The circus is leaving town!

http://www.nytimes.com/html/2007/07/2....asp?r=van&c=3

And they arrived with such ambition, I guess.😳

casualangler91 said:http://www.nytimes.com/html/2007/07/2....asp?r=van&c=3

And they arrived with such ambition, I guess.😳

Why not? They grab the oil, install their own government, and ensure the region stays unstable for the next fifty years. Once those goals are met, what else would they even want from there?👍

Quincy:

Why wouldn't they? They grab the oil, install their own puppet government, and leave the entire region in total chaos for the next fifty years. Once those goals are checked off, what else is there left to hunt for over there?

They took exactly as much oil as they could spend, and somehow ended up deeper in debt than when they started. That government they installed? It’ll probably collapse three minutes after the last US soldier pulls out, and all that instability is going to boomerang right back at Israel and then hit the USA where it hurts most.
The biggest favor they ever did was for Iran, which—thanks to this US intervention—is rapidly evolving into much more than just a regional power.
In their desperate hunt for non-existent terrorists, they actually managed to build real ones.
Who knows... maybe that was the whole point all along.

fadedraven212 said:Quincy:

Why wouldn't they? They grab the oil, install their own puppet government, and leave the entire region in total chaos for the next fifty years. Once those goals are checked off, what else is there left to hunt for over there?

They took exactly as much oil as they could spend, and somehow ended up deeper in debt than when they started. That government they installed? It’ll probably collapse three minutes after the last US soldier pulls out, and all that instability is going to boomerang right back at Israel and then hit the USA where it hurts most.
The biggest favor they ever did was for Iran, which—thanks to this US intervention—is rapidly evolving into much more than just a regional power.
In their desperate hunt for non-existent terrorists, they actually managed to build real ones.
Who knows... maybe that was the whole point all along.

Exactly.

Sean Mitchell3 said:Exactly.

Actually, that's not quite the case. The USA is still pulling significant profit from that conflict—I can't recall the exact figure off the top of my head, but it's certainly nothing to sneeze at.

The USA profits from every single war out there. That’s why every president ends up getting caught up in at least some small conflict.

Production is ramping up and the arms market is booming. You gotta have somewhere to test the gear and burn through the stock, right? Oil is just one piece of the puzzle.

Can someone please walk me through how the Americans actually managed to grab all that oil?...😕

rowdytinker: It seems we are circling back to the same fundamental questions once again. While I appreciate the passion everyone is bringing to this discussion, I find myself wondering if we aren't missing the broader context that defines our current situation here in the USA. It isn't merely about one single policy or event, but rather how these various pieces fit into the larger tapestry of our national stability. I was reading some recent commentary on this, and it struck me how much we tend to focus on the immediate friction while ignoring the slow-moving currents underneath. We have to be careful not to let the noise drown out the actual substance of what is happening. What do you all think? Are we looking at the symptoms or the cause?

Linda Hughes88 said:Can someone please walk me through how the Americans actually managed to grab all that oil?...😕

How could you possibly be unaware? They loaded her onto tankers and sent her straight toward the USA. 🤣 🤣 🤣

Linda Hughes88 said:Can someone please walk me through how the Americans actually managed to grab all that oil?...😕

I guess that's just a bit too complex for you to wrap your head around.🤣

rowdytinker said:I guess that's just a bit too complex for you to wrap your head around.🤣

So come on, just do your best and walk me through it... I mean, someone with your level of intellect and deep knowledge shouldn't be having this much trouble explaining it...
So, seriously, how did the Americans actually grab that Iraqi oil?

Linda Hughes88 said:So come on, just do your best and walk me through it... I mean, someone with your level of intellect and deep knowledge shouldn't be having this much trouble explaining it...
So, seriously, how did the Americans actually grab that Iraqi oil?

Regardless, there is really only one thing you can say about Iraq:
The Americans completely blew it.

Chloe Price74 said:Regardless, there is really only one thing you can say about Iraq:
The Americans completely blew it.

Look, I asked a question and now I'm just sitting here waiting for some actual expert to give me an answer.

Linda Hughes88 said:So come on, just do your best and walk me through it... I mean, someone with your level of intellect and deep knowledge shouldn't be having this much trouble explaining it...
So, seriously, how did the Americans actually grab that Iraqi oil?

Do yourself a favor and read a book, search the internet (you'd be surprised how much information is actually out there), or talk to someone who actually has the time and knowledge to discuss this. I really can't be expected to fill in all the gaps in your education.

P.S. Does calling someone "little Anthony" actually make you feel superior, or is it just a reflection of how you were raised?😕

Chloe Price74 said:Regardless, there is really only one thing you can say about Iraq:
The Americans completely blew it.

And honestly, so did Saddam.🤣 Even Iraq doesn't look like much of a success story.👎

rowdytinker said:And honestly, so did Saddam.🤣 Even Iraq doesn't look like much of a success story.👎

It’ll all just circle back to where we started—honestly, whether it's Saddam Hussein or someone else, nothing really changes.

rowdytinker said:Do yourself a favor and read a book, search the internet (you'd be surprised how much information is actually out there), or talk to someone who actually has the time and knowledge to discuss this. I really can't be expected to fill in all the gaps in your education.

P.S. Does calling someone "little Anthony" actually make you feel superior, or is it just a reflection of how you were raised?😕

Look, I asked you a question. Why are you dodging it??? Are you trying to wiggle out of this? Did you realize you just talked absolute nonsense??

That "little Anthony" crap is just coming from your own ignorance and that massive ego you're showing by typing away about a topic you clearly know nothing about... and honestly, I see you're still stuck in that same mindset.

Linda Hughes88 said:So come on, just do your best and walk me through it... I mean, someone with your level of intellect and deep knowledge shouldn't be having this much trouble explaining it...
So, seriously, how did the Americans actually grab that Iraqi oil?

The USA exploited the oil during the entire occupation. They recouped the costs of aggression almost immediately by ramping up production far beyond anything seen under Saddam Hussein. Now, where that profit actually landed is a different matter entirely.

One thing remains certain: Americans secured those fields. They have reliable allies in the Kurdistan region near the oil sites. They maintain firm control over the sources and pumping stations—even after they "leave."

The result:

*They eliminated Israel's primary adversary from the last 30 years.

*They secured the largest oil reserves outside of Saudi Arabia.

*They triggered a cycle of self-destruction in the region.

Their supposed "losses" include 3,000+ deaths, a collapsed standard of living in the country, and global polarization.

But compared to the gains? It's nothing.

Gregory Howard said:The USA exploited the oil during the entire occupation. They recouped the costs of aggression almost immediately by ramping up production far beyond anything seen under Saddam Hussein. Now, where that profit actually landed is a different matter entirely.

One thing remains certain: Americans secured those fields. They have reliable allies in the Kurdistan region near the oil sites. They maintain firm control over the sources and pumping stations—even after they "leave."

The result:

*They eliminated Israel's primary adversary from the last 30 years.

*They secured the largest oil reserves outside of Saudi Arabia.

*They triggered a cycle of self-destruction in the region.

Their supposed "losses" include 3,000+ deaths, a collapsed standard of living in the country, and global polarization.

But compared to the gains? It's nothing.

I need actual proof for these claims! Should I just take your word for it? Like, covering the costs of the attack on Iraq? Exploiting oil in Iraq?? Give me evidence, evidence, evidence!!!

Linda Hughes88 said:I need actual proof for these claims! Should I just take your word for it? Like, covering the costs of the attack on Iraq? Exploiting oil in Iraq?? Give me evidence, evidence, evidence!!!

1. Regarding Saddam and his regime—nothing needs to be said.

2. Oil:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_oil_law_%282007%29
..........
Oil industry regulations in the US suggest this legislation empowers American corporations to seize control of the energy sector.[2] This new framework authorizes production share agreements (PSA) that guarantee a 12.5 percent profit margin for foreign oil firms.[2] The industry was entirely nationalized by 1972.[8][2] Back in the 1990s, during the era of Saddam Hussein, the administration granted PSAs to Russia and China, offering profit margins of less than 10 percent.[2]

The federal government plans to distribute the leftover oil revenue nationwide based on per capita figures.[1] However, US state sovereignty laws within this draft would grant local provinces independence from the central government when issuing exploration and production contracts.[2] Under the current constitution, these regions can form semi-independent territories with total control over their own natural resources.[2]

US oil industry privatization means the national entity would hold exclusive rights to a mere 17 of the 80 known oil fields, effectively handing over two-thirds of existing and all undiscovered fields to foreign interests.[1][9] America's oil reserves are considered the second largest on the planet[1], trailing only Saudi Arabia.[10]

3. Regarding demographics:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualt...raq_since_2003

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancet_...vasion_of_Iraq

4. Regarding the "reconstruction" looting:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconstruction_of_Iraq

Does anyone honestly believe Bechtel and Halliburton are losing money here?

Gregory Howard said:1. Regarding Saddam and his regime—nothing needs to be said.

2. Oil:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_oil_law_%282007%29
..........
Oil industry regulations in the US suggest this legislation empowers American corporations to seize control of the energy sector.[2] This new framework authorizes production share agreements (PSA) that guarantee a 12.5 percent profit margin for foreign oil firms.[2] The industry was entirely nationalized by 1972.[8][2] Back in the 1990s, during the era of Saddam Hussein, the administration granted PSAs to Russia and China, offering profit margins of less than 10 percent.[2]

The federal government plans to distribute the leftover oil revenue nationwide based on per capita figures.[1] However, US state sovereignty laws within this draft would grant local provinces independence from the central government when issuing exploration and production contracts.[2] Under the current constitution, these regions can form semi-independent territories with total control over their own natural resources.[2]

US oil industry privatization means the national entity would hold exclusive rights to a mere 17 of the 80 known oil fields, effectively handing over two-thirds of existing and all undiscovered fields to foreign interests.[1][9] America's oil reserves are considered the second largest on the planet[1], trailing only Saudi Arabia.[10]

3. Regarding demographics:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualt...raq_since_2003

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancet_...vasion_of_Iraq

4. Regarding the "reconstruction" looting:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconstruction_of_Iraq

Does anyone honestly believe Bechtel and Halliburton are losing money here?

🤣🤣 Oh, brilliant! You're throwing around data for a law that hasn't even passed yet!!!!! And in your last post on this thread, you were claiming Americans have been exploiting the oil the whole time and have already made back the cost of the invasion. Why the lies, huh??? Did you really think this little attempt at manipulation was just going to slide by unnoticed?

And as for Bechtel and Halliburton, they're being funded primarily by the US government!!!