I would like to make the argument that the reason we went to war in Iraq had nothing to do with getting oil, and little to do with WMD, but much to do with the success of Lobby-ists.
I remember seeing/hearing articles about Iraq Refugees lobbying the white house pushing to invade Iraq before 9/11 and after.
Some of those lobbyists faked the Nuclear Bomb plans that included those fun Aluminum tubes.
Some of them have gone on to get involved with post-war Iraq, only to be arrested by our military for crimes such as forgery and counterfitting.
I can't find any good links to back up this idea.
We've seen how the drug lobby watered down the Drug Bill, and how the cigarette lobby defeated the federal lawsuit congress was preparing. We even seen how the insurance lobby has turned the Republican Health Care Initiative into a one trick pony of limiting payouts.
What I am trying to determine is, are lobbyists powerful enough to stir us into a war for their clients benefit?
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
I forgot to ask, can anyone help me dig up appropriate links to back up, or discredit, this theory.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
"What I am trying to determine is, are lobbyists powerful enough to stir us into a war for their clients benefit?"
What's odd is that this question can be definitively answered with a "yes," while the more relevant question -- "did lobbyists stir us into a war" -- cannot.
Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
You may also want to pay attention to the first rumors of war against Iraq -- as I recall, the Republican party started swirling them shortly before the 2002 Congressional elections. No doubt lobbyists played some degree of importance in starting war, but I'm not sure the reasons for attacking Iraq can be weren't less direct.
Posted by Xaposert (Member # 1612) on :
Actually, I most definitely recall coming on to Hatrack sometime shortly after 9/11 to question why the media kept asking the administration whether it would attack Iraq when the administration had (at that point) given no indication of a desire to do so. The media repeatedly proposed the war before I heard anyone else do it, to the point where I can't help but wonder if the media (intentionally or unintentionally) had a big hand in creating it.
What is also interesting is that people don't seem to remember this...