[Pushi]

Development of Iraq's vast oil reserves - largely suspended during two decades of war and U.N. sanctions - could push down global oil prices and produce a windfall for those oil companies that win the exploration and development contracts.

The next thing we will be hearing from the demonrats is that Bush is going to war to benefit the American oil companies.

[marron]

Don't people understand that we benefit what ever happens?

We pump oil. It doesn't matter to us if the price goes up, or down, we get paid either way. If the country in question is bankrupt, as most OPEC countries are, we still get paid. It makes us no difference either way.

If Iraqi oil comes on line, we'll have a shot at doing the work. It will drive the price of oil down, and retard some work in other parts of the globe. If Iraqi oil stays off line, the price of oil stays high, and other fields become profitable. And we help bring them on line instead.

Either way, we don't care. We still get paid.

[Shermy]

"Any new production from Iraq or other countries such as Russia would provide a limited cushion against a cutoff of oil elsewhere."

No, you're not going to "remove" the Saudis - but lessen their take, which has value in itself.