War, War Stupid
By Carlo Lopez
So much has been said and written about the senselessness of the United States’ obsession to forge war with Iraq. Everybody has their own theory and opinion about this ongoing crisis. Here are some of my insights:
The United States led a coalition of forces in the Persian Gulf region in 1991 to stop Iraqi president Saddam Hussein from invading Kuwait and halt the massacre of thousands of Kuwaitis and Kurdish minorities. Back then, this Gulf War had international backing because Saddam was the aggressor. The purpose of the war was for preventive measures of what could have been a full scale war by a megalomaniac leader.
The option for then United States president George Bush was there for US forces to invade Iraq, eliminate Saddam Hussein and change the system of government. Bush senior resisted because of measures mainly political (he believed that by playing by international agrement would boost his sagging chances in the elections — he lost anyway).
This time around, the aggressor is the United States. Clearly.
There is a hint of revenge on the part of current US President George W. Bush. Saddam caused a great embarrassment on the part of Bush senior, and this is one possible reason why Bush junior is salivating to do what his father failed to do (perhaps because the idea of war would boost his re-election chances).
Another theory is the theory why most of the world’s wars throughout history took place — a country with less resources invading a country with greater resources. In this case, we will be referring to O-I-L. Iraq has the second largest oil reserves in the world (next to Saudi Arabia). The US has very little oil reserves, and most of their supplies are depleting. Their primary source, Venezuela, is rocked by political strife. Bush junior, having been an oil mogul in the past, may believe this is his one big opportunity to change the Iraqi government to one friendlier with the United States, thus, being able to tap into the oil supply of Iraq.
Forget the gift of democracy. Forget the world’s safety. This is a war, led by an administration with motives. An administration unmindful of the sagging economy of its own country. An administration that favors the white men (Republicans tehd to have a white-superiority complex).
And George W. Bush has never really had a mind good enough to wage a war. This is all by design by his hawkish cabinet, to help him achieve whatever motive runs in his mind.
Diplomacy must take its course. Diplomatic talks haven’t even properly taken place.
And don’t believe the hullaballoo of France, Germany, China and Russia in opposing United States action. Peace-loving as they try to project themselves, they all have motives as well.
France and Germany have business interests with the Iraqi government. A war in Iraq will greatly affect these businesses. And in the long history of France and Russia, these two nations have always been traitors, and always on the wrong side of history. Russia on the other hand is opposed to the war because of its own insecurity. Russia’s booming oil industry has been a big help to their economy. If the United States gets control of Iraq’s oil distribution, then it will trigger lower oil prices because of the opening of the oil fields to all of America and its allies, thus forcing OPEC (Oil and Petroleum Exporting Countries) and Russia to stop their gimmick of padding the price of oil when they want to. China on the other hand is insecure of the United States exercising its superpower status and padding it even more, because China wants to be a superpower as well.
Minus these motives, I can bet my bottom dollar they’ll support any war.
And by the way, once upon a time, Saddam Hussein was a key ally of the United States in the war against Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini of Iran. In fact, Saddam Hussein was put into power with the help of the United States. Hence, he was a creation of America.
War of any form is stupid. Let the peaceful solution take its course.
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Carlo is a person who tries to enjoy his life, yet admire the simple things. Visit him at akosicarlo.com
