RE: http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,166402,00.html

I suspect that Oliver North has been given a contract to represent the interests of one or more of the parties involved. Otherwise his sudden concern for this aspect of the GWOT makes no sense to me.

Actually...( I hate statements that begin with "actually") If cell phone capability were destroyed in Iraq, that might be a good thing. They're used to arm IEDs so I can't see the insurgency really trying to eliminate them. And if they do? Issue the Iraqi govt. officials and allied shieks sat-phones.
Something tells me the military has found a way to exploit or counter cell phone detonators if the insurgents have started to target the cell phone system.

What? Iraq is a sovereign country? Has it's own government? Supposed to manage it's own commerce? When did this happen?

It would seem that LtCol North has given us a pretty complete background and discussion of a pending problem in Iraq. A public call for action might be just what the doctor called for.

My wife would tell you that there are only three things that motivate government officials: money, fear, and embarrassment. Whatever it takes - communications is vital to a thriving economy.

It seems to me that Oliver North is a convicted Felon, and a proven Liar. He is therefore not FIT to call himself a Marine, let alone a journalist.

quote:

Whatever it takes - communications is vital to a thriving economy.

Whose economy? If you mean IRAQ'S, I'd sure like to know just what your definition of "Thriving" means.

I could give a hoot in Hell whether or not Johnny G.I. has a cell phone to use that is on an unregulated and unprotected PUBLIC communications system in IRAQ. Besides, we have secure Satellite up-links for vital defense traffic AND cell communications for all our top commanders. Cell-phone / schmell-phone.

How about whether or not the citizens of this country can buy enough food and energy to drive OUR economy, and then, maybe we can worry about IRAQ'S cell phone towers.

Thank you Weather

Remember: Judge Gesell dismissed all charges against North on September 16, 1991, after hearings on the immunity issue, on the motion of the independent counsel. Essentially, North's convictions were overturned because he had been granted limited immunity for his Congressional testimony, and the prosecution had made improper use of this testimony during the trial -- a violation of fifth amendment rights.
Watch what you say about a RETIRED WAR HERO.
Keep the personal inults to yourself and stay on track with the subject at hand.

One more note:
In an area like Iraq, the roads are few and there are wide open spaces.
Growing businesses need these communications to continue to operate.
Yes we do have SATCOM and SIPERNET, but that’s for military operations, not for civilian use.
If you have never heard of those two things then you won’t understand.
Can you imagine what this country would be like without cell phones? Oh I know you’d like to say that we don’t need them or that we could do without them but that isn’t true. Our economy would collapse without this technology. For that country to have a chance it needs this technology.
It doesn’t matter if the Marine, Sailor, Soldier or Airman have one.
That’s not the point.

quote:

Originally posted by Weatherguesser:
It seems to me that Oliver North is a convicted Felon, and a proven Liar. He is therefore not FIT to call himself a Marine, let alone a journalist.

quote:

Whatever it takes - communications is vital to a thriving economy.

Whose economy? If you mean IRAQ'S, I'd sure like to know just what your definition of "Thriving" means.

I could give a hoot in Hell whether or not Johnny G.I. has a cell phone to use that is on an unregulated and unprotected PUBLIC communications system in IRAQ. Besides, we have secure Satellite up-links for vital defense traffic AND cell communications for all our top commanders. Cell-phone / schmell-phone.

How about whether or not the citizens of this country can buy enough food and energy to drive OUR economy, and then, maybe we can worry about IRAQ'S cell phone towers.

First off, your comment about Lt. Col North being a marine has absolutely nothing to do with the topic of discussion. Second, I would bet the cost of using local cellular service is much smaller compared with satcom's for the entire military in Iraq. With less being spent on communications where it is effective would mean less in money being used to finance the war.

Zain is a big company. Zain has billions. Money talks. If O.N. wants to write a memo to Crocker, fine. But this is a waste of op-ed space.

North is a convicted felon--fact. North took money for personal use in both a Swiss Bank account and a security fence--fact. The facts of history are tough on North--deal with it. North certainly earned his disreputable reputation by violating multiple laws across a very wide spectrum. Certainly his convictions were overturned, BECAUSE HE ADMITTED TO HIS CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, as part of a deal, it doesn't excuse his conduct---hello. North ultimately forgot the very oath some of us took to defend this great Nation AND uphold its laws--its not a pick and choose proposition BOTH are required. If someone violates that oath to me that is traitorous conduct, period. Some people think North should not be held responsible, but yet in the same breath they want people on welfare to be held responsible--illogical at best.

Isn't North's post an utter display of sheer corporatism at it's worse? Things in Iraq are so "great" we can debate this flaccid cellular contract in this piece that is truly a brazen cellular ad? Wow, I thought we all had bigger fish to fry and weighty ideals to debate upon.

This brings an update to the classic Shakespeare quote, "My Kingdom For a Cell Phone." These new rules of the forum are equally pathetic and simply dumb down the debate. So North and his neo con bruthas can attack and we cannot? Utter hypocrisy or is North going to be required to ask his ghostwriters to issue civil commentary?

The way I look at it, for some the truth is troublesome and they want to control it and filter it, how weak is that? Apparently the President's approval ratings are akin to a deep diving sub is that "bashing" the President because it is a fact? Hilarious.

All, in all the dumbing down of America is now complete, for now, in the face of the most largest unmitigated disaster in American foreign and military policy, in a place where we average the loss of nearly two brave Americans a day, an act that reverberates like waves on a vast ocean spread across our beloved Nation touching their loved ones and friends---we kevetch about---Iraqi cell phones? Thanks for lowering the bar.

Judge Gesell dismissed all charges against North on September 16, 1991, after hearings on the immunity issue, on the motion of the independent counsel. Essentially, North's convictions were overturned because he had been granted limited immunity for his Congressional testimony, and the prosecution had made improper use of this testimony during the trial -- a violation of fifth amendment rights.

I guess information like this means nothing to some people.
NUFF SAID!

Some people apparently cannot differentiate violating the Oath of Office with cutting a deal with the prosecutor, two wholly different propositions. Certainly you can cut a deal to your dark heart's content, but it doesn't erase the putrid stench of your traitorious conduct.

In effect what you are proposing is that it is ok to violate your oath of office, so long as you get a judge to sign off on it? This one:

The Marine Officer Oath of Office

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

Sell silly elsewhere Now one can say "Nuff Said," for anyone advocating or sanctioning violating this oath is my mortal enemy and I will do my upmost to keep the sword of truth pressed ever so hard against their turncoat face. G'day!