Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Pffth on the soldiers' honor. This week it's oil !

Call me just a tad cynical, but the president has revised our reason for the American military to stay in Iraq. Touring just last week in Idaho and Utah, Bush said we would continue the Iraq mission to honor those who have died there. It was his response to Cindy Sheehan's demand we bring the troops home now.

But I guess the honor of troops who have perished in Iraq is no longer the reason we're staying. The Associated Press reports the president, standing in front of the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier, said today the reason for continued Iraq presence now (this week at least) is the "protection of the country's vast oil fields, which he said would otherwise fall under the control of terrorist extremists."

Bush's new reason--oil--sounds like he's preparing us for the truth behind his war. But his statement didn't get much play in the media which were distracted by the unfolding gulf coast hurricane tragedy. Why do I suspect that's just as the president calculated?

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