 Wednesday, May 8, 2002
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Are you happier today than you were four years ago? Ten years ago? Do you feel safer? Do you feel more secure? Are you better paid? Are your childrens' futures brighter?
What's it all about, Alfie ?
Who's Buying Oil ?
The U.S. military typically buys between 100 million and 180 million barrels of petroleum each year, including jet fuel, gasoline, and diesel, and spends between $3 and $4.5 billion, depending on market prices, according to DESC records between 1990 and 2000.
The U.S. Department of Defence says it is seeking an extra 1.4 million barrels of marine diesel fuel for bases in the Middle East, continuing a rate of military fuel purchases for the region not seen since the Persian Gulf war.
The supplemental tender for F76 grade marine diesel fuel calls for the barrels to be delivered to the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, Star Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates, and Guam in the Western Pacific between July 1 and Dec 31.
The solicitation last week comes after the Pentagon already purchased 7.4 million barrels of fuel above and beyond normal contracts for its Mideast bases over the past four months, according to the Defence Energy Support Center, the DOD's fuel buying wing.
This rate of fuel buying from the world's largest single purchaser of petroleum mimics emergency buys made after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990 and dwarfs supplemental purchases during the NATO air war against Serbia in 1999.
The U.S. military's big appetite for oil, which has underpinned strong petroleum prices in recent weeks, has intensified speculation that the United States may broaden its fight against terrorism beyond Afghanistan, possibly to Iraq, as tensions continue to boil in the region.
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE--New York: April 15, 2002
Special Ops Is Expanding
The Special Operations Command (SOCOM) will receive least $3.4 billion in new funding within the next 5 years. SOCOM does many black operations, so its real budget over that time period may be double that. Much of this money is to be used for aircraft and equipment upgrades to achieve silent operations. SOCOM regularly trains with black helicopters installed with special rotors that are nearly silent in operation. They also have specialized engine noise suppressers. I have personally interviewed military contacts who have witnessed these helicopters in operations. They only train at night in remote areas and react with a high degree of hostility to any civilians caught observing or tracking their movements. This very large increase in the special operations budget is an ominous sign that Bush intends to continue using covert special forces to intervene around the world in furtherance of US global policies.
Jopel Skousen Newsletter
