The Iraq War. If not for oil, then for what?

Question

Please, no lables in your answers. Liberal/Conservative, Democrat/Republican. Lets all work to destroy these labels as they only serve to delude the political discourse.

I didn't ask this to inflame anyone, I just wanted honest opinions.

There were no WMD's. There were no ties to al-Qaeda. While liberating the Iraqi people from Saddam is a nice notion, we have never historically invaded a country solely to liberate its people. And besides, if that were our goal, there are plenty of other places that would have benefitted more from American intervention. So what then?

Answer 1

You say you didn't ask this to inflame, so why add the part about oil?

When did we find out that there were non WMD's? Did Sadam obey the numerous calls from the UN to allow them to validate this fact?

Did he not use chemical weapons on the Kurds?

Before you ask these inflamatory questions, know your facts.

And YES, know what is going on in Iran while you're at it!

The current strategy is to fight until we are able to successfully turn it over to the Iraqi Military and leave as soon as possible after that.

To simply say quit begs the question, where does that leave Iraq? Doomed to the terrorists, Iran or any other country wanting to take their land?

I am sick and tired of the BS about the USA not getting involved in other countries problems. Wouldn't that be nice...than why do we spend so much on relief for disasters, and humanitarian needs? Why do our celebrities go to other countries to care for their children, when we have sick and dying right here at home?

Because we are a nation who cares and it applies to the military support as well as the relief and humanitarian support as well.

I think it is very hypocritical for liberals to want it one way for social programs and another for the military.

Thanks for the question!

Answer 2

The source below is for the Congressional Authorization to carry out offensive military operations against Iraq which was passed in 2002. The reason for our actions are listed therein. There is precious little reference to WMDs. And 85% of Iraqi oil exports are under contract to Compagnie Petrol De Francais (a French firm).

Answer 3

Everyone thought Saddam had a WMD program active. France didn't want us to invade cause then, as we did find out, they illegally dealt weps and stuff to Saddam. Also, Saddam violated so many of the UN resolutions I can't remember them all. Saddam gave money to Pali suicide bombers who have killed Americans. To be far he should have eatten a nuke.

Answer 4

It would appear you are a victim of the media / politics. You have bought a couple of false assertions

FIRST There were WMDs Lets examin the facts. You do not need vast warehouses of WMD's to be a threat to America. One coke can of Sarin will kill thousands. You do not need a B-2 bomber to explode a nuclear device in America. There are nine "suitcase" nuclear devices (Russian) unaccounted for on the black market.
When the 101st Abn reached Bagdhad they found liquid WMD's dumped into the river. We found more WMD's in a warehouse (500). The left was quick to point out the munitions were "old' but they ignore that Saddam claimed he had no WMDs. Old or not the WMDs were still useable. Many could not be fired but the contents were still dangerous and useable by terrorists.
Then there are the "weather balloon trailers". Why is a weather balloon trailer equipt with a bacteria incubator?
Saddams top Air Force General states Saddam move huge quantities of WMDs by truck and plane to Syria. Prior to these admissions I had a friend serving on the Syrian border who made the same claim. In addition a Syrian journalist has disclosed huge caches of WMDs from Iraq are being stored in three villages in Syrias Bakka Valley. These three unconnected independent assertions are called "multiplicity of sources" in the intel game. That type of information has a strong probability of being true
Now lets take the yellow cake fiasco. Vallerie's husband claims Saddam never bought or attempted to buy "yellow cake" from Nigeria. He determined this from cocktail party conversation, assumptions and a fake bill of laiding. The British still claim that Saddam not only tried to purchase yellow cake but actually did buy 3 tons. They base their claims on actual telephone recordings. Beyond that when we invaded Iraq we found 3 tons of Yellow Cake Saddam got from "someone"???
Now lets examine Saddam's ties to Al Queda. While the reports of 911 terrorists meeting with Iraqi officials in Prague has never been verified the Polish Secret police maintain it is true. We have film of Saddam handing out diplomas at an Al Queda Terrorist Training Camp graduation.Saddams wife maintains Saddam funded Al Queda. We have documentation of money transfers from Saddam to Osama. Saddam also gave sancuary to known Al Quida terorists.
You assume we invaded Iraq to free the people. That is a side issue. We invaded Iraq as a part of the worldwide war against terrorists and the governments who support them.
Try these reasons for starting the GWOT with Saddam:
Saddam declared war on America
Saddam paid terrorists $25,000 to attack Americans and her allies
Saddam attempted to assassinate a sitting US President
Saddam gave sanctuary to terrorists accused of attacking America
Saddam attempted to kill American servicemen while they were performing their duties
Saddam failed to obey UN mandates which voided the peace agreements

the list goes on but that seems sufficient to warrant our supposition that the egomaniacal Saddam was a real threat to America
Megomaniacal Saddam did not like losing his spotlight as the Arab world's anti-American hero. He needed to one up Osama.....do something more violent than 911.....the threat he would "nuke" either Isreal or America was VERY real.

Answer 5

We do not invade countries JUST to liberate them from cruel dictatorships (see Burma/Mynamar and many African nations).

We do not invade countries that violate UN sanctions or resolutions (see Israel with 30+ violations, the most of ANY country in the world).

We do not invade countries that bomb their neighbors or systematically steal more and more land from their neighbors (see Israel still expanding their "settlements" while taking about peace).

We do not invade countries that make nuclear bombs and long-range missiles to carry those bombs (see India, Pakistan & North Korea).

However, our president had too many "friends" with interest in oil and so we went to war. It was not the "US government", it was the "business friends of George Bush" that wanted to get their hands on the oil ... but it is the government and the public that will be see around the world as greedy, what a shame.

Answer 6

Saddam openly violated UN security sanctions and refused to let auditors see, gather evidence, or tour suspected facilities. (After the war many people came foreward indicating they were ordered by Saddam's people to hide various documents or equipment related to weapons of mass destruction.) Saddam was given all the options , invasion included, but he proceeded to defy the international community thinking that no one would invade. He was wrong.

Answer 7

Bush's Daddy wanted Saddam dead and Bush and Cheney wanted Oil. They thought they would invade Iraq leave Afghanistan where Bin Laden was hiding they could have gotten him at Torah Boar and had him surrounded , Bush told them to come back, Bush didn't want Bin Laden that is cousin and he only wants Iraq. Cheney stated it would a sure deal invade them people would come out and give them cookies , cakes and candy just so welcome throw flowers at them. Well, he thought wrong they hate Bush for what has done to their people. I still say they were better off with Saddam Huessin as their leader they had schools, carnivals, Zoo , library, they had electricity, heat and water, food and houses. What do they have now nothing but bodies laying in the streets with flies covering them, they have nothing now but hell on earth, the are being killed by the thousands our troops are being killed by the thousands, THEY HAVE NOTHING.

Answer 8

If you haven't been there then I dont expect you to understand, if you have been there and still dont understand try leaveing the FOB. The troops over seas are doing a lot to improve the lives of the iraqi people(fresh water, food, ect.).

Answer 9

iraq war is solely for oil!! u c prior 2 d start of d war saddam waz ready 2 surrender n take exile in some other country provided bush paid him 1bn$..a short sum which could hve saved 33000 lives of both iraqis n american soldiers..but bush waz adamant,said saddam's word cannot be trusted and itz time to take him down!!....dis fact waz revealed recently form d govt. source which bush noded 2!!
GOD BLESS ALL THOSE WHO DIED IN D WAR!!

Answer 10

i vaguely remember saddam violating 17 UN sanctions? also the FBI, CIA, Russian CIA , England, everbody told our president that they did have them