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The US have used Mk-77 within Iraq during the war. This has been repeated time and again, the current compound used in the Mk-77 is in every respect “Napalm”, except in its basic chemical structure… it characteristics, delivery methods and results are identical to “Napalm”, the use of which against civilians was banned by the UN in 1980, though characteristically the US never signed the convention putting it outside the mandate.

We napalmed both those [bridge] approaches, said Colonel James Alles, commander of Marine Air Group 11. Unfortunately there were people there … you could see them in the [cockpit] video. They were Iraqi soldiers. It’s no great way to die. The generals love napalm. It has a big psychological effect.
Source: High Country Citizens for Peace and Justice

Source: Federation of American Scientists

The MK-77 is a napalm canister munition. The MK77 familiy is an evolution of the incendiary bombs M-47 and M-74, used during the conflict in Korea and the war in Vietnam. Napalm is an incendiary mixture of benzene, gasoline and polystyrene. The Marine Corps dropped all of the approximately 500 MK-77s used in the Gulf War. They were delivered primarily by the AV-8 Harriers from relatively low altitudes. MK-77s were used to ignite the Iraqis oil-filled fire trenches, which were part of barriers constructed in southern Kuwait.

The containers of napalm bomber are very light and fabricated of aluminum, with a capacity for about 75 gallons of combustible gel. They lack stabilizing fins, and consequently acquire a tumbling motion on being dropped that contributes to the scattering of the combustible gel over a wide area.

While the MK-77 is the only incendiary munition currently in active inventory, a variety of other incendiary devices were produced, including the M-47 Napalm bomb, the M-74 incendiary bomb, and white phosphorous and munitions manufacturing.

Source: GlobalSecurity.org

WP is a colorless to yellow translucent wax-like substance with a pungent, garlic-like smell. The form used by the military is highly energetic (active) and ignites once it is exposed to oxygen. White phosphorus is a pyrophoric material, that is, it is spontaneously flammable).

When exposed to air, it spontaneously ignites and is oxidized rapidly to phosphorus pentoxide. Such heat is produced by this reaction that the element bursts into a yellow flame and produces a dense white smoke. Phosphorus also becomes luminous in the dark, and this property is conveyed to “tracer bullets.” This chemical reaction continues until either all the material is consumed or the element is deprived of oxygen. Up to 15 percent of the WP remains within the charred wedge and can reignite if the felt is crushed and the unburned WP is exposed to the atmosphere.

White phosphorus results in painful chemical burn injuries. The resultant burn typically appears as a necrotic area with a yellowish color and characteristic garliclike odor. White phosphorus is highly lipid soluble and as such, is believed to have rapid dermal penetration once particles are embedded under the skin. Because of its enhanced lipid solubility, many have believed that these injuries result in delayed wound healing. This has not been well studied; therefore, all that can be stated is that white phosphorus burns represent a small subsegment of chemical burns, all of which typically result in delayed wound healing.

Incandescent particles of WP may produce extensive burns. Phosphorus burns on the skin are deep and painful; a firm eschar is produced and is surrounded by vesiculation. The burns usually are multiple, deep, and variable in size. The solid in the eye produces severe injury. The particles continue to burn unless deprived of atmospheric oxygen. Contact with these particles can cause local burns. These weapons are particularly nasty because white phosphorus continues to burn until it disappears. If service members are hit by pieces of white phosphorus, it could burn right down to the bone. Burns usually are limited to areas of exposed skin (upper extremities, face). Burns frequently are second and third degree because of the rapid ignition and highly lipophilic properties of white phosphorus.

. . .

White Phosphorus (WP) creates a smoke screen as it burns. Phosphorus smokes are generated by a variety of munitions. Some of these munitions such as the M825 (155-mm round) may, on explosion, distribute particles of incompletely oxidized white phosphorus.

. . .

The White Phosphorus flame produces a hot, dense white smoke composed of particles of phosphorus pentoxide, which are converted by moist air into phosphoric acid. This acid, depending on concentration and duration of exposure, may produce a variety of topically irritative injuries.

. . .

White phosphorus fume can cause severe eye irritation with blepharospasm, photophobia, and lacrimation. Irritation of the eyes and irritation of the mucous membranes are the most commonly seen injuries. These complaints remit spontaneously with the soldier’s removal from the exposure site. The WP smoke irritates the eyes and nose in moderate concentrations. With intense exposures, a very explosive cough may occur, which renders gas mask adjustment difficult. There are no reported deaths resulting from exposure to phosphorus smokes.

BBC

Alcides Rivero, who works here as a maintenance electrician, says co-management means that for the first time in this company’s 37 years of existence, the workforce has control.

“It’s us, the workers”, he says, “who decide on questions of production and technology, and it’s us who elect who will be our managers.”

Sometimes he may be off colour (no pun intended)…

But, frankly, I find the man to be seriously smart…

When he’s not over doing it… even when he’s “preaching”, he can be a pleasure to listen to and can bring on a righteous rage…

Anyone that can spur on thought at this level is a valuable member of a society.

“I’m not afraid of socialism and never have been,” said Rivas Silvino, who works in a diaper factory run by workers and managers under a state co-management plan. “The world is afraid. I say, don’t be afraid.”

–Venezuelan worker, Rivas Silvino

Source: zNet

And ya ain’t done nothing
if ya ain’t been called a Red.
If you marched or agitated,
then you’re bound to hear it said.
So you might as well ignore it
or love the word instead.
Cuz ya ain’t been doing nothing
if ya ain’t been called a Red.

Source: Songs from the Little Red Songbook

Since the Great October Socialist Revolution!

All Glory and Honour to the patriotic men and women that fought and died in the hopes of a glorious future for the workers and peasants of Russia.

Remember, Remember
The Fifth Of November
Gunpowder, Treason and plot

We see no reason
Why gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot

Guy Fawkes, Guy
With his lantern so sly
Got into parliament house.

Please be patient while I design the blog page.