Thanks for the ping, O.
This country depends on a cheap supply of gas. It is what keeps our economy going and growing. All commerce would suffer or cease without it. In most other countries, people live where they make their living. They can bike or walk to work. Not so in America. Commutes are common and necessary.
I think al-Qaeda has figured out how to hurt us badly. We really need to open up more oil fields and build more refineries..............and fast.
They will leave the oilfields alone, too many targets to take out before any impact felt. They may target major supply lines, but that would only gain a limited success. They'd get the most bang for their buck by targeting refinery complexes and port facilities. A major explosion/fire there would constapate the whole system for months - consider the impacts the hurricanes had on Gulf facilities. Heck, even a short shut down here in Kalifornia causes a major distribution blip.