1. drewster said...

This article was originally published in the Times, but it's behind a pay-wall now, hence the alternative link. Given that Britain is likely to be in economic stagnation for the next few years, would it be wise to head out to somewhere like Kurdistan to make one's fortune? This article has certainly given me pause for thought. There's no reason why I shouldn't head out there and give it a shot. I'd really value your opinions.

3. montesquieu said...

Personally I'd rather not have my head cut off with a blunt saw off by a bunch of nutters, thanks.

The reason the Brits keep out is not lack of entrepreneurial wit, it's self-preservation.

After what our Government is it any surprise we don't feel safe there.

Steer well clear.

5. drewster said...

10years,

I don't know about the Iraqis, but the Kurds are quite fond of us Brits. We proposed the early-1990s no-fly zone over the Kurdish region of Iraq, which stopped Saddam Hussein bombing them. Then we got rid of Saddam altogether. The Kurdish region is essentially an autonomous province now.

7. paul said...

I'm sure you could make an absolute killing there. People are dying to be a part of the action.

9. quiet guy said...

Drewster,

I know nothing about Kurdistan so no help from me but I suggest that you register with Simon Black's http://www.sovereignman.com/ blog if you are thinking of looking for opportunities abroad.

11. Kenny Dalglish said...

It appears that many on these boards are utterly bereft of any sort of moral compass. As stated earlier, making money on the back of an illegal war that has caused the deaths of up to 1 million people, to some is self-evidently repellant. So no, I don't have any "opinion" to give you, your socio-pathic tendencies and base line greed would probably tune out anything other than what you wanted to hear. Shame you missed ou on Cambodia in the 70's or Rwanda in the 90's, apparantly their was oodles of money to be made.

13. rumble said...

Interesting, if a bit exciting. Wouldn't know where to start there. Looks backward, but they have broadband. Watched "There will be Blood" the other night, good film, but don't think it qualifies me to start oil prospecting. Battling to find places to rent...

15. watching with amusement said...

The article is written by Lord Jeffrey Archer. From what I've heard, you can't trust a word he says (and yet Murdoch expects people to pay to read his musings...)

17. titaniccaptain said...

@Charlie Brooker

"What's farsi for ponzi?" They don't speak farsi in Iraq.....farsi is the Persian (Iranian) language....but in the new Mahmoud Ahmadinejad special edition dictionary the farsi word for 'ponzi' is 'Israel'....'Israel' is also farsi word for 'enemy', 'bombable', 'that place soon to be nuked' and 'oooww look I think that's mine'.

But speaking of Iran this is a song that's going viral for all Iranians and is the new anthem for the Iranian protesters....they had the thumbs up from Pink Floyd's Roger Waters to release the song and I think put in context of the the Iranian protesters the song is very powerful and makes me want to go out to Iran and stand next to those brave kids.....and if I did not have a young family and was less of a coward i would be over there now.

If the UK and American problem with the current Iranian regime was the leadership then that leadership could be disposed with over night by our special forces.....just the same could be said of Saddam.

So why did/will so many innocent people have to die?



As for Iraq I second Novice Pete's comments.....My Iranian cousin and his Iraqi wife can over for food and drinks the other day and I can assure all of you that even though everyone hated Saddam the real hatred is towards the US and Britain......unlike here everyone there knows the real reason for the invasion of Iraq.

Anyone out there profiteering on the devastation of a country (the Iraqi perception of Westerners that are getting rich in Iraq whilst the locals face severe hardships) who finds themselves on the wrong end of a rusty blunt knife should not be surprised.......amazing what a man will do after he has watched members of his family blown to shreds and country destroyed.

We have all been taxed and paid for the bombs and bullets that have killed innocent people all in the name of freedom......and the Iraqi people are more than aware of that.

DON'T listen to what the British press has to say about the Iraqi people's view of us here in the Britain....
.
I actually looked at my toddler Iraqi nephews playing in my garden with my daughter and thought.......my taxes could have paid for your death.

A very sobering moment.....

Back to Drewster's predicament......

Don't do it Drewster....your a good bloke and the word on the ground there (according to my cousin's wife who works for the press association) is stay clear.

Iran right now has greater influence over Iraq than the Americans....and when the invasion of Iran takes place you can expect that influence to target foreign nationals in Iraq.

Kurdistan at that point will also be a target because it is a well known safe haven for 'Westerners'.........

19. rumble said...

The flexi-laws ("anti-terror") will be useful for gov. Would the UK join the US for an Iranian war? What's the attitude toward other Euro countries?

21. titaniccaptain said...

@Rumble

"Would the UK join the US for an Iranian war?".....Yes but not until an excuse/reason is orchestrated....."Orchestrated? your being paranoid now man....please confine your opinions to some lunatic site" I hear you cry.......in reply I will puff out my chest and man boobs and say NO...the words 'Destruction', 'Weapons' and 'Of' spring to mind and a certain Dr David Kelly....I am in close contact to a Dr and MP who are investigating his death.......it stinks and if any of you believe that he killed himself then its time to eat more green veg and increase your daily intake of knowledge.

"What's the attitude toward other Euro countries?"........I like the food lol

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25. Rental John said...

Great cartoon you spotted quiet guy.....sums things up spot on.....

The Times article is by 'Lord Jeffery Archer'....enough said!!!!

27. titaniccaptain said...

My pleasure Drewster......

Its just such a shame that a very (and I mean VERY..... I have met Drewster) bright young chap such as yourself cannot have his talents realised here in the UK.....If there are any persons here on this site looking for bright young talent then you would do far worse than giving this lad an opportunity within your company (And I don't mean an office clerk position...this man is director material)....a gentleman with a level of discernment that is rare these days and probably one of the best posters on this site....FACT.

If I were in such a position I would employ him (There goes all your credibility Drewster lol).....

Drewster if your looking for opportunities that the United Comedown cannot offer I would look towards the Nordic countries for a number of reasons.

....I will elaborate on this in future posts....