Theories, Facts, and Conjecture about the War on Terrorism
In Defense of Freedom.
My opinion: Now we're on to something. That the pipeline has been proposed is a fact (see the well-documented Pipe Dreams). That the administration is partial to oil interests is difficult to deny (Bush, Cheney, and several Cabinet members all made their money in oil). What I don't buy is that the war was already planned out before September 11.
What I do believe is that the situation has been taken advantage of, and the mission expanded. In trying to figure out the reason for the level of overkill in our attacks on Afghanistan, this is the only thing that makes sense. The manner in which we're fighting virtually guarantees that we'll have to remain after the war as permanent peacekeepers. Coincidentally, that will also allow us to build and protect the pipeline. Whether the administration truly believes the pipeline is in our national security interest, or whether it's purely greed, I'll leave up to you.
So there you have it. I accept that the 9-11 attacks were the works of Islamic fundamentalists, most likely affiliated with Osama bin Laden. I agree that we need to combat terrorism, but feel it would be better done in a less dramatic manner. Finally, I believe that the thinking of the administration has been clouded by an agenda that reaches beyond anti-terrorism into the world of energy policy.
How badly do you want $1/gallon gasoline? Is it worth World War Three? Let's stick with our initial objectives, bring some criminals to justice, and get out of Afghanistan before it's too late.
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