are you saying that we’re not using the sanctions because they might actually work and then we wouldn’t have cause to bomb them to smithereens?

There’s no guarantee they’d work because Iran would find other suitors. We know Iraq cheated routinely on the sanctions and Iran and those other suitors (beginning with Russia and China, followed possibly by EU nations depending on the objects of the sanctions) would no doubt cheat, too.

What I’m saying is that in the case of petroleum, it’s logical for the Bush people to go easy or even one day cheat themselves, given their energy industry ties. And if Halliburton’s no longer officially a U.S. corporation (headquarters moved offshore), it isn’t subject to US sanctions.

On the other hand, Halliburton may give us the image that if anything, it is reforming itself. (I am suspicious nevertheless).

“Lesar said the company was relieved to have shed prickly relationships that brought unwanted scrutiny. In April, Halliburton completed the sell-off of its KBR construction and services unit, which has been under fire for overcharging the U.S. military in Iraq.”

“Also in April, Halliburton stopped work in Iran, where a Dubai-based Halliburton subsidiary operated for years. Lesar said the company wasn’t taking any more Iran business.”

read here

On another note, I’m wondering why this has received little or no coverage in the MSM.

OIL … Halliburton …

After all the agonizing, posturing, speehifying, we come to a screeching halt like this?

I will no longer lend a scintilla of credence to anything this adminstration says ever again.