Offering constructive criticism to the social cripples in our midst since early 2005.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Replaced_Texan
Until we can follow Brazil's example and ease our dependence of foreign oil, yeah. Then we can build the wall around ourselves and throw away the key.

Sigh. It's been so long since we've had a post about Brazil, and this one really doesn't fill the void.

[Iron Steve]

Originally posted by Sidd Finch
Sigh. It's been so long since we've had a post about Brazil, and this one really doesn't fill the void.

Especially since I don't think the reference to "oil" was a euphemism.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Yesterday:

Originally posted by Spanky
They might actually have to listen to voters, or risk losing power. What a novel concept.

Today:

page one of the San Francisco Chronicle
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger suddenly ranks among the most unpopular governors in modern California history, as residents grow increasingly unhappy about the action hero-turned-politician's budget plans and his call for a special election, according to a new Field Poll.

Less than a third -- 31 percent -- of the state's adults approve of the job the governor is doing in Sacramento, down from 54 percent in February. The numbers are only slightly better among registered voters, 37 percent of whom are happy with Schwarzenegger's performance and 53 percent dissatisfied.

"There's very little for the governor to cheer about in this poll,'' said Mark DiCamillo, director of the Field Poll. "There's a very broad-based view that the governor is off on the wrong track.''

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Iron Steve
I suppose Not Me attained an aura of faux substantiveness

I would call it an ersatz authenticity.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
Yesterday:



Today:

I'm pretty sure Spanky meant the Dems when he said "they" would have to listen to the voters. I doubt he is suggesting that Ahnold has any such obligation.

[Spanky]

Originally posted by Sidd Finch
Sigh. It's been so long since we've had a post about Brazil, and this one really doesn't fill the void.

I don't know why everyone wants to kick our "dependence" on foreign oil. Most of the middle east countries populations are growing and have huge youth populations. I think 75% of the population of both Algeria and Iran are under the age of 14. Something like sixty percent of the population in Iran is employed through the oil industry (or at least by oil money). Once we stop buying oil you will have huge unemployment in these countrys. You think they don't like us now, wait until we stop buying their oil.

[Spanky]

Originally posted by Sidd Finch
I'm pretty sure Spanky meant the Dems when he said "they" would have to listen to the voters. I doubt he is suggesting that Ahnold has any such obligation.

What is it exactly that the voters are saying? What policy of Arnolds don't they like, or is this drop in poll numbers just a reflection of the Unions commercial assault on Arnold.

From your silence, I am assuming you and T-Rex have admitted that there is no valid economic reason to vote against CAFTA, and that all of Arnolds propositions should pass.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Spanky
I don't know why everyone wants to kick our "dependence" on foreign oil.

Who is "everyone"? The same people who are worried that Ford and GM are about to collapse under the weight of their own pensions and their inability to sell any cars, let alone the gaz-guzzling SUVs that permitted them to postpone this day of reckoning?

I'd much rather leave our oil in the ground, and let the Saudis et al. keep selling it to us at whatever price.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Spanky
I don't know why everyone wants to kick our "dependence" on foreign oil. Most of the middle east countries populations are growing and have huge youth populations. I think 75% of the population of both Algeria and Iran are under the age of 14. Something like sixty percent of the population in Iran is employed through the oil industry (or at least by oil money). Once we stop buying oil you will have huge unemployment in these countrys. You think they don't like us now, wait until we stop buying their oil.

I'm not sure which I find weirder -- that you question (by your use of quotes) that we are dependent on foreign oil, or that you think our ever-growing dependence on Saudi Arabia is a good thing.

But.... a couple of reasons:

Wealth has not made the Saudis dislike us much less. I'd rather my enemy be poor than rich, when they use their wealth to fund Wahhabi teachings and the execution of those teachings.

The non-MidEast sources of oil are getting ever more scarce, and we are growing ever more dependent on, and vulnerable too, a small number of unstable governments in volatile countries. This situation can only grow worse.

Demand from China and India is expected to grow tremendously over the next decade or so -- even as reserves are drained and spare capacity exhausted -- leading to continued rises in oil prices. Diversifying our energy sources, and making our economy more energy- (and oil-) efficient will reduce demand and ease some of the pricing pressure.

I could go on and on, but it is really hard to understand how anyone could view our ever-growing dependence on Saudi Arabia as a good thing.



eta: I'm sure it's only the unions that want us not to be dependent on Saudi oil.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Spanky
What is it exactly that the voters are saying? What policy of Arnolds don't they like, or is this drop in poll numbers just a reflection of the Unions commercial assault on Arnold.

It's Tuesday -- must be time to blame the Unions. I think they caused AIDS, too.

From your silence, I am assuming you and T-Rex have admitted that there is no valid economic reason to vote against CAFTA, and that all of Arnolds propositions should pass.

Yeah, that's a safe assumption. I generally sit here all day looking for your next inquiry and, if I do not respond to you within seconds, it means that I agree with you -- certainly it's not like I'm working, or in court, or out of town, or just tired of your non-deer-related rants.

[Iron Steve]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)

I'd much rather leave our oil in the ground, and let the Saudis et al. keep selling it to us at whatever price.

2.

Let the market be free. Of course, as a card carrying imperialist I have no problem if we have to ensure the freedom of that market with troops, the Wasabi be damned!

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Iron Steve
2.

Let the market be free. Of course, as a card carrying imperialist I have no problem if we have to ensure the freedom of that market with troops, the Wasabi be damned!

Let the market be free.... except, the taxpayers should subsidize military intervention to keep the oil flowing.

[Iron Steve]

Originally posted by Sidd Finch
It's Tuesday -- must be time to blame the Unions. I think they caused AIDS, too.

They certainly destroyed the public school system throughout the US, but in fairness I would not tag them with causing AIDS.

Everyone knows that under Casey's watch the CIA developed AIDS and introduced it into Africa as a means of racist 3rd world imperialistic population control, non?

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Sidd Finch
Let the market be free.... except, the taxpayers should subsidize military intervention to keep the oil flowing.

So? Raise the gas tax to pay for the troops.

[Iron Steve]

Originally posted by Sidd Finch
Let the market be free.... except, the taxpayers should subsidize military intervention to keep the oil flowing.

That is a more economically useful and productive subsidy than most foreign aid; our UN contribution; subsidies to keep Congress, the IRS, the SEC et al in business.......

Give me cheap oil and my unfettered second amendment rights and I am good to go!