North West Oil Group, Inc. (NWOL)

[wishmd]

Thought I’d add my two cents on this OT discussion.

The WMD argument notwithstanding, it seems to me that the invasion of Iraq was primarily intended to drive a democratic wedge into an otherwise undemocratic region, in the hopes that when people in that area get a taste of the benefits of a democracy and the accompanying freedoms, they will fight extremism and extend democracy’s reach.

In principle I believe this was a great idea. In practice, as the morass in Iraq proves, it is much more difficult than it at first appeared. The concept, though altruistic, is not as likely to work in reality. The religious/political complexities are daunting. There are no think-tank models that can anticipate all the scenarios that could play out.

So now, with President Bush weakened by the results of the election, we have a situation where governments which might have been concerned about the US’s hegemony, are now much more likely to embark on “risky” initiatives without fear of a US response. That includes Iran, NPRK, Syria, Russia, factions within Iraq, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico, to name a few.

Our failures in Iraq, for whatever reasons (over simplification, inability to predict, over-extension of the military, insufficient troops to do the job, etc.), have made our standing as an influential world power much weaker. And on top of all that we are now saddled with an enormous debt that our grandchildren will be saddled with, for a number of generations.

I predicted the Republican defeat in the recent elections. No brag… the facts are plain, they are there for everyone to see very clearly. I was a bit surprised that the bloodbath was not even worse.

Support the Commander-in-Chief? Sure, up to a point. Fresh ideas on how to come out of this quagmire with at least some of the original intent salvaged are needed. Just “staying the course” just doesn’t cut it. I have no idea what might work, this is way too complex for me… as it is for most experts even.

No, I don’t think Bush lied about WMD. However there is a difference between outright lying and using tenuous evidence as leverage for getting support for this foreign policy… and I think that’s what happened here.