T&T: Cheaper oil

[LRZeitlin at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/4/08 7:09:33 AM, Truelove39 writes:



>
> Larry, I believe you. But, I wonder why we cannot respond in timely
fashion?
>
>  
>
> When we entered WWII, production of military equipment was quick to be
> implemented. This is important enough that *with a good leader* we should be
able
> to bypass all the regulatory crap and get drilling happening and refineries
> built. And how about some nuke plants and wind, too? I'm tired of black
> streaks on my boat!
>
>  
>
>
>

John,

We started military production well before WW2. Roosevelt determined that the
US would be the "Arsenal of Democracy." We resupplied the British losses
after Dunkirk. The British "little ships" and the Royal Navy evacuated 330,000
troops from the beach but virtually all the equipment was left behind. Then
came
the Lend/Lease program. The British and the Russians were supplied with
military equipment on the ambiguous promise to pay at a later date. By the
time of
Pearl Harbor the factories were humming.

But I fully agree with your premise.

If we ever treat the energy crisis as an actual war against America instead
of meekly lining up at the fueling station for $5+ a gallon diesel, we would
start drilling immediately, build atomic plants, erect wind turbines, plant
and
harvest biofuel crops, and put solar power on the roofs of most houses. It
would annoy a lot of people interested in the status quo. Affluent Martha's
Vineyard homeowners would have to get used to the sight of wind turbines and
the
Audubon Society would have a fit. Farmers would get paid for growing something
useful instead of nothing at all. Atomic energy plants would triple in number
despite the protest of the howling mob. Coastal dwellers would suffer the
indignity of seeing their views punctuated by oil derricks. SUV owners would
have
drive to Priuses and Hondas and a 55 mph speed limit would be enforced
nationwide. Donzis and Cigarette boats would be propelled by oars. We would
forget
about the Middle East and annex Western Canada and Northern Mexico, both of
which
are oil rich. And we would put a freeze on all financial transactions and
confiscate the US assets of OPEC countries unwilling to sell us oil for $60 a
barrel.

But of course it is not a war yet.

Larry Z




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