I agree we've spent a whole lot of time and money in the Middle East to keep the wheels greased(oiled?). I remember when Jimmy Carter told the (IIRC) the Saudis, no, we won't give you a bunch of new fighter planes, buy 'em yourself. I think that's what sparked OPEC.
Of course it was supposed to be about having forward bases to keep the Soviets in check, but that was really to keep them away from the oil.
It really was a good deal, though. The money spent brought the US a great deal of prosperity, before the "Captains of Industry" were replaced by the "Whores of the Boardroom", and created huge competition from the Far East for that oil.
But that said, Bush's Folly in Iraq is a whole different animal. It doesn't make sense in any context, even oil. Cars have always been the whipping boy for oil and pollution problems because they're in everyones consciousness. To blame SUVs, or even motorists is far to simplistic, and I feel misdirected away from the real culprit.
The lawn waterer was doing what was best for him/her. It's all about "me", my castle, my investment, my pleasure. There will always be people like that... people that don't believe or don't care, and usually do it in the least efficient, most wasteful, manner.
They continue because their friends and neighbors don't have the balls to shame them, pressure them into doing the right thing.
Of course that assumes they don't have a well for yard use, as some people do around here.