No. Because there would be a period of instability where only the bad guys had guns.
I'm the first to admit I'm a POS for supporting it. I used to be very anti-war, then I started to believe (true or untrue, i do not know) a few things: If we don't exploit the oil, someone else will. If we don't grab that position to hit RUS/CHI, they very well might hit us first, or come to OUR door in 15 years with a bogus WMD claim. If we don't get that oil, our economy (being killed in mnfg now) will break.
If you can prove those 3 aren't true, I will happily go back to criticizing this war. But I believe it was done by those in charge here with the greatest good of 300 mil people in mind, 100 years down the road (with their own pilfering, of course). Is it evil by every moral and ethics code around? Sure. Could I make that decision to kill that many iraqis? No I couldn't. But I can't criticize them as long as I drive an SUV and live in a large house and reap the spoils.
How are you able to live with that everyday, viewing yourself as a POS?
No offence, just curious.
As far as proving that USA isn't in it for the oil, I can't. Because I believe it to be true. But unlike you, I don't think occupying a country is the right way to go, even from a utilitarian point of view.
It will create more problems than the goodies it will bring.
Ultimately, I think USA needs to get rid of the oil dependency.
Look at Japan. They don't have oil. Still they make some of the best cars in the world, and gas efficient, and they're also leading the way in alternative fuels. Their railway system is arguably the best in the world, with Shinkantsen shipping millions of Japs back and forth to work every day, and has, ever since the 70's.
They never became energy efficient because of the environment. But rather, because they didn't have oil or that many natural resources, unlike USA.
You think Japan has a low living standard?
(That's a rhetorical question
)
Do you see what I'm getting at?
USA is currently fighting for resources. We can probably agree on that.
But do USA really have to do that?
I don't think so.
USA has lots of natural resources, and border to Canada, a country with the biggest oil reserve in the world, also Venezuela is close (good diplomatic relations with Venezuela has to be a priority for the coming president).
A change in course from SUVs to efficient cars, and other energy sparing changes.
Again, look at the Japs. Do they live in caves?
No.
-Hedge