And quite frankly, we're allies, remember?
Eventually the Americans will do the right thing, after they have exhausted all other options. I hope. Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.
The US military robot empire is o-v-e-r. Iraq and Afghanistan proved that the US doesn't do effectiveness, and maintaining the biggest military in history is about to become unaffordably expensive. So there will be no rods from god - space war is just too damn expensive.
The US mainland is also wide open to an EMP attack and cyber war, either of which would cripple the country almost instantly. While Bush has been having wet dreams about himself as Commander in Chieferator, the real threats have been proliferating elsewhere.
I can't see a hot war between the EU and US developing for at least another couple of decades, and the US is unlikely to be recognisable by then.
I'd be more concerned about relying so heavily on Russian gas - it's a single choke-point, and even if Russian intentions remain honorably mercenary, it's not wise to leave such an obvious vulnerability so very exposed.
JakeS and I were considering sailing to South America: nuclear fallout takes months to cross the equator by which point the most toxic part of it has decayed... When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
But I guess the Brits are looking forward to trying out their brand new HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales when they are completed in 6 and 8 years. Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.
You make it sound as if that is likely to be a good thing. When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
Yes, and unnecessary, and too vulnerable.
I think there is a perceived (but false) time window during which the Cheneys and Feiths think tactical nukes can be used, and that they could change the equation in a way that could be used to rehabilitate their "place in history"--and toast some evil dooers. Imagine a smoking crater somewhere in Iran with the remains of a few thousand centrifuges floating around in the cloud.
How might the strategic planning of the world's leaders- Europe at the head of the list- change?
Blair kissed the ring to share the loot. Oops. and today? The more thing change--
Sarko the same, I think. But he's a fool who runs on greed and elitism, so it's not so surprising there.
Berlusconi? Never saw a crook he wouldn't embrace.
Granted that to a rational mind, the nuke seems almost a weapon of self-immolation. But such a last-gasp gamble is not so unlikely for an administration that has sneered at "the reality based" thinkers for years- who believe the perception of strength and real strength are not usefully different, and who are themselves going up in smoke, and need a huge diversion.
Sorry- this is getting to be a rant. I'll shut up now. Capitalism searches out the darkest corners of human potential, and mainlines them.
