We Must Ask: What DO They Gain by Prolonging the War?

[snot]

Obviously, it's hurting them politically.

[Vexatious Ape]

1. They gain nothing at all.

But if they pull out--like I want them too--they know Iraq will turn for the worse,(imagine that)and they'll get blamed. They can't win if they stay and can't win if they leave.

[greeneyedboy]

2. i think it ha$ $omething to do with co$t-plu$ contract$ for their friend$ and donor$

[ConsAreLiars]

3. They are madmen. Ideologues who think the world is a chessboard

and that by persisting in their madness they will ultimately "win."

(edit to add) They laid out their goals in the PNAC documents. They gain millions, win or lose, and face no personal risk, other than prosecution for crimes against humanity.

[bobbie]

4. This is important to understand--Rich moguls get richer during war

Look at Halliburton, which Cheney owns lots of stock in. They're getting heaps of money in no bid contracts in Iraq. Rich croney companies, who donate to reelections funds, get paid for making war machines (vehicles, weapons,...) to destroy cities and get paid for rebuilding cities. Knock it down, rebuild it, rinse and repeat.

They want perpetual war, see PNAC website, and they'll get it. Iran is next. It's a profit motive. Business. This is the way the world works now, and has since 1963 when President Kennedy was murdered for his plans to end the (very profitable) cold war and his firm plans to pull all US personnel out of Vietnam (very profitable for Brown & Root, now called Halliburton--ahem) by the end of 1965.

[JohnnyLib2]

5. holy war in some's minds

inexplicable.

[Norrin Radd]

6. The answer is in this doc, Iraq For Sale:

http://iraqforsale.org/

[raysr]

7. Oil, oil, OIL!

And the chimp needs a win for his "legacy?"

[MGD]

8. No nation has ever benefitted from a protracted war, so says Sun Tzu.

The same is not true of bankers and industrialists however.

[baldguy]

9. They hope to keep people in fear, and therefore stay in power.

[radfringe]

10. power and money

politics has little to do with it - it's about securing more power and money whether or not they are in office.

Holding political office is just a stepping stone. Obviously, it's easier to control things if you are in office, but as we can see from the Jack Abramoff scandal and other lobbying influences - a little money goes a long way to get what you want

[Jacobin]

11. postponing loss of face

Plus, when they are out of office, they can blame the loss of the war on the next president who will be democratic, thus completing the Vietnam metaphor.

[izzie]

14. I sort of like this one. Bush can not get out. It is his ego.

Also DOD and Vice. When you are sure your right and have the power to do it, this is what happens. Some one else will clean up this mess as it is the fact of Bush's life.

[casus belli]

12. Google: Halliburton, Lockheed Martin, Bechtel and Aegis, then follow the money. n/t

[Johnny Appleseed]

13. They will start bringing them back in '08 before the presidential

election. To early to start now.

[Matariki]

15. It's called 'raiding the treasury' son

[leftchick]

16. The Kurds have asked for a US base in the North

There is a lot of OIL there. Mission accomplished!

[malaise]

17. Profits

CaChing, caChing!

[MiniMe]

20. Exatly, Bush enriches his friends however he can

Randi has been talking about this, if you make war profiteering illigal, we will probably be out of there quickly.

[Auggie]

18. It's not what they gain, it's what they lose.

They went in for the oil and to "stabilize" the Middle East by showing the United States is a force to contend with. When we pull out of Iraq we lose the oil, and worse for them, show the Arab world that we can be defeated.

[JCMach1]

19. Oil companies and Arms Suppliers and contractors

are the only winners... Bush has been their bitch all along-- shouldn't shock anyone that they think of nothing else.

Also, these weapons companies have helped prop-up the febrile U.S. economy. There will be some major adjustments after the pull-out.


Can you say, RECESSION?

[shah269]

21. A perpetual boggy man to use for re-election! Works like a charm!

[newportdadde]

22. We will be there till the last drop of oil is pumped out.