Blood for oil, or??

[ColbertWatcher]

Yesterday, I asked what the election was about.

Now, I want to know what everyone thinks the invasion of Iraq is about.

Is it about terrorism?

Is it about the oil?

Is it about the mercenaries, like in http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Blackwater/Jeremy-Scahill/e/9781560259794/?itm=2">Scahill's Blackwater?

Is it about GOP bleeding U.S. taxpayers via government contracts, like in http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Shock-Doctrine/Naomi-Klein/e/9780805079838/?itm=1">Klein's Shock Doctrine?

What's your opinion?

[Angela Shelley]

1. It´s a relatively small number of people,

NOT a political party, who are bleeding US taxpayers via government contracts.

They are supported by those taxpayers who are employed in the defense industry, who have decided for themselves that there´s no easier or more respectable way to earn money, than to produce weapons.

It´s the group of people who are getting wealthier every minute by creating havoc in the world, as described in the Shock Doctrine.

Summary, it´s the top economic predators using warmongers to increase their wealth.

[ColbertWatcher]

2. What about an administration that allows for no-bid contracts?

The GOP (through their current incarnation, the entire Dubya administration and their members of Congress) have allowed no-bid contracts for all their contractor friends.

So, I would say those economic predators are being given free-reign (via GOP policy) to increase their wealth.

And don't forget those warmongers are also economic predators. (Carlyle Group, Halliburton)

[Angela Shelley]

3. The economic predators use the administration as a tool

if it´s Dem or if it´s Rep.

Yes, the policy allows these practices.

But, just for example, if all US consumers would cut up their credit cards today, the power of the economic predators would be erased.

[ColbertWatcher]

4. Wrong.

The GOP altered every protection this country spent generations to create just so they could test out their pet theory about economics.

It's like what they did to Chile.

Dems didn't do that; that was all GOP.

[Angela Shelley]

19. Are there no Democratic Party members

earning large sums of money on the occupation of Iraq.

Are there no Democratic Party members who are in high positions in the US Government?

Are there no Democratic members of Congress?

[ColbertWatcher]

21. Strawman n/t

[ProdigalJunkMail]

7. no bid contracts have been around for quite some time

predating this admin. Not saying they are good...but the existed prior to bush...

sP

[ColbertWatcher]

10. Not to this extent. Come on...

...GOP no-bids for Halliburton are unprecedented.

You must know this.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

16. sorry...there were no bid contracts to Halliburton

under the Clinton administration. They were designed to slim-line the processes for times of conflict (in that case Bosnia) so that congressional approval process could be sidestepped (and for good reason...they are slow as molasses in winter on stuff). They aren't good...they get abused, but they serve a purpose...

sP

[ColbertWatcher]

20. And just like everything else...

...the GOP have taken it to an extreme and abused the system.

[taterguy]

5. Iraq is about making sure we have enough oil to put in cars

Now if you'll excuse me I have to drive to work

Sigh

I guess I could ride my bike but it's chilly outside and heaven forbid I experience any mild discomfort.

[ColbertWatcher]

6. Heavens no...

...also, make sure you turn your heater on in your house before you leave, so it will be nice and crispy when you get home!

[taterguy]

15. You think I want my dogs to have to spend a day in a cold house?

It's not like they have fur coats

[Echo In Light]

8. Plutocracy oligarchy fascism theocracy war pigs war machine profits over people

[ColbertWatcher]

9. That's almost a haiku n/t

[Junkdrawer]

11. Empire n/t

[Nickster]

12. It's about oil, keeping the oil in the ground. Less oil equals higher prices and a hammer against

OPEC if the country ever becomes stable again.

[ColbertWatcher]

14. This one is interesting, never heard it before. n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. Read Greg Palast

He has the most sensible theory. It's about CONTROLLING the flow of oil. They want to keep their hands on the spigots. If you control the flow, you control the market and you make $$$$$. Lots of it.

Palast says our signs should say "NO BLOOD FOR NO OIL"

[Echo In Light]

17. Link to Greg's site

http://www.gregpalast.com/

[mmonk]

18. The Shock Doctrine and rightwing arbitrary rule.

It's about control of the court system and reinterpretation of the Constitution into concentrated power. I actually don't know how we set the course back towards self government because the democratic party party seems to have assilimalted to a new reality and has decided to work within the new system instead of fighting it.