January 31, 2006
Ed Begley, Jr.: Win the War On Terror With... Bike Lanes
— Ace Yeah.
— Ace Yeah.
Okay. Let me instruct Begley and all the other lefty nitwits out there: This war is not about oil.
Bin Ladin has never once cited as a reason for declaring war on us that "we pay Arabs and Muslims lots of money for oil."
Actually, unburdening ourselves of so much dependency on Middle Eastern oil might cause more war. Certainly we'd have one less reason to bomb some of these countries.
Posted by: Ace at
08:00 PM
| Comments (51)
Post contains 94 words, total size 1 kb.
1
Ace...Ed Begley.
Ed Begley...Ace.
I just don't know who to believe.
You know, that boy and his bike need to get out more. Maybe see the world and try to understand it a little.
Ed Begley...Ace.
I just don't know who to believe.
You know, that boy and his bike need to get out more. Maybe see the world and try to understand it a little.
Posted by: Silk at January 31, 2006 08:04 PM (RwWIc)
2
Reducing the amount of our money flowing into the hands of terrorist-supporting, unaccountable and dictatorial folks in the Middle-east is in our best interests. Conservation has a role to play in that, as well as alternative energy sources, and wiser uses of strategically important domestic sources.
Posted by: Frank Kopple at January 31, 2006 08:26 PM (J9j+7)
3
"I believe there is an alternative to the current war on terror that this administration has waged for the past 3 years. ..Take those same billions of dollars and invest in HUGE Federal
subsidies for the following EXISTING, OFF-THE-SHELF, technologies..."
Someone's gotta go back for a shit-load of dimes!
subsidies for the following EXISTING, OFF-THE-SHELF, technologies..."
Someone's gotta go back for a shit-load of dimes!
Posted by: Taggart at January 31, 2006 08:33 PM (spTw1)
Posted by: Scott Free at January 31, 2006 08:46 PM (64hjG)
5
Good points, all of them, Frank. But that's not what Begley is actually saying. He proposes "an alternative to the current war on terror that this administration has waged for the past 3 years." He thinks we should take "those same billions of dollars" that we're using to fight Islamist terrorism across the world and invest them instead in home insulation and bike lanes. And then, *poof!* Bin Laden goes away. It's just that easy!
This is not a rational, adult way of looking at the world's problems.
This is not a rational, adult way of looking at the world's problems.
Posted by: Sean M. at January 31, 2006 08:48 PM (EHzws)
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Ace, lay of Begley. His biggest political cause is the fight against pollution. He's hates pollution so much, he doesn't even shit. One time someone farted across the street from his house. Begley fragged the dirty, polluting sonofabitch with an RPG. That, my friend, is dedication. He really believes in it. He ain't faking. So cut him a little slack. And, whatever you do, don't fart near his house.
Posted by: rd at January 31, 2006 10:23 PM (lpbk9)
7
Win the War On Terror With... Bike Lanes
Well, Halliburton did start out in the paving industry. So it would only stand to reason. F'n Dick Cheney, man.
Well, Halliburton did start out in the paving industry. So it would only stand to reason. F'n Dick Cheney, man.
Posted by: sandy burger at January 31, 2006 10:42 PM (jnu9s)
8
The last energy act didn't have enough incentives for the oil companies. Also it didn't open up ANWR to drilling. We need a new energy act that gives them more subsidies so they drill every last drop of oil NOW so that when the SHT hits the fan it really hits the fan. Its gonna be damn easy to conserve oil when there aint any ...
Hope you're all holding lots of oil stock and making out like bandits - these profits are something else!!! Bush is KING!!!
Hope you're all holding lots of oil stock and making out like bandits - these profits are something else!!! Bush is KING!!!
Posted by: philistine at January 31, 2006 11:02 PM (hYdE/)
9
Don't worry, Philistine. You see, that's been our plan all along. We're trying to bring about the end of the world, you see? It's a right-wing Christian prophesy thing. You wouldn't understand.
P.S. Your IP has been recorded in accordance with the Patriot Act.
P.S. Your IP has been recorded in accordance with the Patriot Act.
Posted by: sandy burger at January 31, 2006 11:25 PM (jnu9s)
10
Don't worry, Philistine. You see, that's been our plan all along.
Just don't tell him that we already drilled ANWR dry while he was chasing Japanese whaling boats.
Just don't tell him that we already drilled ANWR dry while he was chasing Japanese whaling boats.
Posted by: geoff at February 01, 2006 12:30 AM (vpYuK)
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I've never understood the people who keep saying conservation is the answer. I mean, riding your bike to work is fine when you're in 68-and-sunny California, but when you're in 6-8-and-snowing Minnesota a bicycle is a good way to remove yourself from the gene pool.
Given that energy costs money I'd say there's been a pretty strong incentive to make things as efficient as possible for several decades now. The low-hanging fruit is taken, we're now in the realm of diminishing returns.
The laws of physics even dictate a maximum efficiency, after that if you want to consume less energy you have to produce less, which means the standard of living goes down.
Oh, I see now.
They're not pro-environment, they're anti-modern society. You know, if they dislike living in the modern world so bad they could do us all a favor and off themselves.
Given that energy costs money I'd say there's been a pretty strong incentive to make things as efficient as possible for several decades now. The low-hanging fruit is taken, we're now in the realm of diminishing returns.
The laws of physics even dictate a maximum efficiency, after that if you want to consume less energy you have to produce less, which means the standard of living goes down.
Oh, I see now.
They're not pro-environment, they're anti-modern society. You know, if they dislike living in the modern world so bad they could do us all a favor and off themselves.
Posted by: MMDeuce at February 01, 2006 01:19 AM (AlZ23)
12
Ace, I'm sorry, but there's something fundamental you're ignoring here.
EVERYTHING in the Middle East is about oil, one way or another.
If it wasn't for oil, the place would still look like a scene out of Lawrence of Arabia. The Arabs would still be riding around on horseback, killing each other with knives, fighting over the water supply.
Oil gives them the money they need to buy foreign technology and to finance terror. Oil makes everyone else interested in the region strategically. Their tendency to export terror is the reason they need to be dragged kicking and screaming out of the 13th century.
If they weren't sitting on top of those vast, proven oil reserves, they'd be just as relevant as Africa. And we only pick fights in Africa when a Democrat is president.
EVERYTHING in the Middle East is about oil, one way or another.
If it wasn't for oil, the place would still look like a scene out of Lawrence of Arabia. The Arabs would still be riding around on horseback, killing each other with knives, fighting over the water supply.
Oil gives them the money they need to buy foreign technology and to finance terror. Oil makes everyone else interested in the region strategically. Their tendency to export terror is the reason they need to be dragged kicking and screaming out of the 13th century.
If they weren't sitting on top of those vast, proven oil reserves, they'd be just as relevant as Africa. And we only pick fights in Africa when a Democrat is president.
Posted by: Steve at February 01, 2006 01:59 AM (4ngLd)
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"Hope you're all holding lots of oil stock and making out like bandits - these profits are something else!!! "
In 2004 Exxon made 30billion and paid 90billion in taxes.
Take a deep breath and let that soak in. The Feds made 3x as much off of Exxon as the shareholders did, but because the shareholders are greedy the government's solution is to take even more.
SAVE THE EXCLAMATION POINT, SHOOT A MOONBAT
In 2004 Exxon made 30billion and paid 90billion in taxes.
Take a deep breath and let that soak in. The Feds made 3x as much off of Exxon as the shareholders did, but because the shareholders are greedy the government's solution is to take even more.
SAVE THE EXCLAMATION POINT, SHOOT A MOONBAT
Posted by: B Moe at February 01, 2006 02:01 AM (oo8c+)
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Actually, unburdening ourselves of so much dependency on Middle Eastern oil might cause more war. Certainly we'd have one less reason to bomb some of these countries.
Ace,
Didn't you mean "one less reason to NOT bomb some of these countries?" Currently, we don't bomb them because they have oil. If we don't need their oil, we can bomb them into the Stone Age, which in some cases, wouldn't take very many bombs.
Ace,
Didn't you mean "one less reason to NOT bomb some of these countries?" Currently, we don't bomb them because they have oil. If we don't need their oil, we can bomb them into the Stone Age, which in some cases, wouldn't take very many bombs.
Posted by: Steve L. at February 01, 2006 03:03 AM (hpZf2)
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I've never understood the people who keep saying conservation is the answer
Oh I think you do. It sounds arrogant to say so its not often said but much of liberal thought is lazy. The platitudes and "solutions" they propose sound all soft and gushy, unicorns and lollipops and cotton candy precisely because they never really solve anything. There is no down side and everybody is joy joy and furry little animals are saved from extinction so why would anyone be against it?
I mean, riding your bike to work is fine when you're in 68-and-sunny California, but when you're in 6-8-and-snowing Minnesota a bicycle is a good way to remove yourself from the gene pool.
See what I mean? Ed's world consists of the sunny little kingdom where solar panels and bikes solve everything. They throw out tasty, yet ridiculous claims because their is a large constituency that doesn't want to be bothered with the hard realities of the world and they eat this stuff up. Look how popular Cindy Sheehand and Rep. Murtha were with a sizeable portion of America. Yet when push comes to shove, nobody, not even the Democrats in Congress with the exception of the far left fringe takes them seriously.
Besides, any woman who would find me hot because I drove a Prius, well I draw the line at dating women who are hairier than I am.
Oh I think you do. It sounds arrogant to say so its not often said but much of liberal thought is lazy. The platitudes and "solutions" they propose sound all soft and gushy, unicorns and lollipops and cotton candy precisely because they never really solve anything. There is no down side and everybody is joy joy and furry little animals are saved from extinction so why would anyone be against it?
I mean, riding your bike to work is fine when you're in 68-and-sunny California, but when you're in 6-8-and-snowing Minnesota a bicycle is a good way to remove yourself from the gene pool.
See what I mean? Ed's world consists of the sunny little kingdom where solar panels and bikes solve everything. They throw out tasty, yet ridiculous claims because their is a large constituency that doesn't want to be bothered with the hard realities of the world and they eat this stuff up. Look how popular Cindy Sheehand and Rep. Murtha were with a sizeable portion of America. Yet when push comes to shove, nobody, not even the Democrats in Congress with the exception of the far left fringe takes them seriously.
Besides, any woman who would find me hot because I drove a Prius, well I draw the line at dating women who are hairier than I am.
Posted by: JackStraw at February 01, 2006 03:33 AM (J8+2b)
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I think we commute to work by base-jumping off of Ed Begley's colossal ego.
Really, I shouldn't be so dismissive of Ed Begley. Remember what impressive acting job he did in...uhm....uhm.....
Damn. I know I've seen him in something!
Really, I shouldn't be so dismissive of Ed Begley. Remember what impressive acting job he did in...uhm....uhm.....
Damn. I know I've seen him in something!
Posted by: Red Jode at February 01, 2006 03:38 AM (KeOQp)
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Maybe we should invest in radioactive oil technology now so that when the time comes to punish the terror sponsoring "states", we can get the job done that needs to be done.
Posted by: at February 01, 2006 03:54 AM (nVA0o)
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I think we should explore generating power using aborted fetuses.
But we never will, because Halliburton and the big oil companies are seeing to it that Chimpy appoints judges that will overturn Roe.
The pro-life movement? It's all about oil!
But we never will, because Halliburton and the big oil companies are seeing to it that Chimpy appoints judges that will overturn Roe.
The pro-life movement? It's all about oil!
Posted by: Liberal Mindset at February 01, 2006 04:09 AM (4K6f+)
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I'm still waiting to hear from Spurwing Plover before I form an opinion on this.
Posted by: Brian B at February 01, 2006 04:26 AM (rGfpg)
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I still believe we should use all of the arab oil first before we use our own supply, and i dont think we should pay more then 20 bucks a barrel. If we showed more balls in dealing with those 5th centuray arabs and put a tighter leash on israel, and keep them sperated we should enjoy our SUV's with out them popping off.
As for the twit begely, should sabatoge is bike with a stick in the spokes the loud mouth jackass.
just my hungover opinion and first post
As for the twit begely, should sabatoge is bike with a stick in the spokes the loud mouth jackass.
just my hungover opinion and first post
Posted by: BigFrank at February 01, 2006 04:35 AM (ZNAq7)
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Let Ed Begly Jr ride his bicycle down a steep hillside with a big brick wall at the bottom and see what happens when the two meet CRASH
Posted by: spurwing plover at February 01, 2006 04:48 AM (EPfmS)
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Let Ed Begly Jr
ride his bicycle
down a steep hillside
with a big brick wall
at the bottom
and see what happens
when the two meet
CRASH?!
ride his bicycle
down a steep hillside
with a big brick wall
at the bottom
and see what happens
when the two meet
CRASH?!
Posted by: Ploverisms at February 01, 2006 05:11 AM (nVA0o)
23
"Actually, unburdening ourselves of so much dependency on Middle Eastern oil might cause more war. Certainly we'd have one less reason to bomb some of these countries."
Do you mean to say, "We'd have one less reaons to refrain from bombing some of these countries?" This isn't a tart remark; I'm puzzled by what you've said and am suggesting that my edition expresses your intended meaning.
Do you mean to say, "We'd have one less reaons to refrain from bombing some of these countries?" This isn't a tart remark; I'm puzzled by what you've said and am suggesting that my edition expresses your intended meaning.
Posted by: Kralizec at February 01, 2006 05:16 AM (ycgcI)
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The laws of physics even dictate a maximum efficiency
This is wartime, MMDeuce. Get with the program. The Constitution gives President Bush the power to break the laws of physics for the sake of the Union.
This is wartime, MMDeuce. Get with the program. The Constitution gives President Bush the power to break the laws of physics for the sake of the Union.
Posted by: Mark @ a marble desk at February 01, 2006 05:20 AM (uHh8R)
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A Ploverism that spills over into THREE LINES? That's a freakin' novella in his world. This issue must be dear to him.
I'm all for Ed Begley Jr. and his ilk conserving as much oil as possible. That means there will be MORE FOR ME! Just as soon as his conservation measures start dropping the prices at the pump, I plan on buying a V10 Dodge Ram, converting my home furnace to burn premium gas, and developing a method to hunt small game with diesel fuel-based munitions. Oh yeah, and next time you're at the pump, make sure to pour a little on the ground; for all the homies at Halliburton! West-side!
I'm all for Ed Begley Jr. and his ilk conserving as much oil as possible. That means there will be MORE FOR ME! Just as soon as his conservation measures start dropping the prices at the pump, I plan on buying a V10 Dodge Ram, converting my home furnace to burn premium gas, and developing a method to hunt small game with diesel fuel-based munitions. Oh yeah, and next time you're at the pump, make sure to pour a little on the ground; for all the homies at Halliburton! West-side!
Posted by: Russ from Winterset at February 01, 2006 05:21 AM (wZLWV)
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"I'm still waiting to hear from Spurwing Plover before I form an opinion on this."
Ask and ye shall receive...
Ask and ye shall receive...
Posted by: harrison at February 01, 2006 05:33 AM (S1+W4)
27
The same mentality prevails in Berkeley, where there are almost no parking lots left downtown. Clearly, the progressives on the planning commission think they're promoting public transportation, but the reality is it's a ghost town of empty store fronts. Soon the only thing left will be coffee bars & Chinese restaurants. I can't wait till the garish beauty supply stores & check-cashing joints start moving into those marked-down properties
Posted by: beautifulatrocities at February 01, 2006 06:01 AM (T5UfM)
28
What a great country we live in when a guy can do TV for two seasons, then live off his fame for the rest of his life making political speeches. Ed Begley Jr., Mike Farrell, that guy from the Mary Tyler Moore show.
I wonder what the dad from Alf thinks about stem-cell research.
I wonder what the dad from Alf thinks about stem-cell research.
Posted by: adolfo velasquez at February 01, 2006 06:04 AM (feZhh)
29
Bin Ladin has never once cited as a reason for declaring war on us that "we pay Arabs and Muslims lots of money for oil."
Actually one of his complaints was that we aren't paying them enough for their oil.
The above just includes the charge "plundering our riches" but I remember reading a few years back that he'd provided an exact amount that he felt arabs were underpaid for their oil.
Mindless excuse making (as if OPEC is this powerless entity rather than the reason we went into an oil shortage back in the 70s), and he only threw in the references to oil to appeal to the tinfoil hat wearers, but oil is on the list of "grievances" (FWIW)...
Actually one of his complaints was that we aren't paying them enough for their oil.
The above just includes the charge "plundering our riches" but I remember reading a few years back that he'd provided an exact amount that he felt arabs were underpaid for their oil.
Mindless excuse making (as if OPEC is this powerless entity rather than the reason we went into an oil shortage back in the 70s), and he only threw in the references to oil to appeal to the tinfoil hat wearers, but oil is on the list of "grievances" (FWIW)...
Posted by: Scott at February 01, 2006 06:32 AM (f8958)
30
but the reality is it's a ghost town of empty store fronts. Soon the only thing left will be coffee bars & Chinese restaurants. I can't wait till the garish beauty supply stores & check-cashing joints start moving into those marked-down properties
And then it and Eugene, Oregon will truly be identical.
And then it and Eugene, Oregon will truly be identical.
Posted by: Brian B at February 01, 2006 06:35 AM (rGfpg)
31
Just don't tell him that we already drilled ANWR dry while he was chasing Japanese whaling boats.
LOL. He shoots he scores! I'm going to be giggling about that one for a while, geoff.
LOL. He shoots he scores! I'm going to be giggling about that one for a while, geoff.
Posted by: bbeck at February 01, 2006 07:04 AM (qF8q3)
32
Brain B.
I grew up in Eugene, but I haven’t been back in decades.
Do you mean to tell me that the ecotopian “1970s pedestrian mall” killed the retail business downtown?
Whodathunkit.
A. Weasel
I grew up in Eugene, but I haven’t been back in decades.
Do you mean to tell me that the ecotopian “1970s pedestrian mall” killed the retail business downtown?
Whodathunkit.
A. Weasel
Posted by: A. Weasel at February 01, 2006 07:42 AM (nv7bH)
Posted by: A. Weasel at February 01, 2006 07:52 AM (nv7bH)
34
A. Weasel,
You mean the one on Broadway? Yeah, they finally gave up on it and reopened the street to traffic a couple of years ago. It still hasn't recovered. Couldn't have anything to do with the fact that parking in downtown Eugene is as rare as a Republican in... well, downtown Eugene, could it? nah....
The city keeps pumping money into building big, beautiful buildings downtown, but it's all public buildings, like a library and a fire station and a new Federal Building, and then wondering why it doesn't attract new businesses. Meanwhile, EWEB is preparing to move away from its offices next to the willamette, and the city refuses to consider any use for it other than a new hospital. The LTD (transit) employees strike under circumstances similar to the NYTA strike, and the LTD Board fiddles with some Fixed route rapid transit project, and noone can stop them because they're appointed, not elected. And the Eugene City Council has killed the West Eugene Parkway. As the Wikipedia article mentions, one of the arguments against it is "Urban Sprawl". The way they comabt tht here is with urban growth boundaries, which prohibit you from developing above a certain density outside those boundaries. So the closer to those boundaries the city gets, the closer together and more expensive the homes get, and the cost of renting or owning a home inside those boundaries becomes artificially inflated.
Be glad you got out when you did. I love Oregon, but I'll be damned if I'll ever live in Eugene. Even Springfield, for all the shit it takes for being Eugene's backwater, has smarter policies when it comes to business and development.
You mean the one on Broadway? Yeah, they finally gave up on it and reopened the street to traffic a couple of years ago. It still hasn't recovered. Couldn't have anything to do with the fact that parking in downtown Eugene is as rare as a Republican in... well, downtown Eugene, could it? nah....
The city keeps pumping money into building big, beautiful buildings downtown, but it's all public buildings, like a library and a fire station and a new Federal Building, and then wondering why it doesn't attract new businesses. Meanwhile, EWEB is preparing to move away from its offices next to the willamette, and the city refuses to consider any use for it other than a new hospital. The LTD (transit) employees strike under circumstances similar to the NYTA strike, and the LTD Board fiddles with some Fixed route rapid transit project, and noone can stop them because they're appointed, not elected. And the Eugene City Council has killed the West Eugene Parkway. As the Wikipedia article mentions, one of the arguments against it is "Urban Sprawl". The way they comabt tht here is with urban growth boundaries, which prohibit you from developing above a certain density outside those boundaries. So the closer to those boundaries the city gets, the closer together and more expensive the homes get, and the cost of renting or owning a home inside those boundaries becomes artificially inflated.
Be glad you got out when you did. I love Oregon, but I'll be damned if I'll ever live in Eugene. Even Springfield, for all the shit it takes for being Eugene's backwater, has smarter policies when it comes to business and development.
Posted by: Brian B at February 01, 2006 08:50 AM (rGfpg)
35
as for the loose shit, don't sweat it, I've spent my entire life seeing that particular typo. Even Ace did it yesterday when mentioning me in the Impaler post.
Posted by: Brian B at February 01, 2006 08:52 AM (rGfpg)
36
"Be glad you got out when you did. I love Oregon"
Brian B.
I love my home state as well, and now reside in the Great State of Eastern Oregon. It was tragic to watch Eugene go to hell in the '60s & 70's as a kid, but it was probobly probably inevitable. I went all through school with the Fadely and Weaver kids (they were my friends), so I am well aware of the uber liberal mentality at the time.
Brian B.
I love my home state as well, and now reside in the Great State of Eastern Oregon. It was tragic to watch Eugene go to hell in the '60s & 70's as a kid, but it was probobly probably inevitable. I went all through school with the Fadely and Weaver kids (they were my friends), so I am well aware of the uber liberal mentality at the time.
Posted by: A. Weasel at February 01, 2006 09:41 AM (nv7bH)
37
Despite Begley's moonbattery, he still has a point. We should be investing more in alternate energy sources (nuclear, wind, solar, hydrogen, ethanol) than we are investing in Iraq. It's not so much about bin Laden, who is more of a transitory figure, but moreso about the pernicious Saudis and Gulf Arabs who have us by the balls with their petrodollars. We need to diminish their power moreso than bin Laden's. We cannot allow them to build and fund mosques in the West because that will just rile up the Muslims to seek "revenge" against the infidels. We cannot allow these "princes" to buy real estate here or even stock (FOX News, I'm looking at you). They are already funding academia with all their "Islamic studies" departments and you know what that means, less study of what Islam really teaches and more study of "Palestine". They need to be isolated and neutered. This is both a hot war and a cold war. We have been fighting a lot of hot wars, but no cold wars. Alternate energy sources and restricting Muslim immigration in North America and Europe is a good place to start.
Posted by: arch at February 01, 2006 10:06 AM (uiuEd)
38
We should be investing more in alternate energy sources (nuclear, wind, solar, hydrogen, ethanol) than we are investing in Iraq.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 contains provisions for development of alternate energy sources. Unfortunately, the policy and its successor have suffered from partisan agendas and porkstuffing. Still, it is a $40 billion effort in the right direction.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 contains provisions for development of alternate energy sources. Unfortunately, the policy and its successor have suffered from partisan agendas and porkstuffing. Still, it is a $40 billion effort in the right direction.
Posted by: geoff at February 01, 2006 10:21 AM (vpYuK)
39
Eastern, huh? A little too dry for my tastes. I'm originally a Southern Oregonian, born in Roseburg, went to high school in Winston. Even then (80's), Eugene was the big city up north. Personally, I wouldn't mind going rural again, but since I chose to marry a city girl from Minneapolis, i'm fated to living the rest of my life in either Eugene/Springfield or PDX.
Next time you find your way west of the Cascades, drop me a line. At least the beer here is worth drinking, just avoid the koolade.
Next time you find your way west of the Cascades, drop me a line. At least the beer here is worth drinking, just avoid the koolade.
Posted by: Brian B at February 01, 2006 10:31 AM (rGfpg)
40
Brian B.
Lord God No, not PDX. Been there, done that.
I am coming to Springfield this spring sometime for a convention. I'll drop you a line.
A. Weasel
Lord God No, not PDX. Been there, done that.
I am coming to Springfield this spring sometime for a convention. I'll drop you a line.
A. Weasel
Posted by: A. Weasel at February 01, 2006 10:53 AM (nv7bH)
41
I really like the idea about ethanol, because practically no infrastructure change would be necessary, and we already have thousands of consumer vehicles manufactured every year that run off of it.
I wonder what would happen to Saudi Arabia and the other countries that have us in a stranglehold once oil becomes cheaper than dirt, though?
I wonder what would happen to Saudi Arabia and the other countries that have us in a stranglehold once oil becomes cheaper than dirt, though?
Posted by: Sue Dohnim at February 01, 2006 11:06 AM (rE+jU)
42
We should be investing more in alternate energy sources
If you want to buy stock in Windmills-R-Us, go ahead. But if you want to take my money to buy things you like instead of letting me buy things I like, we'll have to agree to disagree. I'm fairly content with our present strategy of knocking over oppressive totalitarian cesspools and replacing them with democracies. That way everyone's a winner.
If you want to buy stock in Windmills-R-Us, go ahead. But if you want to take my money to buy things you like instead of letting me buy things I like, we'll have to agree to disagree. I'm fairly content with our present strategy of knocking over oppressive totalitarian cesspools and replacing them with democracies. That way everyone's a winner.
Posted by: VRWC Agent at February 01, 2006 11:14 AM (j3Nda)
43
"I wonder what would happen to Saudi Arabia and the other countries that have us in a stranglehold once oil becomes cheaper than dirt, though?"
Sue,
If the foreign workers (Western and Asian) of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States all left, those societies would literally collapse. They hire foreign workers for EVERYTHING. Without the OPEC revenue, they would have nothing to produce except more camels. If we took it even further and cut off all foreign aid to them (America and the EU), then they would have to fend for themselves and probably find themselves in a situation worse than Africa. Hopefully, that would encourage them to actually try to improve their lives instead of killing infidels. The old society would die and possibly something new and better would give fruit. Islam would be discredited and they would have to look towards something else in order to get out of their rut. That is why we must try our best to get off of oil and isolate them.
Sue,
If the foreign workers (Western and Asian) of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States all left, those societies would literally collapse. They hire foreign workers for EVERYTHING. Without the OPEC revenue, they would have nothing to produce except more camels. If we took it even further and cut off all foreign aid to them (America and the EU), then they would have to fend for themselves and probably find themselves in a situation worse than Africa. Hopefully, that would encourage them to actually try to improve their lives instead of killing infidels. The old society would die and possibly something new and better would give fruit. Islam would be discredited and they would have to look towards something else in order to get out of their rut. That is why we must try our best to get off of oil and isolate them.
Posted by: arch at February 01, 2006 12:38 PM (uiuEd)
44
"But if you want to take my money to buy things you like instead of letting me buy things I like, we'll have to agree to disagree. I'm fairly content with our present strategy of knocking over oppressive totalitarian cesspools and replacing them with democracies. That way everyone's a winner."
You can't be serious can you? I'm afraid the government is already taking your money and spending it on Iraq for a "democracy" that is going to be run by Islamists. I would rather it be spent on energy projects that limit our contacts with these Muslim cesspools. And knocking them over and replacing them with democracy is going to be far more costly in the long run than my magical windmills. Who is to say that democracy will even work in a Muslim society once we leave? Not every Muslim nation has an Ataturk that will enforce it, Islam may subside but it will return to power once again. Islam is not compatible with democracy and that is why Bush's project will fail. I agreed with invading Afghanistan and Iraq in order to dismantle the governments, but I did not agree with trying to rebuild them with our money and hoping that these ungrateful anti-American Muslims would welcome the idea of secularism over sharia. Yes to "knocking them over", that won't make everyone happy but we can't please everyone all the time. Not everyone wants freedom, Muslims want Islam, which is by definition, tyranny.
You can't be serious can you? I'm afraid the government is already taking your money and spending it on Iraq for a "democracy" that is going to be run by Islamists. I would rather it be spent on energy projects that limit our contacts with these Muslim cesspools. And knocking them over and replacing them with democracy is going to be far more costly in the long run than my magical windmills. Who is to say that democracy will even work in a Muslim society once we leave? Not every Muslim nation has an Ataturk that will enforce it, Islam may subside but it will return to power once again. Islam is not compatible with democracy and that is why Bush's project will fail. I agreed with invading Afghanistan and Iraq in order to dismantle the governments, but I did not agree with trying to rebuild them with our money and hoping that these ungrateful anti-American Muslims would welcome the idea of secularism over sharia. Yes to "knocking them over", that won't make everyone happy but we can't please everyone all the time. Not everyone wants freedom, Muslims want Islam, which is by definition, tyranny.
Posted by: arch at February 01, 2006 12:55 PM (uiuEd)
45
We would.nt have to depend on OPEC if our politicians were,nt a bunch of chicken livers afraid of offending the eco-wackos
Posted by: spurwing plover at February 01, 2006 04:41 PM (wksIu)
46
We would.nt have to depend on OPEC
if our politicians were,nt
a bunch of chicken livers
afraid of offending
the eco-wackos
if our politicians were,nt
a bunch of chicken livers
afraid of offending
the eco-wackos
Posted by: Spoetry at February 01, 2006 04:45 PM (nVA0o)
47
Arch is right but it's probably too late. The arabs are piling up 100s of billions of petro-dollars and the Chinese have nearly 1 trillion in dollar reserves. They surely aren't our friends but they own us or just about. It's just going to get worse as oil goes up and we refinance our homes to buy goodies from China. Bush is right - we are addicted to oil and we should be on a crash program to wean ourselves from imports. It's not just the problem of unstable supplies, its a problem of extreme national indebtedness. And its getting worse. Get a bike - boycott the arabs - seriously.
Posted by: dort at February 01, 2006 05:06 PM (hYdE/)
48
I'm afraid the government is already taking your money and spending it on Iraq
National defense being an ennumerated power of the feds, they get to do that. Plus, as I noted, I approve of the war. Market manipulations are another matter.
Who is to say that democracy will even work in a Muslim society
Ah, yes. The savages aren't ready for civilization. We'll see soon enough, I think. If we win, one of the world's most dangerous regions will have been transformed for the better. If we lose, Iraq got a few minutes above the surface before sinking back into the darness. Sounds worth doing to me.
Muslims want Islam, which is by definition, tyranny.
Interesting take. I gather you haven't met many Muslims.
National defense being an ennumerated power of the feds, they get to do that. Plus, as I noted, I approve of the war. Market manipulations are another matter.
Who is to say that democracy will even work in a Muslim society
Ah, yes. The savages aren't ready for civilization. We'll see soon enough, I think. If we win, one of the world's most dangerous regions will have been transformed for the better. If we lose, Iraq got a few minutes above the surface before sinking back into the darness. Sounds worth doing to me.
Muslims want Islam, which is by definition, tyranny.
Interesting take. I gather you haven't met many Muslims.
Posted by: VRWC Agent at February 02, 2006 04:13 PM (gjy1/)
49
"If we lose, Iraq got a few minutes above the surface before sinking back into the darness. Sounds worth doing to me."
A failed state sitting between Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia? Yeah that wouldn't be such a bad thing would it. After all it's not like Afghanistan produced anything regrettable. My god.
And if the location wasn't clear enough already, the blogger here can certainly say the war was not about oil and in many respects be correct.
On the other hand there is just the one reason the west has taken an interest in the arabian peninsula and Iran for most of the past century and supported and opposed particular leaders with shifts in such policy coincidently mirroring the decisions they make about thier oil.
A failed state sitting between Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia? Yeah that wouldn't be such a bad thing would it. After all it's not like Afghanistan produced anything regrettable. My god.
And if the location wasn't clear enough already, the blogger here can certainly say the war was not about oil and in many respects be correct.
On the other hand there is just the one reason the west has taken an interest in the arabian peninsula and Iran for most of the past century and supported and opposed particular leaders with shifts in such policy coincidently mirroring the decisions they make about thier oil.
Posted by: Stevens at February 03, 2006 05:19 AM (QthwC)
50
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Posted by: booksworm at June 03, 2011 04:32 AM (/W85a)
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