Venezuela's Oil to China

I am more and more worried about the geopolitical position of the United States. Today, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Venezuela has teamed up with China to provide oil for future growth. Venezuela controls the largest oil reserves outside of the Middle East; the country has historically been one of our most reliable energy sources. Today Chavez of Venezuela will be taking over four large oil projects, and in doing so he hopes to sideline the United States in the world energy market. The WSJ reports: “Today’s nationalization ceremony pushes out U.S. companies Exxon Mobil Corp, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron Corp, along with Britian’s BP PLC, France’s Total SA and Norway’s Stanoil ASA” (Luhnow, David and Millard, Peter). Chavez hopes to increase oil exports to its new allies (and American enemies) Iran and China.
The United States other major energy sources include the politically unstable and America-unfriendly Middle East. For obvious reasons this is NOT settling; I am (and if you’re not, you should be) extremely worried about the United States AND its position in the global network. It seems that we have made many enemies. It seems that we have lost our influence and power. I do believe that we are slipping further and further from the role of leader. We need to act and we need to act now.

Luhnow, David and Millard, Peter. Chavez Moves to Reshape Oil Ties. The Wall Street Journal; May 1, 2007.

More about Venezuela's oil takeover can be found online.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1616644,00.html

Suggested Reading: The End of Oil by Paul Roberts (2005)

Clean China?

Increasingly I am wary of the Bush Administration’s unwillingness to do anything China doesn’t do, though I am beginning to question how long this policy will be effective. China is making strides in adopting clean energy.
China has already begun to experience the “dirty” effects of coal-powered industrialization. Iceland has stepped in to help China develop cleaner technologies, specifically energy producing technologies. Time Magazine reports: “It's the Chinese government that has committed the country to tapping its geothermal potential. But as is often the case, it's newly entrepreneurial citizens who are making things happen” (Bryan Walsh).
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1607246,00.html

Monday April 30

I took yesterday off for the purpose of attending a baseball game, going to see a movie, and studying for finals. It was too cold for the baseball game so we left. The movie “Dream Girls” was terrible so we left. I was well prepared for my two final exams today –one in Environmental Ideas and Policy, the other in Natural Resources Administrative Law. So I’m one for three. That’s alright.
Today was my last day of classes as an undergraduate student at SUNY ESF. This semester I really enjoyed all of my courses and felt that I learned a lot and also greatly contributed to class discussions. Over the past week my professors have complimented me on being “well read” and “broadly informed” as well as honoring me by inviting me to take their masters classes. It is quite unbelievable, really—the strides I have made in four years.
I am not at all sad for college to be over because I am only excited for what the future holds. I am currently taking three online courses through University of Phoenix and I will be taking one May-mester course at Syracuse University to complete my undergraduate degree. On June 11 I will be taking the LSAT – note to self: I should probably buckle down and study now. On July 2 I will be starting my Masters in Public Administration at the Maxwell School. I absolutely can not wait for this next academic year to begin.