Bush is Back: The Perfect [Energy] Storm
You asked for it … you got it. AEman doesn’t want to overestimate the impact any one man can have on our world … he doesn’t want to sound alarmist. Zen quandry: can one sound an alarm without being an alarmist? Think so. Part of me , the Kirk side, would say it this way: “we’re fucked”. Another part, the Mr. Spock component, might hold forth as follows: “our life support systems are in increasing jeapordy, Captain.” And Scotty would get the last word: “She can’t take any more!”
Easy now big guy – get yourself together. What’s so "perfect" about this situation with W still on the throne? Well, try this on for size:
Geopolitical - Looks like Iraq will continue on its current course for the foreseeable future … the long haul:
- Insurgency, recurrent disruption of and continual constraint on Iraqi oil production
- Same or more US troops, same or fewer coalition troops
- Continued strain on relations with former allies, continued deterioration of relations with middle eastern countries
- No serious attempts to transform the transportation sector mean CAFÉ auto efficiency standards continue to stagnate. SUVs continue to walk the earth unimpeded – so protecting oil fields only grows in importance over time
Economy – Resources that could be spent on lots of things … balancing budgets, modernizing infrastructure, investing in new technologies and business models, will continue to be sucked into the black hole of Iraq:
- Hundreds of billions of dollars more going to Iraq
- Tax cuts and growing deficits leave US fewer options
- High and volatile oil prices roil already-jittery energy and capital markets
- High oil prices dampen the US economic recovery as consumers spend a higher % of formerly discretionary income at the pump and heating their homes
Environmental – Ouch. Goodnight Irene. It won’t be “the Day after Tomorrow”, but it might be the “Day after the Day after Tomorrow.” So: - Au revoir Kyoto or similar; hello CO2 in ever increasing volume
- US auto industry greenlight to business as usual
- US carbon-based energy industry samo samo.
- Pronounced leadership void on moving the nation to cleaner, sustainable forms of energy
- Threat of significant and accelerating climate change just jumped a few notches
So there you have it. AEman said he wouldn’t criticize Bush much if he stayed in office and that he would repeatedly kick Kerry’s ass on AE if he won. Just had to release a little steam on this day after. AE will continue as a largely guerilla movement during this administration. Final question for you: where will you be in 2008?
posted by Andy Bochman at 1:33 PM
 
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