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TechnoratiAs we head into the Fourth of July weekend of patriotic bluster and beer swilling -- but before we are too besotted with ourselves -- might we also for once consider our imperfections? Why not take a moment to heed the cautions of our founding father, George Washington, whose true legacy will most likely be ignored during the flag-waving weekend?
Washington's "Farewell Address" to the new nation was a warning about the threat of American imperial ambitions and a declaration of his high expectations for a republic of free men: "In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of an old and affectionate friend, I dare not hope they will make the strong and lasting impression I could wish; that they will control the usual current of the passions, or prevent our nation from running the course which has hitherto marked the destiny of nations. But, if I may even flatter myself, that they may be productive of some partial benefit, some occasional good; that they may now and then recur to moderate the fury of party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. ..."
We are drowning in the "impostures of pretended patriotism," used to cover the lies that got us into Iraq, the defense of torture and the violation of our basic liberties. In the name of patriotism, we presume a God-given American right to reorder the world to our liking, masking the vice of unfettered greed as an obligation of national security.
Any doubts as to this later governing impulse of our imperial ambitions were shattered with the recent news that U.S. advisers to our puppet government in the Green Zone of occupied Iraq have worked out agreements for American oil companies to gain control of Iraqi oil fields. But, then again, what did we expect when we elected a Texas oil hustler, and a failed one at that, to be our president?
Only in an America dumbed down by constant propaganda about our innate moral superiority will anyone any longer believe that we didn't invade Iraq for the oil, even though Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice came to the Bush administration from the board of directors at Chevron, where they named an oil tanker after her. Like Vice President Dick Cheney with those Halliburton contracts, Rice has stayed true to her corporate sponsors. That's what the U.S. invasion of Iraq accomplished; for the first time in more than three decades after Iraq joined a worldwide trend of formerly colonized nations gaining control of their own resources, Big Oil is getting its black gold back. It was always about the oil -- that's why "we" invaded Iraq -- only "we" aren't getting any, at least not at a reasonable price. The oil companies are.
I know it's difficult for the corporate media and politicians, both fueled generously by energy money, to grasp the distinction, but we the people and they the oil companies are not one and the same. While we suffer at the pump, they make record profits, which is the way they like it. Don't think for a second that U.S. oil companies are rushing into Iraq to expand production to help lower world oil prices, thus making their investments less profitable. They just want to be on the winning side, which is why the CEO of Halliburton relocated his office from Texas to the United Arab Emirates, where I am certain he and his fellow corporate expatriates are able to happily celebrate the Fourth of July.
So, take that American flag off your lapel and replace it with a button bearing the Exxon or Chevron logo. C'mon, Dick Cheney and Condi Rice, be straight about what it is you are really pushing here. 'Fess up -- it's not the good old USA as represented by the sucker taxpayers conned by your patriotic blather. No sirree, what you would have Americans paying homage to is the majesty of the big multinational corporations that exploit American military power to rule the world.
But recognize that you have shamed the legacy of our first president. George Washington, who distinguished the promise of the new world from the corruptions of the old by shunning imperial conquest, said: "Our commercial policy should hold an equal and impartial hand; neither seeking nor granting exclusive favors or preferences; consulting the natural course of things; diffusing and diversifying by gentle means the streams of commerce, but forcing nothing."
If Barack Obama or John McCain was to offer such words of wisdom this Fourth of July, he would be vilified as "weak," and that is a fit measure of just how far we have descended from the high hopes of our first president.
Robert Scheer is the author, most recently, of "The Pornography of Power: How Defense Hawks Hijacked 9/11 and Weakened America," published by Twelve Books.
Copyright © 2008 Truthdig, L.L.C.
39 Comments so far
Show AllDarth Viper signaled to the Houston Energy Cartel in his Spring 2001 secret energy meetings that the next 4/8 years would be the bonanza of the century with zero chance of antitrust or any other type of regulation or law enforcement. With a wink/nod it was understood that energy prices would fall during election months but were free to skyrocket at all other times. It was recently revealed in the media that Darth Viper actively worked to help the cartel prey upon Californians during the 2001 electricity deregulation.
Speculators got the message through the grapevine, and the bonanza spread to all commodities. Good jobs for all. Would you please never mind the side effects? This is "laissez-faire" capitalism unbounded. Destabilize the Middle East for profit. And do it at "peak oil" and "peak melt" times all synchronized to the rockets red glare. Thank the electorate for the devastation.
"When do we get down(!) and march on those bastards?"
Answer: When it's too late!
So now I hear that we are going to sue the oil companies as we similarly did with the tobacco industry. How ludicrous it is to think that now we fight the beast that was created with and within the system that rewards greed and insensitivity with that system. You democracy-ites really kill me!!!
When do we get down(!) and march on those bastards!!
Free Public Transportation for All
Not only will it open the roads and reduce the need for its massive repair regime and reduce the cost of gasoline, but also it will increase the take home income of millions of Americans. The costs of free public transportation can be borne by the commercial real estate owners and capital gains income that presently feed off the low and middle-income earner.
A better environment for all.
DC Beltway: If I misunderstood your statement, I apologize, but it was not intended to smear you, nor do I think it did. Too many in this thread make Israel responsible for things that it is not, and presume that all Jews go along. I am tired of the blame... Israel's policies are NOT in accord with my beliefs, however, it is ridiculous to presume that it alone is directing US foreign policy. If I put you in that camp, my apologies.
Majority of our oil comes from Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and some from Venezuela and African states.
First American officials tell the NY Times that the big four oil companies are back in Iraq after about 30 years.
And then recently, according to the NY Times, "A group of American advisers led by a small State Department team played an integral part in drawing up contracts between the Iraqi government and five major Western oil companies to develop some of the largest fields in Iraq, American officials say."
Which AMERICAN OFFICIALS?
Are we to trust this "news� What we've all known was going on? I'm very suspicious.
Given the PR campaigns by the big four about how they’re here to help guide us through the ‘energy crisis’, how all (but Exxon) are going green--obvious greenwashing--but, nevertheless, an attempt at placating the masses, making people believe that we can trust them to help 'solve' the crisis in energy.
This trusting relationship energy producers are trying to build, (Shell with it's faux shiny new sign), combined with a war for oil makes me envision a way for them (and the republicans) to get popular support for an unpopular war. Popular opinion hates high gas prices and popular opinion sees how our economy won’t survive without oil. The PR pitch I’m hearing lately goes something like this:
“Of course we’re concerned about global warming, BUT, our energy crisis comes first, people need a break at the pump, and these 'responsible' companies can help us do it.â€
Be wary when the administration lets the NY Times say it was a war about oil. Be wary when the NY Times shows us how oil companies moved into Iraq “legally.â€
Recall this?: the NY Times was the lap dog that led us to war in the first place. They fed us the war last time, what’s going on this time exactly? What is going on???
_______________ E D I T __ F A I U R E _______________
Please replace these two sentences, from above, which much improves my messages' clarity:
… most crucial element of what reality is being created and where the "momentum that has been difficult to break" ( as you said ), actually comes from.
… - and this orchestration of dis-empowerment, resignation, powerlessness, acceptance of authority, … etc -- is our real enemy.
Namaste « Presence »
K I V A L S,
Although I agree, I wish to
__ u n - N A I L __
some of our collective perceptions, which are of considerable influence and importance.
Even more so, I acknowledge my own limiting behavior to use this same "nailed it" language, which does build community while also adding to the inertia we must fight.
Consider that the powerful amalgam of players made use of their manipulative control of jacka$$ stream media and PSYOPS -- to essential enroll the majority of the American audience into their common dream -- and this is the most crucial element of what reality is being created and where the "momentum that has been difficult to break".
Every time we pound another nail into the collective illusion of neoCON influence, we further its agenda to have more people visualize, believe, accept, and allow
that mind set and perception.
T O __ R E V E R S E __ I T
Our salvation depends on our focus to avoid the EGO's congratulatory demands and insipid automatic reactions, as that is part of the "monkey trap" that has hold of us.
Simply stated, the powerful are "playing" the psyches and imaginations of America, to their own ends - and orchestration of dis-empowerment, resignation, powerlessness, acceptance of authority, … etc.
Our own PROGRESSIVE energies can be channeled to a finer and sharper focus -- to implement our own agenda and counter this prevailing tide -- but we can no longer waste energy commiserating and re-enforcing what we DO NOT WANT.
We must clarify our focus on WHAT WE DO WANT, for as longer as we continue to look over our shoulders at what was "historical true" ( or what we don't want: now or later ) -- we provide energy and focus to further the creation of what we don't want.
â—† â—† â—† â—† ___ W H I C H __ T U N E ___ â—† â—† â—† â—†
â—† â—† â—† â—† ___ W I L L __ Y O U R _____ â—† â—† â—† â—†
â—† â—† â—† â—† ______ M I N D __ B E ______ â—† â—† â—† â—†
â—† â—† â—† â—† ______ P L A Y I N G _______ â—† â—† â—† â—†
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ __ ♪♪♫ __ ? ? __ ♪♪♫ __ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
Namaste « Presence »
« We must be the change we wish to see in the world » — Gandhi
« There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed » — Gandhi
« We adopt the means of nonviolence because our end is a community at peace with itself » — ML King
Siouxrose I did not blame religion or Judaism for that matter. Its wrong of you to smear me with that accusation and you know it. I know that there are plenty of Jews who are anti-war and were against the Iraq debacle. I'm also grateful to groups like J-Street that are taking a different approach. I'm not blaming a religion. However, we all know that Israel's leadership did play a huge role in the push for war along with the neocons. The oil lobbies certainly benefitted from the war in Iraq with contracts etc. but I stand by the fact they were not lobbying for war. Its far cheaper for them to simply get the oil without a war via trade. We all need to be able to talk about AIPAC withoout being smeared...its a real factor and a problem and its commmon knowledge they are pushing for a war with Iran.
Oil just popped $144/ bbl.
No where to go but up...
Siouxrose,
You nailed it. There was collaboration by a diverse group of powerful players, and they created a momentum that has been difficult to break.
If Barack Obama or John McCain was to offer such words of wisdom this Fourth of July, he would be vilified as “weak,â€
-They would also shock the hell out of us, leading us to wonder what the hell was in that beer as we flip another piece of meat over on the grill.
if you are not afraid of some real answers to some real questions, like why is oil really so high? are we anywhere near peak oil? who is really making the big money?
If you really want to know the answers you have to watch this video. Its a little long, but worth every minute!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3340274697167011147&hl=en
Siouxrose; exactly. 1. The Neonocons/Zionist/AIPAC/Cheney factor was a huge one propelling our country into the Iraq Occupation.
2. Concurrent with this, all the way, were the oil scum pushing for war. Cheney's infamous 'secret' "energy*" meeting(s).
And 3., the military. the generals. our 'commander in chief' a sadistic psycopath. And anxious for war. To kill.
All this, with the msm distracting most people, led us to war.
www.mopedbus.com
This Is The World That Jack Built
This is the world that jack built
This is the hand mirror
That was left in the world that jack built
This is the visage of Linda Lovelace
that was reflected in the hand mirror
that was left in the world that jack built
This is the trace of poison
that spared Linda Lovelace who inspired Mr. Babbage
that was reflected in the hand mirror
that was left in the world that jack built
This is the carbon that grew the jack
that left more than a trace of poison
that inspired the heroic new age Mc Cain Narcisis
that mirrored Linda Lovelace who inspired Mr. Babbage
that was reflected in the hand mirror
that was left in the world that jack built
this is the silicon babbage brain missile
that was funded with the carbon
that grew the jack
that started a war to leave a billion year poison base
that inspired the heroic new age Mc Cain Narcisis
that not unlike Linda Lovelace who inspired Mr. Babbage
that was reflected in the hand mirror
that was left in the world that jack built
This is a stone or ein stein
that was found with ‘stick and stone weapons’
that replaced the babbage brain missile ones
that were funded with carbon
that grew the jack
that started the final war
that left a billion year poison base
that inspired the heroic new age Mc Cain Narcisis
that not unlike Linda Lovelace who had inspired Babbage
that was reflected in the hand mirror
that was left carbonized in world that jack built
Siouxrose
come on, the country is heading in one direction. That is the hope wishes of one foreign nation. Huge profits by the oil industry and they have no flag to follow but profits. If it is america destroying a country for that final goal of a pipeline across the desert then so be it. You forget the reson of the invasion in the first place. WMD, and Saddam, well there are no WMD and Saddam is dead. So what other reason are we there?
Oil popped $143 /bbl today.
$200/bbl before next year.
What will you do then?
Our country was overthrown by the military industrial complex and big oil on 11//22/63 and has never been the same. The same murderers are still pulling all the strings!! People need to come to grips with this simple fact. We are not the America we started out to be-- when Kennedy died democracy died with him.
If there is an oil shortage why is there no discussion of-1. Lowering the speed limit to say 65mph? 2. Opening up our oil reserves? Last I heard the reserves were 97% full and we were still buying. I suspect there's a glut.
The 10 Commandments.
And the OIL God spoke all these words, saying: 'I am the LORD your God… OIL
ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before OIL.'
TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'
THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your OIL in vain.'
FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy in OIL.'
FIVE: 'Honor your father and your mother OIL.'
SIX: 'You shall not murder except for OIL.'
SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery except for OIL.'
EIGHT: 'You shall not steal anything but OIL.'
NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor unless you want his OIL.'
TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's,
unless it is his OIL.'
Bornfreemen
until americans get that the people who control exxon et al are >NOT americans, belong in fact to no nation, whatever their masquerading, we will continue to be their tools and victims. and btw the roster of non-americans includes the likes of bush and cheney.
It is difficult to grasp that we have had the same sort of rhetoric in ironic contrast to action from all of our presidents. George Washington became a millionaire by disobeying orders, attacking the French outpost he had been dispatched to observe and thus single-handedly opening hostilities in the French-Indian War. English colonies hungered for that territory to the west, but at the war’s end Washington persuaded General Braddock to divide the territory (now called West Virginia) among himself and William Byrd III, in violation of British law that ordered land seized to be equally divided among all soldiers. Even before the founding of the country Washington established the precedent of seizing wealth through the bloodshed of others.
As president, Washington imposed the Whiskey Tax that prompted a rebellion he put down with national troops. As owner of the largest distillery in the US, however, he was using his position to crush his smaller competitors. Unlike today’s wealthy his ambitions were not international, but he found in his patriotism ample pecuniary rewards.
Siouxrose July 2nd, 2008 6:04 pm
Good point!
On July 2nd, 2008 4:41 pm heav y runner wrote: >>
We are in Afghanistan because Chevron wants to build an oil pipeline from the Caspian Basin to the Arabian Sea via the Pashtun areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is stupidity bred of ignorance, and it has no chance whatsoever of succeeding.<<
Actually it is Unocal that is building the pipepline. Haliburton was supposed to drill for the gas and I guess Enron, before it collapsed, was supposed to supply it to customers in the region. It was featured in the Michael Moore film "Fahrenheit 9/11". Its a nice gig if you can get it.
66% of all known conventional oil reserves are located in 5 countries in the Middle East....nothing else needs to be said.
DC BELTWAY: I get the feeling you prefer to hang the blame all on Israel? The point is corrupt individuals with varied claims to power can collaborate and each hold a separate agenda. These fuse together into policy. It does not mean ONE factor is entirely at the controls or the cause of the events put into motion. Life is complicated. Just as lots of different peace groups try to work together to further justice in whatever zone they are focused upon, the "dark side" uses those it can to further its agenda. There are good people in EVERY religion, and yet religion too often USES people for Machiavellian purposes. I am suggesting that you look through your prism and recognize a multiplicity of factors, rather than one.
FYI, an excerpt from Paul Frankel's classic, Essentials of Petroleum: A key to oil economics:
Shorn of all embellishments, which have been designed for tactical purposes only, the relation of state and industry in respect of foreign operations is extremely simple: the oil people are dealing as agents for a principal who has elected to pay them commission on a generous scale. Not long ago Dr. James Landis, a high-ranking United States official concerned with Middle East affairs, said that the situation in that area "points not only to normal competition, but to competition along international lines with nationals who own oil as instruments of foreign policy". To lay the blame for international unrest at the door of the industry is to confuse the hounds with the huntsmen.
This panel discussion (Realplayer video) by respected experts on the subject should also help clarify the overriding role of state, as opposed to any private oil company or companies, in formulation of policy.
We are in Afghanistan because Chevron wants to build an oil pipeline from the Caspian Basin to the Arabian Sea via the Pashtun areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is stupidity bred of ignorance, and it has no chance whatsoever of succeeding.
Are we in a 'recession' now?
A few more tax cuts for the filthy rich and
a few more pay, benefits and throat cuts for the rest of us
then we can be in another lousy depression.
It took FDR and World War II to pull us out of the last one - what's the Bush/Cheney Cabal going to do now? Bankrupt the entire world?
WE did not ELECT the shrub...HE WAS APPOINTED!
So, the Bush administration will go down in history as a success, after all.
baby killers......
So when are hemp, solar, wind, geothermal, public transportation, renewable carbon-negative petroleum, conservation rewarding policies, and other scientific innovations and inventions from non-monied scientific geniuses gonna get their say? You can act like a bunch of crybabies crying "WAH ! WAH ! Them gas prices are too high ! WAH ! WAH !" and do nothing about it or you can give the solutions I gave a chance. Stop counting on your sick puppy gubbmint to give you another "entitlement" !
As Jim Hightower long ago promoted, all politicians should be required to wear race car driver suits with their corporate sponsors emblazoned all over them.
Secede from Texas.
Take by the military as one that belongs to whole country, not to a few goons with meat fed dementia from the racist belt.
Outlaw haliburton and Blackwater.
Now there is Real Government for you.
Where's the role of the neocons in this article???? Funny how they are not mentioned. The oil lobbies were not the ones who pushed this war. There is no evidence of that.
Another good essay by Robert Scheer. But for my money, Arthur Jenson's lecture to Howard Beale in the movie Network makes the point even better.
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/moviespeechnetwork4.html