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War for oil?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Back Room
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  • S Stan Shannon

    Thanks. That is the sort of logical analysis I was looking for. I would make certain points, however. The U.S. does not have cheap oil because of any sort of nefarious abuse of the worlds natural resources on our part. We have cheap oil because that is the price the market will bear. If those selling oil raised it beyond the natural market limit, the worlds economies would suffer and their own investments would decrease in value. They would loose money rather than gaining it. Which ever system is the most capitalistic is going to have the greatest say over what the market value is and what direction the flow of oil will go. Our economic system itself, not our military, is what controls that. We do not need our military to secure an oil supply, we merely need to control the worlds markets. So far, we are doing that with relative ease. If anything, an expensive military makes it more difficult to do that not less so. I agree that current U.S. behavior is dangerous in the "global village". First, however, I am not a citizen of any global village. If the global village wants to bring me in line, I'm afraid I'm going to have to require it to kick my ass first. Second, would it be any less dangerous, from our perspective, for the U.S. to just bend over let the U.N. have its way with us. The U.S. has the most to lose regardless of which path we choose. Lastly, I would bet my last dollar that when everything is said and done, the Iraqi government will retain control of it's oil, regardless of the outcome of any conflict. The only difference will be that "U.S." (hell, they are all international anyway) oil companies will be more competitive with European ones in that market. "Any clod can have the facts, but having opinions is an art." Charles McCabe, San Francisco Chronicle

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    peterchen
    wrote on last edited by
    #41

    Economy: I could agree with your economic argument, except for one fundamental point: IMO "free market" self regulation does not cope well with non-economic facts, and should not be the only regulatory mechanism. A free market handles social facts "economically sane", rather than "socially sane". That's why - but that's my personal wisdom - a free market can't be the only mechanism of control. A free market is "fair" only if the competing countries have the same starting conditions. US: politically stable, rich resources, and a business-oriented society. Iraq: instable, has desert and oil, socially conservative Who would you bet your money on? The Iraq can sell it's oil and strike it rich, or remain a bowl of sand with some oases. Yes, the U.S. could get all the oil you need without Iraq even existing. But it more expensive, and less reliable (look what Venezuela did to the market..). Iraqi oil is one of the cheapest, and whatever way the UN sactions are lifted, the crude oil prices will drop (much more than the gas prises) Yes, an expensive military is economically stupid - unless you own Lockheed. A population convinced of the need of a strong army is a good way to make money. Yes, whatever the outcome will be, Iraq will again live on their oil. But the economic winner will be the oil industry, especially those companies that have influence on the U.S. president elected. Global Village: Quick check: where's your keyboard made? (mine: Made in China). Even if yours is Made in U.S.A. - look around you: how many things are made from resources mined in the US, formed by american hands, with tools made in USA? Noone was invited into the global village. But we both benefit from it. Stan Shannon wrote: for the U.S. to just bend over let the U.N. have its way with us Hoi! The heart of the chicken! The U.N. is about political cooperation. This often means it's not done your way. Your way might be better for you - but it would work only if you build a wall around your country. Shit, I should learn to write less. But it's heartwarming to see someone willing to listen ;) Peter

    It's a royal pain to watch a sex drugs and rock'n'roll design decay into an aids crack and techno implementation  [sighist] [Agile Programming] [doxygen]

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