Thursday, October 05, 2006

A Dire Prediction

Mark my words -- we will see more stories like this one in the future. Five Exxon mobile employees have been kidnapped in a volatile region of the Niger River Delta in Nigeria. We do now know who is responsible, which in its way is even more worrisome than knowing.


The logical first conclusion is that the kidnappings are linked to global jihadism. But I would place bets that, while radical Islamism is a serious concern in parts of Africa and Nigeria is a possible flashpoint, this is a crime driven by economic and political concerns independent of islam, even if Muslims prove to be involved. The kidnappings more than likely represent a desperate attempt to send a message to multinationals, and to the government that sponsors them, who extract oil riches, little of which makes it back to the local community.


Certainly nothing can justify this sort of crime, but in our zeal to extract a precious resource, perhaps we should take seriously accusations of neo-colonialism. We -- and by "we" I mean western corporations, politicians, and states -- need to find a way to partner not only with foreign front companies and government elites, but with the people who sit to the side and watch millions of dollars in cash and commodities change hands while people suffer in the streets.

14 comments:

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

On perhaps a related note, I recently became aware of the extent to which Brazil has replaced its reliance on oil with carbon-neutral ethanol.

dcat said...

MUL --
I recently saw something about that. Brazil will be ahead of the curve in a few years and one wonders if we won't see a Brasilian Tiger emerge to our South as a consequence.

dcat

Thunderstick said...

I believe Brazil is trying to be energy independent in like 10 years or something. Of course by then global warming will have melted the icecaps and half of Brazil will be underwater so the joke will be on them. HA HA HA

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Carnaval will perhaps have to be moved somewhere into the highlands of Peru; it's high time we started renovating Machu Picchu. Sure, a preserved display of the former villas of Incan nobility is nice, but if Cesar's Palace in Las Vegas is any indication... I mean, just look at the possibilities!

dcat said...

I think Vegas should be our model for all cultural restorations.

Thunderstick said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Thunderstick said...

FF(Fun fact)--its actually Caesars. No apostrophe. It's the plural of Caesar and refers to the hotel guests who are all supposed to be treated like Caesar when they are there.

And I'm cool with Vegas being the model for our civilization

dcat said...

Thunderstick is dcat's official go to guy for all things Vegas.

dcat

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

As long as Elvis never again leaves the building we should aim at a monarchy that truly surpasses Elizabethan proportions. Dancing Showgirls at the Royal Court. And a royal fortune that, once liquidated down from any silly real estate holdings, palaces, Beverly Hills mansions, etc., would require more than a few afternoon sessions at the roulette wheel and business lunch martinis to gamble away.

dcat said...

MUL -- When I am king of that world, I assure you there will be a place in my court for a visionary such as yourself.

dcat

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

(Inserts awkwardly self-defeating yet humble Groucho Marx-reminiscent quote here).

dcat said...

Yeah, yeah -- any club that would have someone like you as a member. But I'm king -- you don't get to choose whether to serve!

dcat

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Well in that case I'd be happy to!

Are you watching this Eagles/Cowboys game?

dcat said...

I watched it. Brutal. Bledsoe deserves some kind of medal for valor. Though he took a few that he maybe did not need to and he obviously threw that pick at the end. hard to tell if those teams are any good though -- they play fairly sloppy, and while they are evenly matched I have no idea if the NFC East is just above mediocre or pretty bad.

dcat