Addictive Oil
by DeAnander (posted earlier on Open Thread)
To understand oil as an addictive substance requires, I think, an historical critique of energy consumption. Illich's analysis of "energy slaves" as a substitute for human slavery might be a good place to start ("Energy and Equity" iirc). To consume fuels of some sort for cooking, for staying warm in winter, for making pottery, for smoking meat and fish, etc. is a long human tradition, just as it's a long human tradition to ferment the juice of whatever's handy and make some kind of tipple. Many cultures/people can handle their tipple all right, and integrated it into a healthy community life. However, alcoholism as an addictive behaviour pattern does exist, is well-attested, and causes harm; and imho petro-addiction also exists and is a major cause of various kinds of harm in our contemporary world.
An America in which the average person is said to walk less than one mile in an entire year -- where people use their cars to drive down their driveways and pick up the mail in the mailbox -- where children are ferried two blocks to school in 6000 lb SUVs -- where motorised tie racks, garden hose reels, etc. are viable consumer goods -- is an America aspiring to the indolent lifestyle of kings and pharaohs, supported by an infinite supply of energy slaves. This I would call addiction: the teenager who whines that he "can't walk" three whole blocks, the American family that drives its 4 bikes on the back of its SUV 10 miles round trip to go for a 2 mile ride in a park; the American who easily racks up 20,000 Frequent Flyer miles every year, the 3-person family living in a 5000 sq ft home with 3 freezers and 5 TVs... in consumer culture there is no such thing as "enough". The very daily fabric of many people's lives has become dependent on consuming a hugely disproportionate amount (globally speaking), and an ever increasing amount, of a finite resource. (cf Affluenza, Shovelling Fuel for a Runaway Train, Luxury Fever and other critiques of the "infinite consumption" culture).
We can consume anything in quantities or in ways that match the pattern of abuse/excess/harm that we call 'addiction' -- be it alcohol or other drugs, food, sex, or energy. The main qualities of addiction are that: (a) the consumption is excessive, and returns are diminishing so that more and more must be consumed to get the same thrill, (b) there is harm to self and others, and that harm is staunchly denied, (c) the desperate need for the consumable causes a rotting of moral fibre such that the addict is willing to sacrifice probity, honour, ideals in order to feed the habit.
I think we can see the pattern of excess in ever-escalating energy consumption as a marker of "affluence" [imho actually of laziness and stupidity, but that's a minority opinion] in American consumer culture; in the staunch denial of harm (environmental damage, toxicity, global warming, road danger and vehicular manslaughter, etc); and in the amount of power and criminal behaviour permitted to the "dealer" (the oil cartels and oil-mafia families like the House of Bush and the House of Saud, not to mention the House of Rice, the House of Cheney, the House of Lay and many others). America's smash-n-grab raid on the gas station that is Iraq very much resembles, to this jaundiced eye, a similar attack by any junkie on any ready source of drug money in any grimy inner city on Earth.
Consuming water can also take a similar path when water is scarce enough to be valuable and is squandered by an affluent few as a means of displaying status. We might say that in this case it's the display of status that's addictive, not the water itself; perhaps the same is true of petroleum, since (except for a few loonie gas-fume sniffers of school age) no one really drinks or snorts the stuff direct. But as a metaphor, addiction seems to me a fairly good fit for the dysfunctional relationship currently obtaining between Americans and other G7 dwellers, and the fossil fuel on which their profligate lifestyle is based. Like winos struggling in the gutter over the last of the bottle, we seem ready to humiliate ourselves and roll in any dirt, not to mention gouge the other guy's eyes out and kick him in the kneecaps and nuts, in order to get that last gulp. It's a pathetic [imho] and degrading spectacle.
Posted by b on September 8, 2004 at 02:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (52)
Fresh Open Thread
Thanks to everybody who participated in the last one - quite profound thoughts.
Two housekeeping remarks:
- I have no idea if and when Billmon will post again.
- Currently I hardly find time to write - if you have some thoughts worthwhile to post, please drop me an email.
Posted by b on September 8, 2004 at 09:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (48)
Pre-emptive
Often when being a terrorist is one side of the coin, being a freedom fighter is the other one. China and Taiwan, Israel and Palestine, Russia and the US may look at different sides of the same coin. If everybody now declares pre-emptive strikes as part of their tool box, we will indeed live in interesting times.
"As for launching pre-emptive strikes on terrorist bases, we will carry out all measures to liquidate terrorist bases in any region of the world," General Yuri Baluevsky, chief of Russia's general staff, said, according to Russian news agencies.But don´t be afraid, the General is severly restricting the Russian use of force against terrorism.
"However, this does not mean that we will launch nuclear strikes."Russia ready to strike against 'terror' worldwide
Posted by b on September 8, 2004 at 09:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)
Awareness
Reading today’s New York Times, Washington Post and LA Times, incidents in Iraq seem slightly underreported. Tracking other sources there is current news about some 91 Iraqi dead and 289 injured and 17 US dead with at least 4 injured.
NYT reports 7 U.S. Marines and 3 Iraqis Are Killed in a Car Bomb Attack - plus 1 dead and one injured in another attack.
Washington Post identically reports 7 Marines Killed in Blast Near Fallujah - plus 1 dead and 1 injured in another incident.
LA Times says Suicide Blast Kills 7 Marines and adds 1 dead and 4 injured in other places.
Now for sure there are some overlaps, double counts and misunderestimatings in the sources reviewed. Anyhow - if the media wants the US people to have a correct impression of this war’s proceeding, there should be at least some reporting about Iraqis wounded and dead. But then - who says they want to do so.
Clashes in Sadr City -- at least 15 killed
Iraqi: 15 dead, 60+ injured; US: 0 dead, several injured
Two killed in attack on Baghdad governor's convoy
Iraqi: 2 dead, 3 injured; US: 0 dead, 0 injured
US soldier killed in roadside bomb attack near Baghdad
Iraqi: 0 dead, 0 injured; US: 1 dead, 1 injured
Roadside bombing in Baghdad wounds three U-S soldiers
Iraqi: 0 dead, 0 injured; US: 0 dead, 3 injured
Another ID Soldier Killed In Iraq
Iraqi: 0 dead, 0 injured; US: 3 dead, 0 injured
Attacks across Iraq leave many dead
Iraqi: 28 dead, 33 injured; US: 0 dead, 0 injured
Roadside Bomb Blasts Kill 3 U.S. Soldiers in Iraq
Iraqi: 0 dead, 0 injured; US: 3 dead, 0 injured
U.S. Forces Battle Insurgents, 33 Killed
Iraqi: 33 dead, 193 injured; US: ? dead, several injured
Seven Marines Killed in Fallujah Attack
Iraqi: 3 dead, ? injured; US: 7 dead, ? injured
To keep up awareness why this is important, play a round of September 12th (Flash). It is really relaxing - if you do it right.
Posted by b on September 7, 2004 at 05:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (34)
Dead Center
by Koreyel
Christopher Hitchens...ah yes... Christopher Hitchens...
The first time I ever heard this fellow speak (pre 9/11) I was astounded at his acidic brilliance. Here was someone that not only wrote a good game, but talked a good game. But, as they say, 9/11 changed everything. Including of course Hitchens.
Suffice it to say: he has certainly remixed his mixed mind since then. One almost expects now to hear a lugubrious apology to Kissinger blubbering off Hitchens' pen. But then again, Kissinger went after Vietnamese and Cambodians with his evil geopolitical heart. If only Kissinger had instead given the hot kiss of death to "Islamofacists." Then I am sure...Hitch would probably be the first in line to kneel in apology to Kissinger and slurps up his right-wing jingo-jism.
My main interest in Hitchens these days is to see if his thinking--increasing right wing--has become increasingly illogical. One would expect that. Here is a clip from one of his latest pieces...a word-grenade thrown at Kerry:
In what sense, in other words, does his participation in a shameful war qualify him to be president of the United States? This was a combat of more than 30 years ago, fought with a largely drafted army using indiscriminate tactics and weaponry against a deep-rooted and long-running domestic insurgency. (Agent Orange, for example, was employed to destroy the vegetation in the Mekong Delta and make life easier for the Swift boats.) The experience of having fought in such a war is absolutely useless to any American today and has no bearing on any thinkable fight in which the United States could now become engaged. Thus, only the "character" issues involved are of any weight, and these are extremely difficult and subjective matters.
Dear Mr. Hitchens,
why was the war against communism any more shameful than this present war against terrorism? Didn't the commies want to destroy our way of life too? And how has yesterday's "indiscriminate tactics and weaponry" in Vietnam, differed from today's wanton destruction of Old Najaf?
Here is a snip from the International Herald Tribune's recent article: In Najaf, the heavy stench of war:
For every shot they took, American soldiers returned scores or hundreds. For every mortar round the guerrillas lobbed, gunners at the marine base responded with a 100-pound artillery shell. The insurgents had donkey carts loaded with rocket-propelled grenades, the soldier’s 70-ton tanks that can survive direct hits from mortars.Your ignorance and rudeness has grown by leaps and bounds since 9/11 Mr. Hitchens. How else can one explain this quote of yours from the above Slate piece:
...
The American advantage was especially large at night, when night-vision goggles allow soldiers to see in the dark. The two sides have caused uncounted civilian casualties and inflicted massive damage on the Old City. The area stinks of sewage and soot, and its streets are filled with rubble from bombed-out buildings
"The experience of having fought in such a war is absolutely useless to any American today..."As if... the ordeals and horrors a man might experience in the heat of that war have no bearing on the soul of such a man today.
I mean really Hitch, the only way one can respond to such a global vacuity of understanding is with modern vernacular: "Whatever." Shame on you Hitchens... when one is blessed with a sharp wit, to grow older and stupider is the most shameful of crimes.
You really do deserve a shit-pie with a whipping cream of offal, aimed dead center into your smug face.
Posted by b on September 6, 2004 at 03:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (18)
Open Thread
free for all
Posted by b on September 3, 2004 at 04:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (151)
Osama Who?
The medias reflections of Bush´s acceptance speech (Transcript, Video) is quite cold. They mostly agree that Bush had some points on national security, but the echo on his domestic proposels is full of question marks. A press review:
New York Times
Bush Outlines Plan for a 2nd Term and Attacks Kerry's Record
After four days in which speaker after speaker attacked Mr. Kerry's credibility, credentials and even his patriotism, and focused almost entirely on national security, Mr. Bush expanded his appeal with a discussion of domestic policy.Analysis: Bold Strokes, Few Details... most of the proposals, on issues like affordable housing and community college job training, were relatively modest and not of a scale likely to redefine the presidential race. His package lacked the freshness and sweep of the agenda he ran in 2000, presumably in part because the growing federal budget deficit constrained him from proposing big new programs
The president made no mention of the foreign figure who arguably most influenced his first term in the White House: Osama bin Laden, the yet-to-be-captured leader of Al Qaeda.
Mr. Bush's speech drew as ecstatic a reaction as he has found while campaigning, and for long moments, he stood and gazed at the cheering crowd, smiling just slightly.
Mr. Bush spoke confidently but saved his passion for national security issues, and sounded a tone of defiance at critics of his decision to invade Iraq...Washington PostMr. Bush devoted the first half of his speech to domestic policy. But his biggest ideas were not really new, and he left the daunting details of the agenda items...
Bush Promises 'a Safer World'
... a lofty speech casting his reelection as crucial to the spread of democracy across the world and to the security of Americans at home.Analysis: Domestic Questions RemainBush's address combined many passages from his usual stump speech, familiar slogans such as "compassionate conservative" from his 2000 campaign, and mocking, dismissive jabs at Kerry.
The speech continued the efforts of other convention speakers ... to conflate the war in Iraq, which is generally unpopular, with the war on terrorism, for which Bush still receives strong marks.
... an acceptance speech long on ambitions but far shorter on the ways or the means to accomplish them.USA TodayWhat the domestic agenda lacked was both a sense of priorities that has been the hallmark of his political style and the passion that animated the second half of his speech, when he turned to foreign policy.
Nowhere did he confront directly ... the loss of jobs during his presidency and uneven economic recovery that casts a shadow over his hopes for reelection.
Bush's desire to reform Social Security collides with his call to make permanent his tax cuts, and outside budget experts say it is unrealistic to expect to do both without further enlarging the deficit.
... few doubt his willingness to act and act aggressively in the face of terrorist threats. But after nearly four years in office, questions remain about his passion or commitment to the economy or domestic policy.
Analysis: 2nd term staked on war on terrorism
his prime-time address made clear that the heart of his administration for the next four years would be the battle against al-Qaeda and the search for safety from those who would do Americans harm. On this issue he will claim a second term, or lose it.Knight Ridder
Bush casts himself as strong leader
Delivering a message of fear and hope, President Bush presented himself to America Thursday night as a wartime leader who can guide the nation through dangerous times.MSNBCThe speech excerpts released by the White House didn't include any reference to Iraq, jobs or Osama bin Laden.
Bush promises: ‘Nothing will hold us back’
Bush made no mention of a plan to raise the money to pay for any of those proposals, much less pay down the record budget deficits that have been created since he took office. Instead, he referred anyone wanting more details to his Web site.Josh MarshallNot until almost two-thirds of the way through his address did Bush turn to the war on terrorism, the cornerstone of his re-election campaign. And even then, al-Qaida — the terrorist organization behind the Sept. 11 attacks, which continues to launch terrorist strikes in the Arab world and elsewhere — was noted lightly, almost as if in passing.
He did not mention Osama bin Laden — the al-Qaida leader whom U.S. forces have not apprehended three years after his strike on America — at all.
Talking Points
I thought the president tonight was better than his speech. And what I mean by that is that he seemed confident, assured, and at ease -- all the qualities that he should have conveyed and embodied. But the speech itself, while good, seemed like less than it could have been.Andrew Sulivan
A SUPERB SPEECH
It was the second best speech I have ever heard George W. Bush give - intelligently packaged, deftly structured, strong and yet also revealing of the president's obviously big heart.They presented a moderate face, while proposing the most hard-right platform ever put forward by a GOP convention. They smeared and slimed Kerry - last night with disgusting attacks on his sincerity, patriotism and integrity. And yet they managed to seem positive after tonight. That's no easy feat. But they pulled it off. Some of this, I have to say, was Orwellian. When your convention pushes so many different messages, and is united with screaming chants of "U.S.A.", and built around what was becoming almost a cult of the Great Leader, skeptical conservatives have reason to raise an eyebrow or two.
The chutzpah is amazing. At this point, however, it isn't just chutzpah. It's deception. To propose all this knowing full well that we cannot even begin to afford it is irresponsible in the deepest degree. I've said it before and I'll say it again: the only difference between Republicans and Democrats now is that the Bush Republicans believe in Big Insolvent Government and the Kerry Democrats believe in Big Solvent Government.
On CNN´s website readers give Bush a C+ for this speech PUNDITS SCORECARD.
I think it was worse, a C-, and the speech left three major attack points open. Bad execution in Iraq , irresponsible budget policy and the economic downturn are open wounds. Kerry will have to rub salt into theses.
Posted by b on September 3, 2004 at 04:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (19)
Oily Thread III
A loose thread collection about energy and water
For reference links to Oily Thread I and Oily Thread II
Posted by b on September 2, 2004 at 03:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)
Unsorted Picks
Body armour is helpful. In August 2004 1112 US soldiers were wounded in action in Iraq and 72 killed (15.4:1) while last April there were 876 WiA and 147 dead (6:1).
Abu Musab al-Zaqawi loses another leg as the US kills civilians in air raid on Falluja
The Deluxe Emergency Preparedness Kit (Adult, 3-day) for $64.95 is superior to the $49.95 Emergency Preparedness Kit (Adult, 3-day) as the backpack has self-repairable zippers, the food bars are United States Coast Guard approved and the plastic sheeting (10'x10') was tested in accordance with United States Mil Std 282. The duct tape is identical in both kits, which are available at the American Red Cross Store.
May I ask Israel to spare my country in their 'global' war on Hamas? Thanks.
US fines Iberia for breaking embargo on Cuba. "It remains unclear why the US Treasury waited four years to impose a penalty."
Says the Royal Institute for International Affairs: "transnational or regional dynamics could overtake Iraq, such that it becomes simply the epicentre of a broader reconfiguring of Sunni/Shi’a, Arab/Iranian and Kurdish geopolitics – a ‘regional remake’." ... "While some Israelis see advantages in the collapse of central authority in Iraq, the forces unleashed by this would be highly dangerous and uncertain." Link (PDF)
Says Cheney: "we have put in place new policies... to help move the Middle East away from old hatreds and resentments and toward the lasting peace that only freedom can bring." Link
Please contribute at www.georgewbush.org.
Posted by b on September 2, 2004 at 05:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
CPI Bashing Needed
Social Security benefits and other programs, are bound to the general price level in the US, officially measured as Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The CPI, as released by the Bureau of Labour Statistics, shows a year over year increase (2004 annualized) of 2002: 1.3%; 2003: 2.5%; 2004: 2.3%.
The CPI is calculated from the surveyed price increases of bananas, cars, medical costs, shelter etc. The biggest single item in the basket is ´primary housing´ with a 22% share. The BLS measures the price changes for this item by calculating an ´owners´ equivalent rent of primary residency´ from nationwide surveys of rents received by landlords. The increases for this part of the CPI are: 2002: 4.1%; 2003: 2.4%; 2004: 2.2%.
Rental vacancy rates are now over 10%, an all time high, guaranteeing low rent increases. But the home ownership rate is over 69% and the National Association of Realtors says the median sales prices of existing single-family homes have increased by: 2002: 7.0%; 2003: 8.0%; 2004: 9.1%.
Mixing the rental price increases with the house price increases at the appropriate weights, the real increase in costs for primary housing are: 2002: 6.1%; 2003: 6.3%; 2004: 7.0%. Including these into the CPI instead of the owners´ equivalent rent leads to a significantly higher CPI values of: 2002: 1.7%; 2003: 3.4%; 2004: 3.4%
The 2004 CPI increase with house prices included is a full percentage point, or 46%, higher then the official CPI increase (which has many additional questionable assumptions).
Some 50 million Social Security recipients should question their yearly CPI-based increases and their vote. Getting a $10 increase per month each year when prices increase by $15 each year is hardly sustainable. Though it might no be your problem now, it may well be that you will depend on such calculations some years from now.
Posted by b on September 1, 2004 at 02:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Imagine the Reaction to This
The Speaker of The House of Representatives of the United States of America live on FOX News:
HASTERT: You know, I don't know where Rupert Murdoch gets his money. I don't know where - if it comes overseas or from child porn groups or where it comes from. And I...
WALLACE: Excuse me?Transcript (search page for soro)HASTERT: Well, that's what he's been for a number years - Rupert Murdoch has been for legalizing porn in this country. So, I mean, he's got a lot of ancillary interests out there.
WALLACE: You think he may be getting money from porn facilitators?
HASTERT: I'm saying I don't know where groups - could be people who support this type of thing. I'm saying we don't know. The fact is we don't know where this money comes from.
Video
Rupert Murdoch
Soros letter to Hastert
Posted by b on September 1, 2004 at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)