So is Chewie going to try the math or is everyone waiting for me to do it?

me and math? bad idea....

we'll probably find out that the US army OWES the world oil.

this is what i got from the hippy in question;
http://forums.punkas.com/viewtopic.php?t=18171&start=45

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX

Alaska and all of the US's other oil reservers are getting low. They are also no longer as economically viable as they used to be. Its not about oil for the bloody tanks - its abotu securing long term access to cheap oil in Iraq. Its about giving multinational corporations access to the worlds second biggest reserves of oil in the world, i.e. iraq. the Us and Uk and their buisiness buddies have not had access to Iraqs oil since the 1970s. As a result of the war in Iraq, they now have access to it. You think its only slightly interesting that as everything was being demolished in Baghdad, only the oil ministry was protected by US marines? They will have more control over this oil than through agreements with Saudia Arabia - who is much to strong to invade and has no dictators to use as an excuse. The same oil companies, btw, are the ones making the money out of reconstruction in iraq.

I don't know where you get your ideas from, but I don't think you'll find many people, except for maybe rightwingers, who thinks this has nothign to do with oil.

i doubt any of you would call me right wing huh?

Sigh... do I really have to post this? The war in Iraq is *all* about oil. Before you start dissing people and saying they haven't done their research.. perhaps you should do some reading of your own. Here's a post by the climate action group Auckland Rising Tide...

Iraq: Casualty of Oil
Press Release: Auckland Rising Tide
20 March 2005

Iraq: Casualty of Oil

Auckland Rising Tide activist Simon Oosterman, who recently appeared naked at court, will be appearing dressed but suitably attired at court tomorrow (Monday 21st) for two separate court charges related to the same issue: OIL.

The climate activist was charged for 'indecent exposure' during the Auckland World Naked Bike Ride in February. Mr Oosterman was also charged for 'obstructing a footpath' on Saturdays global day of action against the second year of the Iraq war.

"It is imperative that people make the connection between these two issues: our addiction to oil fuels the war in Iraq and climate change, which threatens the entire planet and its peoples" said Mr Oosterman.

"It is not a coincidence that the oil multinationals and US and UK governments seeking to secure access to Iraqs oil fields, are the same people stopping real solutions to climate change" he said.

Iraq holds 10% of the worlds oil, the second largest in the world.

As western oil fields have declined and oil production has become more expensive, US and UK international policies have been defined by the need to secure access to cheap oil.

The war in Iraq has provided lucrative reconstruction contacts to oil companies and the privatisation of Iraq oil fields will open them to western companies for the first time since the 1970s.

A recent BBC news item unveiled US and oil industry plans for Iraq's oil before the 9/11 attack. (1) One month after the occupation of Iraq began, the US government put a former CEO of Shell Oil USA in charge of Iraq's oil.

"There is no 'axis of evil', there is only an 'axis of oil'. The war in Iraq is solidifying the interests of the fossil fuel industry with US power. The only weapon of mass destruction in Iraq is oil and the world is being held hostage to it" he said.

"Renewable energy is the answer to the international security threat of climate chaos. It would also provide hope to the Iraqi people by breaking the power of those seeking to control their oil reserves. Renewable energy is a path to self determination for the worlds poor, for even the poorest country is rich in natural sources of power" he concluded.

Mr Oosterman will be turning up to court on Monday morning as a part of a 'Funeral of Democracy'. The Global Peace & Justice led protest will meet at 9 o'clock at Aotea Square and then march up to the district court.

Auckland Rising Tide calls for:

No war in Iraq!
Bring home all troops!
No new oil!ß
A rapid and socially just transition to renewable energies!

END
Auckland Rising Tide is available at work hours on 09 361 6990 or after 6 at 09 373 3519.
Email: auckland (at) risingtide.org.nz Website: http://auckland.risingtide.org.nz

1. Palast, Greg (17 March 2005) "Secret U.S. Plans For Iraq's Oil", BBC Newsnight
See also:
http://auckland.risingtide.org.nz
http://www.risingtide.org.uk

Here is an idea to throw out to everyone.

If there were no oil in the Middle East, would the rest of the world really care what goes on there?

I had a teacher in high school tell us that is there was no oil in the Middle East, the place would be like Africa. The world seems to do enough in Africa so it can say we care, but we could do so much more there if we wanted. Sudan and Rowanda are perfect examples of this notion. Wars go on in Aftrica for years and the world does little. Saddam invades the oil fields of Kuwait, and the world responds quickly.

i doubt any of you would call me right wing huh? Very Happy

you and my dad would get along great

There is an unlimited amount of ways to secure cheap oil.
Going to war over it, as history has proven time and again, is one of the most inefficient ways.
All the US had to do was make peace with Saddam, ensure his security and power (not hard considering how many countries were already in on that) and in return, have Saddam provide the world with a good deal on oil.
However, the case of Kuwait was different.
They were afraid that Saddam was after ALL the oil in the middle east. And Saddam was in a stronger position then than he was two years ago. That's why military action had to be taken. If Saddam controlled any more oil, that would put him in a stronger position.
In 2002 or 03, he was in no position to invade anyone.

I had a teacher in high school tell us that is there was no oil in the Middle East, the place would be like Africa.

Africa has no Jerusalem or Mecca. There's other issues than oil. Would it be less crucial to America's and Europe's interest than it is now? Probably so, but it wouldn't be another Africa.

You guys do mean subsaharan Africa right?
Because North Africa has a lot of historical jewels of the world including Cairo.

Yes, 13th, sub-Saharan Africa for the most part, but even so, Cairo hasn't the significance of Jerusalem or Mecca. Not talking historical significance alone.

Originally Posted by Doc.S

Well sir as I did say before, interpret that question as you want, common ppl do not see the the purchasers as the main threat to the extreme gasoline prices thats for sure, some ppl blame George Bush (big-city fokes), even more are sick and tired on all conflicts in the middle east, terrorism (country-side fokes) that seems to be a never ending story. I think that OPEC did show its muscles in the 70ths and that is something ppl seems to remember. IMHO I think oil buyers and oil producers need to turn on the big charm machine soon, because it seems not to work anymore with the "pride and we got it"- look. Wrong people can make use of such detest that is growing right now.

Doc.S

If you want someone to blame for the increase in oil prices you would probably be better off blaming developing countries (China, India etc.) as in their quest to develope stronger economies they are purchasing more and more oil and you really cant deny their right to do so.

Yes Monty's got that exactly right.
The main reason why the prices are going up is because competition for oil has hotted up recently. China and India are clamoring for oil... India just never being able to get enough of it as of now.

If America wanted Iraqs oil we would simply seize their oil fields and kill anything that got within 50 miles. We wouldn't have anything to do with rebuilding their country. I find it so amazing that France, Russia, and Germany can have a "oil for food" program and nobody cares. We are spending BILLIONS to get Iraq back on its feet yet we are the oil mongers.