There are many people these days saying our war in Iraq is about oil.
Let's consider the facts:
Crude oil imports from Iraq account for less than 7 percent of the United States market. Meanwhile, Canada provides us with more than 16 percent of our daily imports, while Mexico is just under 16 percent. Then there is Saudi Arabia, 15 percent; and Venezuela, 13 percent.
These four countries together provide us with 60 percent of our annual crude oil imports, and last time I watched the news, the U.S. wasn't at war with any of them. These stats are from the Department of Energy's Web site at www.eia.doe.gov/neic/rankings/crudebycountry.htm and are for 2004.
There is also a Web site with stats from November 2005 showing more numbers. It shows many countries that we import crude from that have almost the same import percentages as Iraq, and many with more, and yet we aren't at war with them either. The link is: www.gravmag.com/oil.html . Visit these Web sites and see for yourself. If this war were about oil, shouldn't we have also invaded Canada and Mexico by now?
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Obviously, I am not a supporter of this ugly and senseless war in Iraq. I feel sorrow every time I hear another one of our troops has died in this unnecessary war. Daily I wonder why this administration has gotten us into such a predicament and then it dawns on me: This president created this war to impress and vindicate his father. It's not about securing our future imports of oil. Iraq doesn't provide us with enough to make a difference; they never have and never will. It's not about spreading democracy either, since democracy cannot be forced onto others, people must want it.
In the end, it all adds up to the fact that President Bush has a father complex and the friends of the administration weren't making enough money with a little war in Afghanistan.
So please, citizens of this once great nation of ours, continue to support our troops in these dire times and remember why they are really over there risking it all.
Chris Leibel
Willmar
