"That's because now even they recognize that Carter was right all along. If the country had made itself energy independant as Carter was trying to do, none of this Iraq stuff ever would have happened." - Riginslinger

In understanding "oil" Riginslinger you forgot to explain the following:

Now how would the USA being energy independent have prevented, Saddam's attack and occupation of Kuwait?

How would the USA being energy independent have prevented Al-Qaeda's attacks on the World trade centre (1993), the US Embassies in Africa, the attack on the USS Cole?

How would the USA being energy independent have negated the USA's obligations under bilateral treaties to her allies?

How would the advice given to the President of the USA, with regard to threat evaluation, have been any different in the wake of 911 than it was had the US been energy independent.