[MJY1288]

I don't believe the oil issue is the most important to this administration. I believe they see Iraq as an opportunity to free the Iraqi people and (As the Article points out) Iraq has enough resources to pay for their own "Nation Building"

The Iranians are sick and tired of the Mullah's who have been trying to beat them into submission for over twenty years. My bet is that the Iranian people will stand up and toss out their oppressors once Saddam is gone. This will be the start of the spread of democracy and freedom, The same kinda stuff that happened in Europe when Poland finally said they had enough.

Dictators and Tyrant's do all they can to keep their people from witnessing our freedoms, They do all they can to block all of our transmissions, They shut down "Internet Cafe's" They refuse to allow their people to travel freely, Why is this? It's because if their people get a taste of freedom, Their days of ruling are numbered.

I like this quote from George W. Bush when he addressed the Congress shortlay after 9/11.....

"The of this conflict is not yet known, yet its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear. justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not nuetral between them" George W. Bush 9/20/01

[MJY1288]

Correction:

"The COURSE of this conflict is not yet known, yet its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear. justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not nuetral between them"

[Balata]

Good points. I was just going to bring up the fact Iran may be the next to come around. Even before Pakistan and if that happens it will be a big stabilizing influence on the whole area. If it does then it may be the best outcome scenario.

[Cicero]

I agree that we're not doing it primarily for the oil, but we can't afford to ignore the oil either. I believe Bush is fundamentally a moral man of vision, but he is also a practical man who knows how to avoid the traps so many idealistic visionaries fall into. As long as the Saudis have their oil weapon, it will be very difficult to deal with them as they must be dealt with. We need to control the oil not to enrich ourselves but to be able to deal with the Arab fundamentalists without bringing down the world economy.

And I agree with you on Iran. One side effect of our war with Iraq will probably be an internal revolution in Iran, which will depose the Mullahs.