Originally Posted by
Sean Bateman
First of all, i haven't been warped into anything by anything i study. I barely go to classes.
Secondly, i view politics pretty skeptically, but i don't attribute the amazing intelligence and foresight that many here do to politicians. One problem i have with conspiracies is the level of credit they grant to politicians.
I agree that politics is a charade, but i don't believe there is a sinister motive beyond reelection, as many seem to think. Politicians will do anything if they envisage that it will result in an increase in support, the invasion of Afghanistan is a clear example of a reactionary attempt to appease a nation of bereaved and furious people. The overall majority of American's supported movement into Afghanistan, Bush just misjudged the public's support for military action in Iraq (which American's only began opposing when it became clear it was going to become a huge drain on the nation both financially and in terms of US soldiers being killed).
And thirdly, i still don't see how Iraq will be a great source of wealth for the US.
I didn't say those countries were a threat, they are a perceived threat.
As i said also, political dominance is beneficial for a country universally, this includes economically.
I just don't think that short term economic factors played an important role in the motivation to invade Iraq, as everyone else here seems to think.
You have presented the idea that it is a long term endeavour to turn Iraq into an economic power house as some kind of extension of the US.
I disagree, and don't see anyway that Iraq will become even economically self sufficient in the short term, let alone an economic power in the long term. It is unrealistic to think that governments are planning such operations on such a huge time frame.
The pay off financially would be so far into the future that the Bush administration at the time would have had no motivation to pursue it.
And again, i understand that a lot of people here think that both sides of politics conspire to achieve long term goals to further the cause of a wealthy sub section of society, but there is no logic behind this.
You obviously think Obama plans to continue Bush's vision?
Why then, is he recalling troops from Iraq (slowly, but with the goal of a full withdrawal).
Is this just a political move to keep people happy... with the eventual plan to reintroduce troops to the region later on in his term?
It doesn't fit together at all.