Gates rejects Greenspan claim war is about oil

[Barrett808]

Source: Reuters

Gates rejects Greenspan claim war is about oil
By Thomas Ferraro

WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Sunday rejected former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan's statement that the Iraq war "is largely about oil."

With Democratic lawmakers apparently short of the votes needed to force President George W. Bush to change course, Gates defended the war, now in its fifth year, and said it's being driven by the need to stabilize the Gulf and put down hostile forces.

...

Appearing on ABC's "This Week," Gates said, "I have a lot of respect for Mr. Greenspan." But he disagreed with his comment about oil being a leading motivating factor in the war.

"I wasn't here for the decision-making process that initiated it, that started the war," Gates said. But he added, "I know the same allegation was made about the Gulf War in 1991, and I just don't believe it's true."

"I think that it's really about stability in the Gulf. It's about rogue regimes trying to develop weapons of mass destruction. It's about aggressive dictators," Gates said.

"After all, Saddam Hussein launched wars against several of his neighbors," Gates said. "He was trying to develop weapons of mass destruction, certainly when we went in, in 1991."

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N16189991.htm

[Justitia]

1. He's also recommending a VETO against the troop rest measure, so he's a tool. -eom

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

2. Not "respectfully disagree" but "reject" the argument. Typical RW'er ignorant contempt.

:eyes: MKJ

[Jade Fox]

3. Middle East = Oil

Always has, always will. Think about it: what else is there in the Middle East beside oil? If not for the oil, why would we (and the other Western nations) bother with a region that amounts to a whole lot of sand?

[dickbearton]

4. Gates, like Betray Us, is a Bush stooge.

Like Bush and Cheney, traitors and war criminals.

[Imagevision]

13. Agreed, Gates is another Bush stooge, big mouth, little content, Greenspan is right about the oil

[PittPoliSci]

5. it's not about oil

it's about controlling the sources of and access to oil. okay, so it's a difference of a degree...

[olddad56]

11. about oil? Come on, it's about bring democracy to these people.

[Up2Late]

18. Yup, that's usually how they lie without technically lying.

They change the argument just slightly, which confuses the average T.V. viewer.

[sandnsea]

19. but it matters to the pro-war crowd

so I think it's worth it to go ahead and state the difference. So it isn't about Bush stealing the oil to line his pockets, but it is about controlling the region because, in Bush's words, "we're addicted to oil".

[Seabiscuit]

6. Yo, Bates: He didn't have to develop WMDs in 1991 - Reagan already gave him WMDs.

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. Gates, you are so fucking lame!

You are a shameless tool.

[cliss]

8. Why don't they just come out and say it?

I'm serious here. Why couldn't they just step forward and say, "YES it's about the OIL. We want to control it, so we can do our best for YOU Americans. We'll get out there, make arrangements, work out deals so you can continue DRIVING your SUV's, keep buying all that plastic, and continue with your GOOD way of life.

I don't see any harm in it. It would probably make people realize, "HEY they're on our side! They just want to get the oil before that damn China, or maybe India will". They're the good guys.

[hayu_lol]

9. Gates is obviously as simple-minded as the rest of the gang...

Bush and his war:

First it was a CRUSADE. The enemy objected nosily to that so Bush changed it very quickly to;

OPERATION IRAQI LIBERATION=OIL

We are down to surges, like in a septic system, but the bottom line is OIL.

IMPEACHMENT is the only way to go.

[ooglymoogly]

16. well now there is a lighthearted approach and can it really be that simple?...

It trips dripping with blood right off the tong....kill a million Iraqis and counting and nearly 4 thousand of our own sons and daughters so big oil can make a killing off stolen oil and gouge Americans at the pumps to become even more obscenely rich....Yuh fer sher...thats the ticket...the Murkins will eat it up

[sandnsea]

20. That's what Republicans already believe

Are you saying if they told the truth you'd support this war?

[Hulk]

10. Wow....breaking news!!

Then gates is the most ignorant son of a bitch in this administration, cause all the other idiots even realize that. Read any history book about wars and their purposes....they ALMOST ALWAYS are over mineral rights.

War of the World, by Naill Ferguson goes back to the twelfth century, and it's a pretty clear picture that mineral rights and corporate interests have been behind every war ever fought...of any significance.

Tell me gates was just joking, ok?

[Anarchy.X]

12. Another mouthpiece replacement

Who is being forcer to spew Bush and Cheney's propoganda. If Gates was smart he'd run away from the admistration as soon as possible.

Than again, I find it hard to believe that he is not either doing Bush Sr. a major favor, or is being blackmailed to have been made Rumsfeld's replacement.

[truthisfreedom]

14. "After all, Saddam Hussein launched wars..."

Making a forceful argument usually doesn't require sentences starting with "After all," Mr Gates. When they asked around to see who should be trotted out to oppose Mr. Greenspan's opinion, did you leap up and beg to be the one?

[Roland99]

15. Let's see...the US assisted Saddam and gave him intel on Iranian troop locations..and...

Who can forget April Glaspie's, essentially, green light for Saddam to invade Kuwait.

[mvd]

17. mvd rejects Gates's rebuttal

As pure hogwash. We are there for no good reason.