Fighting for Survival

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Fighting for Survival

For more than 100 years King Oil has reigned over all other sources of energy. Because of the significant impact of oil trades across the world, oil has proven to be the driving force of the U.S. energy sector and an important player in the global economy.

Every kingdom throughout history has had its share of war, and there is no exception for the oil crown. The oil sector continues to play a critical role in America’s fight for stability and prosperity. Oil continues to maintain its sovereignty over the United States and, by extension, the world because of the established infrastructure, American currency, and the necessity for national protection.

Infrastructure: We’ve Got It!

Solar, wind, and hydroelectricity are all great ideas, however as outlined in the recent Alternative Lie Series these alternatives still require extensive research and development (R&D) before they can be deemed as viable options to replace oil. Some of these alternate energy sources are simply too costly for the average American family, while others have components that are not safe for the environment. Until suitable energy alternatives are created, Americans can continue to depend on our established network of oil refineries and pipelines.

In the 1940s, America began laying its first underground oil and gas pipelines. We now have an expansive network that stretches more than 2 million miles, coast to coast, and transports over 11.3 billion barrels of oil each year.13,17 The shale drilling boom is expected to add an additional 400,000 miles of new gathering lines (the pipelines closest to the wellhead that transport oil or gas to a storage facility or larger main pipeline) in the next two decades.7

There are curr...

... middle of paper ...

...le revolution might just be the blade to end it all. Should this happen, the outcomes for petro-states remains unknown, but the scenarios are not ideal for anyone. For all we know, there could be societal break-down, mass poverty, and anarchy. As always the U.S. will likely be there to help pick up the pieces, for our own sake and for the good of the entire world.

Throughout history, kings have always been involved in wars and unfortunately there is no exception for King Oil. However, this time the war is not just about oil, the stakes are much bigger because this fight is for survival. We fight to maintain our continued stability and prosperity, a controlling stake in the global economic market, and suspension of hostilities around the world. Without our military presence around the world – both provoked by and enabled by oil – we probably wouldn’t succeed. 15

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