Bradley Manning Is a Hero

Alternet reports:

U.S. Military Charges WikiLeaks Whistleblower Bradley Manning with 'Aiding the Enemy'

The military announced on Wednesday almost two dozen charges against Manning, who has been held in torture-like solitary confinement conditions for months.

Private First Class Bradley Manning is a true American hero because his alleged whistle-blowing activities have hugely helped shine a bright light on the corrupt, un-democratic forces that have held this country hostage since shortly after President Dwight Eisenhower warned about the imminent threat of the military-industrial complex. Brave and principled Americans like PFC Manning and exceptional journalistic organizations like WikiLeaks are among the very few obstacles preventing our democracy from sliding into overt fascism. I'm sure that may sound like an overstatement to some, but consider that the vast majority of the media voices in this country are supporting the idea that Barack Obama is a "liberal" when in fact his policies are to the right of Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan, possibly closer to ultra-right-wing Calvin Coolidge. Consider that this President refuses to raise any taxes when taxation stands at record lows, and deficits are at record highs, and this man brags that he has slashed domestic spending to woefully inadequate levels not seen since Eisenhower. Americans are horrifically uninformed about this and also about underhanded deals abroad with dictators and states hostile to freedom to perpetuate this anti-democratic oligarchy.

We desperately need more real openness and truth about our government and its activities foreign and domestic.

David House says:

"Through WikiLeaks we have been given direct evidence that the White House openly lies to congress and the American people in order to achieve political ends. Richard Nixon, in an attempt to stifle government transparency, once called Ellsberg “the most dangerous man in America” and accused him of “providing aid and comfort to the enemy.” Today we see the Obama administration continuing the legacy Nixon started by declaring whistleblowers as enemies of the state. It is a sad and dangerous day for transparency advocates everywhere."

House recommends we can take action to stand for truth and transparency:

Your support and the support of Americans from all walks has given Bradley hope in the midst of his perpetual solitary confinement. You can support Bradley by donating to his defense fund & advocacy campaign, and by signing this petition to reduce his charges and demand that the US government not pursue execution of alleged whistleblowers.

To paraphrase the Good Book: We shall know the Truth, and it will set us Free.

This Is What Peak Oil Looks Like

As oil production and exports are disrupted in Libya, the media often suggests Saudi Arabia will increase exports to compensate for the oil lost to the world market. Looking at the actual export figures from Saudi Arabia since 2002 make this look extremely unlikely; far more likely, we are about to see record oil prices, which will once again crash the economy similarly to the 2008 crash, and real shortages of oil and refined products like gasoline.

U.S. crude oil for May delivery is currently selling for $101.29 a barrel. While this price is already high enough to crash the economy, it is dirt cheap when you consider the likelihood of severe shortages in the near future.

Take a look at the recent historical export figures from Saudi Arabia, noting how much they exported at what oil price. In 2005 they exported the most oil ever at 9.1 million barrels per day (mbpd) when oil was selling for $57 per barrel. As prices rose, they exported less each year than in 2005. If they could produce more, why wouldn't they when prices are so high? Much more likely, they are in depletion and decline:

Saudi Net Oil Exports Versus Annual US Oil Prices
2002-2010 (EIA, Total Liquids)

Rising Net Oil Exports (relative to 2002) In Response to Rising Oil Prices:

2002: 7.1 mbpd & $26
2003: 8.3 mbpd & $31
2004: 8.6 mbpd & $42
2005: 9.1 mbpd & $57

Declining Net Oil Exports (relative to 2005) In Response to Rising Oil Prices:

2006: 8.4 mbpd & $66
2007: 8.0 mbpd & $72
2008: 8.4 mbpd & $100
2009: 7.3 mbpd & $62
2010: 7.4 mbpd & $79 (estimated)

Bloomberg reports:

Saudi Arabia’s exports fell to 6.05 million barrels a day in December from 6.36 million in November even as Saudi production rose to a two-year high of 8.37 million barrels a day, JODI said.

Note the difference between recent production (8.37 mbpd) and exports (6.05 mbpd). The difference is mostly consumption by Saudi citizens. They probably cannot increase production, and any attempt to reduce consumption by their citizens would likely stir unrest:

According to Yahoo:

Activists have set up Facebook pages calling for protests on March 11 and 20, with more than 17,000 supporters combined, but police managed to stifle two attempts to hold protests in the Red Sea city of Jeddah last month, highlighting the difficulties of such mobilization in the conservative kingdom.