You might as well rename this thread "Iraq..Its not about oil...its about well yea its PROFITS.

What are wars about?   Universally, the correct answer is "profits."

Is it not ironic that all the mayhem in the last few years has resulted in record profits for the oil companies?  Looking darkly through the glass, one might argue that the intended result has been achieved. 

On a serious note, yes, the US economy is dependent on ever increasing amounts of energy.  Not unless we have a plague which wipes out a significant percentage of the world's population will this fact change.  So, thinking about energy needs is the right thing to do.  But the choice made is going to come at a very high and incalculable cost: an ever-increasing threat to American security from those who hate us.  Have we not simply created a self-professing prophecy:  have we not systematically incited the violence and terrorism that we now profess to be at war with?   Will it not result in a net zero outcome?