What we're helping to build in Iraq

This made me super mad. I watch tons of cable news and I have to hear endlessly about Obama's bowling score and other pointless crap, but I never heard ONE WORD about this on any show purportedly devoted to "real" news. Basically, the upcoming provincial elections in Basra (where 90% of Iraq's oil comes from) are being manipulated to ensure a victory by Shiite candidates who will facilitate, are you ready for it, unfettered investment by foreign oil companies. So what, you say. Well, the local population is getting pretty disgusted because despite all this political maneuvering, they still have no decent sewage service or garbage collection. It's well worth listening to this 5 minute report.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91054789

Morning Edition
June 2, 2008
Political Squabbling Stalls Elections in Iraq
by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro
Provincial elections are expected to take place this fall in Iraq, and nowhere is more contested than Basra. The oil port city is considered a major prize by many political parties. The recent Iraqi Army offensive in Basra, which was ordered by the government, has had political ramifications. Rival parties like the Sadrists accuse the Iraqi prime minister of using the fight in Basra for political gain.