Reply #58: Did you ever read the text of Ms Glaspie's cable? [View All]

[BlueMTexpat]

Most likely not. She did not "goad" him. That has always been the story to make her the scapegoat. I actually know her, by the way, and others who do as well have had to gnash their teeth for years at the callous - and sexist - way she was treated. Did you never wonder why one of the political appointees (April was a career FSO, after all) wasn't sent to Iraq? There's no way any political appointee - or even a male FSO - would have been let to take that particular fall. In the case of the political appointee, it would have meant no more political contributions and bad press generally. They would not have dared to treat any career male FSO like that because the male-dominated would have reacted strongly. She had no support group to protect her.
The Iran-Iraq War - where we had supplied Saddam with the chemical weapons, etc., etc., which had racked up huge amounts of debt for Iraq and all with the imprimatur of Rumsfeld & Cheney in their 1st go-round - together with the lowering of oil prices that was going to make Iraq'd debt situation, together with the illegal slant-drilling by Kuwait - with the tacit approval of Bush-Baker - THAT was what goaded Saddam. It was not what she had to say - or not say.
And yes, the ultimate goal was always the OIL.

By the way, you tipped your hand with your last comment about Clinton. So, I'm done with you.