Reply #10: I see the first ones are not US outfits at least in name. I've been

[oly]

wondering if owning the fields, mineral rights, everything -- is possible -- take Iraq government completely out of the picture after initial bargain basement, coerced, behind the scenes "deals" to get the fields totally in control of US and other western corporations. The crapola about the Iraqi people owning and obtaining real economic benefit from their oil is just that -- BS. Energy giants in the west and repug lackeys hate any kind of interference by the locals, none of that exappriation and nationalization, of course -- probably outlawed by the Iraqi constitution and enforced though treaties meant to scam the locals and pad the pockets of the few at the top who take their marching orders from the US. Of course, we in the US will benefit. We'll get our gas for a nickle a gallon (snicker), and the cost of the war in lives and treasure will be considered acceptable.