It ain’t -just- oil. There’s all kinds of money to be made over there. Especially since Cheney as secretary of defense drastically downsized the military, creating all kinds of opportunities for profit minded contractors, who are ripping the country off with impunity, and all too often at the peril of our troops.

I am baffled as to why there is so little outrage at all this profiteering, and outraged at how some companies are getting off the hook with the flimsiest of excuses (e.g. “The contract didn’t specify that the trucks had to work”).

If congress put half the energy into investigating this ongoing ripoff as it gave to a stained blue dress, there would quite a few of Bush, Cheney and co.’s friends in prison now.

If treason defined as waging war agains the US or giving aid and comfort to its enemies, what do you call it when you -use- the US to wage war, for private gain?

I’d still call it treason.

Oh and did you see the cartoon on the last page of the Scene section of the daily. Particularly appropriate to this post.

There is a book hitting the shelves today, Internal Combustion by Edwin Black. He explores all the myths and realities of oil and energy. He explains what happens with low oil prices.

Then of course there’s the use of religion and repeating that ” God is behind our military efforts.” I know of no God who blesses mass murder or genocidal wars for profit. The same people ,again, who profit from war, often use fear and intimidation pschology on those who would rather fight for Peace.

I remind you all of Pastor Niemoller.. Were he able to see America today, he would have a grave warning for us all ” Those who love war are destined to die in it’s ugliness!”

We didn’t care what Saddam did to his people when he was our guy and the oil was flowing. We didn’t care about the Shah of Iran did to his people when the oil was flowing. This is a war of economics not religion. Religion, like blind patriotism is the ruse to get morons to do your bidding while money grubbers plant an iud up the publics tailpipe.
Guardian, you could end up in Guantanimo for even thinking that way and I hate to think what they are capable of sticking up your tail pipe.

Also I appreciate the follow up opportunity because relaying the painstaking research and knowledge of Thomas Friedman in this blog about this topic is daunting. It was he who made the point recently that the administration’s failure to address oil prices is furthering the instability in the Middle East by increasing the wealth of rogue states like Iran. Reducing dependence on foreign oil through conservation methods was one such suggestion. But I don’t expect a millionaire from Texas or Wyoming will provide the kind of leadership on this issue the nation needs. I strongly urge folks to read his column in the Times or his best selling book.

First guy, “I think it’s good we buy a lot of foreign oil; we should quit using our oil and use only foreign oil.”
Second guy, “What? Why?”
First guy, “Because eventually we’d use up all their oil. Then they’d be out of oil and we’d have all the oil and we could set the prices, sell it only to those we like, and control everything.”

Hmmm…..

A dramatic increase in the gas price is the quickest way to reduce our dependence on oil. This would jump start many other ways of reducing dependency. Public transit, rideshares, and bikes would be better utilized. Also, new technology and implementation into our daily transportation life would speed up.

And may cause me to read a little Thomas Friedman.

That would be a short term fix….long term, I agree with G. The Hummer and other flashy waste should go…..

Hmmmm IUD?? An inlaw of mine envisioned a little baby stroller mounted car zapper. He figures he can go for morning walks and silence noisy cars while their owners sleep off their hangover.