The Public Opinion Soapbox

Dave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 162

There are lots of theories about why we are in Iraq. I think most people know that WMDs was an excuse that is no longer valid. Sadam was not an imminent threat. There have been worse threats like North Korea, Libya, etc.

I believe we are in Iraq because of oil. The plan was not to steal oil but rather create uncertainty in the oil market.

If a hurricane is predicted in the gulf, the price of oil goes up becasue there might be a day or two of oil supply delays. Just think when one of the countries in the top 5 countries in oil reserves is at war.

Oil went from $18/bbl to over $60/bbl.

A nasty side effect is that not only were Bush's & Cheney's oil buddies making big money, Iran was also. Now they could fund a program to get themselves a nuke.

This didn't concern Bush & Co. because now they rattle their swords against Iran (another top 5 in oil reserves & oil production) and the price of oil is over $80/bbl.

Not being enough for the greedy bastards, they pick a fight with Russia, a top 10 in oil reserves and number 2 in oil production. Soon, we will be over $100/bbl.

Is it some coincidence that we concern ourselves only with oil countries?

The sad thing is that we can defeat Russia, Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, etc by just weaning ourselves from foreign oil. By conservng enough oil to drive the price back to where these countries fade back into irrelevance.

This is a war about oil & greed at the expense of our soldiers, treasure, and well being.

By the way, where is all that oil money from over a million bbls a day in Iraqi oil production?

AnonyMouse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 522

Thoughful analysis, Dave, as usual.

I'm not sure if I believe spiking oil prices was the primary motivator for war for Bush and Co. It's certainly a happy side-effect for them - rich enough that high prices don't pinch and any small pinch is offset by investments in the oil companies.

No, I don't think the neocons are that competent. Their focus is primarily getting and maintaining power simply for the sake of having power. They don't want to be elected to solve problems or help people - just to have a permanent majority.

Voters tend to go repub when there are issues of security and fear. Keeping the electorate afraid is the best way to ensure continued repub wins. There's no better way of doing that than starting a war and calling it a "war on terror." The "war on terror" will never end and they have a permanent platform.

Dave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 162

I do think going to war was a way to get more power. Perhaps, the war on terror didn't give him all he wanted.

Consider this, prior to becoming VP, Dick Cheney lobbied Clinton to get the sanctions lifted against Iran - so his company, Haliburton, could openly do business there. After this failed, some new legislation was passed permitting certain corporations to sell into Iran under certain conditions. Haliburton was doing bussiness in Iran through a subsidery based in the Carribean.

The US has the best oilfield technology in the world. You would think that this aspect would be included in any meaningful sanction against oilrich Iran. Yet, while we were paying Haliburton to feed our troops, etc in Iraq, Haliburton was still providing Iran with oilfield services to Iran up to April of this year. These services that help Iran produce oil from which the profits fund their nuclear program and whatever they are doing in Iraq.

All this while Bush & Cheney were running around beating their war drums & the axis of evil speak.
Where do their loyalties lie - to the US or to oil?

lwstepler · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

looks like nobody cares

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2569 Location: Chambersburg

Dave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 162

It seems like it is being more frequently reported about the correlation between our sabre-rattling against Iran & the price of oil. This is starting to come to life and more people will see it for what it is.

If you recall the last State of the Union, Bush said he was going to increase our national reserve of oil. This takes oil from the market & just that statement drove up oil prices.

It is all about the oil. What do you expect when you put oilmen in office?

This country's economy could boom with alternative engery business - if the government gave incentives (tax cuts) toward this aspect instead of oil companies. We could wean away from oil, drive Iran, Venezuela, Nigeria, Russia into obscurity, & help fix global warming at the same time. Why don't people get it?

AnonyMouse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 522

With the current administration, it's not about what's good for the country, but what's good for their own pockets and their cronies' pockets. It makes infinite sense to wean ourselves from oil by utilizing alternative energy sources - it's just not clear how the oil companies will make money off of it so the repubs aren't interested.

lwstepler - it's not that nobody cares - it's that everyone who comes and reads these posts essentially agrees with the logical conclusions stated here.

It's interesting that the POForum has been open for more than a week and the right-wing flame-throwers from the Haloscan forums haven't signed up. It seems like only reasonable people interested in a genuine discussion are involved here, which is a good thing. So far there has generally been a civilized exchange of ideas on all the topics here. But without the reactionary flamers to escalate discussion into name-calling and straw-man pseudo-arguments, there's certainly less drama here than on the Haloscan. It's refreshing, isn't it?

Mavis · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 74

I agree -- it certainly is refreshing. I suspect some would-be posters were put off by having to give a valid e-mail address.

lwstepler · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

My comment was "Looks like..." - I'm sure many do care, and some of you have spoken up and said so. Good!!! I thought when I made my response that there were no other responses at all after a few days. Hence, the comment "looks like...". Speaking of "looks like" - It looks like I missed a couple of responses that were already there?!?!

By the way, I doubt that there are any topics in the forums that we all reach exactly the same opinion about. If that were the case, why would we need forums?

Mavis - good point on the legitimate email. Don't you love those anonymous people who are not afraid to speak up!?!?!

Mavis · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 74

A whole week, and no one has called anybody else a moron!! Laughing

me · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 119

"It's interesting that the POForum has been open for more than a week and the right-wing flame-throwers from the Haloscan forums haven't signed up."

I luv being called that, it's neat!!!!!

And maybe none of have posted on this one as we think it's a moronic discussion!!! Rolling Eyes

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2569 Location: Chambersburg

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3043 Location: Chambersburg

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2569 Location: Chambersburg

I think just our discussion on sushi has scared off most local conservatives. Razz

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3043 Location: Chambersburg

Heehee heehee

Sings:

Fish Heads Fish Heads Roly Poly Fish Heads

Fish Heads Fish Heads Eat Them Up Yum! Very Happy

What? No Dr. Demento fans in the house?

Darn you, Coppy! I'm trying to present a calm front and here you go, inspiring the gremlins in my head!!
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Nevermind.