The News Thread

[Morris Schæffer]

Mark Sutton, who played "James Bond" when he jumped out of an helicopter with the "Queen" during the London olympics opening, has died.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23707434

[Benny Profane]

They're Morsi and MB supporters. If a drone had done it our government would probably approve.

I think they care less than usual because the U.S. has developed more natural energy resources and will hopefully continue to do so. Then when the inevitable energy revolution takes place we will be done with oil and this whole entire region of the world, unless the middle east decides they want to contribute something else to the global economy. It can't happen soon enough.

[B-side]

The entire Middle East contributes less than 13% to our oil imports. Saudi Arabia alone counts for 8% of it. Egypt contributes a negligible amount. The idea that we're in too deep with the Arab nations in regards to oil is ridiculous. The prevailing theory about the Iraq war was that it was mostly for oil. We get more oil from Nigeria than Iraq. We get more oil from Equatorial Guinea than Egypt. The only thing tying us to these countries is contracts and slightly cheaper production costs. Considering we've decided to go gung-ho and drill the shit out of our country for anything resembling fuel, we'll be almost entirely independent of these countries very soon and we could easily shift our interests elsewhere.

[Benny Profane]

Gulf oil imports were at 25% last year so I don't know where you're getting 13% from. Regardless, The Middle East has far and away the most amount of proven, known oil reserves available in the world. 40% of the U.S. energy usage comes from oil. Oil is priced in dollars and our currency is linked to it's value. It's the only reason why anyone gives a shit. Instability and volatility raise prices globally, in spite of where we import. We get off oil and the Middle East disappears from the global stage.

[Morris Schæffer]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-1...s-lion/4890386

[MadMan]

Pot legalization IS important news. Speculating about how many people will constantly have the munchies isn't, though.

Its notable sure, but I think a news story about people dying overseas sounds more important to me. And I'm all for legalizing weed. Besides shouldn't the news media have already covered weed legalization? Sounds to me like they are behind the ball on that one too.

I think due to geopolitical reasons we will still support Israel when the oil dries up in the Middle East while ignoring the rest of the region.

[Sven]

Hey, I'm reading about these earthquakes in the Zealand. How about it, Winston*? Are you fine?

[Winston*]

Hey, I'm reading about these earthquakes in the Zealand. How about it, Winston*? Are you fine?

Yeah. No big deal. People like to panic.

Thanks for your concern, though.

[Winston*]

Another one just then. Fun!

[MadMan]

What I want to know Winston* is how do you deal with the fact that your entire country is setting on a super volcano? That would scare me more than earthquakes.

[B-side]

Gulf oil imports were at 25% last year so I don't know where you're getting 13% from.

13% from the entire gulf region.

Regardless, The Middle East has far and away the most amount of proven, known oil reserves available in the world.

Venezuela holds the top spot.

40% of the U.S. energy usage comes from oil. Oil is priced in dollars and our currency is linked to it's value. It's the only reason why anyone gives a shit. Instability and volatility raise prices globally, in spite of where we import. We get off oil and the Middle East disappears from the global stage.

So you think our interventions there are improving oil prices by fighting a decade long war with two of the countries there and avoiding any serious measures to simmer the tension in Syria? By completely ignoring the thousands protesting in Bahrain? Turkey? Yemen? It's not quite that black and white.

[Winston*]

What I want to know Winston* is how do you deal with the fact that your entire country is setting on a super volcano? That would scare me more than earthquakes.

The Taupo volcano, I guess you're referring to? A volcano that last erupted 2500 years ago isn't really high on my list of anxieties. Got perceived social slights to worry about.

[shaun]

Oh. Surprise.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/...125_story.html

The National Security Agency has broken privacy rules or overstepped its legal authority thousands of times each year since Congress granted the agency broad new powers in 2008, according to an internal audit and other top-secret documents.

Most of the infractions involve unauthorized surveillance of Americans or foreign intelligence targets in the United States, both of which are restricted by law and executive order. They range from significant violations of law to typographical errors that resulted in unintended interception of U.S. e-mails and telephone calls.

[B-side]

At least it's being properly investigated, so maybe now the super-paranoid masses can ease up a bit and quit with the Big Brother/fascist allusions.

[shaun]

It's been audited since 2008 and the number of unconstitutional searches has gone up each year. What good is an internal audit if it doesn't curb abuse?

[B-side]

How many of those times has the country been under such immense pressure to fix it?

[Raiders]

13% from the entire gulf region.

That would be 2011. Last year was 25%:

http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/imports...el/summary.cfm

Venezuela holds the top spot.

As a single country, but your own link proves that the "Middle East" has a large majority.

[Benny Profane]

13% from the entire gulf region.



Venezuela holds the top spot.



So you think our interventions there are improving oil prices by fighting a decade long war with two of the countries there and avoiding any serious measures to simmer the tension in Syria? By completely ignoring the thousands protesting in Bahrain? Turkey? Yemen? It's not quite that black and white.

25% of crude oil imports came from the Persian Gulf region in 2012. 764,564,000 barrels versus 3,060,007,000 barrels overall.

http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/imports...el/summary.cfm

Venezuela has the most reserves but I was referring to the entire Middle East region, not one specific country. It's not even close.

Intervening in Middle East affairs has gotten us nowhere. We need to be energy independent and get out of there.

[Benny Profane]

Wowza.

[Raiders]

Wowza.

I WIN.

[shaun]

How many of those times has the country been under such immense pressure to fix it?

What pressure? Obama flat out said that Ed Snowden "is no patriot" despite him starting this public dialogue that until now the administration had no interest in having. He's appointed the same man to oversee the investigation that blatantly lied directly to Congress about the scope of the surveillance. It'd be like Bush appointing Cheney to oversee the WMD investigation.

They have absolutely no interest in curbing these programs.

[B-side]

That would be 2011. Last year was 25%:

http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/imports...el/summary.cfm

Clearly there's a significant amount of variation between years.

As a single country, but your own link proves that the "Middle East" has a large majority.

I wasn't insinuating it didn't. Just that Venezuela has more than any other country.

[B-side]

What pressure? Obama flat out said that Ed Snowden "is no patriot" despite him starting this public dialogue that until now the administration had no interest in having. He's appointed the same man to oversee the investigation that blatantly lied directly to Congress about the scope of the surveillance. It'd be like Bush appointing Cheney to oversee the WMD investigation.

They have absolutely no interest in curbing these programs.

You're not understanding me. They may not WANT to curb these programs, but if they're at all interested in saving face both domestically and abroad, then they will. People in congress are fighting hard for it themselves without the international community pressing them to do so. There will be changes, I assure you.

[Spun Lepton]

What I want to know Winston* is how do you deal with the fact that your entire country is setting on a super volcano? That would scare me more than earthquakes.

And they're right next-door to Mordor. Don't forget Mordor.

[Spun Lepton]

You're not understanding me. They may not WANT to curb these programs, but if they're at all interested in saving face both domestically and abroad, then they will. People in congress are fighting hard for it themselves without the international community pressing them to do so. There will be changes, I assure you.

I find it difficult to believe that they'll curb these policies at all, even if they say they will.