Say what? The oil companies call the United States a province?

[cornermouse]

This story was on NPR this morning. During the story, they had a short interview with a oil company official. He stated that they call the United States a province.

Definition of a province:

1. A territory governed as an administrative or political unit of a country or empire.
2. A division of territory under the jurisdiction of an archbishop.
3. provinces Areas of a country situated away from the capital or population center.
4. A comprehensive area of knowledge, activity, or interest: a topic falling within the province of ancient history. See Synonyms at field.
5. The range of one's proper duties and functions; scope or jurisdiction.
6. Ecology An area of land, less extensive than a region, having a characteristic plant and animal population.
7. Any of various lands outside Italy conquered by the Romans and administered by them as self-contained units.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4797919

The Race to Share in Nigeria's Oil Bounty

I don't know about you, but I'm :mad:

[Tace]

1. Province Of What?

Earth Inc.?

[Old and In the Way]

9. Halliburtonstan

Run by al bin Dicka Cheney-sam

[Skink]

2. I thought we were a Fiefdom...

You know king George.

[etherealtruth]

5. From one serf to another ...

I agree

[Maple]

3. LOL

you are one of 191 countries in the world, not the center of the universe is all it means.

Oil operates globally.

[phantom power]

4. Plus, they really do own us :-)

[Solon]

8. Yeah, but I would be just as pissed if they considered Niger just...

a province itself. Actually, come to think of it they do most likely consider it just as such, a property, like everything else of Earth Inc.

[mcscajun]

6. This is the definition the oil companies are using...

(emphasis mine)

3 a : a biogeographic division of less rank than a region b : an area that exhibits essential continuity of geological history; also : one characterized by particular structural or petrological features

It's the geological/petrological aspects they're concerned with...they don't give a rat's ass for governments...they rule.

[Tsiyu]

7. When governments give themselves away to corporations

what else do you expect?

I'm angry, too BTW :hi: