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I agree wholeheartedly with Jerre's view and appreciate the research.
However the reasoning for this "Iraq Conflict" (they still call Korea a "conflict"!!!)can be boiled down to cold hard cash. Some of it in the form of oil......some in the form of future influence.
It would not be out of bounds, by American standards or even lack precident for the USA to simply sieze oilfields and hand them over to the Russians who are worried about 12 billion in unpaid debt. It would not be out of character for the USA to, through a complex corporate structre, sieze, use and profit from the vast oil resource in Iraq.
Let us hypothosize that America has attacked Iraq, overthown and re-installed a government. We have seized and distrbuted the oil fields and have somehow won the popular support of 6 or so million Iraqi citizens with government supplied AK-47s. What next?
We in fact would be facing and Israeli-like situation of trying to colonize an arab state with western people and influence. We would in fact find ourself much, much more closely allied with Israel. In fact we would probably become increasingly sympathetic to whatever the Israeli government rhetoric of the week is. The USA, if installed in Iraq more forcefully, might be more forceful in our show of support for the Israeli cause. We may even want to help a "regime change" along in Palestine too....
All this could still, even with the military expence, profit the elite circle in many, many ways.
The Bush administration is clearly not worried about any public opinion. Why should they???? Have CEOs ever listened to the public????
Just today, in the joint Ceremonial Meeting of both Houses, I heard Mr. Cheney say that"...we will be making legislation that will affect this country far into the future..."
I daresay that the philospophy of the Founding Fathers was much, much further along than anything mr deisil-generator-in-my-chest-VP could ever dream up even with some quality LSD.
The point is this: The Bush adminsitartion is unashamed of the power and profit it seeks. Citizens are insignificant speedbumps in the election process. This view is systemic with any president who knows half of the country, in fact, did not vote for him. Maybe way more than half.........
Finally I must point out that the reason old Brent and G Bush sr repeated over and over and over again for not killing Saddam was " We didn't have a mandate" from the coalition.
Who needs a mandate now huh? Or Allies? Or congreassional suppport? Or popular support?
This country truly shines for the backward, violent intolerant place that it is ...under Republican rule.