From the New York Times:HOUSTON — Crude oil closed above $100 a barrel for the first time Tuesday, vaulting through a longstanding psychological barrier amid persistent concern about whether production can keep up with rising global demand.I do not think the Iraq debacle was about any one thing but I believe evidence points to oil as a primary thing it was about. Saddam was threatening to trade oil in euros instead of dollars, reinforcing a movement away from the US Dollar and that was an economic threat far more real than the illusory WMD. Additionally, I do not think for a minute that the US intended to go into Iraq to provide a reliable supply of oil but rather to (1) enrich the coffers of firms like Halliburton who are involved in the energy infrastructure and (2) reduce the oil supply in order to keep prices high.
As legal scholars and mystery fans all know, the big question is "cui bono?" (who profits?)
Is it over-the-top cycnical to postulate that we would invade and occupy a country and sacrifice American lives and destroy the collective lives and lifestyle of a nation just to enrich American oil companies? Pffft. Consider with whom we deal: a President and Vice President who are "oil men" and whose buddies are oil men. A national energy policy brokered in secret by Dick the Dick himself--and to this day you are not allowed even to know who took part in the meetings!
Yes, I do believe they are that crass, that calculating, and that evil.
By Eghran, I believe Dick Cheney rejoiced to see crude oil hit $100+ a barrel.
It is alleged that Bush was shaken by the genocide memorial and mass graves in Rwanda. Maybe he should contemplate the dead and displaced in Iraq and the blood on his own hands instead of babbling about Darfur.
Yes, the nations of the world need to do something about Darfur. But George W. Bush needs to face his own horrors.
I know. Not. Gonna. Happen.
But it should.
--the BB
9 comments:
Paul, here's a list of Bush crony companies who arrived quickly in New Orleans after Katrina and the federal flood.
Bechtel
Blackwater
Brown and Root
Halliburton
Centerpoint Energy, formerly Reliant
Fluor Corporation
Kenyon International Emergency Service
Landstar Express America, Inc.
Shaw Group
How many of those same companies were or are operating in Iraq?
Bechtel
Blackwater
Brown and Root
Fluor
Halliburton
Kenyon International
Landstar
Shaw Group
WTF!
This list only scratches the surface of the crony war and disaster profiteers.
Indeed, Mimi. It fecking stinks to high heaven. All those no-bid contracts... which the American people might have forgiven if these companies delivered as promised. But they charged for what they didn't do, they didn't accomplish what they promised, they did things like provide troops with tainted drinking water, and all kinds of money seems to have vanished down numerous rabbit holes. And the poor Gulf Coast is still trying to pick up pieces and rebuild life after all this time. Sigh.
Oh. Oh my.
I just want to weep, I just want to rail against this.
Silly TV show though it may be, (and I don't watch too much) the CBS series Jericho just returned.
It is about what is left of the US after a number of atomic bombs (set off by elements within the Us govt) and this one community is focused on. Classic good vs evil fare.
They have tooled it so that the country is being "re-built" by a president that was not elected and run by companies that mimic Halliburton, Bechtel and Blackwater. It really hits me hard - while a dopey show, it has a message.
As my blogpost from yesterday said...It could happen here. Not quite ready for the Tin Hat Brigade, but always with a heavy heart.
And the Gulf Coast shows us what they are capable of.
Control of natural resources, especially in the developing world, has been the driving force behind national security policy for more than a century. That control is seen as necessary for the steady growth of a Capitalist economy; to consider alternatives is anathema, for reform is seen as requiring limits on our traditional liberties to plunder the earth as we please.
Care for Godde's creation and help to others are deeply interrelated.
But, but, but...we must preserve our AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE at all cost.
Once again you cut to the heart of the matter, Mimi. At what cost?
Yeah, we had to destroy it to save it, as the Major said about the village of Ben Tre during the Tet Offensive. Pardon me if I've grown a little weary of that story.
Johnieb, your jaundiced view is well justified. It is a very ugly lie and one trotted out in every imaginable circumstance. BushCheney want to destroy our rights in order to preserve them, destroy Iraq (and Iran?) in order to save, etc. Some would destroy churches in order to save them. It is endemic to human nature in our actions driven by fear and ignorance, that lead to defensiveness and projection, to hatred and violence, to disaster. Almost always in the name of some greater good.
Keep calling them on their lies, my friend.
Our government lies to us daily. I'm disgusted. See why at peoplepowergranny.blogspot.com, and vote in my poll on how many lies you know of that your government has told you.
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