Glen Beck Article

[Cruisingdad]

THis is a very interesting article. I realize of course that it is a one-sided view, but still interesting.

Glenn Beck: U.S. is a suicidal superpower - CNN.com

So does this guy have any clue what he is talking about, or just making a story?

- CD

[BenthosCritter]

The guy is right, pretty much. Our oil supply is almost completely dependent on countries that dislike the US. Although, I'm sure they like our money and would not want to give up our money.

[Plumper]

We don't dislike the US. Anytime any of the states want to separate we'll be happy to consider taking you in. We'd prefer states with warmer climates. We'd be happier if you'd lose the guns and starting thinking more about the greater good than the individual. Come on over to the cool side. You'll like it.

Canada

[Valiente]

I saw nothing outrageous about that article except its frankness, something pretty rare in the U.S. mainstream media of the last ten years or so.

The U.S. and Rome in the 300s have a lot in common: overextended commitments, tired (and possibly poisoned from lead pipes) leadership, entrenched special interests, outsourced food supplies and manufacturing, long and fragile supply lines, a diluted franchise, hungry foreigners nibbling at the edges of Empire, and attempts to switch the traditional Roman civic virtues (the Roman pantheon, the cursus honoris, duty to the Republic) for personal, inward-looking ones (the establishment of Christianity as the state religion, the devolving of civic power to bishops, the tendency to hire mercenaries to do the dirty work of policing the Empire).

The quick buck and the short-range planning rule. The U.S. should have been building nuke plants, financing post-petroleum R&D, keeping a viable domestic manufacturing base, and encouraging civic duty 25 years ago. Now, everything in Wal*Mart is from China, where you will find former millwrights and skilled factory workers stocking shelves with video games and shoddy clothing. Meanwhile, the rich guys are the ones skimming commissions from flipping dubiously-backed debt certificates.

We haven't even broached the topic of the last eight years, because your entire political class is in on the fix. The Republicans and the Democrats vary only in the flavour of the personal lubricant they employ to lessen the screaming.

[xort]

Originally Posted by BenthosCritter

The guy is right, pretty much. Our oil supply is almost completely dependent on countries that dislike the US. Although, I'm sure they like our money and would not want to give up our money.

Actually, we don't get much oil from the countries that don't like us, unless you count Canada & Mexico.

[jzk]

Originally Posted by Plumper

and starting thinking more about the greater good than the individual. Canada

But we believe that it is by empowering the individual that results in maximizing the greater good.

[teshannon]

I'm a big fan of Glenn Beck and it seems to me he is very thorough in doing his homework.

[tdw]

Surely it's the rate you (edit in we) use the stuff that is the problem.

Usage Barrels Per day , per person per year

Oil Consumption and Production


United States 20,730,000, 25.13
China 6,534,000, 1.80 (many people)
Japan 5,578,000, 15.98 (big on rail transportation)
Germany 2,650,000, 11.74 (less than half per capita than the U.S.)
Canada 2,294,000, 25.07 (as bad as the Yanks)
Mexico 1,970,000, 6.61 (less affluence and fewer cars)
Italy 1,881,000, 11.81 (as good as the Germans)
Saudi Arabia 1,845.000, 24.40
Britain 1,827,000, 10.98 (less than half per capita than the U.S.)
Iran 1,510,000, 8.43
France 1,197,000, 6.86 (big on nuclear energy)
Sweden 362,400, 14.64 (colder winters?)
Ireland 182,400, 16.23 (what is their excuse?)

As a comparison I calculate that for us its

Australia 900,000, 16.00 (that's terrible quite frankly)


So ignoring Saudi Arabia for obvious reasons North America including Canada both have the worst record.

Australia, Ireland and Japan have nothing to be proud about either. I wonder what Ireland's story is ? Australia ? I guess its due to a small population over a very large area and too much reliance on road transport.

Although I guess in terms of self sufficiency Canada is better off while Australia still produces over half our own requirements. My feeling however is that it's usage not prodcution that should be the issue.

[uspirate]

Originally Posted by tdw

Ireland 182,400, 16.23 (what is their excuse?)

I'm give up

[teshannon]

Looks like a long ride to work. Lucky bastard.