Posted by laima on August 20, 2006, at 7:48:21
In reply to Re: oil business and profits, posted by Estella on August 20, 2006, at 1:25:59
Hi Estelle,Are you in NZ? I fear I know little about your county's government or its policies, though I am quite attracted to your country and would love to visit. I'm surpised and shocked by your report though-you're educating me-and troubeling me-I didn't know about any of it.
Too bad I'd require a flight on an airplane using loads of oil as fuel to visit...
As for the US policies, which I know more about- I totally agree- they heavily subsidize oil here, it's well known (to many) that the "real" price of oil /gas (whatever the exact term I should be using is) is FAR higher than what the consumers see. Now people are complaining that the prices are climbing, but I understand that they are still laughabley low compared to what they would be if not subsidized. I do believe that our govt could stand to subsidize alternatives in a similar fashion, but they aren't really doing to much of that, and out of fear of saying something uncivil, I won't write about my beliefs as to why that is. I'm sure you can use your imagination though.
I speculate that the war motives seem more complicated than JUST oil-or should I say "directly" just oil- I think there is also some evidence of extremeist religious fanaticism elements and intolerances involved? (Civility monitors please note I'm not saying which side (s).) My brother's company does no or scant business in that region, and claims that no or few US companies do. Now I don't know what our govts aims for the future are exactly (though I have my guesses)...but my brother's point was that it's incredibley unprofitabley expensive to keep sending your employees into a war zone, none of them or keen to go, the infrastructure isn't in good shape, that they are more interested in what's going on in Nigeria, the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea, and with those oil sands in Canada. As to whether or not I got any of those facts accurately- perhaps someone else on the thread, actually involved in the industry, could help us clarify or give input? That would be great!
Respectfuly,
Laima
ps- Geez it's hard to write about politics on psychobabble!
> > That was my point- economics seems to be getting in the way of putting these alternatives into widespread production and use, as most consumers balk at paying more for something cleaner.
>
> It isn't even about consumers paying more. It is about governments failing to educate the population on alternatives, failing to subsidise alternatives etc etc.
>
> NZ govt can't afford to import less oil. That was my point. Politically... If we import less oil we will endanger NZ US relations fairly severely... After saying 'we refuse to send people to die for a war we don't believe in'... After struggling (still) with the repercussions of insisting on our nulear free policy... We can't afford not to keep on importing the oil.
>
> So... We don't do anything.
>
> And hence indirectly...
>
> We continue to support the war.
poster:laima
thread:675260
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20060809/msgs/678391.html