To: RetiredNow who wrote (225188 ) 3/20/2005 1:36:48 PM From: tejek Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 1572219 OPEC's monopolistic knife at the world economy's neck. Now, the problem with that type of thinking is that it would be bad for the Iraqi people, because they would get pennies on the dollar for their oil in a one time selloff and then they'd never enjoy their oil wealth again, and that would have created resentment for generations, which would have undermined any Democratic reform attempts. Anyway, read it and let me know what you think. First, the article makes you wonder who all is funding the insurgents.....is it just Iran and Syria? Secondly, it speaks to a bigger issue. I think I have made clear that my belief is growing that a malevolent group of people have gained control of our gov't. The oil industry and the maneuverings discussed in the article are just one aspect of that malevolence. The negative is apparent in almost every aspect of our gov't now......we have resigned from so many treaties and global agreements in the past 5 years its stunning that no one has complained loudly and longly. Increasingly, Congress ignores the Constitution, states' rights and separation of powers and does what it wants. They spend as if there is no limit to the size of the US Treasury. We have become increasingly militaristic with a surge in defense spending when we have no other sovereign powers confronting us. Our long time alliances are mostly in shambles. The American press is slowing but surely being compromised. The list goes on and its a very long one. When looked overall, I don't believe these changes were brought about by happenstance. I believe someone has a plan and is systematically imposing that plan upon this country. I am very worried.........so much so I am looking into emigrating from America. Just typing that freaks me out. However, I don't know what else to do...........I am schooled enough in gov't and political relationships to know what's happening in the US is not business as usual. And what I think is that Republicans like yourself......ones who strongly identify with the long time culture of the GOP but who also think clearly and moderately.......have got to speak out. At this point, I don't care if you and I disagree over the benefits of Aid to Dependent Mothers or food stamps. In the grand scheme of things, these social programs are small potatoes. I think its imperative that the moderates on 'both sides of the aisle' recognize that things are increasingly out of control and that we must join together to stop it. You ask me about the discussion of oil in this article. It has long be rumored this war was fought over oil and it has long been denied by the Bush administration. My European friends told me that I was a fool to believe that we had higher motivations for the invasion of Iraq whether it be removing an evil tyrant or finding WMDs or establishing democracy in the ME. That article makes clear that they were right. Its bad on so many levels that I don't know where to begin. It worries me that these people are so intertwined with the war....is it possible that they are responsible for the occasional blow up of the Iraqi oil pipeline....in order to keep oil prices high? After all, its rare that any of the terrorist groups take responsibility. What else are they doing behind the scenes. But frankly, the oil people too are small potatoes. If I am right, what's at risk here is something bigger........300 years of growing freedom and democratic reform......one nation under God.....indivisible! I have always been a patriot, and over the past 5 years, I have become very scared for my country. In any case, that's what I think about the article. ted