Can America be trusted not to serve it's own corporate interests once the violence ends?

[Zephie]

I'm torn. So torn. On one hand I wish an end to the violence and tragedy in Libya as quickly and efficiently as possible. Ghaddafi's actions are a travesty and he will go to a very horrible place that I do not even believe in for them. However, America's track record with oil rich countries ruled by dictators isn't pristine. The whole world is watching us to see if we take the same path again and I'm so afraid we will. We have the chance to make a difference and then leave it at that, but I don't foresee us doing so. I'm afraid of continued presence, both through potential physical occupation as well as corporate control of the oil by companies like Halliburton and BP.

I am heart sick. The options are all bad! No matter how hard I try, I just don't believe the United States won't turn around and make it about what will be good for the rich of our country. What's the right answer? How can we make this about compassion and humanity instead of greed and violence? Will America's leaders make the right choice this time? I'm afraid of the potential path this may lead down. Will we really end our intervention once the people of Libya are not being slaughtered?

I hope...

[ixion]

1. No question: Absolutely not.

I don't see any precedence for it.

[L. Coyote]

2. Do you believe the violence in Libya is NOT the result of corporate interests?

Silly you :rofl:

[Jamastiene]

6. I feel much the same way.

Like the Fox Mulder poster on the wall in X-Files said: I want to believe

Thing is, I know our track record. It would be nice if our government really gave a shit about democracy and all that, but the corporations have been in charge of everything they do for so long now, that I can no longer believe at all.

[freshwest]

9. Agreed. BP's lapdog must have ticked them off. so he's being sent to the dogpound.

[Catherina]

10. [phone] n/t

[snappyturtle]

3. No. nt

[TheKentuckian]

4. of course not but they'd be using the opposite outcome to the same people's advantage.

The game is rigged. Nearly any action or non-action will mean ill gotten gains.

[Jamastiene]

5. That is one of the main reasons I have been so cynical.

It is not that I don't want those people to be helped. Hell, I wish we could help all of the people who want democracy. It is that I see nefarious intentions behind most of what America has done when it comes to military action in the last couple decades. Our government doesn't exactly have the best track record on these things. The "real reason" usually comes out later. It is that "real reason" I am waiting to hear. I feel like I know it is coming because it almost always does and it is never good.

K&R for asking the real question that needed to he asked.

[rustydog]

7. We, most likely, are serving those corporate interests right now

[Zephie]

8. Yes, I am afraid of that.

This is another question and you're right to raise it: Is this even about compassion at all?

[Catherina]

11. Can a snake turn into a hummingbird? We already are. The chaos now is the result. Rec'd