|
Do you believe that what's happening in the Mid-East can't/won't affect you directly?
You might want to rethink that.
Let's start with the obvious: Gas prices at the pump. No matter what happens from this moment forward you WILL be paying more to gas up your vehicle no matter where you live in the world. Enough unrest and upset has happened over there that higher oil prices are already occuring.
But with regard to Libya particularly right now, the nutjob in power is, instead of trying to quell the problems in his country and apease the people by, oh, maybe spending some of his untold billions to make their lives a bit better, has instead promised to continue to have them shot, mowed down indescriminately in the streets, and slaughtered like cattle for them having the arrogance to want a change in government.
In some news articles I've read it is said that Gadhafi is intent on destroying Libya's own oil pipelines to cut off oil to the outside world. I'm of course hoping someone over there finds a way to finally put a few bullets through this mental case's head very soon, but that might be wishful thinking. He's managed to stay alive and in power for over 40 years while getting away with all sorts of atrocities.
How else will this strife in the ME affect you?
Rising oil costs mean increased transportation costs. Result: Prices in airfair could be going up soon.
Prices of fresh produce very likely WILL be going up between now and this summer. Buying locall will not matter, that food comes with transport costs as well.
In fact costs in basically all forms of manufacturing will go up eventually, which translates to higher prices for a wealth of goods we buy and use every day. Basically any industry that is oil-based or depends on gas/oil in any way to get it's day to day business done is going to be affected.
If you seriously think "meh, it's over there, it doesn't matter, can't affect me in the least" you're simply deluding yourself.
So with all that in mind is it really any wonder why countries like the US and Russia, the EU collectively, the UK, etc, all take an interest in what's going on and what changes are taking place? I read a comment somewhere this week on a blog or a board that said "it's nobody's business but ours, why is USA involved again in our business?" -- Anyone who thinks this way is completely out to lunch on how the world works or even what matters on a global scale.
Do you think you're imune simply because you live where you live? Do tell.
|