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This Is What Democracy Looks Like
Today's Note From a Madman
January 5, 2009
Oil as a Weapon
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, or so said Sir Isaac Newton in
his Third Law of Motion. In the case of the newest escalation of the violence
between Israel and Palestinians living on the Gaza Strip, the opposite reaction
has presented itself as an excuse for the oil-rich nations of the middle east to
raise their prices.
But higher gas prices, like the ten cents per gallon rise we've seen since the
beginning of the new year, aren't the only reaction. Those same nations who are
so reliant on the black gold which resides under their sand want to use oil as a
weapon and force the US, Western Europe and other allies of Israel to intercede
on behalf of the people of Gaza.
Led by Iran - yes, that same Iran named as a part of the "Axis of Evil" by
President Bush - the proposed boycott was met with something less than
enthusiasm by the rest of OPEC. The idea presented by General Mirfaysal
Bagherzadeh led others to distancing themselves from it, including those in Iran
whose job it is to make such policy.
But what would such a move by mostly Muslim-led oil producing nations
accomplish? Back in 1973, a similar reaction to the Yom Kippur war between
Israel and its neighbor-foes did lead to oil shipments being halted for the US
and higher gas prices. Certainly many of you old enough will remember the long
gas lines and odd-even gas days (If your license plate ended in an odd number,
you could only purchase gas on odd days; likewise for even numbered license
plates.)
Today those same nations count profit as a main factor in their decision making.
"An oil embargo is just bad for business,"
-Serene Gardiner of Standard Chartered Bank in Dubai
But is that all?
With all of the banter during the last election cycle about oil and alternative
energy and how it has everything to do with our national security, certainly our
allies in the middle east realize that the American people would have no real
taste for extortion. You can bet that Saudi Arabia - the nation which supplied
fifteen of the nineteen 9-11 terrorists - doesn't want the world, and especially
America, to be reminded of their 2001 "contribution". And certainly they don't
wish to have their Madras's of hate to be brought forth in the American media
for all to see.
Heck, maybe we'll even pay attention this time.
Confrontation in the energy market is not a smart move to make by the middle
east oil suppliers at this point in time. With the exit of President Bush and
his favorable view of all things Saudi, and the promise of the incoming Obama
administration to lessen our dependence on foreign oil, everyone in that part of
the world knows they have to watch their collective steps and threats.
But this is a good time for President Obama, who has been quiet in the days
before he take over at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, to bring forth all of those
alternative fuel ideas. It's the right time to use our middle class dollars to
help create real jobs of the future in the alternative fuel industry and to
invest in more fuel-efficient vehicles.
The middle east oil producing nations shouldn't be afraid - they should be very
afraid because this is the right time to begin new energy policies. The idea of
our middle eastern "allies" using oil as a threat against us is a good
jumping-off point.
-Noah Greenberg
In response to, "Gaza and Israel," Dorothy Schwartz writes:
Go to the Obama website and write your comments in the place where they seek
input. You have good ideas.
I did just that. Thanks. -NG
And David McReynolds writes:
I am sympathetic to your concern for finding a way out.
The problem is much more Israel than the Palestinians - Israel will veto any
buffer zone unless it is ENTIRELY ON PALESTINIAN LAND. We've been through this
before - Israel is happy to have the UN set up shop in the Palestinian border -
but not on the Israeli side.
I'll send you an item, in a moment, which I just got from Israel. I do NOT share
the politics of Hamas, which are fundamentalist, oppressive to women and to
homosexuals. True, they won the election. True, as I'm sure you know, that for
some years the US was in contact with Hamas, but not with Fatah, and the Israel
helped create Hamas to offset the secular radicalism of Fatah.
The Israeli government - not the whole people - will do anything in their power
to prevent the emergence of a Palestinian state. At best they might permit the
kind of thing the South Africans tried before that regime shattered.
I see no chance at all of Israel moving toward any rational choices until the US
ends all military aid and economic aid to Israel. There are so many points of
horror in our world - Darfur, etc. - but Israel is the special burden for
Americans because we gave Israel the F-16's they are using, we have paid for the
illegal settlements.
And Madman responds:
I disagree. Both sides are at fault. Certainly Israel would argue that as soon
as the Hamas bombings stop so will the retaliation. And likewise, those in Gaza
will say that as soon as Israel stops retaliating they will make Hamas stop
launching rockets.
I am a big supporter of Israel but believe that Israel must accept terms set up
by the International community. Negotiations must take place but a solution -
one that can be enforced - must take precedence. And that includes both on
Israel and Gaza.
And Denise writes:
Both sides are guilty in the constant instability and fighting and suffering in
the Gaza strip and Israel. However, no peaceful or even hope of a peaceful
resolution can take place when the United States refuses to quit taking sides
and continuously spouts off the so called "politically correct" instead of
diplomatic approach needed to render any sort of peace. This government, both
Dems and Repubs are out of touch with the world because they don't have the
courage to do and say what is right and because of the politician's rhetoric a
bloody war continues to kills innocent people who want nothing but a stable,
hopeful life for themselves and their children. It is not surprising that Olmert
would begin such a bloody war considering he, like Bush, is on his way out and
dividing and conquering seems to be both of their mottos. Hamas was elected by
the Palestinians to lead their government and no matter how unpopular it is not
the United States job t o override that and dictate to the United Nations,
rather than compromise on some points, a resolution that will at least help both
sides come to an understanding on how the people, not the governments, can try
to live together. Again, our failure to do so may make the U.S. government look
good in the eyes of Americans, but we lose respect and credibility in the eyes
of the rest of the world.
And Madman responds:
The problem that still persists with Hamas in charge in Gaza is that they don't
speak of Peace - only the destruction of Israel.
I don't like using this analogy, but it fits here: hitler was elected as well,
and we all know how that turned out.
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-Noah Greenberg