). Although major gains have been made in reducing hunger and child mortality and promoting gender equality, the report says Iraq has been slow in meeting other targets, including increasing participation in primary education and tackling unemployment. While Iraq is on track to achieve gender parity in education, primary school enrolment is only 77% compared with 92% in neighbouring Turkey. Youth unemployment is now double the national average of 15% and an assessment of its health targets has yielded mixed results. Measles vaccination coverage has jumped from 70% in 2007 to more than 90% in 2009 and malaria has been almost completely eliminated, with no indigenous cases reported in 2009 compared with more than 39,000 cases in 1995. But while infant mortality continues to fall, it is still among the highest in the region. In May this year, the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq (Unami) signed a development assistance framework with the Iraqi government, outlining a co-ordinated strategy for the delivery of UN assistance over the next five years to ensure that Iraq meets its obligations towards the MDGs. While the plan prioritises the need to strengthen governance and economic growth through anti-corruption and public sector modernisation programmes, it crucially avoids addressing the effects of external forces that continue to hamper development in Iraq. The importance of Iraq's reintegration into the international community cannot be overstated. Following a decade of isolation and many more years of recklessness by a dictatorial regime, Iraqis find themselves unable to rebuild their country without the expertise of the international community, for two main reasons: first, the brain drain that resulted from the exodus of thousands of professionals forced into political exile during Saddam's reign, and the subsequent deterioration of the basic infrastructure following the sanctions, means that Iraq needs foreign investment to successfully rebuild the country. Second, and more crucially, Iraq's political and economic problems are still very much a function of a power-balancing game orchestrated by foreign actors. The six months of wrangling between Iraq's competing political blocs since the parliamentary elections in March, may seem at first glance, to be entirely the fault of bickering Iraqi political elites, but it is in fact symptomatic of the effect of Iraq's neighbours on party political agendas that have strayed from the national interest. This has affected negotiations over forming the next government and was bizarrely illustrated shortly after the final election results were announced, when nearly all the major political figures (interestingly, with the exception of the prime minister) frantically made whistle-stop tours of the region, in a bid to pitch their visions of the new government to potential backers. It saw some of the most unlikely bedfellows come together, with the Iranian-backed supreme council making an unprecedented visit to Riyadh to meet King Abdullah, while Ayad Allawi's secular list sat down with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran. This gave the impression that Iraq's politicians were more concerned with the blessings of foreign governments than their own electorate, which did not go down too well with the Iraqi public. Contrary to what some politicians and policymakers have suggested, rather than stepping in to mediate between Iraq's deadlocked political blocs, the UN security council can play a constructive role by both curbing the external influence of foreign interests on Iraq, and strengthening the country's sovereignty from within. The five permanent members of the security council, along with other influential member states, can use their diplomatic leverage to pressure Iraq's neighbours into halting the flow of cash to Iraqi political parties, and instead to focus on combating the flow of terrorists and arms across their borders. Also, by helping to strengthen Iraq internally, Iraq can resist the pressures of foreign actors. Seven-and-a-half years after the fall of Saddam's regime, Iraq remains under chapter VII of the UN charter – a status normally reserved for pariah states that pose a threat to international peace and security. This has restricted Iraq's efforts to equip the army to protect its borders and to import certain chemicals and other goods, despite the fact that it has ratified several peace conventions, chapter VII has also maintained Iraq's burden of debt, which continues to stunt the country's economic recovery. Five per cent of total oil revenues goes to Kuwait in compensation for Iraq's invasion two decades ago. Iraq has already paid $30bn and it still owes more than $22bn. These funds could go a long way towards achieving Iraq's MDG targets by investing in its war-torn infrastructure and raising living standards. Iraq has border disputes with Iran over the Shatt al-Arab waterway, and potential revenue is being lost due to unresolved issues surrounding the ownership of shared oil fields with its neighbours. And as Turkey continues to restrict the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Iraq is on the verge of a water crisis that could once and for all shatter any hope of rehabilitating its agricultural sector. All these problems require international solutions. Many around the world have criticised President Obama's Iraq policy, arguing that it amounts to an irresponsible withdrawal at a critical time for Iraq. But what is more worrying is the view that success in Iraq is solely the responsibility of America. Iraq's commitment to achieving the MDGs can form the rationale for a concerted multilateral diplomatic effort by the UN security council to tackle many unresolved problems that obstruct the potential for sustainable development and stability. During his speech marking the end of combat operations in Iraq, President Obama said the US had "paid a huge price to put the future of Iraq in the hands of its people". While Iraq is no longer under the control of a brutal dictator, more needs to be done by the international community before Iraq's destiny is firmly in the hands of Iraqis.

On the offhand chance I would get to meet and spend time with the Swedish Bikini team, I give a big, brawny (but with a shy, sensitive side) heck yeah and promise to buy a Volvo for each of them if they are right!!! {Dream a little dream with me....) - Mama Cass

Thank you for all you said and do. God bless you.

Jesse: I appreciate your post and will gladly join you in corporate prayer at 3 p.m. EST for all those here, in Iraq, and all those who have worked tirelessly on this thing being birthed here. Matthew 18:19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on Earth agree about anythingyou ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. God bless you and all those standing watch and always faithful.

Welcome to the forums Turtlesilva!!! There's plenty of information on this site with some outstanding people who contribute their research. The chats are informative and the news is up to date. Glad you found one of the best places to get dinar info. Go RV!!!! Sempre Fi!!!

Thank you Scooter for all the info. Might have backed out of my investments had it not been for all the good sense and updates you provide. Thanks a billion, six hundred and sevety five million, four hundred and seventy five different ways!!! Sempre Fi! Go RV!

He emphasized that the Iraqi people owe the American army for his role in the liberation from dictatorship, adding that the Iraqis will never forget the sacrifices made by U.S. forces since 2003 for the freedom of Iraq, stressing that this was refuted rumors that oil was the main reason behind the advent of U.S. troops to Iraq because the reality has shown that the United States came to liberate the Iraqi people of the worst dictatorships of modern times. It was nice he realizes the sacrifice our soldiers have made - especially with their lives and those forever scarred by serving the people of Iraq. Their service should never be forgotten by them, the American public, or the world. As I remember,there were many who said we were (and by some, still are) in Iraq for vengeful and selfish motives with the idea of a true democratic Iraq will never be realized. Funny... we don't hear much from them anymore. Thank you President Talabani, for your thanks. I believe a few more should stand up and say the same thing!!! Go RV! Read more:

I'm gonna open a BBQ restaurant in Bagdad. Can't beat chicken and wings.

I can understand your concern and frustration. While I am a "newbie" on the site, I looked at alot of published info and plenty of people told me to be careful. "Spectulation" by definition involves risk and in the global economic climate, many believe it is safer to hang on to their money. That train of thought has permiated throughout history and while it has served many well, many fortunes were amassed by just such risks. I stand a better chance of improving my economic future by risking a small investment with a greater outcome than holding on to it. For me, I was willing to risk hardshjp now for a chance of a "making it big". Longtime friends and trusted confidents said they could understand the lure, yet were not willing to risk. My choice - my life - and I will accept the results of that decision. As far as dealers making money, well, I believe if they are savvy enough to create an avenue producing wealth for themselves (and hopefully others), they earn their "fee". They provide the means to make peoples' dreams a reality. And, while they win either way, they allow those of us who have faith in their investment, the opportunity to "hop on their bandwagon." As far as others considering our dinars "wallpaper", their assessment will be different shortly. As long as there isn't a complete meltdown to the entire Iraqi system, my dinars are still worth something now and I will see something back. Those who haven't done the research are by nature going to bad mouth any investment. I'm sure some folks thought computers, microchips, and tickle-me-elmo dolls were bad investments as well. When heating oil ventures skyrocketed a few years ago, plenty of folks were at the right place at the right time too. Others have lost money on spectulation as well. Those who went in to it having the same belief as getting wealth as we do lost their investments. Sad, but that is the risk you take. I take heart in knowing I am making a decision that is right for me. Maybe not for everyone, but for me, I'm glad I'm here. There are folks here who have risked far more than I to see this happen, (God Bless the all), and I feel I'm in good company. For those not here, I will say a prayer for them as my capital gains taxes goes to make their existence a little bit better as mine future gets better and better. Have faith and be of good cheer... we will know soon enough. Sempre fidelis (always faithful)!!

I just read this article online and thought it had merit for posting. Anybody know how much this will affect the dinar/RV? from "The National" online: Kuwait signs oil pact with Iraq James Calderwood Last Updated: August 22. 2010 9:10PM UAE / August 22. 2010 5:10PM GMT KUWAIT CITY //Kuwait has signed an agreement to share oil from cross-border fields with Iraq and is waiting for its northern neighbour to reciprocate, the emirate’s oil minister has said. The deal could help to smooth the often thorny relationship between the two countries 20 years after Saddam Hussein’s armies occupied Kuwait – an incursion that sparked the First Gulf War. A committee representing both governments met this month, the Kuwaiti minister, Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al Sabah,said last Wednesday. “The Kuwaiti side already signed the declaration, and now we’ve sent it to Iraq to sign it,” Sheikh Ahmed said. The agreement stipulated that a company had been created to work on both sides of the border “so nobody will claim that one side took more oil than the other”, he said. “An international adviser will come and look at the field and say how much is allowed [for] this side and the other side, and the cost will be shared equally,” Sheikh Ahmed said. Production from cross-border oilfields has been a problem between the Gulf neighbours. In the run-up to the 1990 invasion, Iraq accused Kuwait of stealing its oil by slant-drilling into the Iraqi side of the giant Rumaila oilfield – which is known as Ratqa south of the border – to steal its oil. Kuwait denied the allegation. Whether the allegation was true or not, Saddam used it as an excuse to invade Kuwait. After an eight-year war with Iran, Iraq was left heavily in debt to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Iraq also accused Kuwait of producing more oil than allowed by OPEC’s quota system,driving down international oil prices and hurting the Iraqi economy. Manouchehr Takin, an analyst for the London-based Centre for Global Energy Studies who wrote the 2008 report “Stealing Iraq’s Oil: Is the Iraqi Press Right?”, said Rumaila was the most contentious of several oilfields that straddle the border. A high rate of production on one side of the border essentially “sucks the oil from the other side”, Mr Takin said. “They will damage the surface reservoir,” he said. “Ultimately, both sides will lose because overall there will be less oil produced.” Mr Takin said in his report that he had proposed a bilateral solution. “The obvious thing is to do joint development: unitisation. This is standard practice all over the world,” he said. “It’s the optimal way to develop the field for conservation.” A border that was agreed to by the UN in 1993 and formally accepted by Iraq in 1994 is still the cause of friction with Iraqi politicians, and the issue could complicate the efforts of international advisers to allocate resources from cross-border oilfields. Other issues that cause tension between the two countries include billions of dollars in outstanding loans and war reparations owed by Iraq, the identification and repatriation of citizens who died as a result of the occupation, and the return of stolen documents. Even if Iraq does not to sign the agreement, it is pushing ahead with plans to develop its southern oilfields, including Rumaila, which is the country’s largest and thought to hold 17 billion barrels. Baghdad has stated its intention of increasing production within six years to as much as 12 million barrels per day (bpd) from about 2.5 million bpd today. BP, China National Petroleum Corporation and Iraq’s state-owned South Oil Company recently announced that they would drill as many as 100 wells by the end of next year to increase Rumaila’s production by about 10 per cent to 1.1 million bpd. Other deals are expected to boost production at West Qurna and Zubair oilfields, which are also in the country’s south. Mr Takin said the agreement described by Sheikh Ahmed appeared to be the best solution for both countries. “If they do it this way, both sides will win,” he said. “They will maximise the oil that both sides can take.”

My slogan....If it weren't for for bad dinar, I'd have no dinar at all!! Go RV!!!!