Comments on: Big Oil on Trial For 1995 Nigerian Executions

By: Lloyd

Lloyd — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:58:30 +0000

I’m going to use that one, Max: If you don’t understand what makes the rich rich, you can never understand what makes the poor poor.

By: Max Shields

Max Shields — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:40:33 +0000

Once again, DB re-frames the issues. While oil may be the underlying (“complicit”) motive in this case, the real point is what a careful study of conflict and war reveals. Nearly all wars and conflict has as root cause resources of one sort or another. Whether it is water, land for food, copper/fossile/gold, accessibility to other resources, these conflicts some of which become full fledged wars, have given birth to imperialism and hegemony.

At bottom, it is about control, controlling access and the control of use. All poverty (as defined by the incapacity to provide daily sustenance) and all wealth is derived from who controls natural resources. This is not immaterial, DB. This is the central issue to most human problems along with the mis-use of these natural resources which are the basis for all live on the planet.

Chomsky is not the issue. He’s certainly not the issue with regards to this case, nor the estute article by Glen Ford. Ford and a number of the writers at Black Agenda Report have some of the most perceptive essays on North and South (whether in or outside the US).

When you don’t understand what makes the rich rich, you can never understand what makes the poor poor. Ford understands.

By: Lloyd

Lloyd — Fri, 29 May 2009 11:55:08 +0000

Thank you, DV, for providing another excellent article-radio report about Africa by Glen Ford. Along with Keith Harmon Snow and his website, All Things Pass, Glen and his website Black Agenda Report provide vital information about the politics of Africa.

By: Hue Longer

Hue Longer — Fri, 29 May 2009 10:46:36 +0000

DB,

Please tell me you are kidding!

Zionism can’t be fit in so you call it Chompskyite propaganda to divert attention?! If you won’t familiarize yourself with the case, at least go further with your strange line and find angles to support Zionism having a hand in it; surely you can manufacture a case for oil companies being controlled by their shadow? ANYTHING but give credit to Julius who thinks SHELL is just a punter at the race enjoying the outcome of its disinterested bet.

By: Deadbeat

Deadbeat — Fri, 29 May 2009 10:00:46 +0000

I’m not familar with the case here but I do have some suspicion since the “Left” is given this a lot of focus and that Antonia Juhasz was seen this week on Democracy Now! The “Left” has been putting out propaganda shifting all ills in the world to the oil company. It was a line that was put out especially as a way to obscure the influence of Zionism in the war on Iraq. Clearly the lawsuit helps to advance this line of Chomskyite thinking and propaganda. It lead me to think that the previous poster may be raising a very good reason to take a closer look and analysis of the issue.

By: Julius N'Sama

Julius N'Sama — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:58:50 +0000

Neocolonialists? Stop placing the blame on Shell. They are a minority owner in the Nigerian projects and did not hire the assassins. Blame the Nigerian government. Go there, see Abuja, see NNPC, see the hummers and castles that the leaders have gotten through the oil money. Shell is not to blame here. The Nigerian government is tremendously powerful and fully responsible. Wake up, for the love of humanity.