Iraqis the Only Ones Getting Cheap Gas!!!

[Tight_rope]

By JIM KRANE, Associated Press Writer
Sat, Jun 05, 2004

BAGHDAD, Iraq - One of the prewar forecasts was that by invading Iraq (news - web sites), the world would profit from stable exports of Iraq's oil. And that would translate into cheap gas for American drivers. Now, with U.S. gasoline averaging $2.05 per gallon — about 50 cents more than the pre-invasion price — that logic has been flipped on its head.

Instead, Iraqis seem to be the only people getting cheap gas as a result of the invasion. They pay just five cents for a gallon — thanks to hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. taxpayer subsidies.

more ------> http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040605/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_cheap_gas&cid=540&ncid=716

[Sirveri]

1. wow, my sig comes into full bloom with this.

[slor]

2. Wow...that is cheap!

5 cents a gallon, 10,000+ dead and their whole country, they had better start throwing those roses for the deal they are getting!

[truthisfreedom]

3. wow. i just saw today that the Venezuelans are paying 14 cents a gallon.

[NewEmanuelGoldstein]

4. Propaganda

I have seen 2 different news programs (one British one Japanese) on Link, and have been told by a family member in the Marines in Iraq that Iraqis have a huge gas shortage and are forced to wait in lines up to 10 hours long to get what gas there is.

The only reason a story like this is reported (imo) is to piss us off so we decide "we need to make Iraq pay".

[Racenut20]

5. Actually it pisses me off and makes me want to make Bus*Co pay.

[Tuttle]

6. I've never heard of 'Link'

what is that?

Tut-tut

[reprobate]

9. I believe the poster refers to Worldlink TV

WorldLink TV is an independant media outlet that has been a valuable alternative news source. It's on Dishnetwork and some cable systems, I'm not sure where else it's carried.

They speciallize in the behind the scenes stories that don't get on US media.

[Mikimouse]

7. IIRC, the Iraqis were always getting very cheap gas...

the illegal invasion and occupation has little or nothing to do with it. I remember seeing this documented last year, but do not remember where. It was discussed on the board as well. Hey, it's their oil after all, and perhaps the price they are paying for it is realistic, considering that it is right there in the country.

[Jacobin]

8. Well, it does belong to them

What's so cheap about this gas? We've invaded them, killed thousands of their civilians, blown up all their stuff, installed a puppet government and are stealing their oil.

Cheap gasoline? Fuck its THEIR gas.

[leesa]

10. Good. They deserve it and billions more for what we've done to them

[Barkley]

11. If this were done with the intention of a reparation I could agree but

the intent of the US subsidizing Iraqi gas is obviously something very different.

US subsidies can work in reverse:
This arrangement makes Iraq directly dependent upon the US and gives America additional bargaining power over any future Iraqi leadership.

This shows that the U.S. is abandoning the 'free market' principles that would have let market forces of supply and demand determine prices and output levels.

[Moderator]

12. Hi Tight_rope

When posting in LBN, please match the article title with the title of your post. Thanks.

Link to LBN Rules


"Only Iraqis Get Cheap Gas Despite Forecast"