Why Doesn't the Press Ever Talk About the Oil?

Today, the major American oil companies came back into Iraq by getting... you guessed it... no-bid contracts! In fact, the four major oil companies that were thrown out by Saddam Hussein 36 years ago made their triumphant return to occupied Iraq.

Former chief executive of Exxon, Lee Raymond, explained the history behind it. "There is an enormous amount of oil in Iraq," he said. "We were part of the consortium, the four companies that were there when Saddam Hussein threw us out, and we basically had the whole country."

Well, congratulations, you now have it back! Mission accomplished!

One of the principal problems with American media now is that they have become far too credulous. They take government slogans and propaganda and print it in their papers and repeat it on their networks as if they have some golden touch of credibility. It's not just that they can't see that the government might be lying about its real aims, it's that they view the government as the most legitimate source of news. This turns the point of the press on its head. You're supposed to challenge the government, not help it by printing out its press releases.

There is a reason to challenge the government. It isn't to be unpatriotic. It's to help the country by keeping a check on government power. It doesn't hurt the country to be a watchdog on power, it helps it.

One of the best examples of this new credulous model of journalism is how the motivation for this Iraq War has been shamelessly left unchallenged. Yes, we now see plainly in front of our face that there were no weapons of mass destruction and that there were no links between Iraq and Al Qaeda (although this was evident before the war). But the press couldn't ignore this if they tried. But what they haven't asked is -- if those weren't the real reasons we went into Iraq, then what were?

And one of the verboten topics is oil. Do you notice how it is almost never mentioned in the press as a real reason we went into Iraq. When is the last time you heard any major media outlet talking about it? Was there ever a magazine cover that asked -- Was it About the Oil? Can you imagine Wolf Blitzer asking this question of a government official?

Do Americans realize that the whole rest of the world, including Iraq, is absolutely convinced we went in for the oil? That doesn't mean it's true, but maybe we might want to look into it.

And now Exxon-Mobil is sitting back on top of its perch. Saddam is gone, and they once again control the oil in Iraq. And they got there through no-bid contracts. In case, you're wondering if there was a shortage of companies who wanted to bid on these projects, there were over 40 of the largest oil companies in the world who wanted to bid and were not allowed. Gee, I wonder if we should consider whether this war was about the oil.

This is how the American people have become some of the most naïve and gullible folks in the world. Because their press enables it, almost encourages it, with its undue and sycophantic deference to the government.

Finally, this isn't even about answering questions, it's about asking them. Was oil a factor in making the decision to go into Iraq after 9/11 even though that country had nothing to do with 9/11? Was it the main factor? How would that effect administration decisions? Was it contracts that administration officials one day might get with these companies or had at what one point with them? Is it campaign contributions from these companies? Or was it earnest but misguided desire to have boots on the ground in an oil producing country because administration officials were legitimately concerned about the rising demand and pinched supply of oil?

For the love of God, at least ask these questions. Are we sure that the people in the American press are even aware of these questions? And if they are, is it a matter of courage to ask these obvious and fundamental questions? Or should we be wondering about their motivations as well?

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Comments

[57basque]

The MEDIA-RIGHT-STORM is too concerned with "ITS stone throwing to do much else!!

[Zankee]

When the "Dark Side" of man controls the Light.., the "Light" will be filtered, and; you will find yourself... where "we" are.., without direction or compass,.. in an encroaching Darkness....

[castlerider]

Thanks Cenk. Great post.
So frustrating how we know we're being lied to, yet the enablers who allow this to continue don't see the damage to our nation that it infects us with.

The rich elite have succeeded in making people stupid with the media and other means, and most are unable to see beyond the short attention spans that they have which rely on the catch phrases and hollow intelligence. This is the largest transfer of wealth in the history of our civilization and humankind, taking place right before our eyes, and only a smart and determined peoples could hope to change it in time before it's too late.
If the majority of this nation had the smarts to really understand, Bush, Cheny, et al., would have been arrested and charged within a year after the liar in chief's Mission Accomplished travesty. Instead, we have to live with the idiocy of these greedy sorry, corrupt bastards who don't care about anyone but themselves.

[aofh]

I don't believe it was about oil. I believe it was about re-electing Bush and maintaining and strengthening Republican control of Congress. Oil was secondary as were other business interest such as rebuilding the Iraqi infrastructure devastated by ten years of sanctions and bullying. You could see the vultures lining up even before the shooting started (and the recrimination of companies whose national governments didn't support the venture). Keep in mind that billions of our taxpayer dollars have gone into nonoil related projects that have not been complete, are worthless, or never started.

[bgregs]

No, cause when we went in it was too far away from the election to really be a major factor in their thinking. They certainly USED it when the time came for re-election, but it wasn't what they were concerned about when they led us into war....

Remember, also, one of the arguments FOR the war in the leadup to it was that Iraqi oil would pay for the invasion!

[ihavenobias]

Excellent post Cenk! You really got it right.

[davidrusso]

Seriously Cent? The topic of oil, oil pricing and oil's role in the invasion strategy was, is and will be beaten to death in virtually all main stream and grass-roots media.

It appears that you meant to write was "Why doesn't the media agree with my opinion on the role of oil in the motivation behind the Iraq War".

A tad more stylistically cumbersome, but far more accurate.

[bgregs]

Actually, while they are talking about the price of oil, they are not talking about oil itself, NOR about the Iraq war as how it relates to the price of oil. They ARE talking about the high price of GAS, and they mention the high price of oil in relation to THAT topic, but they NEVER say how it was because of the oil reserves under the sand of Iraq that we went there!!

[Craig]

It is about the oil. The question is how do we pressure American oil companies to view Iraqi oil production as marginally economic.

Taxpayers need to be paid back for fuinding the invasion/occupation as was originally advertized. Before any long-term agreements are signed the Legislative Branch should establish a repayment schedule to recover the $800 billion and rising costs.

They might consider the highest of: gross revenues less cost plus 10%; or a 90% surtax on net revenues.

I'm afraid one of these outcomes will be reauired, otherwise taxpayers are left paying twice for the same oil. I also realize this is a very awkward topic, and the catalyst to begin a debate is not known unless somebody has an idea.

Alternatively, these measures may make Iraqi oil deal unattractive, and I say who cares?

[davidrusso]

Trying to follow this....you are suggesting we create an artificial barrier to entry for American oil companies as they attempt to compete for contracts within Iraq?

And you believe this will somehow help U.S. retail/commercial consumers of oil?

Fascinating.

[bgregs]

No, they are suggesting that we create an actual competition for contracts within Iraq. Further they are suggesting that maybe, just maybe, IRAQ might want to be the one to grant contracts to exploit the oil under the sands of IRAQ!!!

[peterg76]

Next you'll be saying oil is a factor in the incestuously close relationships the US has with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and the antagonistic relationships it has with Venezuela and Iran.

[TexasDem0]

Why Doesn't the Press Ever Talk About the Oil?
The GOP Corporatocracy forbids it.

[bgregs]

NO! It can't have been about the oil! That would mean that I've been right all along!!!