The coming fight for oil (China, Chicago Tribune)

[jpak]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/chi-china-oil-htmlstory,1,2325279.htmlstory?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

ATASU, Kazakhstan -- The wind-raked scrub of this barren plateau reveals little hint of the revolution gurgling 9 feet beneath.

China's first international oil pipeline, buried in the Kazakh steppe, is a milestone for the world's newest empire--one forged not in the name of destiny or God, but in pursuit of the planet's most valuable resources.

From the Himalayas to the Yellow Sea, China's cities are exploding in size. Their factories are filling shelves around the globe. The country's brand-new middle class is buying cars so fast that China is on pace to have more vehicles than America in two decades.

China had enough oil to sustain itself just 15 years ago. Now it is one of the world's thirstiest oil addicts, importing 40 percent of what it needs. Only the U.S. consumes more.

<much more>

[AndyA]

1. That's right, America: Keep shopping at Wal-Mart and supporting communist

China with your Wal-Mart purchases.

You put your fellow Americans out of work, and make it more difficult for everyone to pay the cost of fuel, including yourself. The money you save at Wal-Mart goes right back into the oil company's coffers.

[Ezlivin]

2. Oil is good to the last drop

And we're fast approaching that "last drop." The wars we'll wage over this vanishing resource will not be pretty nor will they be short. Once the world finally realizes the reality of Peak Oil we will be embroiled in never ending conflict.

Our civilization will bear more than a passing resemblance to a drowning man as we fight and claw for the last gasps of Earth's petroleum resources.

[GliderGuider]

3. What makes you mad, Max?

I agree about the coming series of resource wars. They won't all be fought with guns, either, though there will be plenty of those. China will prove to be a subtle, devious and powerful opponent in the zero-sum endgame.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. The water wars won't be much fun either.

[Dhalgren]

4. "Soylent Green is people!"

It is coming....

[Javaman]

6. To quote homer simpson...

Homer munches on a cracker.

Charton Heston type character: Soylent green is people!!

Homer looks at the cracker, shrugs shoulders, keeps eating.