First, it is an acknowledgement was all about oil.

This continues to be an inane proposition. There were far easier ways to get a piece of the action than start a war.

You have no idea what the final agreement will look like, or even if this story has any accuracy at all. I suspect that nationalized oil companies associated with China, Venezuela and Russia will have at least as good a chance at this deal as "Western" oil companies.

Are you aware that only 82 percent of world oil reserves are controlled by state-controlled or owned oil companies? Not enough for you?

Third, the sanctions against Iraq forced abuses. It was legitimate of the Iraqi government to do anything it could to avoid those sanctions. Anyone would have tried to circumvent them, you, me, anyone.

Love the excuses you make for Saddam again. Poor Saddam. What did he ever do to deserve the ill-treatment he got?

Incidentally, would your statement apply equally to U.N. arms and WMD sanctions with Iraq? If not, why not?