There's a reason we can't withdraw our troops from Iraq. We're there to protect the oil fields which we have privatized for the profits of Western multinationals. We have invested not in hospitals nor schools nor infrastructure, but in fortresses and military compounds. Neither R's nor D's in Washington will abandon our military installations in Iraq, so long as they remain beholden to these same oil companies.
When American forces leave Iraq, battles will be fought for control of these oil resources. Ultimately, they will be re-nationalized – to which faction we cannot predict.
We were all sidetracked into a debate over whether there will be a civil war after our troops depart; that turned to a discussion whether the currently-raging civil war will be better or worse after American troops are out. Is our military presence a support for fledgling democracy, or a divisive irritant?
Such questions are beside the point. We have seized Iraq's enormous oil wealth and handed it to private interests. It is those interests that are keeping us in Iraq, not any commitment to 'democracy'.
My thesis is that this war will not end so long as we continue to debate questions of democracy, stability, and human rights. We need to build public awareness of the economic crime that has been committed, to make the moral case for restoring Iraqi assets to the Iraqis, relinquishing the booty of our conquest.
This is a tough sell to the American people, however solid is its moral basis. The day that we are crying in the streets, 'Give the Iraqis back their oil!' is the day Congress will compel the Administration to effect a military withdrawal from Iraq.
~ Josh Mitteldorf
http://mathforum.org/~josh
Josh Mitteldorf was educated to be an astrophysicist, and has branched out from there to mathematical modeling in a variety of areas. He has taught mathematics, statistics, and physics at several universities. He is an avid amateur pianist, and father of two adopted Chinese girls. This year, his affiliation is with the University of Arizona, where he studies the evolution of aging.
The fact is, there is no fledgling democracy in Iraq. The alleged "Unity Government" exists in the Green Zone and nowhere else in the country. It has no power. over the Sunnis or the Shia, who are engaged in a de facto Civil War.
The U.S. military controls the Green Zone and it's bases -- nothing more. After 4-years the U.S. doesn't even control the City of Baghdad.
Reality dictates that remaining in Iraq is not an option.
by
Walter F. Wouk (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 4 comments)
on Friday, December 8, 2006 at 1:36:22 PM
Despite the numbers of US troops "guarding" the oil fields about a billion dollars worth of oil is disappearing yearly from them. Can anyone name the usual suspects?
Now that Bush cant use Terrorism to whip up fear driven support for remaining in Iraq it is only about the oil money.
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2377 comments)
on Friday, December 8, 2006 at 5:36:35 PM
I agree that the oil is probably the greatest rip off, but it is far from the only one. This is a criminal corruption feeding frenzie that has been paying off the primary decission makers of both parties along with bureaucrats throughout our government.
We will be side lined as you suggest into believing a multitude of virtuous theories. The problem is that this course has no virtue. It is all about greed. Murderous greed. It is all about Blood Money. Where will it end? I have no idea. It isn't pretty and the most virtuous of us are the ones dying to stuff the pockets of criminals.
by
Sleeper (1 articles, 1 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 276 comments)
on Saturday, December 9, 2006 at 10:39:39 AM
The current administration holds to the belief they are keeping the oil out of terrorists hands. Private interests yes...something they are proud to represent...which is against government state control of resources...something dictators and communist practice.
We can't get out of Iraq is the current administration belief, because the War on terror is ever so prevalent. If they leave....I can assure you we will be back.
When the government in Iraq solidifies with a private interest agenda and a democracy I think the security of Iraqi Oil installations will be done by the Iraqis in charge of security.
by
Dom Jermano (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 40 diaries, 930 comments)
on Monday, December 11, 2006 at 6:09:28 AM
4 comments
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