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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Sig who wrote (127671)	3/29/2004 8:17:21 AM
From: Harvey Allen	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Africa: Oil, al-Qaeda and the US military In Colombia, similar US undertakings to train local forces have been previously pursued to secure that country's oil infrastructure, particularly its pipelines. There, the leftist group known by the Spanish acronym FARC has long waged a guerilla campaign, pipeline sabotage being a favored tactic. Similarly, ongoing pipeline sabotage in Iraq is reported as substantial. And in a surprising revelation of US Defense Department candor, a December 2003 report referred to the "open-ended imperial policing" that Iraqi involvement now means. atimes.com

To: Sig who wrote (127671)	3/29/2004 10:32:58 AM
From: Zeuspaul	Respond to of 281500

Thinking long term, the problem is only that we will be running out of cheap energy. There is plenty of hydrocarbon energy left. To quote from an article in Scientific American, it is computed that there is enough natural gas dissolved in brine wells on the Gulf coast to last us 1000 years at the present rate of consumption. Huge reserves of oil in the Athabaska tar sands. And newly discovered frozen methane deposits under the oceans. When energy prices increase, it will become feasible to tap these reserves. Agreed. We will have to tap into more expensive hydrocarbon resources. However If I spend more on energy my standard of living will decrease. We also need to consider the global consequences of releasing more and more carbon into the atmosphere. Then if things get really critical before we get off the hydrocarbon diet, there is nearly unlimited electrical power from nuclear plants if people will accept the cost and the risk of storing the radioactive by-products. Which power can be used to produce hydrogen to fuel cars. Agreed. However I don't see it happening with existing nuclear technology. The risks of failure are too high. The present problems derive from attempts to maintain the status quo, let GM continue to build the 11 mpg gas guzzlers, Let them continue to pay the lobbyists and provide the soft money which fuel our politicians. Agreed. And don't forget about the subsidized corn farmers making ethanol. We need a statesman who can rise above the special interests...any suggestions? In the short term efficiency standards will help a lot. My 91 Corvette got 28 mpg on the highway..we're talking eight cylinders and 300 hp. The 2001 Ford F250 has more wind resistance but at 45 mph wind resistance is minimal and she might get 13 mpg...totally unacceptable. We need some leadership...any suggestions? In the long term I don't think more expensive hydrocarbons are the solution. Cheaper and cleaner is better. Lower energy costs translate into a higher standard of living. Sufficient solar energy falls on my roof to provide me with all my current energy needs with a lot left over. And it is very cheap and very clean. Zeuspaul