Oil Boom USA. US No Longer #1 Oil Importer (Iran, Iraq, middle east)
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Without fanfare, China passed the United States in December to become the world's leading importer of oil – the first time in nearly 40 years that the U.S. didn’t own that dubious distinction. That same month, North Dakota, Ohio and Pennsylvania together produced 1.5 million barrels of oil a day -- more than Iran exported.
As those data points demonstrate, a dramatic shift is occurring in how energy is being produced and consumed around the world – one that could lead to far-reaching changes in the geopolitical order.
U.S. policy makers, intelligence analysts and other experts are beginning to grapple with the ramifications of such a change, which could bring with it both great benefits for the U.S. and potentially dangerous consequences, including the risk of upheaval in countries and regions heavily dependent on oil exports.
"United States is reaping the benefits of an energy boom created by new drilling technologies that have unlocked vast domestic oil and natural gas reserves. Coupled with decreasing demand due to energy efficiency and continued cultivation of alternative energy sources, an increasing number of experts believe the U.S. could achieve energy independence by the end of the decade – realizing a dream born during the gas crisis of 1973."
I dream of the day we can flip the middle east the bird and be energy-independent.
Energy independence is not as good of an idea as liberals think it is. Oil is our leverage. We need it. They sell it. While it's noble to have and use our own oil resources to sustain us, the US will lose its leverage to help steer world affairs towards democracy and freedom. When we lose that, we lose everything. Oil is our bargaining chip. It's the same as oil no longer being traded in U.S. dollars at some point in the future. When money stops talking, you can expect more military intervention worldwide. Count on it. Because the military will be the only means for effecting action.
04-01-2013, 08:12 AM
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n/a posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by AeroGuyDC
Energy independence is not as good of an idea as liberals think it is. Oil is our leverage. We need it. They sell it. While it's noble to have and use our own oil resources to sustain us, the US will lose its leverage to help steer world affairs towards democracy and freedom. When we lose that, we lose everything. Oil is our bargaining chip. It's the same as oil no longer being traded in U.S. dollars at some point in the future. When money stops talking, you can expect more military intervention worldwide. Count on it. Because the military will be the only means for effecting action.
On what planet are we using our leverage to "steer world affairs towards democracy and freedom"?
We support some of the most brutal, oppressive theocracies on the planet.
Energy independence is not as good of an idea as liberals think it is. Oil is our leverage. We need it. They sell it. While it's noble to have and use our own oil resources to sustain us, the US will lose its leverage to help steer world affairs towards democracy and freedom. When we lose that, we lose everything. Oil is our bargaining chip. It's the same as oil no longer being traded in U.S. dollars at some point in the future. When money stops talking, you can expect more military intervention worldwide. Count on it. Because the military will be the only means for effecting action.
What you said makes no sense. How is it our bargaining chip if they sell it and we need it?
On what planet are we using our leverage to "steer world affairs towards democracy and freedom"?
We support some of the most brutal, oppressive theocracies on the planet.
The world would totally disagree with you, as the legacy of the United States is alive and well in the numerous nations that we have brought liberation to.
(Queue the "George W. Bush War In Iraq Was A Failure" crowd in 3....2.....1......)
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