Low Earth Orbit

Oh, Canada!

[source, source]

CANADA is facing a huge bill for the operation to save their ill-fated submarine Chicoutimi, which was stricken by a fatal fire on board days after it was purchased from the Ministry of Defence.

British ministers have revealed that they are considering charging the Canadians a six-figure sum for the concerted effort to recover the vessel following the fire, off the coast of Ireland, which claimed a sailor’s life. [emphasis added]

Less than $1M is considered a “huge” bill? We spend more than that on single rounds of ammunition. This shows two important things

• It’s not the high tech but the ability to afford the high tech. This is basis for Lou Gots comment about the end of history.
• The massive neglect and indifference Canada has shown its once proud military. It’s hard to imagine now, but Canada used to be a significant nation with a powerful army and navy. Now it’s rusted subs, crashing helicopters and soldiers who get driven out for aiding allies.

UN-corruptable

[source, source]

The UN Secretary General has dismissed allegations that France and Russia might have been willing to ease sanctions on Iraq in return for oil.

Kofi Annan told the Jonathan Dimbleby programme on British TV channel ITV1 the claims were “inconceivable”.

“These are very serious and important governments. You are not dealing with banana republics,” he added.

Isn’t it a standard critique of the West that it engages in precisely this kind of political meddling in order to “steal” the wealth of the rest of the planet, the West obviously being incapable of becoming rich without stealing? Can I use this line the next time the USA is accused of going to war for oil?