Yes I do but I am not convinced that Iraq should have been that place. There is Palestine/Jordan/Israel/Syria, countries who do not have oil and are not democratic and are in turmoil (Palestine/Israel)
1. Are you asserting that Israel is not democratic? A nation where even the Arab Israelis have voting rights? (certainly don't see any voting Jews, or political Jewish elites within Arab countries (except Morocco).
2. Why should the US bear the cost, politically and economically, for trying to change every dictatorial Arab regime that has nothing to offer back to the US?
Call me a bit selfish, but if I'm going to risk our nation's blood and treasure, I think it's fair to expect something in return, if only a measure of economic security and stability that stable energy supplies would provide.
It's not like we're trying to steal their oil, IMO. We just want the money we pay them for it to be used for economic and social growth so that we can have other economic and commercial relations with them instead of military weapons which might fuel external aggression and internal repression.
And the same goes for Saudi Arabia.. I don't want the USD we pay for their oil to be used to fund Madrassas and Islamic militant activities.
If we're going to "bite" the head off of the militant Islamic "snake", we have to change those societies that are financing it (eg: Saudi Arabia).. But before we can risk doing that, we have to insure there are alternative supplies of oil available to offset any reduction in production from Saudi turmoil.
No, the US should support efforts to provide for humanitarian, political and human rights etc. But it can do so in so many other countries in Africa and Asia.
Again.. no problem with that.. But once again, we face the issue of corrupt and despotic regimes standing in the way of true economic and social change there. And money we throw at the problem is often siphoned off by these corrupt officials.
So thus, once again, I say we make our primary efforts in those countries where are economic and political interests are greatest, and then assist those countries to be mentors and inspirations to other nations within their region.
No. In that the US did not gain as much as it does with Iraqi oil.
The overall theme of your response seems to be that you have a problem with the US doing anything for selfish interests.
But apparently France, Germany, and Russia are blameless when they are pursuing the very same oil, and supporting a despotic regime in order to insure THEY are the ones who get that oil.
Why is that, Chinu? Why do you hate the US so much, but say NOTHING about the French, Germans, and Russians?
Hawk |
