is it ethical to invest in exxon, knowing that any animosity between u.s. and middle east makes more $?

I would say that too many people in the U.S. consider investment separate from morality... they invest by the numbers, or even put their money in the care of a professional investment group which will invest by the numbers on their behalf. But if you invest in companies which are causing international turmoil, which use slave labor, or which are destroying the environment, then you are investing in a future of more international turmoil, slave labor, and pollution. It's like a logging industry representative said... using lumber from planted forests in the U.S. isn't killing trees, it's ordering more trees. If you invest in international turmoil, you're ordering more international turmoil.

Think about the reason many people invest... to prosper, create savings for their family, and pass those savings on to their children. If you invest in international turmoil or corporations which are causing world problems, you are passing world problems on to your children along with those profits. Is it worth it?

Thanks for taking this into account and realizing the power for change your investment can represent. Good luck finding something better to invest in.

Of course it's blood money, you fool. Why don't you start a company in the USA to develop and promote alternative fuels? If the USA refused to buy the oil, they would all lose and would be less likely to continue throwing their weight around. Why not put your money in American Research? Let's develop some morals and ethics and prove that we are still a great nation. Let's take care of our own, give all our people a stake in their own country and stop supporting all the terrorists and dictators. That goes for Venezuela, Mexico and China too! We should not be borrowing money from China or any other country, nor should we be lending money to other countries when we have debts to pay. How about if we, the people, invest in the USA? Why don't we buy US Bonds, local bonds and help to pay for our own country aside from our taxes?

Exxon is not responsible for the animosity. The risk of losing all of your money in Exxon due to the same mid-east tension or government intrusion is just as likely an outcome as continued good times for the shareholders.

Money is green, has no loyalty. It is you that have a crisis of conscience.

Perhaps investing in one of those socially aware funds might be up your alley, you will sleep better at night; although probably not get the same rate of return on your money as someone who doesn't mind investing in turmoil and temptation.

Well, here's a tip for your stock market. We get 75% of our oil from South America. I would start worrying about what goes on there instead of the Middle East. And no, it wouldn't be considered blood money because I haven't heard of anyone in South America dying for our oil.

it's very ethical to invest in Exxon. never confuse a private company with world issues. besides, Exxon stock is going thru the roof right now

It is ethical to invest for your:

-Country

-Children

-Self