The Great Plains International Trade Corridor

The Great Plains International Trade Corridor is strategically located
to increase economic efficiency by connecting regional trade centers
through the Great Plains from Canada to Mexico.
Ports-to-Plains, Heartland Expressway and Theodore Roosevelt
Expressway, designated United States High Priority Transportation
Corridors, form the infrastructure of growing domestic and international
trade, energy and travel opportunities.
These connections are taking advantage of new opportunities created
by the expanding significance of north/south trade in relation to the
historical east/west patterns. The Great Plains International Conference
is bringing together both the business and government sectors to
increase awareness of the corridor and increase economic activity

The Ports to Plains Trade Corridor reflects the growing need for a north-south axes of communication and commerce for the North American Continent.  Planning for this conduit says a great deal about what some of the movers and shakers of the continent believe will be the future of our culture. 
Tags: The Great Plains International Trade Corridor

Powered by Qumana

Security Contractors in Iraq

A PROFILE OF CONTRACTORS

Private security firms in Iraq: More than 100, including about 30 domestic companies.

Employees: From 30,000 to 48,000. About 10 per cent come from the US and other Western countries, about 30 per cent from non-Western countries and the rest from Iraq.

Serving: Diplomats, aid workers, journalists, reconstruction workers and others of the estimated 160,000 foreign civilians working in Iraq.

Origin: Most American security contractors come from the US military and are often former special operations forces with specialised skills in intelligence gathering, communications, evasive manoeuvres and small-arms combat operations.

Pay:  Iraqis with basic skills are paid several hundred US dollars a month; highly capable employees from countries such as India and Nepal earn between $US2000 ($2300) and $US3000 a month. Former special operations forces from the US, Britain, Australia and other Western countries can earn as much as $US18,000 a month.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/beware-of-the-protectors/2007/09/21/1189881777362.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap4

Tags: Iraq, Blackwater, Private Security

I find private security forces such as Blackwater one of the most distasteful elements of the Iraqi War.  The fact that they operate completely outside the confines of the law makes their existance even more intolerable.  The money that these firms receive is part of the excessive cost of this war.  Ken Burns said that WWII cost the US 3 trillion dollars in current money.  At that rate, Iraq has cost 25 pct as much.  Where did all the money go? 

Powered by Qumana