Iraq: U.S. definitely was NOT out for oil.

[gloomyDAY]

Why? Well American companies just got spanked by Russia and China for the rights to suck out some oil from Iraq. I just find it sad and really demoralizing that two nations that were strictly opposed to the war in Iraq now control Iraq's oil output for the next 2 decades.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/2009121...08599194878700

U.S. government is still providing security for Iraq. Not only are America's competitors being protected by American armed forces, but they are being given a hand up and will inevitable gain all the profits. Unbelievable!

[SportscarBruce]

I share your gloomy assessment.

Think about it. We send our young to fight in a foreign land, our global competitors reap the spoils, and he or she returns home to find a nation trillions of dollars in debt and stripped bare of maufacturing jobs .

[Hondo]

This thread will die fast because the vast majority of people here don't want to believe that the USA and her allies went to war to remove a dangerous dictator from power and to give the population a legitimate shot at democratic self rule under a code of laws.

Unfortunately, it would appear that not too much research was done on how well the Iraqi population would behave itself without a strong, central figure threatening them. It seems similar to giving a whole bunch of guns to a whole bunch of chimps.

[janvanvurpa]

Why? Well American companies just got spanked by Russia and China for the rights to suck out some oil from Iraq. I just find it sad and really demoralizing that two nations that were strictly opposed to the war in Iraq now control Iraq's oil output for the next 2 decades.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/2009121...08599194878700

U.S. government is still providing security for Iraq. Not only are America's competitors being protected by American armed forces, but they are being given a hand up and will inevitable gain all the profits. Unbelievable!

Clearly you never read Joseph Heller's amazing book of WWII wheeling and dealing "Catch 22".
Do it.

[Mark in Oshawa]

All I know is when the war was "Bush wants Cheap oil", the price spiked. When the war was to feed profits to the oil companies, the price then was going down. Now it is apparent that the oil companies based in the US are not going to be the winners. So Bush's little adventure there now appears to be what he claimed it was: A fight to rid the world of a threat (even if you and I may disagree on that) and someone who was flaunting and ignoring UN sanctions and dictates as the conditions for ending the first Gulf War. What is more, the US fought to give Iraq a chance to chart a new course, and it appears it isn't a US puppet. I guess the critics will have a heck of a time with this one....

[Tomi]

Its not that simple, the war has been going on for years now, and Iraq has been exporting oil all the time, one condition UN did have to get involved in Iraq was that the oil export figures (amount and prices) and to where, was to be published every year, sofar no such figures has been published, for some reason.

[ShiftingGears]

This thread will die fast because the vast majority of people here don't want to believe that the USA and her allies went to war to remove a dangerous dictator from power and to give the population a legitimate shot at democratic self rule under a code of laws.

Unfortunately, it would appear that not too much research was done on how well the Iraqi population would behave itself without a strong, central figure threatening them. It seems similar to giving a whole bunch of guns to a whole bunch of chimps.

I am inclined to agree with you. I get the impression that forcing democracy in places like Iraq is akin to trying to make a square peg fit a round hole.

[anthonyvop]

Clearly you never read Joseph Heller's amazing book of WWII wheeling and dealing "Catch 22".
Do it.

You realize that Catch 22 is FICTION don't you?

[markabilly]

WTF

Our guys die so fing russkies and chinese can get fing rich and control more world supply

[Mark in Oshawa]

I am inclined to agree with you. I get the impression that forcing democracy in places like Iraq is akin to trying to make a square peg fit a round hole.

At least now that is their choice. It was offered to them, and last I looked, they have had two elections, and their President is still elected. What is more, most observers said it was a fair election. It is a smug western idea to think they are not sophisticated enough Islamic countries to accept elections and democracy. What they still have now beats the regime of Saddam Hussein.