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| What is the PRIMARY motivation for the BUSH ADMINISTRATION declaring war on Iraq? |
| Saddam Hussein may supply terrorists with weapons of mass destruction |
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33% |
[ 7 ] |
| The Iraqi regime oppresses the people of Iraq |
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0% |
[ 0 ] |
| Iraq poses a military threat to its neighbors in the region and Israel in particular |
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0% |
[ 0 ] |
| A naked show of force to make America's enemies think twice about acting against the US |
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9% |
[ 2 ] |
| When Iraq is occupied by the US, the OPEC cartel will be broken and the cheap oil will help the US economy |
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33% |
[ 7 ] |
| In general, the Middle East is both powerful and anti-American, which is a dangerous combination |
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4% |
[ 1 ] |
| To bring democracy to the Middle East via the "domino effect" |
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4% |
[ 1 ] |
| George Bush hates Saddam Hussein for personal reasons |
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9% |
[ 2 ] |
| Containment of Iraq is not realistic: eventually it will become a rogue state with nuclear weapons. |
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4% |
[ 1 ] |
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| Total Votes : 21 |
Scrivener
Noble Knight
Joined: 20 Jun 2002
Posts: 223
Location: Australia |
I thought I'd start a poll on possible motivations for the war in Iraq.
Probably everyone agrees that:
(1) Iraq has WMD
(2) The Iraqi government oppresses the people of Iraq
(3) Iraq has links to terrorist organizations
(4) Saddam Hussein is dangerous and unpredictable
However, it is also true that there are other countries within the Middle East that have more WMD, are more oppressive towards their people, have more extensive links with terrorist organizations, and are just as crazy as Saddam.
Given that there are benefits for the US oil industry in controlling a (former) OPEC member, and that Iraq presents something of a "soft target" since it does not have nuclear weapons (yet), there is naturally a "credibility gap" over the intentions of the US government in Iraq.
What do you guys think is the real story? |
Mon Mar 24, 2003 1:55 am |
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Dov
Guards Lieutenant
Joined: 13 Mar 2003
Posts: 164
Location: USA |
quote:
Given that there are benefits for the US oil industry in controlling a (former) OPEC member, and that Iraq presents something of a "soft target" since it does not have nuclear weapons (yet),
Exactly. A "FORMER" member. Anyways, the U.S. has already publicly declared that the oil of Iraq belongs to the Iraqi people. There is no way that we could take it now without serious repercussions around the world.
I think this story gives a good idea as to what our government is thinking: http://www.drudgereport.com/flashrt.htm |
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Mon Mar 24, 2003 2:27 am |
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Scrivener
Noble Knight
Joined: 20 Jun 2002
Posts: 223
Location: Australia |
Of course, the United States couldn't simply steal the oil without payment. But as you said earlier, any post-occupation government would have to be friendly to the US.
There would be two aims in this (hypothetical) scenario:
(1) Get the price of oil under US$85
(2) Prevent the threat of oil restrictions being used as a "weapon" as was threatened during the Afghanistan conflict
A US occupation would probably accomplish this.
Personally, I don't think it's quite so simple. The general motivation, in my view, is changing the overall political culture of the Middle East. That change has to happen someday. I'm not saying it would be a bad thing, either. |
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Mon Mar 24, 2003 2:43 am |
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Finarfin
Baron of the Court
Joined: 20 Nov 2002
Posts: 345
Location: London |
quote:
Probably everyone agrees that:
(1) Iraq has WMD
(2) The Iraqi government oppresses the people of Iraq
(3) Iraq has links to terrorist organizations
(4) Saddam Hussein is dangerous and unpredictable
erm no, i only agree with 2 and 4, the other two have yet to be proved
_________________
I didn't get where i am today by talking in clichés, i avoid clichés like the plague, a cliché to me is like a red rag to a bull..... |
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Tue Mar 25, 2003 12:53 pm |
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Toaster
Bread Alert
Joined: 27 Jan 2003
Posts: 5475
Location: Sweden |
quote:
Originally posted by Finarfin
quote:
Probably everyone agrees that:
(1) Iraq has WMD
(2) The Iraqi government oppresses the people of Iraq
(3) Iraq has links to terrorist organizations
(4) Saddam Hussein is dangerous and unpredictable
erm no, i only agree with 2 and 4, the other two have yet to be proved
Just my opinion.
_________________
Tabbrowser Extensions
DictionarySearch |
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Tue Mar 25, 2003 4:27 pm |
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Dov
Guards Lieutenant
Joined: 13 Mar 2003
Posts: 164
Location: USA |
 What's just your opinion? |
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Tue Mar 25, 2003 4:34 pm |
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Gorath
Mostly Harmless
Joined: 03 Sep 2001
Posts: 6327
Location: NRW, Germany |
That he only agrees to numbers 2 + 4. The rest has still to be proven.
_________________
Webmaster GothicDot |
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Tue Mar 25, 2003 4:37 pm |
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Dov
Guards Lieutenant
Joined: 13 Mar 2003
Posts: 164
Location: USA |
Ah, yes, we're not a fan of the truth on these boards. (*runs down the street laughing after losing it completely*) |
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Tue Mar 25, 2003 4:45 pm |
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Hyrrix
Fourty-two
Joined: 20 Jan 2003
Posts: 282
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quote:
Originally posted by Toaster
quote:
Originally posted by Finarfin
quote:
Probably everyone agrees that:
(1) Iraq has WMD
(2) The Iraqi government oppresses the people of Iraq
(3) Iraq has links to terrorist organizations
(4) Saddam Hussein is dangerous and unpredictable
erm no, i only agree with 2 and 4, the other two have yet to be proved
Just my opinion.
And I second that.
_________________
Vault Network Editor |
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Tue Mar 25, 2003 4:52 pm |
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Gothic Soul
Master of Shadows
Joined: 27 Aug 2002
Posts: 682
Location: Underdark |
Only for Oil (Petroleum).
_________________
"Whow, the necromancer is here" -Bartacus to myself |
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Thu Mar 27, 2003 5:31 pm |
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Jung
Most Exalted Highlord
Joined: 19 Jun 2002
Posts: 411
Location: Texas |
It's odd how Saddam's known weapons and horrific deeds are completely ignored, but the Bush administration could not possibly have honorable intentions in this war even though a primary motive of cheaper oil is tenuous(a secondary or tertiary effect at best). 
_________________
"You two are a regular ol' Three Musketeers." |
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Thu Mar 27, 2003 5:52 pm |
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Myrthos
Spoiler of All Fun
Joined: 07 Jul 2001
Posts: 1926
Location: Holland |
It's a poll where you can only choose one option. As such it's per definition flawed.
Well I don't think Saddam's deeds are ignored. There have been demonstrations in several countries including mine, against these deeds when they took place (although very small). I don't know how many demonstrations there were in the USA of course when the kurds were gassed. But at that time there wasn't a single government that was willing to put much value on the issue. As a side note I took it for what it is also at the time as I don't remember taking any action on it when it took place. As such I fitted in nicely into what most people thought about this, which was not much.
The world decided to look the other way as it was more convenient. Looking the other way was not a very honorable thing to do. Of course there were those who did go there. The red cross, Doctors with no frontiers (don't know the correct english name for them) and many other humanitarian organisations. They have put their lives on the line to help the suffering people there, unarmed and without any alterior motives than to help.
If you would like to discuss honorable intentions then to me they are the honorable ones in all of this and they have the honorable intentions.
It's not beyond anyone to change their ways and see the light. Looking the other way was not an honorable thing. Supporting the regime was not a honorable thing. I'm not going to dispute you when you say that the US has seen it's errors and choose the honorable thing to do now however.
I agree with you that the oil issue is a secondary issue at best. But in my opinion so are the intentions to 'liberate' Iraq.
_________________
Kewl quotes:
I often have an odd sense of humor - Roach
Why quote somebody else, think of something yourself. - XeroX
...you won't have to unbookmark this site, we'll unbookmark you. - Val
Reports Myrthos for making me scared and humbled at the mere sight of his name - kayla |
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Thu Mar 27, 2003 8:14 pm |
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Jung
Most Exalted Highlord
Joined: 19 Jun 2002
Posts: 411
Location: Texas |
My reply was directed at this post:
quote:
Originally posted by Gothic Soul
Only for Oil (Petroleum).
The reality is likely that some or all of the items on that list could be checked as motivations. I believe that it is usually a mix of selfish and selfless reasons that triggers an action like this by a government. To boil it down to "oh, it must be for the oil," is simplistic, insulting and, for some people, self-serving their ulterior agenda.
_________________
"You two are a regular ol' Three Musketeers." |
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Thu Mar 27, 2003 8:38 pm |
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dteowner
Shoegazer
Joined: 21 Mar 2002
Posts: 7570
Location: Third Hero of Erathia |
What puzzles me is that the world is most insistent on not making assumptions about Iraq, yet they seem perfectly content assuming what the true US motivations are, and assuming the worst.
_________________
=Proud Member of the Non-Flamers Guild=
=Benevolent Dictator, X2/X3 and Morrowind/Oblivion Forums=
Sorry. No pearls of wisdom in this oyster.
RIP Red Wings How 'Bout Dem Cowboys! |
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Thu Mar 27, 2003 8:45 pm |
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Myrthos
Spoiler of All Fun
Joined: 07 Jul 2001
Posts: 1926
Location: Holland |
The world is a big place. I'm part of it and so are you. And I agree with you both you and I assume what the true intentions are of the US government. Your assuptions lead to a different truth than my assumptions, that lead to a different truth than a thid person I assume.
What puzzles me is why your assumptions of the truth are better than mine.
_________________
Kewl quotes:
I often have an odd sense of humor - Roach
Why quote somebody else, think of something yourself. - XeroX
...you won't have to unbookmark this site, we'll unbookmark you. - Val
Reports Myrthos for making me scared and humbled at the mere sight of his name - kayla |
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Thu Mar 27, 2003 8:57 pm |
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