Oil is fungible. It doesn't matter where the US buys its oil, because if tomorrow the Saudis stop producing, then the Europeans and the Chinese will start competing with US buyers for Russian, Canadian, Nigerian and Mexican oil leading to extremely high prices and shortages. Econ 101.
I agree, but that doesn't alter the fact that we need to become energy independent to the greatest degree possible. I think we need to build more Nuclear Power plants including what we're doing with coal. (See my posts #1 & 7)
Also see:
Sunday, August 26, 2001 Los Angeles Times
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines01/0826-02.htm
Going Backwards - Bush's Energy Plan Bares Industry Clout
Cheney-led task force consulted extensively with corporate executives. Its findings boosted their interests. Environmental groups had little voice. by Judy Pasternak
Excerpt:
"Under President Clinton, 'coal' was a dirty word," said John Feddock, an industry analyst based in Bluefield, Va.
Not so under Bush, whose U-turn on carbon dioxide was the coal industry's biggest victory in Washington in years. .." bttt