Iraq War question...

[Fleshdancer]

What was your initial reacion when Bush&Co first started to beat the drums of war? Was it PNAC? Oil? Did you initially believe Iraq was involved in 9/11?

My initial reaction was that after seeing our highly sophisticated military toys rendered useless against people hiding in caves in Afghanistan, the Pentagon needed to do something quick in order to justify their over bloated budget.

Now I'm more inclined to think PNAC and oil have more to do with it, but it's interesting to think about what I thought at the very beginning of all this.

[BlueEyedSon]

1. The real reasons for the war......

Summary:
1) Peak oil
2) Dollar (vs Euro) Hegemony


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=114&topic_id=3821

[Petrodollar Warfare]

3. 'Petrodollar Warfare: Oil, Iraq and the Future of the Dollar'

(fyi: Summary of my book to be released Fall 2004...)

September 11th, 2001 was an historic event. Unfortunately, rather than utilizing that event to stimulate debate regarding the means to strengthen our nation via energy independence, it has been instead exploited to reaffirm the United States position as the global imperialist hegemon. This unprecedented unilateralist framework was outlined by the neoconservatives years in advance; consequently, the outpouring of world sympathy following 9/11 has been squandered in pursuit of the US administration’s militant imperialism. As such, 9/11 represents a missed opportunity for debate and policy reforms.

March 19th, 2003 was similarly an historic event. The unprovoked US/UK led invasion of Iraq appears to been driven by two coalescing factors, the emergence of global “Peak Oil” and the ascendance of the euro currency. Recent analysis by leading geologists and international energy consulting firms indicate that global oil supplies may be approaching the Peak Oil phenomenon. This important issue is addressed in the context of long-standing US Geostrategic goals regarding Iraq. The second convergent factor that added urgency to the Iraq war was the Bush administration's unreported objective of preventing further OPEC momentum towards the euro as an oil transaction currency standard. However, preemption of such OPEC moves required securing Geostrategic control of Iraq, along with its 2nd largest proven oil reserves.

XXXXXXX's meticulous research analyzing U.S. dollar hegemony, unsustainable macroeconomics of ‘petrodollar recycling,' and the unpublicized challenge to US dollar supremacy from the euro as an alternative oil transaction currency offer an important analysis of the Iraq war. He recommends that monetary reforms suggested by international economists should be pursued to create a more balanced global monetary system, and hopefully reduce future oil currency warfare. If US policy makers and the EU can implement monetary reforms via an orderly, gradated approach, this could create a more balanced system for the global economy. The author warns that without changing course, the American Experiment will end the way all empires end – military overextension and economic decline. Monetary and energy reforms should be negotiated within the framework of multilateral accords; otherwise, the beginning of the 21st century will quite likely include further US vs. EU currency warfare and increased frequency of war over diminishing hydrocarbon reserves.

[RBHam]

2. PNAC

Go to their web site - they've been planning on colonizing rhe middle east for years.

9-11 gave then their excuse.

It was incredibly fortunate and convenient for the Hard Right.

So fortunate and convenient, that it takes a moron to believe that the attacks on 9-11 weren't part of the plan.

[Ivote]

6. STREET WISE INTUITION

The antennas went up.
1. Revenge for attempted asassination on his father.
2. Iraq considering changeing over to Euoro.
3. Oil in Afghanistan was inferior.
4.As far as 9-11 I still think that since we were funding Al Queda to
destroy the poppy fields (which they were in favor of), and we wanted to put a pipeline through (Neil Bush was there at the time)which Al Queda didnt want. I think we didnt pay them and they attacked us. Follow the money. It makes sense to me.
5. Also the stock market crashing so we nedded to go to war to prop up big business. Now that congress has approved 87B, things are picking up. Follow the money

[Cat Atomic]

4. First impression? I gave Bush the benefit of the doubt.

When they started talking about nuclear weapons in Iraq, I thought, "ok- if that's the case then I support military action".

About 2 weeks after the war drums started beating, I was developing doubts. I did some research, and decided it was an oil/power grab. But my first impression was one of tentative support.

[ameriphile]

5. Yep, PNAC

And PNAC wouldn't have cared about the Middle East if they had no oil. And 9/11 was PNAC's brightest day, the "catastrophic and catalyzing event" they had long dreamed of.

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/nightline/DailyNews/pnac_030310.html

[catmandu57]

7. I told anyone that would listen in 2000

that we would be in Iraq within the first two years of the chimp*'s term. Sometimes it sucks being right.

[AngryAmish]

8. Oil, Oil and Oil

Grad the iraqi oil, intimidate Iran and Saudi Arabia, have a permanent presence to take whatever we need. The Big # refuse to mass assemble electric cars eventhough the technology is proven, proven for years. The oil companies have covered-up technology that would allow 75-100 mpg vehicles - just to protect their investment. We are their dupes and the Iraqis are enslaved because of it.

[Bandit]

9. War Profiteering has been the Bush* Family MO forever

It hasn't changed any.