BUSHCO'S BILLION DOLLAR BAGHDAD BUNKER ...

Happy new year.

Welcome to This Old Brit's 2006 premier-opening piece, of what he hopes may prove to be a permanent - albeit periodically published - series of " W.T.F ? " pieces.

And what better way could he start such a series with a bang --- than by blowing the blooming lid off --- the building of BUSHCO'S BILLION DOLLAR BUNKER, IN BAGHDAD ?

Today in the UK, the 'Mirror' ran an extemely enlightening exclusive. Here are their own hard hitting headers.

3 January 2006

EXCLUSIVE: BILLION DOLLAR BUNKER

EXCLUSIVE - U.S.plans Baghdad embassy more secure than Pentagon

By Chris Hughes Security Correspondent

AMERICA is to spend $1 billion on an embassy in Baghdad "more secure than the Pentagon".

Must be a bloody big bunker, at that price, eh? Well, wouldn't you say?

Plans for the hi-tech complex are being kept secret because of the terrorist threat in Iraq.

Er, ahem .... cough, cough .... shouldn't that be worded 'they were being' ? 'Cos you know, like, some of those smart arse, evil sob-spies may have already read this morning's Mirror.

Awrh, whatever. That was then.

This is today - and this is The Mirror - and this is This Old Brit.

Let's call it team spirit, eh ? Okay ? Then let's read right on.

The exact location is not being released until later this year but it is likely to be built in the heavily fortified Green Zone area where the Iraqi government and US military command is based.

The embassy will be guarded by 15ft blast walls and ground-to-air missiles and the main building will have bunkers for use during air offensives.

Got your W.T.F. factor flowing yet ? Got the time to take in another 'teaser'?

The US also wants to build four massive military superbases around Iraq's capital.

The plans will fuel speculation they want to keep a firm foothold in Iraq for many years.

An Iraqi security source said last night: "The plans for the embassy building will make it the largest and best protected diplomatic building overseas for the US.

Feeling fired up, so far ?

Okay, fine. Here's your final taster.

"Plans for four superbases across the country will only reinforce the view that the US is here to stay for the duration."

The move comes despite Donald Rumsfeld revealing last week that US troop numbers in Iraq are to be reduced by 7,000 to 153,000.

Eh? Huh? I beg your pardon? Excuse me ?

W.T.F ?

Alright, already.

Run right over to the Mirror to read the rest yourself.

Here's the link: Bushco's Billion Dollar Baghdad Bunker.