I think the reason that the [0il] matter is simply Bound to Come up lies in a long history, surely as long as the '20s Western Powers\ufffd dividing-up of the lands of the (then largely nomadic) non-Christain types ~ lumped together as Arabs/Semites whatever.

Leaving aside the patently racist Third Reich's manipulations as well as Muricans' and other WASPs == the Rich Countries altogether: as of prior to 9/11, many here and elsewhere have observed that, virtually the *only* "connection", common interest? of the US and Saudi Arabia (Not a plebiscite of the citizens of SA, but the rump non-parliamentary Ibn Saud clan) IS [oil].)

Period. Now the (recently linked-to) estimates of the placement of oil pools throughout this area certainly indicate a Matter which no government anywhere could.. simply ignore.

So while I can easily agree with your seeming main point, it's not Just about the oil.. - in a larger sense, I believe that every single Murican (et al) gesture, overture, pact, agreement ___ with anyone in this area is inseparable from the Fact of Their [Oil]. Or we'd stay home and polish our bunkers and put up razor-wire at the borders.

Yes it is unfair and disingenuous to portray oil-man Dubya and oil-man Halliburton-Cheney as ... *solely* motivated by the obvious. It is in fact unfortunate for these two, and in these circumstances - that other issues are supposed to be the concern.. at least of the past year.

Since in the above thread it has been ~ agreed that "motivations" is a concept we use, and we can never be certain of what these actually are.. in anyone not-Me: it is still reasonable to examine a 'player's apparent (public? private?) life history to date, to try to notice what it is this person has thus far dedicated his/her 'life' towards.

I submit that a record of Corporate rapine, of being responsible for Executive decisions as lead to the confiscation of workers' earned retirement funds etc. (not to mention the bailing-out at last moment via Knowing what was pending) == illustrates both character and methods such a one will employ. Indicates: what this person wants Most.

Ergo: when Bush/Cheney assert, it's not about oil / business / Corporate division of anticipated spoils! well --- OK, sorta-not.. maybe a Little-not. But it is Not Ever not at all about [oil]!

IMaO.



Ashton
who believes that there are very Few actors good enough to never-salivate over internal fantasies.. on camera.. in This camera-besotted culture. Never mind what they 'say' so sincerely to us, with that Patriotic throb in the lowered voice, and the large effort to seem er humble in that moment.