Baghdaddy

The Dems obviously didn't get the message with Brown's election to the senate seat long held by Ted Kennedy. Or maybe they did and they want to grab as much as possible before the congressional elections. Either way, this is only going to build more resentment and resistance to Obama's and Pelosi's grabs at personal glory at the expense of the country.

Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying Obama isn't up to something. He's proven throughout his campaign and first year in office that he is a master of deceipt and, like a lot of americans, I don't trust him. I just don't see this executive order as bolstering his position in any significant way w/r to martial law. Also, martial law is nothing new. There are numerous examples in US history where martial law has been declared by the president. The US Supreme Court has heard many cases challenging the government's authority to impose martial law and defined the constitutionality of martial law, the limitations of when and how it can be used, and for how long. If Obama is really going to change all that, he better start seriously thinking about how he's going to get re-elected. Hopefully the masses will not be so easily misled at the next election.

Here's the link to the public law cited: http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/olc/docs/pl110-181.pdf SEC. 1822. COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS. The President shall establish a bipartisan Council of Governors to advise the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the White House Homeland Security Council on matters related to the National Guard and civil support missions. That's the full text of the relevent section.

Well, according to these guys this bill never became law. Decide for yourselves. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-1585

Yep, never said it was any different than anything else that has been posted on this site. Just another perspective drawn from info. published by the IMF which specifically states that Iraq is not using the exchange mechanism that they are required to by law. We'll know soon enough one way or the other.

Spot on and what I was referring to with the IMF doc is that Iraq is practicing a different mechanism than their law allows. In fact, the IMF states so in that doc. The GOI discussions may simply be on whether to change the law to conform to the current practice or change the practice to conform with the law.

Cut out the hand waving Adam, if you have a more recent IMF reference that supports whatever your position is, then post it. You claim your interest is in having educated discussions of the issues and here's an opportunity to do so.

Interesting read but doesn't agree with IMF info. on Iraq's exchange rate mechanism at least with respect to what the current de facto mechanism is. Perhaps the discussion on ERM is hinting at plans for Iraq to begin operating under it's de jure system? http://www.imf.org/external/np/mfd/er/2004/eng/1204.htm

http://www.einnews.com/pr-news/62925-some-positive-news-in-iraq

Read the full text of Resolution 1483. 1483 in part set up the Development Fund for Iraq which is monitored by the UN but administered by the Iraqi government. Other resolutions require that all proceeds from the sale of crude oil and natural gas are deposited in the fund.

http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-Oil/idUSTRE5BG4V020091217

This is taken directly from UN Resolution 1483 dated 22 May 2003. The full text is at http://www.iraqanalysis.org/info/343. 10. Decides that, with the exception of prohibitions related to the sale or supply to Iraq of arms and related materiel other than those arms and related materiel required by the Authority to serve the purposes of this and other related resolutions, all prohibitions related to trade with Iraq and the provision of financial or economic resources to Iraq established by resolution 661 (1990) and subsequent relevant resolutions, including resolution 778 (1992) of 2 October 1992, shall no longer apply;

It's a smart play on Maliki's part. With no HCL law in sight and the kurds challenging the validity of the auctions, this will keep the revenues flowing into the FDI for another 12 months under the watchful eyes of the UN. However, I don't believe it will affect an RV. I posted some time ago the UN resolution that lifted the economic sanctions against Iraq but no one paid any attention.

http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20091214053509/COSIT%3A%20Unemployment%2C%20poverty%20drop%20in%20Iraq

http://articlesofinterest-kelley.blogspot.com/2009/12/cbi-invests-part-of-it-foreign-cash.html

I believe what Mr. Al Uzri is referring to by bringing Iraqi capital back to Iraq is explained in the statement below. See link for full interview. Some Iraqi investors overseas are looking to invest in the banking sector. Do you expect to launch an initial public offering (IPO) soon? Iraqi investors repatriating their capital back into Iraq is a critical milestone in initiating investments in the country. A substantial amount of investment has already been used to finance the banking sector. As indicated earlier, the respective governments have acknowledged the strategic importance of the private sector and have privatised industries gradually as part of a long-term plan to bolster the sector and move away from a state-controlled economy. Within this strategy, it stands to reason that TBI will be reviewed for privatisation http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Hussein+Al+Uzri:+TBI's+chairman,+president+and+CEO.-a0209801070