China declares war on ISIS after terrorists claim to have executed Chinese hostage

They really do want to bring the Apocalypse, don't they? I mean, mess with the spineless West all you wish, but when you start picking on Russia and China, that's just asking for it. They've killed more people in their pogroms than the populations of Syria and Iraq combined.

 

Looks like with the French, Russians and Chinese all pissed at ISIS, we'll be "leading from behind" again. Having no influence in the Middle East is awesome.

 

We first need to become completely self-sufficient in terms of energy. That means nuclear, more coal plants and frack the hell out of this country. We also need to encourage China and Mexico in their energy development. Moreover, we need to also be able to have a North American energy policy that can guarantee sufficient energy for Western Europe.

 

China about to get dat oil

sent from a phone you've probably never heard of

 

Great, now China will have an unlimited supply of oil to turn into sugar free strawberry and grape parfait. Distributed by Great American Foods llc of course.

Note...I made up Great American Foods llc. If such a company exists and they import toxic shit from China to sell as food, fuck them.

 

Huge mistake. Politics, like nature, abhors a vacuum. We exit, nations like Russia and China will step up.

 

If we put the money we spend on interfering in the Middle East into energy independence the need for their oil would be null.

 

So when will obama pay for my solar panels?

 

we use 18 million barrels a day but produce 8 billion per day, a current deficit of 10 billion

We have the worlds largest natural gas pipeline and the largest reserve of functional natural gas in the world.

We also produce a shit load of coal and have an ever increasing amount of solar, wind and other forms of energy.

If we couldn't gain energy independence for the costs of our wars, we certainly could get close. By some measures we already are, or are very close. The problem is we rely too heavily on crude oil as one component of that energy. If we as a nation can simply shift our energy consumption from crude oil to nuclear, natural gas and even clean coal, we could be every independent in short order. As it currently stands we will become very close to energy independent within the next decade but likely not actually reach the final goal unless it is truly made a national priority.

 

those that refuse to ignore history are doomed to repeat it

 

There are several issues that could help significantly towards bringing the US much closer to energy independence that would be heavily disputed by you or any Libertarian. A much greater governmental investment in non-oil tech, major incentives towards conversion AND major penalties (in the way of significant tariffs) on crude oil. I understand fully that you will argue we already have those things and they are unsuccessful, I would say we have some limited success because we haven't gone nearly far enough and the pendulum will only full swing with enough force. But neither you nor I can win this argument because we don't have enough proof or available proof. I would point to Germany as evidence of progress and you would point to Germany as evidence that even with all that backing they still have gasoline cars.

So, there really isn't a debate to be had between us. A fundamental difference in how we view the world. I do truly understand your vantage point and I dismiss it, and I would assume you do the same for me. I guess the good thing is, neither of us have power of dictatorship. But we do have votes, and for that I'm happy.


As far as Pickens, I think he makes a lot of sense on a lot of topics, especially energy, but I also think he is blinded on this topic towards certain outcomes. Also, there has been a lot of progress already on this front since that plan was devised. We are currently very close to energy independence if you quantify that as US total energy out vs US total energy in. However, if you define it as US required crude oil intake, than we have a major major deficit. I think we are better to define the current problem not as energy independence and instead as oil dependence. or at least foreign oil dependance. Because the amount of natural gas, coal and even oil that we ship out is tremendous. But if you favor free markets than we will always be bringing in oil from the Middle East as long as we require 18B gallons/day. We need to start incentivizing conversion to natural gas, hybrids, fully electric, hydrogen and any crude oil reductive method. Gas should cost much much more at the pump and then the free market along with governmental subsidies (paid for in great part by those gas tariffs) will find the solution and get us off the Mid East teat.