The only thing keeping the Russian economy afloat is oil. They have managed to create a few billionaires while failing to provide a materially better life for the people. They have used, like Spain in the 16th and 17th centuries used gold from the Americas, their oil to enrich a few and create a military power. If we drill off our coasts, recover our shale, create renewables and find and develop our deposits of natural gas, the Russian wealth is decreased by many factors.
Best to move now and begin the process of restoring an empire while they have the military strength and economic hammer, oil and, to keep the EU in line, natural gas. Let the supplies of both increase and their prospects diminish. And if threatening the pipeline trough Georgia pays off in higher prices all the good.
Indeed. There is no better time or reason to demand of our representatives that we become as energy-independent as possible as soon as possible.
If the Dems block this at this point, all hyperbole aside, they are nothing less than treasonous.