We Can't Get Along Without Saudi Oil

Washington Post ^ | 4/9/02 | Robinson West

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Since Sept. 11 there has been growing skepticism toward the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both as an ally that does not share our goals and values and as the key supplier of oil. To reinforce this position, some critics have maintained that we will soon not need Saudi oil, and that the kingdom's role of supplier of last resort can be replaced by a new energy colossus, Russia. This reasoning is essentially flawed and could bring disaster if followed to its logical consequences.

[Alexandre]

to #54

• we will never travel through time - yes, as long as we do not know what the time is and how it is coupled with other forces. Actually, we do travel, but it is a one way train without controls. From the past to the Future.
• we will never travel to the stars - no we will. What Columbus and Magellan did in their time was as techically difficult and dangerous as travel to stars today. Technology is there, but practical outcome is not. When our spacecraft of today - bamboo rafts - will be replaced by sail ships, we'll go. Adventurism, curiosity and lust for exploration always took upper hand.
• cold fusion will never work - it will not just because there is no such phenomenon like cold fusion.

[lugsoul]

The Nature Conservancy? Say what you want about other "activist" groups, but the NC puts its money where its mouth is. If it wants lands protected, it BUYS them. Can you explain why it is wrong for a person or group to OWN land and decide that it wants to protect that land from any development? Isn't this the true conservative path to conservation?

[ZULU]

The author is probably right.

Consequently we should prepare for an eventual war with the Saudi Oil Sheiks and their nutcases in arms the Iraqis, Iranians, Somalis, etc.

[Alexandre]

to #58
All we need is the right red white and blue motivation.

That one is OK?

Just kiddin' "-)

Indeed, consumption may be cut abruptly. For example, reliable public transportation system will help. For vacations I agree to pay even $5/galon for gas to go FREE where I want in car I prefer (Jeep Cherokee). Double windows also work great for both Arizona Summer and Alaska Winter, etc.

[Cold Heat]

Actually, I am working on a few ideas myself! But if I told you about them, I'd have to kill you. :-)

[Cold Heat]

Oil's well that ends well! (just sick of hearing about everyones oil fetishes)

[biblewonk]

we will never travel to the stars - no we will. What Columbus and Magellan did in their time was as techically difficult and dangerous as travel to stars today. Technology is there, but practical outcome is not. When our spacecraft of today - bamboo rafts - will be replaced by sail ships, we'll go. Adventurism, curiosity and lust for exploration always took upper hand.

No, not the same at all. Man was created with the ability to make big boats, like the ark, and spend long enough amounts of time in them that ocean currents alone would take you all over the world. Nothing even remotely like this is true about space travel. Think of the requirements to travel 25 trillion miles!

cold fusion will never work - it will not just because there is no such phenomenon like cold fusion.

We are in agreement here.

[Alexandre]

Man was created with the ability to make big boats, like the ark, and spend long enough amounts of time in them that ocean currents alone would take you all over the world. Nothing even remotely like this is true about space travel.

This is the part revealed to mankind thousands years ago. But sailors made several steps farther than the Ark carried by currents. They added sails, steam, diesel, turbines, nuclear reactors... All this is not in The Book. Forget the airplanes (or you deny their existence or practicality?). People got the ability to invent (ether from The God or evolution) - and they keep doing so.

If you show Wright Brothers scetch of F-104 Starfighter (or MiG-21), they will say that this thing will never fly and if it will takeof it will crash during landing. And prove it to you using their late XIX century bank of knowledge.

Think of the requirements to travel 25 trillion miles! - Just a very big Ark. Pick an asteroid, build a sort of ant's colony and go! One way travel, but me and Wirestripper will go. Right, Wirestripper?

[Cold Heat]

I'm ready! Pick me up on your way to Alpha Centauri.....

Sorry folks! Only room for two!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

The documentary depicted this sacriligious practice as quaint and ideosyncratic of Arab culture. They didn't dare call it what it is - profane desecration.....well said again!

[biblewonk]

Think of the requirements to travel 25 trillion miles! - Just a very big Ark. Pick an asteroid, build a sort of ant's colony and go! One way travel, but me and Wirestripper will go. Right, Wirestripper?

It sounds so easy in the sci-fi books doesn't it. How fast will your asteroid go? How will your asteroid be powered? How will you stop your asteroid? How much does it weigh again? I know I have an even better idea. Lets just fly the moon like on that one sci fi series that didn't last very long.

[Alexandre]

It sounds so easy in the sci-fi books doesn't it.

"The First Men In The Moon", Herbert George Wells. It took less than a century to get there. Enjoy the reading!

How fast will your asteroid go? How will your asteroid be powered? How will you stop your asteroid? How much does it weigh again?

Will you provide me with budget of Moon Program (corrected for inflation etc)? In 10 years I will present you a TDR (technical design report) with all questions answered.

I did not see the series about flying the moon away. Shall I consider my life a waste?... 8^(

[biblewonk]

I'm trying to remember what it was called. I think it was called "Space 1999". They were storing nuclear waste on the moon and there was a space station on the moon. One day the nuclear waste reacted with each other and launched the moon out into space. I think it only lasted 1 year. It was pretty lame.

[Matthew James]

Heh, heh...

[Travis McGee]

One of the dreams of my life I hope to see realized is to see the 10,000 Saudi princes (half brothers) relearning how to herd goats and sheep for a living on the desert, wandering from well to well.

[Pagey]

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