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Another Perspective
Egypt Crisis and Oil
A reminder of the urgency of energy independence.
Egypt is in the midst of what can only be described as a political and social meltdown. While elected officials and diplomatic leaders from the U.S. determine our appropriate course of action, we are reminded that the stability enjoyed by Americans is simply not the norm in other parts of the world.
While our thoughts and hearts go out to the Egyptian people, we as a nation must examine how their affairs deeply affect the vital components of our economy and our way of life. One of the most apparent consequences of such turmoil is the impact on our energy supply and consumption.
With nearly 40 percent of the world’s oil transported through Egypt’s Suez Canal, government collapse and societal chaos could shut down the world’s busiest oil pass-through. If such a catastrophe were to take place, the U.S. is hardly poised to stand on its own when it comes to energy.
After the BP oil spill, President Obama’s overreaction spurred a ban on offshore drilling and, as a result, a 79 percent drop in domestic oil production. While he argued that it was necessary for regulators to ensure the safety of rigs, it’s been nearly a year and there seems to be no sign of lifting this moratorium.
In addition to the loss of revenues and joblessness resulting from the moratorium and other drilling restrictions, the U.S. will inevitably rely even more heavily on foreign oil to satisfy America’s growing energy needs. While OPEC claims it would be willing to send more fuel to the U.S. in the event of an Egyptian oil shutdown, this would only exacerbate the stranglehold foreign oil maintains on U.S. consumers and our government.
The greatest way America could eliminate this dependency and better insulate ourselves from unrest in other parts of the world would be to increase our own domestic energy production. According to Robert Bluey of the Heritage Foundation, allowing access to oil and natural gas resources currently off-limits would increase U.S. crude oil production by as much as 2 million barrels per day in 2030, offsetting nearly one-fifth of the nation’s imports.
Further, the American Petroleum Institute conservatively estimates that if energy companies were allowed to drill in areas currently restricted by the federal government, they would find 116.4 billion barrels, enough oil to power more than 65 million cars for 60 years. Additionally, they project they would discover 650.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, enough to heat 60 million homes for 160 years.
It is disconcerting that President Obama did not make a single mention of domestic drilling or lifting the moratorium in his recent State of the Union address. While the free market should examine the options alternative energy sources provide, it is clear that significant domestic drilling is an unmistakable necessity in achieving American energy independence.
Although the outcome of the crisis in Egypt is uncertain, American lawmakers should remain uncomfortable with the notion that another nation’s problems could so adversely affect our energy consumption at home. The U.S., while willing to endure occasional pitfalls in exchange for participation in the global economy, should never be willing to risk our autonomy for the whims of foreign producers.
It’s time to lift the ban on offshore drilling. It’s time for the federal government to begin issuing drilling leases to oil and gas companies. And it’s time to get America on the road to real and lasting energy independence.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (65) | Leave a comment
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Melvin| 2.1.11 @ 7:20AM
I cannot readily accept that the intelligence community was caught completely flat footed again. I could accept this deer in the headlights stare from the White House and State Department, but the other intelligence branches.
I cannot accept that Mohamed ElBaradei all of a sudden pops up on the scene as the savior of Egypt. Could his ascendancy as the head of opposition be payback from Iran for him all these years running interference for them by giving false information on Iran's nuclear program to the international community.
If this was the case then that would make ElBaradei an agent for Iran. The Muslim Brotherhood not only receives support from Iran but Wahhabi sect of Saudi Arabia as well.
ElBaradei is merely a front man for the power behind the throne. ElBaradei will give the illusion of secular leadership but as Saudi Arabia what we see and what acutally happens is definitely two different things.
By the Islamic fundamentalists taking power in Egypt we all are aware of them using oil, and the Suez Canal as a political weapons.
Another aspect that we have not fully realized is an axis alliance with China. China is extremely thirsty. It already has tied up oil resources in South America, and is roaming the earth for more to fuel it's economic and military machine.
All the oil drilling apparatus that was in the Gulf of Mexico has now be contracted to other nations such as China because if these equipment is not drilling it is costing money for the owners.
So when Obama banned drilling in the Gulf, these companies who were drilling for us are now gone.
Additionaly the trained personnel that runs drilling equipment have also left the Gulf region to find work elsewhere, so that effectively puts our Country way, way behind the power curve if the Middle East decides to put its sandal on our throats when it comes to crude oil.
Even if Barrack Obama decided to begin drilling for oil immediately it would take years to bring all this back on-line.
Currently the environmentalists have effectively locked up through litigation a oil pipeline that is wanting to be constructed from Canada's oil sand into the United States.
People, we are past at being at a crossroads with our energy. We are so far damn behind it terrifies me. Environmental terrorism, judicial terrorism, and executive order terrorism have put this Country's security at stake.
We don't need a Sputnik moment, we need a Tunisian moment.
Ken in Tyler| 2.1.11 @ 9:54AM
Darth Sotero should admit, "It is all happening as I have forseen." I'm not a Star Wars freak and that may be a perfect quote but I'm sure that hamstringing every facet of our economy- especially energy- is an intended part of "fundamentally transforming" our nation.
Ret. Marine| 2.1.11 @ 7:40AM
Oh you think. I find this whole episode to be highly dangerous to both world peace and the stability of our way of life. obamas Bin Lyn is just doing the bidding of his fav arse lifters, the house of saud. While it is true that roughly 8% of the world trade goes through this country, it's unfavorable outcome, as in the muslim brotherhood taking over, would send panic around the entire world and for what, because of an ignorant prez, this is beyound callousness, it border lines with treason. If the Repub's had any sense of survival at all they would take this jackass party member and introduce him to impeachment proceedings, and mean it.
JFYI, it was reported early this morning that El Baradei just received 7-million from Iran for his bid as the leader of Egpyt, pay back for lying for the aryans? obamas Bin Lyn got some esplain'n to do.
Booger | 2.1.11 @ 10:28AM
From the desk of united states President B. Hussein Obama:
To: Muhammad Badi'e, General Guide, Muslim Brotherhood, Egyptian Branch
To My Dear Brother Badi'e,
Greetings and salutations my Dear Brother in The Common Struggle. I see that all is progressing well on your front, and I congratulate you on your many successes to date. I wish to inform of what you may expect from "outside" forces as the struggle progresses.
First of all, please do not fear any attempt by amerikkka to debase your glorious revolution against the zionist running dogs who currently infest the capitol of your great nation. It is the will of Allah (peace be upon his name) that you will be victorious in this struggle, and now that I am Commander in Chief of the amerikkkan armed forces I can assure you that there will be no action taken against you by either the regular amerikkkan military or the CIA. Since you are guaranteed safety on this front let your hands be bold to shed the blood of those who have opposed you!
Secondly, please do not let your fear of Mubarak deter you from what must be done. For many years that son of a pig has allied himself with the war criminal Bush who preceded me, and in so doing has been an enemy of My Struggle. Additionally, Mubarak has committed the still greater crime of allying himself with israel. For many years he has maintained a friendly relationship with the zionist monkeys who infest Palestine to this day. How can a man who has been a friend to both amerikkka and the zionist dogs be the leader of a nation which follows Allah (peace times two be upon his name)? It is a perversion of the natural order, and he must be removed! Surely Allah (peace times three be upon his name) will guide you and guard you!
Speaking of zionist pig-dog-monkeys, do not let a fear of israel dissuade you from your task! Yes, I know the devils in the mossad have slain many of our brethren in the past, but the time for our retribution has come! Now that I am President of all fifty-seven states of amerikkka, I can threaten to withhold aid from the israeli jew-dogs if they interfere with your Glorious Struggle! Since the jews will never do anything that will cost them money, you can be assured that I can prevent their intervention in The Struggle in Egypt.
Now is the time to strike! Soon the Muslim Brotherhood will control one of the largest military forces in the Middle East as well as the Suez Canal. Once the Muslim Brotherhood has control of the Suez Canal, and the our Iranian brethren have the Straight of Hormuz, it will be in our power to control all trade routes for oil across the globe. To expedite our victory in this matter I have personally shut down the amerikkkans' oil rigs in their Gulf of Mexico. This has crippled their ability to produce oil here just as we are about to seize complete control of the Middle East! All is going exactly to plan.
Just a couple of thoughts in passing: First of all, as long as you are going to be taking care of jews you may as well get rid of the copts as well. It's not like anybody notices what you do to them anyway. I'm telling you, you could shove every last copt in Egypt into a gas chamber and the New York Times wouldn't be able to find a single column inch of space in their Sunday edition to report it. Secondly, make sure Mubarak's demise is as gruesome as possible, and while your at it kill as many of his family members as you can get your hands on. After all, we want to send a message to any of the other rulers in the region who may be thinking about holding out on us. It's time for the Muslim Brotherhood to let everyone know who the REAL power in the region is.
Your Comrade in The Struggle,
united states President for Life B. Hussein Obama
ShortNSweet| 2.1.11 @ 11:59AM
Booger, Have you never sent your resume to Pennsylvania Ave.?!?! You would have a job as presidental speech writer, upon receipt! I'm sure your words upon the presidential teleprompter would be euphoric to our "Prez for Life". Just sayin'....
Just know, Booger, that you are loved!
Uli Kunkel| 2.1.11 @ 3:26PM
DUDE!!!
That was spooky...
PCC| 2.1.11 @ 7:56AM
Mr. Cain says "nearly 40 percent of the world's oil is transported through Egypt's Suez Canal..."
It's idiotic statements like these that make it impossible for me to take this man seriously as a potential presidential candidate or anything else.
The Big E| 2.1.11 @ 8:32AM
What is the correct figure? And can you please provide a cite to support your contention?
Tom| 2.1.11 @ 9:00AM
Less than 2 million bbl/d which is no where near 40% of world daily production. In fact it is closer to 1/40th of world production (84 million bbl/d).
I have no idea where Cain got his numbers from but they are not even remotely factual.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/ca...../Suez.html
http://tonto.eia.gov/cfapps/ip.....&unit=TBPD
The Big E| 2.1.11 @ 9:19AM
Thanks.
F.A.| 2.1.11 @ 10:31AM
Actually Cain said 40% of WORLD oil is TRANSPORTED through Suez Canal.
Here is an article published today that backs this up: http://asia.news.yahoo.com/afp.....b2fc3.html
Tom| 2.1.11 @ 10:50AM
What the article says is 40% of the world's oil is pumped by OPEC. OPEC The Middle East. OPEC's membership is: Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.
Once again, 2 million bbl/d are transported through the Suez Canal. The world produces 84 million bbl/day. In what universe is 2 out of 84 40%?
PCC| 2.2.11 @ 7:16AM
Today's Asian Wall Street Journal says it's "2% of traded oil". That good enough for you, buster? Get a life.
Mike Rogers| 2.1.11 @ 8:50AM
However, an amount approximating 40% of our Oil imports does pass through the canal and its adjacent pipeline. Not so idiotic, perhaps.
Tom| 2.1.11 @ 9:03AM
If you live in the US that is also wrong. Unless Canada, Mexico, Columbia, Nigeria, and Venezuela are shipping through the Suez canal no where near 40% of US imported oil ships through the Suez. Here is where we get our oil from.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil.....mport.html
John Navratil| 2.1.11 @ 9:34AM
Tom,
Of course you are absolutely correct about the national origin of the oil we actually receive. It would be nice if that were more common knowledge. However, you must also agree that oil (differences in quality aside) is a commodity. A disruption in the Middle East will affect prices world-wide. It is why we only have three major pricing benchmarks (Dated Brent, Nymex and WTI).
Tom| 2.1.11 @ 10:01AM
John,
Yes, John, I agree that a disruption in the Middle East would cause enormous difficulties in the oil market. It is very obvious that the area is a major producer of oil and having production curtailed because of social unrest would effect prices worldwide. My problem is Cain used silly numbers to make a point that he could have made without resorting to fabricated statistics. Saying 40% of world oil production flows through the Suez canal is so blatantly incorrect that it serves to undercut any other argument he might make. Beyond his 40% number I had great issue with this: "Further, the American Petroleum Institute conservatively estimates that if energy companies were allowed to drill in areas currently restricted by the federal government, they would find 116.4 billion barrels, enough oil to power more than 65 million cars for 60 years. Additionally, they project they would discover 650.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, enough to heat 60 million homes for 160 years"
The 60 million number is meaningful why? There are 255 million registered vehicles in the US, 137 million of which are passenger cars. In truth the oil that might be recovered from out of bounds areas would result in production that could fuel our vehicle fleet for a lot less than 60 years.
Having said this I am all for drilling everywhere practical. Oil is worthless until it is extracted. Doing so creates national and personal wealth. It would also improve our national security. Secondly, at this time we are exporting pollution and environmental degradation to the third world. We are so very afraid of damaging our 'pristine' lands that we allow Nigeria to become a toxic hell-hole.
John Navratil| 2.1.11 @ 11:30AM
Tom,
May I gently suggest that you are missing the forest for the trees. Your transportation facts are quite right. The 40% production number is really total OPEC(incl. Venezuela and Nigeria), just 30% or so is Persian Gulf of which much flows through the Straight of Hormuz and somewhat less turns back through the Suez.
As to his point regarding oil fueling cars...
Highway transportation miles driven by passenger cars over the last 10 years has been steady at roughly 2.5 million (2.5 ^ 10^6) miles per year. By this measure, your 137 million passenger cars are driving an average of 18,000 miles per year (a number which seems reasonable from personal experience). (Source: http://www.bts.gov/publication.....01_37.html)
Each barrel of oil yields approx. 20 gals of gasoline (results vary by crude grade - that is the average). Thus 116.4 x 10^9 bbls yields 2328 x 10^9 gallons of gasoline.
Extrapolating (always a guess) 65 x 10^6 cars for 60 years at 18,000 miles per years gives a total mileages for these cars at 70 trillion (70 x 10^12) miles. This would require an average fuel efficiency of 30 miles per gallon driven. We can quibble about the assumptions, but is this such an unreasonable conclusion?
So I agree completely that Mr. Cain has it wrong on the facts viz. oil transportation. But that really wasn't his point which was to underscore the fragility of the U.S. economy to energy disruption and a failed energy policy. If that is sufficient for you to discount him completely that is, of course, your prerogativc.
Tom| 2.1.11 @ 1:20PM
John,
Perhaps I am. I am somewhat fanatic concerning stastics, because I see them so misused. But my larger point is when someone bases an argument on faulty easily disproven 'facts' it is far too easy for an opponent to invalidate an otherwise persuasive argument. Would it have been hard to write an article about how bad it could be to have the Brotherhood in control of the Suez canal without resorting to faux statistics? Afterall, those of us who wish to increase domestic energy production need to persuade those who do not already. And it would be too easy for someone who wishes to restrict domestic energy production to harpoon Cain's article without actually dealing with it basic thesis. I just found the article somewhat sloppily researched and written and think pro-production writers need to do a better job.
John Navratil| 2.1.11 @ 2:42PM
I'm with you there. As Samuel Langhorne Clemens was fond of recounting "There are lies, damned lies and statistics." Here's hoping the the pro-production argument will become more obvious to all* due to recent events.
* - except, obviously, the annointed one along with his claque and coterie of fools
FREE tea| 2.1.11 @ 8:03AM
"The U.S. has one last task to fulfill before its own collapse is rendered TOTAL and the Globalists bring RED China 'eugenics
realism' in, and that is the standardization
and cultural neutralization of the recalcitrant
Middle East."
-Alan Watt
Cutting Through the Matrix
(online)
------Need we say more?
Lawrence of Lutz| 2.1.11 @ 8:09AM
Could it be that our oil has been given to the Chinese to cover our debt and we can not drill for our own use?
Stephanie| 2.1.11 @ 8:14AM
It's time to lift the ban on offshore drilling and to start drilling in Anwar, Montana and any other place in the US territory where there is oil.
I just don't get it.
A. C. Santore| 2.1.11 @ 10:36AM
Let it be known that if Obama does not open U.S. oil drilling - WIDE open and immediately - it will prove once and for all beyond any doubt his administration's insane desire to wreck the U.S. economy and with it our freedom.
Ken (Old Texican)| 2.1.11 @ 8:37AM
Stephanie,
Let me splain it to you. Obama and crew want your car on blocks so they know where you are.
Occam's Tool| 3.4.11 @ 1:46AM
My understanding, Ken (and please correct me gently if I am wrong---I defer to your judgment) isa that the major bottleneck for US gasoline production is not crude oil, but lack of refineries at this point. So we should build more refineries and drill more, eh?
The Big E| 2.1.11 @ 8:46AM
Mr. Cain, there is one thing in your article I must take issue with. The current situation is not a wake-up call to energy independence. That happened 38 years ago with Arab Oil Embargo. THAT was the wake-up call, and we slept right through the alarm. Now, it may be too late.
As you noted, even if took every step we should to energy independence, including exploitation of our current resources, construction of new nuclear power plants, and development of new energy technologies with am emphasis on EFFICIENCY rather than the waste-of-time-and-money green crap that we're trying to develop now, it would still take years to achieve energy independence. That's not to say we shouldn't start down that path now - without question, we should - but the Egyptians may cut off the Suez tap next week, and the revolution in Egypt could spread to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE - especially if it is Iranian backed. And the reality is that even in the face of the Egyptian revolution, we're still not serious about energy independence - and I'm not talking about Obama's failings here. What action is the newly elected Congress considering to drive us toward energy independence? Have they taken up any legislation to open Federal lands for exploration? Have they taken up legislation to streamline the approval process for new power plants or refineries? Have they taken up any legislation to reduce the EPA's ability to stifle the energy industry? If they have, I'm not aware of it, and until they do, they're not being serious about the issue.
Alfred| 2.1.11 @ 10:09AM
The US can rid itself of its anti-nuclear superstition or it can perish. A simple choice, really.
Citizen Jerry| 2.1.11 @ 10:35AM
Yes, it is time to lift the ban on offshore drilling and also pursue every other domestic energy source we can develop -- including nuclear.
But it's not going to happen until we rid ourselves of this poseur-in-chief.
Anthony| 2.1.11 @ 11:40AM
The world becomes dangerously more unstable, thanks to the mindset of the world wide left.
America is on the precipice of disaster because of the likes of Obozo and the socialists that infest the four corners of deceit.
The delusional LSM, led by the NY Times, sees the revolt in Egypt as a wonderful expression of liberation. Kristoft and his fellow lunatics are unconcerned about the Muslim Brotherhood and this turn towards radical Islam. But they wouldn't, because they are sympatico with radical Islam, despite its threat to the Western World, or because they embrace it.
We are gridlocked by a radical leftist government that insists that energy independence is a threat to polar bears, as opposed to a fundamental tenent of national security and economic survivability.
It goes on and on and on. Folks, we need to rid America of the dangers the left has visited upon us. Now!!
MacDaddy| 2.1.11 @ 11:58AM
Let us borrow a page from our Liberal friends, to wit: "Never let a crisis go to waste." One of our congressional representatives (I am looking at YOU, Fred Upton!) should immediately rise up in the House and propose a resolution to open up the ANWAR to drilling and exploration. Period. The time is now and we have been handed a perfectly timed reminder of our perilous dependency....
Ken (Old Texican)| 2.1.11 @ 12:13PM
Folks,
I have been posting here for months that I fully expect an "event" to tump everything upside down
for our country.
Is this Egypt meltdown the "event"?
I don't know. It could lead to the "event" though.
I can't thnk TAS enough for bringing different takes on our national situation.
Pray, and pass the ammunition.
The Big E| 2.1.11 @ 1:26PM
I don't if Egypt will the the event you're referring to, but consider the question, "Where next?" If this revolution is successful in Egypt, which seems likely, then it will, in all likelihood, spread further. So, "Where next?" Libya and/or Algeria seem logical, but heading east, we next find Saudi Arabia. The Saudis are certainly Islamic fundamentalists, but they also do a lot of business with us, have allowed us to station troops there, etc. What happens if Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAR - three of the world's leading oil exporters - fall under this spell?
Then head north. I think Syria will probably NOT experience this revolution, as they are already under Iran's thumb. But what about Turkey? Turkey, of course, is a NATO member, is already a democracy, and is also quite "secular." But there has been a growing undercurrent of radical Islam in Turkey for years now, never quite able to win electorally. Will they adopt this revolution as their own as well? Will they be successful?
And then east again, what about Pakistan? I know, they're not Arab, but as everyone knows, the government there already barely has a lid on the radical Islamists.
So back to my question, "Where next?" I don't know the answer, but it seems to me that if this thing spreads to the big oil rich states, and then on to our allies - Turkey, and Pakistan . . .
The Big E| 2.1.11 @ 1:27PM
Sorry for all the typos, and of course, I meant the UAE.
Melvin| 2.1.11 @ 3:59PM
Saudi Arabia may have created a theocratic monster that even they cannot contain.
The event will be when Israel is again ringed in by Arab enemies as it was prior to the six day war. Pakistan will supply the Arabs with the powerful fireworks and it appears at least at this point, that the whole region will annihilate itself.
John Navratil| 2.1.11 @ 3:08PM
Ken,
Think of how Obama got elected. It was after a relentless drumbeat from the MSM touting the evils of Bush (which he, like his father, foolishly ignored), an unpopular war (how many are popular) and an economic collapse. This was an "anyone but Bush" election in which Bush wasn't running and which Obama won decisively.
At the time, many cautioned to be careful what you wish for, you might just get it. Not that McCain was a great choice, but this really was the action of a petulant electorate sold a cheap suit. Perhaps they are learning that now, but that isn't my point...
The "street" in Cairo, as in Tunisia, is having an "anyone but Mubarak" moment. Consider the general condition of the Arab youth on the world stage and look for dissatisfaction aplenty. Now we see Jordan smoldering and an Iran which has been stacking tinder for thirty years. This Iranian regime took power after an "anyone but the Shah" moment and has continuously repressed its people. (Wouldn't it have been nice for Obama to express support for the democratic aspirations of the Iranian youth a year ago, but I digress.)
I hope I am wrong, but I fear the next world war isn't far off. The recent statement from the Muslim Brotherhood calling for war with Israel doesn't imbue me with feelings of optimism.
Oldefarte| 2.1.11 @ 1:26PM
This editorial is simply BRILLIANT and pure TRUTH! The economic strangulation predicted by Mr Cain is no doubt exactly what this administration politially desires, and will eventually occur if they are allowed to continue the prevention of this vital natural resourse from being developed/produced domestically!!!!
Marc Jeric| 2.1.11 @ 1:47PM
In his State of the Union address Abu Hussein al-Mombassa (or wherever in Kenya that marxist Muslim was born) said that he wanted to "invest" (read spend) on the following;
1) Highways; the federal government already taxes the gasoline at 17 cents (or is it 27 cents) already per gallon for the so-called highway fund; it seems that this fund is now largely spent on welfare;
2) High-speed trains; Americans prefer their personal cars for these reasons: a) they go door to door; b) they are ready at any time 24/7/355; they are never on strike; trains operated by union are not doing that.
3) Education; that means more money to teachers unions which in 45 years have brought our education from the first in the world to the level of Zimbabwe, and the costs have tripled.
4) Green energy; that means wind and solar power. We have been working on these the past 50 years without success. They are super-expensive, unreliable, and environmentally destructive. No imagination can defeat the laws of thermodynamics. They also come from the sun's activities - the sun which is a continuous uncontrolled hydrogen bomb explosion. I was happy that he skipped the mention of ethanol - since that boondoggle pushed by taxpayers' subsidies has proven expensive, increases oil imports and food prices, and is destructive of environment.
5) Electric cars; he did not specify where the electric power would come from - wind, solar?
All in all, I for one was unimpressed. And - the bum made no mention of nuclear electricity!
Kingofthenet| 2.1.11 @ 4:34PM
What a President we have NOW, Mubarak will be GONE this fall, NO Muslim Brotherhood overthrow, ORDERLY Elections this fall. Thanks to President Obama!
John Navratil| 2.1.11 @ 5:04PM
While you are on a roll, please tell us what the price of crude and the DOW will be! I'd ask for the winning Powerball numbers as well, but that would be against the point, wouldn't it?
Occam's Tool| 3.4.11 @ 1:47AM
The Brotherhood will take over by 2013. Sorry, King.
e track from saq| 2.1.11 @ 7:09PM
Someone has to say it.The problem with the people of Egypt is that they've been living in the Nile for too long.The whole problem with our beloved country is
To be found in those meaningless unpronounceable three letter words:NBC. CBS .ABC .CNN pure evil for pure profit.
john| 2.1.11 @ 8:30PM
The revolution in Eygpt will have a profound effect on American interest in the ME. The sooner america relies 100% on its own reserves-and from the figures above that is very well possible-the sooner you can get out of ME. Americans strongest arab allies Munbrark, king abdullah & co are on the way out. The arab people are waking up and it stands to reason that they will not look kindly on the America. so please start digging for oil because you wont have much left soon. After the arab revolution i can see the arabs being allied to the chinese. Since they are unlikely to be close to america because of the support for tyrants. its going to be very grim for you folks. Ill be shedding a tear for you (not).
jmulcahy| 2.1.11 @ 9:20PM
Pipe down, John, and just fill up the tank like a good attendant.
Having spent 15 years in China, I can tell you your dreams of a great alliance with the Chinese is just one more of pure fantasy, like the Arabian Nights. The Chinese are busy crushing their Muslim minorities and laugh at Arab customs, burqas on women, no pork. The Chinese are more dependent on Arab oil than the US, but they are busy diversifying their sources of oil as well.
The Chinese are learning English, going to US universities and Chrisitianizing at a rapid pace. They want your oil but little else to do with you I must inform you, but yes dream of a great alliance. You might be better off lining up with the Russians. Oh wait, they are crushing their Muslim minorities as well.
Did you know that non-oil exports from the Arab world are less than Spain's? That's pathetic. Start making stuff that people want.
Occam's Tool| 3.4.11 @ 1:48AM
If we want your oil bad enough, we'll just nuke your population centers and take it, John. I'll be shedding a tear for you (not).
Nite| 2.1.11 @ 10:38PM
The US will never be able to increase domestic production of energy until Obama is out of office and the Dems no longer have a majority in Congress. California is sitting on enough oil to get them back on a strong financial footing, but Democrats prefer to raise taxes to such an extent that business is leaving right and left and so are the citizens. Go figure.
Pelligrino| 2.2.11 @ 4:50AM
Mr. Cain, thank you for the article and Am. Spec. for posting it. Although some above seem to want to trivialize daily life-blood cargos that transit the Suez Canal (it is far more than just crude oil on those massive ships & it is 2-way transits of supplies, goods, materiels), you are correct.
Even if somehow the US were not directly impacted by a Suez shut down (this is impossible as it is a vital lane not just for open commerce but also for our US Navy), this would be crippling for our European friends.
And, yes, this North American economy is fully intertwined IN EVERY WAY with Europe's.
Here is where I wish to take issue with you, Mr. Cain. You wrote: "It is disconcerting that President Obama did not make a single mention of domestic drilling or lifting the moratorium in his recent State of the Union address."
"Disconcerting?" Just 'disconcerting?'
That is NOT the language of leadership.
His omission is a travesty unworthy of anyone wishing to lead the United States of America. His inaction makes him an enemy of the State and the citizenry of the land.
Irish22| 2.2.11 @ 11:12AM
How about a "Sputnik moment" like: oil from the ANWR in a year?????
Joe| 2.2.11 @ 11:42AM
Build NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS NOW!
Coal is dirty,oil is giving money to our enemies,and both are bad for the environment.
Nukes are self sustaining, emit no greenhouse gasses, and with the right technology we can make fuel from old nuke missiles "beating swords into plowshears" so to speak!
John Navratil| 2.2.11 @ 4:34PM
Joe,
While there is some need to increase the grid capacity and some generating capacity, electricity is not the problem. We happen to generate 60% or so of ours from the coal, of which we have plenty. Building nukes (not a bad idea) would generally replace coil plants but would do nothing for the price of transportation fuel. It will be necessary for the "hydrogen economy" but that, also, is not the problem we face today.
m | 2.2.11 @ 11:57AM
watch the videos
http://thestraightway.org/
m | 2.2.11 @ 12:05PM
if we would stick together like the egyptian people are doing We the People here in America could force the politicians to do what we want instead the liberal anti-christs of the nation at the helm are getting everything they want because they are organized and devout we have to be vigilant or we are going to lose the farm get involved get organized and getr done we need to form a coalition Now
m | 2.2.11 @ 12:20PM
http://vimeo.com/17809205
m | 2.2.11 @ 12:51PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S3xWb06sLs
Ron Kilmartin | 2.2.11 @ 11:09PM
We have a 2000 year plus supply of oil in the Bakken field in Montana and N. Dakota, besides the off-shore. http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1911
Obama and the enviro-nazis have it locked up, It us part of his plan to de-industrialize America and spread the wealth.
john dubose| 2.3.11 @ 3:14PM
Sure we have lots of relatively uneconomic oil etc. in the ground in the USA. But even after all the political BS, the mid east stuff is still cheaper. To make it a winning deal for US production, all sorts of policies would have to change. Both environmental and tax. Left leaning environmentalists are idealists in that they want to jump over that to a supposed better future with solar etc. That is why they use their influence in the still dominant Democrat party to give all the goodies to these emerging but still dubious technologies.
The not so clean but ( for most conservatives ) clean enough oil, gas and nuclear power that works OK is squeezed by their policies. It is a mistake to overlook US oil and gas in energy policy. But it is a mistake of the head, not of the spirit.
Christian Louboutin | 6.23.11 @ 4:09AM
While our thoughts and hearts go out to the Egyptian people, we as a nation must examine how their affairs deeply affect the vital components of our economy and our way of life. One of the most apparent consequences of such turmoil is the impact on our energy supply and consumption.
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العاب بنات | 4.11.12 @ 4:15PM
Think of how Obama got elected. It was after a relentless drumbeat from the MSM touting the evils of Bush (which he, like his father, foolishly ignored), an unpopular war (how many are popular) and an economic collapse. This was an "anyone but Bush" election in which Bush wasn't running and which Obama won decisively.