Well, well. Literally.
On yesterday's front page of the Financial Times, above the fold, sat this report: "Iraq could have twice as much oil as estimated."
Iraq could have TWICE as much oil as estimated.
But my goodness gracious, the only way those and other fields in Iraq can be developed by foreign companies is to improve security.
And that can only mean spilling more blood of our sons and daughters fighting there under the noble banner of terrorism.
The study estimating that Iraq is brimming with more black gold than anyone imagined was already picked up in a thoughtful diary by Jerome a Paris yesterday.
Whether or not the consultancy, IHS, is spinning its own PR or just getting on the rung of energy speculation stakes is something that's beyond my background. The intro to the FT's report bears repeating, however:
Iraq could hold almost twice as much oil in its reserves as had been thought, according to the most comprehensive independent study of its resources since the US-led invasion in 2003.
The possibility of a further 100bn barrels in the western desert highlights the opportunity Iraq has to be one of the world's biggest oil suppliers - and its attractions for international oil companies - if the conflict in the country can be resolved.
If confirmed, Iraq would be raised from the world's third biggest source of oil reserves with 116bn barrels to second place, behind Saudi Arabia, overtaking Iran.
Even more important is the production costs: in Iraq, less than £2 a barrel.
And here's the sneaky ol' linchpin:
But the development of the industry depends on an improvement in security.
And this is where my background comes into focus. Who is being sacrificed under the guise of "fighting the enemy and finishing the job" to improve security so the aforementioned international oil companies can move in?
Our kids in the military.
As many Kossacks know and have rejoiced with me, my own 20-year-old U.S. Marine son just returned this week after his first seven-month stint in Iraq. To say I'm grateful he survived in one piece is the understatement of the year -- and I'm counting the days until I see him next month.
Meanwhile far be it from the Bush-Cheney oilmen to admit what the consultancy has concluded:
"Obviously the security situation is very bad, but when you look at the sub-surface opportunity, there isn't anywhere else like this. Geologically, it's right up there, a gold star opportunity."
Iraq as "a gold star opportunity" is surely not an opinion shared by the grieving Gold Star Families who have lost a soldier in this war of deception and lies.
Four years later, U.S. troop casualties stand at 3,315, total wounded 24,314. The surge isn't working, terrorism will never be defeated, Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11 (always bears repeating), but the Bushies' goal remains the same: Operation Iraqi Liberation: O.I.L.
And their exploitation of moral, ethical and patriotic ideals marches on.