I'm talking about Iraq of course.
As I recall the original reason for the United States invasion of Iraq was to capture and destroy the Weapon's of Mass Destruction that US Intelligent sources claimed were there.
Finding none, they then continued campaigning to topple Saddam and install a "free and democratic society".
I don't think anyone but the most naive gung-ho young soldier believes in that one. Especially since the US is supporting several ruthless dictatorships all over the world.
Then, cynically (God Forbid) it became about the Oil. Of course Bush and Cheney (old Texas oil men from way back) would never admit that. So the oil became the underlying reason for all the strife and really, although the Bush Gang never openly admitted it, they were prepared to allow the American Public and Press to push that agenda.
Because a consistent and regular oil flow out of Iraq meant harmony for the US economy.
And when it comes down to it, the people vote with their wallets.
It can't be about the oil. The US consumes 20 Million Barrels of Oil per day. Of that, 527 Thousand barrels comes from Iraq or 2.6% of the US total Oil consumption.
So far the United States has spent $367 Billion Dollars and 3139 Lives in Iraq.
All of that to protect 2.6% of their Oil?
If that's the case then Bush and Cheney are crazier then we all thought. And the American Public are even crazier to let them.
Even if the whole middle east were totally unstable and the oil supply was temporarily suppressed or even cut off (something that would never happen because they love to sell us oil) would it be worth the Billions and the Deaths?
The amount of money saved by the US Treasury by ending the war could subsidize the businesses and the consumers for years.
Is the American Public not willing to spend $5.00 per gallon to save their young soldiers?
It can't be about the oil.
So what's going on? Why does the US continue their presence in Iraq? The latest official reason is to prevent a Civil War between the Shiites and the Sunnis.
There are several respected sources that claim that the US is actually encouraging the infighting and would love Iraq to continue teetering on the edge of Civil War.
This gives them a valid reason to still hang around. If one looks at the history of Islam in the area, The Shiite and Sunni communities have lived peacefully together for years.
The Civil War threat might now be real, only because US Intelligence forces are doing everything they can to make it real.
Are they there to suppress Terrorism? Everyone with a brain agrees that the US presence is fostering a multitude of would be Terrorists whose goal is not only to expel the US from their lands but to attack them in their homes.
The prime directive of the US Administration is to continue a large US Military Presence in Iraq and so in the Middle East.
And now they are talking about the possibility of a military intervention in Iran???
Why?
The US has always needed an enemy to justify their Military Machine and to control their population. For a long time it was the Communists, then after a scary peaceful and economically wonderful gap in the Clinton Nineties the Terrorists thankfully came along, much to the relief of the Bush/Cheney Gang.
Remember when the biggest issue in the States was Monica giving Bill a Blow Job? Ahh the good old days.
It might seem crazy but I really believe that Bush's Fundamental Christianity is at the heart of what Iraq is all about.
I really believe he sees Islam as a sinister threat to his Christian "Values". And that now it's come down to Christians vs. Muslims.
It seems bizarre, but when it comes to Religious Beliefs, well Bizarre is the only word that fits.
Bush believes himself to be the Great Christian Crusader defending the Faith against the Muslim Heretics.
Sometimes the only viable reason is the least reasonable.
