Saddam at gallows

Headlines everywhere are broadcasting Saddam's execution. At dawn this morning, 30DEC06, Saddam was hanged. Many do not believe this will help the country of Iraq however. A car bomb already exploded this morning killing 34 people (article). I have found many articles related to the one stated above, but all have different numbers, anywhere from 17-44 deaths. Some say it was a car bomb, some saying it was a bus. Most are tying it to Saddam's execution, however some press reports say it has nothing in common. The bomb detonated in Kufa, 100 miles south of Baghdad. Everyone agrees on that. After a quick Google search execution videos are already starting to show up. Reports of a poor court trial occurred, because America was involved. In my opinion, it seems that the press, depending on where you are from, will glorify his death and make him a martyr, or confirm he was a sadistic dictator finally disposed of. In the following week we shall see its effect on the Iraqi people, as today started the holiest day for the muslim community.

Baghdad Butcher to be Executed

On Tuesday (26DEC06), Iraq's highest court rejected an appeal by Saddam against his conviction and death sentence for the killing of 148 Shiites in Dujail city in 1982. The court said the former dictator should be hanged within 30 days thus issuing Saddam Hussein's life a pink slip. Only two issues remain: should the US turn him over to the Iraqi government, and when should the knot be tied off? The second issues has been rumored to be as early as this weekend. The first however, is causing a bit of controversy. Some are saying that if Saddam gets handed over the the Iraqi government, it will cause a larger uproar and push towards a civil war. I can see how it would cause a lot of trouble, however I don't see it spawning a civil war. I mean, they are already in the midst of a civil war already. Don't get me wrong, I think that a civil war is needed, but it "began" a while ago according to press. I do think that if the US handed him over to the Iraqi's, that it would show the world that their military and government is capable of handling problems. This would be a good time to "show off" what they have learned. Saddam's expiration date article here.

Russia and her income

Russia is like the guy behind the curtain. They have a tendency to talk nice with the US when it benefits them, but they are still taking money and supporting those countries that defy America. Russia works very closely with Iran, supplying Nuclear technology, space plans and weapons. Since November when they were accepted into the United Nations, they have prolonged any sanctions on their Bushehr project in Iran. Russia seems to take advantage of every possible country they can. Last year, when Uzbekistan kicked the United States military out, Russians jumped in and signed an agreement moving their military in (article). Now they can use the Airbase in exchange for new navigation and air defense systems. Not a bad idea right? I mean, if I were the leader of a country, and wanted to put jets at a location, I would want that Air base to be well protected. It's a win-win situation. Of course, it will only be for "emergencies". Currently they also have the ability to use another air base in Kyrgyzstan, located directly north of China. That airbase is currently shared by the US as well.

Currently Russia seeks out its income by providing gas to other countries. This is currently a touchy subject due to the death of Niyazov, Turkmenistans leader. Niyazov reportedly died of a heart attack on December 21. This puts a damper on Russia because, Turkmenistan provided an estimated 40 billion cubic meters (bcm) this year in gas. The problem exists because Niyazov purged so many of the top ranks of Turkmenistan’s political leadership that he left behind no clear-cut successor. Normally, leadership would go to the Parliament chairman, however earlier this year, a criminal case was opened against the chairman, thus taking away his candidacy. Currently deputy prime minister, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, has assumed the provisional presidency. Turkmen political leaders, now living in exile in Western European states, are looking to return and push for radical change in Turkmenistan. If they ever succeeded, they could steer Turkmen energy exports away from Russia and toward Turkey and the European Union. Which of course, would really piss Russia off. (article) Turkmenistan is the largest natural-gas producer in Central Asia. Its hydrocarbon reserves are estimated at 81 billion barrels (11 billion tons) of crude and 5.5 trillion cubic meters of gas.

Russia is currently already charging some countries double for gas. Russian gas monopoly Gazprom said it would sell 1.1 billion cubic meters of gas to Georgia and raised prices to $235 per 1,000 cubic meters. Georgia needs 1.8 bcm a year. (article) Georgia currently pays $110. (stat)

So what would Russia due if they lost their investment in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan's Capital)? My guess is sell nuclear weapons to Iran, while trying to overtake small countries like Israel that have large amounts of oil reserves.

Iran Goes Nuclear

As of Dec 20th Iran is able to develop nuclear power plants. This doesn't mean that they can develop nuclear weapons, but they are certainly on that road. Iran has been working very closely with Russia, who has been gracious in haring important nuclear information. Russia has strategically allied with Iran for many reasons. Iran can pay big money to get what they want, and what they want is a strong defense, offense and nuclear program. Russia is willing to provide that to them. What Russia wants is to have a foot hold in the middle east, for cheaper energy resources. With Iran and Russia teaming up, a deadly duo has been formed.

Russia has supported Iran for a long time, including an agreement to build a nuclear power plant signed back in 1995. (article) Today, Russia says the UN needs to reexamine sanctions and give Iran more time before voting on such issues. Currently The Russian Federal Space Agency is assisting Iran with their Satellite "Zohre" also. Russians are awaiting more information on what equipment Iran wants put on it. It was supposed to launch in 2007, but is expected more around 2009 (article).

As I watched the news and different discussions in Washington, a common theme came across: Iran won't be able to make nuclear weapons for a long time, and we need to negotiate with Iran. This interested me because that is based on the assumption that Iran doesn't already have nuclear weapons. They don't need to be able to make the weapon, they just need to have it. With Russia assisting Iran as much as they are, by selling arms and technology, do we know if they have sold nuclear weapons already? We are fully aware that Russia has the capability, and we know they do not have problems in selling weapons. So who is to say whether Iran has them already or not.

This post, however choppy it is, is to get feedback on which is the lesser of two evils. Is Iran the one we need to be worried about more, or Russia?

God's Grace is Sufficient for me.

Recently a lot of things have been going on, and it has all come together quickly. On Thursday, a good friend of mine called to inform me that his grandmother passed away. His grandmother, whom I knew and met was a wonderful person. When he and I were in elementary, occasionally we would go to her home and eat lunch. I also knew her from church. anyway. Lately I have been struggling with unemployment, Christmas, and all those wonderful things about new homes and things to do around the house. Not that we NEED to fix or replace anything, we WANT to. We want to put in a sliding glass door for example. Needless to say, these things take money. At the funeral on Sat. near the end, a remark was made about a comment Grandma used to say. That comment was simply: God's grace is sufficient for me. So this morning (Sunday) as I was preparing for church, my mind was filled with things I would like to get done around the house. After each one I reminded myself, God's grace is sufficient for me. At service, our pastor spoke on humility. That we are to be like Christ, who "stepped down" from being omni-present so that He could be human and save the lives of those whom He cared for. He came to serve and die for us, so that we may experience eternal life with Him.
I guess this really just hit home to me because in life, we want to become recognized, important, and excel in our careers. We want promotions and advancements and recognition for what we do and have done to better our own lives. While this isn't all wrong, its not why we are here. We are here to serve. We are in the service of Christ, and need to serve Him and His purpose, not our own. Now that's not to say promotions are bad, however its better to be satisfied with a smaller paycheck that allows for family time and acts of servitude, than to be rich and not have time for the real reason we are here.

As for me and my home, we will serve the Lord, because God's grace is sufficient for me.

Sunni and Shiites

I have started reading a new book about the withdrawl from Iraq and the possible and probable problems that could cause. The big one in the book is that when the US liberated Iraq, no doubt it was a good thing, however that created the shia's to voice their political and social views. Iraq and most of the middle east is of the Sunni population. (If your not familiar with the difference, as I was a few days ago, think of it like this: during slavery days there were the African-Americans and the "whites". Im not going to get into a big deal about this, so just listen. The Sunni's would be considered the "whites" and the Shiites would have been the African-Americans. I am not sure of the degree of intensity, however they are not fans of each other due to their differing practices of Islam. So Iraq was a total Sunni country, that oppressed the Shiites. Now the Shiites have the ability to do near all things, like celebrate how they view Islam differently. This brings into the picture a totally different take on things, and this is why were are seeing the breakout of a civil war. Civil war is not always a bad thing, sometimes it has to be done to proceed. This civil war however, could not only effect Iraq, but the entire middle east due to the out look of Shiites abroad.

More to come as I continue to read.