Yes Virginia, There's Oil in Iraq

And we wouldn't have our military there if there wasn't.

Everyone knows the war in Iraq is about oil, but if a Democrat were to say it the Republicans would challenge his or her patriotism. But what if a Republican said it? What if John McCain, the Republican candidate for president said it? In public, on camera, with mikes, clearly, unambiguously?

You might think it was major news, at least on the same order as whether Obama wears a flag pin or properly salutes the flag?

Would it be news that over 4000 Americans and at least $1 trillion has been piddled away on a really bad deal? That $1 trillion could have bought a lot of oil. Or it could have built some great mass transit. Or it could have paid for Republican tax cuts. Or whatever, who cares -- it's news dammit.

No the press isn't likely to report this latest McCain truth-leak, that's why it's so important that we give generously to the DNC so they can run ads that do their work for them.

I gave them $100 today. For now, I think my donations to Obama aren't going to change things very much, so I'm switching my donation-flow to the DNC. Their ads defining McCain are good, they're accurate, and they work. They just have to be run in more states more times.

MSNBC is being way to soft on McCain when they say he "seemed to suggest" -- the usual press BS re McCain. He said it, so report it, without the double-qualification. He didn't "seem to" and he didn't "suggest." He said it, so say he said it. They're going to soft-pedal it for sure. Arrrgh.

Comments

[realityczech4u]

Hey Davey,
You claim that "everyone" knows that the war in Iraq is about oil. Tell me, oil is up to $120/bbl and rising. The purported reason for this is tight supply. So when are we gonna make our move and grab the Iraqis' oil? The war is for oil isn't it? Isn't it?

[rabb046]

Yes, the war is about oil. If you don't think that $120/bbl is all part of CEO Bush & Co.'s plan, then I'll make you a sweet deal on a Hummer. It's still tax-deductible for your small business, ya know. (BTW, exactly who is this "we" you mention that is gonna make their move and grab the oil? It ain't "you", now is it? Is it?)

[Gary50]

Invading another country to steal their natural resources is a war crime according to the Geneva conventions. So John McCain is saying the George Bush is a war criminal. When is Mr McCain going to start the impeachment proceedings?

[DrT]

The Bushies did not necessarily invade Iraq to steal their oil. Another consequence of invading their country is to put it into chaos so that the Iraqis could not properly export their own oil. With perceived short supply, the other players (like Exxon Mobil) have an excuse to raise their prices. These companies win if they can take over Iraqi oil or not. It's a WIN-WIN!

[desmirl]

How many barrels of oil do you get per dead American? Or, for that matter, how many barrels of oil do you get whenever we murder an innocent Iraqi woman or child?

[Hastings]

No matter what a shortsighted fool you are Mr. Winer, your grandchildren will get down on their knees and thank God for the vision of George Bush.

[desmirl]

You are posting your reply from Iraq, right? Just got back from a firefight and decided to dash off an opinion. No? Really? How odd.

[altohone]

All the empty pews at the moment suggests otherwise.

I too am fond of unprovable assertions and crystal ball's though.

I see the enforcement of the comment rules in your future.

[Berettasskeeter]

Your right! And, when the liberals (enough of them, at any rate) come to their senses, we'll drill in this country, build more refineries, and become more energy independent. They just have to get a little more tired of the cost of foreign oil.
Semper fi

[jfor]

You know reading your post proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that your out of touch and a fool. Oil executives themselves say they do not need more refineries since in FACT they are only at about 85% capacity. They also say that ANWR is not the answer and have inFACT just downgraded the estimated supply. Oil, is not the answer it is not the future and ultimately it will destroy all of us. Altrnatives such as electric cars, wind power, solar, switch grass etc are all viable but republicans have to pander no matter the cost and can only see corn based ethanol as the answer which of course it isnt and is starving people all around the world.

For once I would like to see a republican who isnt selfish, who isnt greedy, who isnt shortsited, who isnt a liar and one who actually loves this country no matter what. You can scream liberal this or liberal that but fact is you cannot point out one liberal policy that has effect you personally like Bushs incompetance has.

[desmirl]

You wrote: "For once I would like to see a republican who isnt selfish, who isnt greedy, who isnt shortsited, who isnt a liar and one who actually loves this country no matter what."

THERE IS NO SUCH THING!

[Berettasskeeter]

Why is oil any more of a problem than another? All wars are fought for some reason! Why not oil?
Semper fi

[rnb]

Wars are only fought if the reason is worth the risk. WMDs were the official reason, which if they had been found, would have been an acceptable one. Oil isn't nearly as palatable a reason, because you're asking americans to give up their lives and resources for something that can be purchased without sacrificing our soldiers.

[desmirl]

Simper, fido

[jfor]

Seems like huffpo has more marines than the marines.
semper fi.

[Ben Dixon]

Your statement about us being in Iraq for oil is most likely true. But to expand on that thought it would also be true to say that if their was no oil in the middle east then the world wouldn't care about that part of the world.

[altohone]

I think the bigger story is that the war is THE major cause of the run-up in the price of oil.

First, when the invasion took all of Iraq's oil off the market limiting supply, and continuing with the "risk premium" due to ongoing instability. Adding to the strategic reserve and helpful exuberance from traders on Wall St. desperate for one profitable sector should not be ignored as coincidences either.

Seizing control for the Big British and American companies was the long-term strategy... running up prices the short-term strategy.

Of course, one could argue that all the seed money for the venture came in from the manufactured "energy crisis" in CA where Bush backers stole billions with the help of industry owned regulators and coincidentally seized political control of the biggest state economy.

Too much truth?

[gregjones]

Google: PROJECT FOR NEW AMERICAN CENTURY (PNAC).....

Document written by Neo-Cons in 1992 planning the invasion of Iraq, Iran and Syria (in that order). Each participant in the plan signed the bottom of it (like the Constitution)....names like Wolfowitz, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Andrew Card, Bolton, and many others who ended up on the Bush cabinet. The plan was written by Bill Krystol (the 'pundit' on Fox News). If McCain or Hillary are elected....the plan will be carried out. This is what Hillary meant when she proclaimed....Obama CAN'T WIN ! This is also why it seems that McCain and Hillary are on the same side....because they are. The other day Huffington Post began to expose how the 'military experts' who have appeared on ALL the cable news were all paid by the Pentagon (Bush Regime) to mislead America in order to continue the war...(and further the PNAC Plan). This is why they keep bringing up Iran as the next target....and Hillary exposed herself when she proclaimed she would 'obliterate' Iran. Hillary, the GOP, McCain and the Republican corporate media (which owns many of the companies that make the tanks, bombs and other weaponry) are doing everything to stop Obama from winning. If he does win....their PNAC Plan will be put to a hault. THIS MUST BE STOPPED !!! Don't vote to just win....vote FOR the future of our country !

Greg Jones
www.Blacks4Barack.org
(A Multi-Racial, Grassroots Org....Dedicated To Truth)

[1Eco]

Greg. Excellent Site, Thank you for your insightful and thoughtful efforts.

[timeforachangenow]

you know the more you spout this crap...

the more you are looking very transparent...8(

[altohone]

Can't even be bothered with the specifics eh?

Why go to the trouble when an unsubstaiated general denunciation will suffice?
I guess Hillary and McCain both using Bush talking points to sell the war on the floor of the Senate before they both voted for his war is difficult to debunk... those dang records of Congressional votes couldn't be expunged.

I particularly like the negative connotation of "transparent"... since transparency has been the hallmark of the last seven plus years.

[S1m0n]

For most people who could plausibly be expected to vote Republican, going to war over oil is a plus, not a scandal.