Energo-fascism
Well, thanks to commenter Liza I read a fascinating Tom Dispatch article this morning in more detail, and what a fascinating read. The article also links to a page distinguishing the truly terrifying notion of Energo-Fascism.Click on that link and you can read further details about the scenario currently unfolding on this planet. The scenario includes:
The transformation of the U.S. military into a global oil protection service whose primary mission is to defend America's overseas sources of oil and natural gas, while patrolling the world's major pipelines and supply routes.
The transformation of Russia into an energy superpower with control over Eurasia's largest supplies of oil and natural gas and the resolve to convert these assets into ever increasing political influence over neighboring states.
A ruthless scramble among the great powers for the remaining oil, natural gas, and uranium reserves of Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia, accompanied by recurring military interventions, the constant installation and replacement of client regimes, systemic corruption and repression, and the continued impoverishment of the great majority of those who have the misfortune to inhabit such energy-rich regions.
Increased state intrusion into, and surveillance of, public and private life as reliance on nuclear power grows, bringing with it an increased threat of sabotage, accident, and the diversion of fissionable materials into the hands of illicit nuclear proliferators.
Terrific. Regarding surveillance, yes, big brother is watching. I have noticed that every time I post details about the firings of the attorneys, I get a Department of Justice hit at this blog. Stacy has also remarked about being visited by certain government machines from time to time.
A speculation: If we put anywhere close the amount of effort into developing smart alternatives, efficiency, and sustainable methods, we could probably avoid the whole fiasco and maybe even stop cooking the planet.
Oh, wait. I forgot the sole purpose of the totality of human existence was to stuff Dick Cheney's wallet.
posted by x4mr at 7:09 AM
4 Comments:
Look, stuffing Dick Cheney's wallet is a big job ... it's a big wallet.
I read the document as well (thanks Liza!) and found it very intersting, although I think the views of the author are somewhat lurid and overblown. Still, I could see the situation deteriorating to something like he posits _if_ we don't dedicate ourselves to developing a long-term plan for energy independence soon.
This whole use of military might to grab and/or protect raw materials/natural resources is nothing new, History textbooks refer to it as colonialism. Part of 'manifest destiny' were just huge land rushes.
In the 1930's, Japan sought to control much of Asia in order to feed their growing industrial machine. The world thought that the end of WWII saw the end of colonialism and empire building.
But here we are, buried up to our arses in Iraq for 'democracy' (yeah, that's what that stuff I pour into my vehicles is called :) ).
Is it any wonder much of the world hates us...
I don't have the position that the future the article paints is inevitable. I do believe that a version of it is highly probable if the leadership of this country continues to think like Dick Cheney, someone committed to an oligarchy that serves the best interests of a very small number who own almost everything.
I haven't linked to material on "Sustainable" conversations yet, but will rather soon when something anonymous figured out is made public (6/1/2007). There is a growing set of voices for a different direction.
Without getting too dramatic, I think this is the century where humanity faces a real "make or break" point. I'm not saying break means extinction, but it means serious nastiness of biblical proportions and unprecedented turmoil.
Granted, a simpler version of this occurred in 1962 and we prevailed.
Barely.
I have been amazed these last four years by how effectively the corporate media has suppressed the story of Iraq's oil as the dominant factor in the US occupation. This is initially what drove me to the international news websites and now, of course, there is no going back.
I've got to say, however, that even the independent media in the US has not given Iraq's oil the news coverage it needs. Consequently, the Bush administration is poised to plunder the oil without public outrage in this country. The Democrats are mostly in full support of this, calling the oil law a "benchmark." Most people in the US who have even heard of the oil law seem to believe it is only about a fair, nationwide distribution of Iraq's oil profits. I guess that Fox and MSNBC don't talk much about what Exxon stands to get.
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