Submitted by Joseph Miranda, Dec 28, 2006 18:04

It is more and more obvious that it is time to be completely forthcoming and honest about our objectives in Iraq. Both now, and from the beginning. Did we go there for oil? No? Ok, is it more because we know that whoeever takes over there, will be incredibly wealthy and powerful? Hmmm.- Hard to let that one go.

Had we gone in with the rest of the world like Bush's father did in the Gulf War of '91, other countries would have shared the contracts to build and rebuild the infrastructure that Iraq so pressingly needs. The Bush administration obviously did not wish to share those contracts or any of the wealth in the anticipated and predictable easy victory of Saddam Hussien's regime. Never let anyone say that France, Germany and Russia would not have jumped at the prospect, any person slightly familiar with this modern world knows that it's all about the money. Money talks. Any measure of worldliness teaches one to never underestimate the other guy's greed. But it seems this whole dream of an easy victory has exploded in our faces. Had these other countries been involved, its a safe bet we'd be largely out of there by now. Instead America finds itself miserably commited in something it simply cannot get out of, going it alone for all practical purposes, with the heavy and demoralizing loss of credibility and leadership in the world.

A shameful example of greed, inexperience, and irresponsible leadership. Irresponsible in the manner of such a ridiculously stubborn neglect of the lessons of history. An irresistable desire to allow the "ends to justify the means"- and the worldwide embarrasment of such futility. And now they are talking of putting us deeper in the hole, adding more troops? Small wonder that our own military and Mr Gates are so leary of such a prospect. How can they rally behind Bush, who has no combat experience and was never really a soldier?

Because of this, of its own doing, this administration will continue to face tumultuous loss of credibility and effectiveness, to the detriment of America's leadership. It would be wise for this administration to come clean about all its mistakes, and stalk its own shortcomings; Truly, as if they were talking about a political adversary. Clean out all the lies for good. Especially it seems, since this administration has acted as if it has been its own worst enemy.

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