http://globalresearch.ca/articles/KHA501A.html

"As part of sweeping 'economic restructuring' implemented by the Bush Administration in Iraq, Iraqi farmers will no longer be permitted to save their seeds, which include seeds the Iraqis themselves have developed over hundreds of years. Instead, they will be forced to buy seeds from US corporations. That is because in recent years, transnational corporations have patented and now own many seed varieties originated or developed by indigenous peoples. In a short time, Iraq will be living under the new American credo: Pay Monsanto, or starve."



As if Halliburton's no-bid contracts - which have been used for wasteful, poor management - weren't proof enough of Bush/Blair's muderous imperialism, now Iraqi farmers aren't allowed to save the seeds from their own crops?!??!?! Who can possibly defend that?

And the seeds they have to buy are genetically modified, which is a whole other crime - but at least that is somewhat debatible.

Western civilization began because of the crops planted in between the Tigris and Euphrates thousands of years ago. Is this where Western Civ ends?

Fucked up. But it's been so fucked up w/ this Administration since the invasion and occupation of Iraq it's starting to become less and less shocking. So sad.

I'm guessing LW?

ok, i deserved that. but i meant something a bit different from how it sounds. i meant something like "western civ began in Mesopotamia, and now the war being fought there may bring it to its demise (or at least into another dark age)" i didn't mean planting GM seeds was going to do it.

"The US has been imposing patents on life around the world through trade deals. In this case, they invaded the country first, then imposed their patents. This is both immoral and unacceptable", said Shalini Bhutani, one of the report's authors.


Who knew the US invaded other countries??

thats democracy

Can't we just give them seeds? I can plant a whole garden with two dollars worth of seeds from Home Depot.

Ha, considering the state of Iraq, does anybody acutally think this is enforcable, or anyone is actually trying? "We can't keep terrorists off the streets, but the seed market is under our control. All unlicensed seed selling has been stopped, and the offenders arrested"

That's even funnier.

if biological or chemical warfare broke out, it wouldn't be too funny.



unless of course it was waged with laughing gas.

That would end western civilization?

I would love to know just what type of crops grow in the lush soils of Iraq?

I think the Tigris-Euphrates valleys have very good soils, but I could be mistaken.

Everybody knows that America grows all the food for the rest of the world. Its right there in the song. "....for amber waves of grain".

Are there any McDonalds in Iraq yet?

How long before American companies get cheap deals to build stores and strip malls in Iraq.

It's already begun.

Fast food comes to Iraq
April 21 2003

Basra: Fastfood giants Pizza Hut and Burger King have set up their first franchises inside war-torn Iraq, even as many aid convoys waited on the borders for the war to officially end.

The arrival of the two restaurants - sited inside giant trailers on a British military base near Basra - won a rapturous welcome from soldiers, whose limited range of rations lost their appeal many weeks ago.

But some officers were less keen on the new arrivals, which are due to start selling food tomorrow.

"I would prefer we got decent showers and toilets sorted out first," muttered one high-ranking officer.

Fastfood outlets are common in US bases, including Camp Doha in Kuwait, but it is believed to be the first time they have been sited inside a British military base.

Another officer, who was directly involved in the franchise process, said: "It's an Americanism, we usually have them off the base, but because it is still a war zone we have to give them protection."

Permission to open the restaurants was granted through the British Army and they will be run by existing franchise holders from Kuwait, with a percentage of any profits going to charity.

But soldiers waiting for a brewery franchise to be awarded are set for a disappointment as military chiefs have already vetoed any alcohol being sold on the base, which is home to almost 8000 British soldiers.

The Kuwaiti franchise holders provided staff and raw materials and the Army escorted them into Iraq, although it is understood it will not provide constant escorts for the supply runs.

A spokesman for the two restaurants, Atef Bassent, said: "I hope we will do good business here."

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/04/ ... 95239.html
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On June 20 of this year Popeyes Chicken opened their first store in Iraq.

That is gross.

So this is what it comes to. Bringing forth something that's ages old. The argument now? Seeds. Way to go. What shocking truths have been surfaced from this story. What's sadder, the fact that somebody was actually so emotionally attached to this to do a research paper on it? Or that somebody from this forum actually posted it.

This is stupid. When you guys post stupid news stories, this takes the cake.



This is the most worn out, dry, inane fodder that I've read yet. Hey, you forgot that the WAR WAS FOR OIL! Wasteful? Do you know the government gets out of the average KBR employee? Poor management? You know KBR management real well don't you. Imperialism? What? Substantiate that! You can't. That's the best part. All your set does is go around yelling crazy inane catch phrases like "imperialism" whenever it makes you feel good. Imperialism doesn't include a constitution. Imperialism doesn't include elections. Ugh. And oh my gosh. FARMERS CAN'T KEEP THEIR SEEDS! OH THE HUMANITY!

So tiresome. Why am I even wasting my time?

I'm not defending it. I'm saying you people need to get a hobby.





Yeah, that and they have huge farms out in the middle of the desert. It's like that in Kuwait and EAU too. When we traveled from the airport in Kuwait to the base, there were huge farm complexes miles from any water, in the middle of the desert. Barns with cattle, chickens, and other animals, and fields. It was rather bizarre. You see them when you fly over EAU too. They do the same thing in Iraq.

Are there any McDonalds in Iraq yet?

How long before American companies get cheap deals to build stores and strip malls in Iraq.

<Insert article>



Why is that gross? Ay-rabs can't have fast food?

You win!


Then again, he didn't really defend it. He just acted like it was no big deal.