The anti-war movement focuses far too much on the military occupation of Iraq. However, even if we begin to withdraw combat troops, privatization will continue to consume the oil-rich nation. Just look at the positive spin the Associated Press, via Yahoo! News, is giving this private occupation with a title like “US-backed plan sees shiny future for embattled Green Zone“. Shameful.

Forget the rocket attacks, concrete blast walls and lack of a sewer system. Now try to imagine luxury hotels, a shopping center and even condos in the heart of Baghdad.

That’s all part of a five-year development “dream list” — or what some dub an improbable fantasy — to transform the U.S.-protected Green Zone from a walled fortress into a centerpiece for Baghdad’s future.

But the $5 billion plan has the backing of the Pentagon and apparently the interest of some deep pockets in the world of international hotels and development, the lead military liaison for the project told The Associated Press.

This imperialist theft and exploitation is acknowledged quite honestly by Navy Captain Thomas Karnowski, who has already completed a deal with Marriott International Inc. The Captain states, “When you have $1 billion hanging out there and 1,000 employees lying around, you kind of want to know who your neighbors are. You want to influence what happens in your neighborhood over time.” Um, did the captain just say “your neighborhood,” implying permanent ownership of Baghdad to the United States? We are talking about another country still aren’t we?

This story was sent to me by Dutch Merrick, who had this to say about America’s efforts to “help” the Iraqis:

The corporatization of U.S. Defenses as begun by Don Rumsfeld (Nixon Secretary of Defense, CEO of the bankrupt GD Searle, the Guy that brought Cancer causing Aspartame into every household and the guy that outsourced every possible of our military might, turning it into a for-profit industry) has spread and is accelerating as our tax dollars are being spent on infrastructure for retail outlets in the most dangerous city on the planet, aka the Baghdad “Green zone”.

All just as the Iraqis have little or no water to drink, food to eat or peace of mind in their own home.

2.5 million+ Iraqis displaced.
1.3 million+ Iraqis Killed
60,000+ US service persons Wounded
4,000+ US Service volunteers Killed
5,000+ US contractors Killed
Countless civilian and military family lives left in ruin.