Who Consumes The Most Oil?
Who do you think?
Without any shadow of a doubt, the ignoramuses in the Western hemisphere. The U.S.A..
5% of the world's population consumes more than 25% of the world's most valuable resource. Oil. That is immoral. To say the least.
I recently watched the eye-opening 2005 blockbuster film "Syriana". The one where George Clooney won an Oscar for "Best Supporting Actor". What a great comment about the American's consumer mindset. And what was so refreshing, was that it was made entirely by Americans.
It is about time they started evaluating their ominous situation.
The film is a clear statement concerning America's lust for oil. And how their government will do whatever it takes to obtain the precious commodity as cheaply as possible. Of course it has taken artistic license here and there, but considering it is based on a book by Robert Baer (a former C.I.A. agent) it poses a lot of deep questions.
The producers of the film (Academy Award Winner Stephen Gaghan) aimed to do exactly what I am expressing here: Reveal America's out-of-control consumerism, and the price they are willing pay to keep that self-destructing ball rolling.
But what is most startling is how true to fact it really is. Here we are: November 2008. 3 years on from the film's release.
The world markets are among the most volatile in history. Swiss banks are going bankrupt! Entire nations are going bankrupt! (Greenland)
Why?
Because the Americans can't stop consuming. That is what it comes down to. The American people couldn't help themselves, and their banks were happy to keep lending at ridiculous rates. The banks found themselves in trouble. So did their markets. And before you know it, the insecurity this all created for Wall Street became too much. Their markets crash. And so do the rest of the world's.
And the Chinese are smiling all the way to their preverbial reserve bank!
The Bible is full of warnings against such gluttony. Proverbs 23:2 is probably the most severe:
"...put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony."
Our world has forsaken the sanctity of the Bible. The West questions it as the infallible word of the living and personal God.
Pity, because now look at the hole the West finds themselves in.
What am I not saying?
I am not saying that we should live as monks and not enjoy life. We should enjoy ourselves. And that of course costs money. But for crying out loud! Let's live within our means!
I read a remarkable truth recently: The world goes into chaos when the rich are struck by severe financial crisis. But for centuries we have turned a blind eye to the constant tragedy of those in poverty.
Come on world. Wake up.
Without any shadow of a doubt, the ignoramuses in the Western hemisphere. The U.S.A..
5% of the world's population consumes more than 25% of the world's most valuable resource. Oil. That is immoral. To say the least.
I recently watched the eye-opening 2005 blockbuster film "Syriana". The one where George Clooney won an Oscar for "Best Supporting Actor". What a great comment about the American's consumer mindset. And what was so refreshing, was that it was made entirely by Americans.
It is about time they started evaluating their ominous situation.
The film is a clear statement concerning America's lust for oil. And how their government will do whatever it takes to obtain the precious commodity as cheaply as possible. Of course it has taken artistic license here and there, but considering it is based on a book by Robert Baer (a former C.I.A. agent) it poses a lot of deep questions.
The producers of the film (Academy Award Winner Stephen Gaghan) aimed to do exactly what I am expressing here: Reveal America's out-of-control consumerism, and the price they are willing pay to keep that self-destructing ball rolling.
But what is most startling is how true to fact it really is. Here we are: November 2008. 3 years on from the film's release.
The world markets are among the most volatile in history. Swiss banks are going bankrupt! Entire nations are going bankrupt! (Greenland)
Why?
Because the Americans can't stop consuming. That is what it comes down to. The American people couldn't help themselves, and their banks were happy to keep lending at ridiculous rates. The banks found themselves in trouble. So did their markets. And before you know it, the insecurity this all created for Wall Street became too much. Their markets crash. And so do the rest of the world's.
And the Chinese are smiling all the way to their preverbial reserve bank!
The Bible is full of warnings against such gluttony. Proverbs 23:2 is probably the most severe:
"...put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony."
Our world has forsaken the sanctity of the Bible. The West questions it as the infallible word of the living and personal God.
Pity, because now look at the hole the West finds themselves in.
What am I not saying?
I am not saying that we should live as monks and not enjoy life. We should enjoy ourselves. And that of course costs money. But for crying out loud! Let's live within our means!
I read a remarkable truth recently: The world goes into chaos when the rich are struck by severe financial crisis. But for centuries we have turned a blind eye to the constant tragedy of those in poverty.
Come on world. Wake up.
2 comments
I completely agree. Banks here were lending money to people who were not able to repay their debt. People go into debt to go on holiday, for just about everything. It's ridiculous. (I'm not casting stones...I'm in debt myself and trying like heck to get out.)
I live in a "post-Christian" country? WHAT? What happened to God is the same yesterday, today and forever? Moral relativism is destroying the fabric of this nation.
All that being said, I love my country. I just wish that she would return to her roots. I believe our founding fathers are rolling over in their graves.
Of course you love your country! And so you should! The U.S.A. has taught the world much. The rest of the world has much to thank the American people for. But it seems their own worst enemy is themselves.
I think it is interesting when so called "experts" label our time in history as post-Christian. Because there is one personality in particular who listens closely to such comments... God.
Acts 5:34 gives us a great insight to our situation. Gamaliel the Pharisee addresses his fellows religious leaders after Peter continued to preach the Gospel despite being warned not to.
Gamaliel says in vs 39: "...if it is from God (the message they preach), you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
Those words still ring true today.
Interesting times we live in today.
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