Should the US be energy independent?
 

Consider that if the US isn't buying up middle east oil, China, and to some extent Russia, will. That will fuel their growth even more than it is now which will make them a more serious threat sooner rather than later. From a national security standpoint, I can see where the "hawks" would want troops in the middle east and also to continue the US dependence on middle east oil.

yes we should and can be.

The rest of the world votes: Yes.

Why would Russia be buying up the oil if the United States did not?

But to answer your question... to some extent, absolutely.

amazing how many " threats " the USA faces .... :warning

I wonder if its a product of interventionalism or an excuse for or both?

How many threats did England face when they were on top? Or Rome? It's the nature of things?

I see where you are getting at. But if the US started exploiting local sources of energy (local unconventional oil resources, nuclear etc) and was able to locally produce the same amount of energy they are importing now, what they would do is STILL import oil AND use what they're producing locally. Nothing will stop an open, growth-based economy from taking every resource it can get its hands on. If there were twice as much oil available and prices dropped to $1/gallon the car companies would make more big land-boat V8s again, Hummer's sales would go sky-high, and so on.

threat? we all have nukes...

there are only 2 options....peace or mutually assured destruction

that is until we have a wicked missile defense system that shoots 100%

Fuck yea!

Only a fool would think it's a good idea to depend on other countries for anything.

I think some hawks as you say probably do see it that way, but in my opinion, it would make far greater strategic sense to evolve beyond it, so that you are more prepared when the resource does run out.

We need to stop playing big brother to other countries and start worrying about things at home. Our infrastructure is going to hell, economy is going to hell, and we are so far in debt it's unreal. Yes we need to be self sufficient in regards to energy plus the products we use and stop relying on other countries.

Gary

Thats why I say handover a couple nukes to every country in middle east. Lets either enjoy eternal peace, or live without them. :winkwink:

Russia will not buy oil. They would sell it and are selling it.
In fact Russian natural gas is what most of Europe is running on.

we should be independent

Natural gas was so cheap when I was over in Russia. Russians would turn the stoves on and use them as a heater.

Holy fuck yes.