Georgia and oil and realpolitics and Obama

Work is slow and tonight I'll be at Dodger Stadium - whoo hoo! - So my night post is going up early.

Important pre- post note: There is a report the U.S. is now sending more weapons to the Georgians.
However, I am not sure this is a reliable news source.


The invasion of Georgia by Russia is a big deal. This blogger does not have the time or expertise to go deeply into the whys and wherefores. For some good insights go here- From what I can gleam: Russia has our ass in a sling. The entire Neo-Con project of the last 15 years is on the block. The Russian invasion is another in the string of oil wars that have broken out since 1990. The Caspian region, not under the control of the Russians since the Soviet Union collapsed, is oil rich. With U.S. controlled Afghanistan at it's back end, we have been building an oil pipeline from this region to the West. The pipe line goes directly through Georgia. This has been a burr in Russia's saddle for a while. Russia has passed peak in oil production - but it still has the 2nd (or 1st- if the Saudis are lying) largest oil reserves in the world. They want to control the oil that goes to the West from this area. This is why the Germans and Brits have rolled over and played dead. If Russia turns off the spigot - the lights go out in Western Europe.

Much money and effort has been put into this pipeline. Western money and effort. With one stroke Russia can - and probably is - destroying it. Russia intends to be a player with its former republics oil wealth. For 15 years they could do nothing as Western interests overran the region. They were too weak.

No more.

The tide has shifted. Caspian sea "heavy crude" oil is an essential part of the plan to keep Western Europe living in the manner in which they are accustomed. It is the final rationale for the Anglo/American military being in Afghanistan. It is one of the reasons why we have "enduring" bases in Iraq. It is why McCain's 100 year war remark is more reality connected than Barry Obama's lies about leaving in 16 months.

If we exit Iraq, we cede the region, if we cede the region, we cede our status as a Superpower. We CANNOT DO THIS and live the way we live. I am not against giving up on Middle East and Caspian Oil. We will in the long run, regardless. But I hold no illusions about the social dislocation, agony, confusion, famine and violent collapse that would follow if we had to suddenly live solely on our own oil.

There is something fundamentally stupid about the Obama Left. Holding an advanced degree does not overcome this stupidity. Many think wind and solar power can get 747s off the ground and keep Iowans warm and get capers to the Whole Foods Market. Further, they think there will be a painless transition that would take about 6 months if Obama wins. If only the evil Oil companies would stop profiteering and we would just inflate our tires.

I repeat: truly anti-war progressives have an alternative: Cut your energy usage by 50-70% RIGHT NOW. If you mean business about stopping energy wars you won't "conserve energy" (this is not even really possible) YOU WILL USE A LOT LESS. All the time.

A bumper sticker that says "War Is Not The Answer" and a Warhol portrait of Obama are painfully stupid and hilariously ironic delusional gestures.

If you want to keep your over sized Brentwood home cool in summer time, go on your trip to Aspen to ski and attend conferences during which you get to intellectually masturbate with your allegedly smart "citizen of the world" friends, enjoy your arugula on demand, and keep the anti depressant stream flowing- WAR IS THE ANSWER.

Oh - and yes, Obama is pretty much a soup can. So the Warhol portrait works....

This mentality is expressed perfectly in a TV commercial for "WE", some new energy group, in which a bunch of good Americans push a giant light switch from off to on - cuz, you know, getting off oil is going to be just like flipping a switch except instead of taking half a second you and your pals from the yoga studio might have to set aside a whole afternoon.

There are no alternatives to oil. None. Not one. Wind, nuclear, solar, and the rest are NOT alternatives to oil. They are "other" energy sources. Not "alternative". Oil, especially, light/sweet cannot be replaced. It is a nearly perfect form of energy and we've burned through most of it.

If would be lovely if American society over the past 70 years had structured itself in a sustainable way. But it did not. We will get across the divide between an oil society and whatever comes next. But in the 30 years between now and then we find ourselves in a real fix.

This goes to my ongoing rant that Clinton and McCain are both better equipped to lead the country than that manchild from Illinois and Kenya and Hawaii and Indonesia and and and... When Russia invaded Barry failed the 3AM test big time with his duct taped together blather about cease fire and the U.N. On the other hand, McCain immediately spoke in away that indicated he understood the big picture. As the oil noose tightens we need an adult in charge.

What can Bush do? Not much. But if you think he and daddy and Henry Kissinger are in Beijing for the synchronized swimming competition - you are nuts. China has its own oil war in Sudan - and they probably can't stomach Russia controlling the Caspian Sea oil anymore than we can. The U.S. may have some cards up its sleeve. China would be a part of any counter move.

Regardless, a lying, ego driven, no accomplishment half term Senator has no business taking the reigns in 6 months.

Watch the situation in Georgia closely. I'd keep tabs on Iranian developments as well.

Peak Oilers are again proving to be ahead of the curve. Read up on Peak Oil.


Go Dodgers!