OPEC demands aid when/if oil is ditched

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2003-12-12 01:26pm

CNN Linky

I suppose someone could point out to them that we'll still need petroleum for plastics, but...

Then again, I thought Russia had flat out refused that treaty. Meh.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2003-12-12 01:40pm

Fuck 'em. They milked their oil for all it was worth, and now it's gonna disappear.

Mayabird · Post by **Mayabird** » 2003-12-12 01:41pm

Saudi Arabia wants aid if people don't burn their oil anymore? Whatever happened to "don't keep all your eggs in one basket"? Billions of dollars have been pouring in for decades. They've had plenty of time and more than enough money to educate their populace and build various industries to diversify their economy. Instead, they study "Islamic Philosophy" (Memorization of the Koran) and bring in foreigners to do all their work, from medicine and engineering to taxicab driving.

Give me a break.

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2003-12-12 01:47pm

Relishes the day that we can just walk away from the Middle East and leave them to their self imposed Dark Ages.

Tribun · Post by **Tribun** » 2003-12-12 01:50pm

I would see the scenario:
"Oh, you are desperate for help from us?"
"Yes."
"Good, we only want...............(fill in the conditions)."
"We will give it to you as fast as we can."
"Very well, and now you can kiss my pinky ring...."

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-12-12 02:05pm

Stravo wrote:Relishes the day that we can just walk away from the Middle East and leave them to their self imposed Dark Ages.

I suspect that you will have to wait a very long time.

Oil-baron states are always fucked up. Look at the Middle East, Russia, Texas, and Alberta.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-12-12 04:52pm

As it is most of the pure oil producers are basically living day to day, all those huge X billion dollar reserves of cash they once had are gone. Though that's good for the rest of the world, they can't ever try another Oil Embargo nor cut production too far.

Rubberanvil · Post by **Rubberanvil** » 2003-12-12 05:18pm

Darth Wong wrote:
Oil-baron states are always fucked up. Look at the Middle East, Russia, Texas, and Alberta.

How is Texas a fuckup?

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2003-12-12 05:47pm

Rubberanvil wrote:How is Texas a fuckup?

Texas certainly isn't the worse state in the union. I would say it's about average. Education here ain't the greatest, which can be seen easily by the number of fundies here. Industry wise Texas has a lot going for it. With oil, American Airlines, Lockheed Martin, etc, Texas has it pretty well made. The thing that really pisses me off though is all the self ass kissing people do around here. Constantly listening to stupid shit like 'Texas is God's country, don't mess with Texas, etc." will make anyone vomit after too long. Texans think of their state as the best thing since sliced banannas. They're like the stinkweed that thinks they're a flower.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-12-12 05:49pm

I was referring to the regressive social policies that tend to be common to oil-baron states for some reason. Texas is quite regressive, Alberta is by far the most socially backward state in Canada, and we don't even have to discuss the Middle East.

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2003-12-12 07:06pm

Darth Wong wrote:I was referring to the regressive social policies that tend to be common to oil-baron states for some reason. Texas is quite regressive, Alberta is by far the most socially backward state in Canada, and we don't even have to discuss the Middle East.

Oil allows a state or a nation to get a rich as an urban, industrial state without going through the social development that comes with industrialization. In some cases, it's a temporary condition--Texas is rapidly urbanizing as its economy diversifies, and despite its reputation, it's not nearly as backwards as some states--and in others, it's more or less permanant.