[jdmartin]

Good story, on the home page, in the NY times:

We don't need electricity - we can cook on charcoal!

I think Africa's a perfect test case for the rest of civilization, myself. The only reason oil's not already 100 bucks a barrel is that so many 3rd world countries that could buy it at 30 bucks but can't at 75 bucks have dropped out of the bidding, thus creating "a lack of demand".

[Zardoz]

Those who claim we can live with high oil prices have no idea of what is going on in the poorest parts of the world.

This is only the barest beginning.

[MacG]

So, let's see... North Korea gone, Cuba gone, sub-Saharan Africa gone... ehh... who's next? And after that?

[NotMyBlood]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Zardoz', 'T')hose who claim we can live with high oil prices have no idea of what is going on in the poorest parts of the world.

This is only the barest beginning.

[Chesire]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Zardoz', 'T')hose who claim we can live with high oil prices have no idea of what is going on in the poorest parts of the world.

This is only the barest beginning.

[Eli]

People have been turning a blind eye to Africa for a long time like it has already been said.

What is anyone supposed to do about Africa?

On the whole it seems like a terribly screwed up place. It is all tribal and sectarian, since the colonist's have left or been forced out it has only gotten worse. Disease, famine, poverty, ignorance, tribalism these are the things Africa can produce in abundance.

[Pfish]

I was down in the Dominican Republic not too long ago. While gas was going for about $3 here in the states, it was about/around $13.50 a gallon down there. Why? Tax. Some countries just prefer to keep consumption at a minimum by putting high tarifs on the black gooey stuff....

[MacG]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Eli', 'P')eople have been turning a blind eye to Africa for a long time like it has already been said.

What is anyone supposed to do about Africa?

On the whole it seems like a terribly screwed up place. It is all tribal and sectarian, since the colonist's have left or been forced out it has only gotten worse. Disease, famine, poverty, ignorance, tribalism these are the things Africa can produce in abundance.

[Byron100]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pfish', 'I') was down in the Dominican Republic not too long ago. While gas was going for about $3 here in the states, it was about/around $13.50 a gallon down there. Why? Tax. Some countries just prefer to keep consumption at a minimum by putting high tarifs on the black gooey stuff....

[Grifter]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Zardoz', 'T')hose who claim we can live with high oil prices have no idea of what is going on in the poorest parts of the world.

[Petroleo]

Pfish,
I think you made a calculation error in converting the dominican peso to US$. The current price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the DR is RD$141.20, see http://www.seic.gov.do/ , check the header precios de combustibles.
1 USD is 33 dominican peso at the moment ( http://www.listin.com.do , and scroll down), so in US$ a gallon costs US$ 4,28.

more expensive than in the US, cheaper than in Europe.

[NotMyBlood]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Grifter', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Zardoz', 'T')hose who claim we can live with high oil prices have no idea of what is going on in the poorest parts of the world.

[Starvid]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NotMyBlood', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Zardoz', 'T')hose who claim we can live with high oil prices have no idea of what is going on in the poorest parts of the world.

This is only the barest beginning.

[Grifter]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NotMyBlood', '
')
I'm sure there is a good percentage of people who see them as different. But, I'm inclined to think that most people are more concerned about their life. (greedy , selfish, bastards). It seems like all the money in the world wont change that place. What else are we to do? How much does the UN give? How much do everyday Americans give? I bet its a pretty big penny. I saw blood diamond the other day. TIA.

Dont blame average Joe or Ivan or Lapue or Adolph or Wang for living the best life he can while the miseries in Africa continue.

[whereagles]

What happens if/when I can't afford gasoline?

Let's see.. my job will probably survive peak oil (I lecture at an agrarian school... lol), so all I need is to get there, which I can do by bicycle. The roads will be empty by then, so cycling will be safe (today it is NOT).

[NotMyBlood]

Grifter - I didnt mean to sound flippant towards you, just flippant in a general sense. I'm a news junkie. Not only with GeoPolitcal issues, but cultural issues as well. What I've been "reading"(nothing beats real life experience) gives me the impression that most of the rest of the world thinks poorly of Americans and their overconsuming lifestyle. Well, America may be the biggest problem but the whole West and now India, China, Japan can be lumped right in there with the US, IMHO.

So, thats my frame of mind. I've donated for at least a decade to charities that support organizations trying to help African children. And i think I've been taken for a ride becuase it doesnt seem to be doing much good. What else can the "West" do?


I can't imagine being that poor either. Day by Day. I have visions of half the African population migrating however they can into Europe with nothing but the clothes on their back, hunger, and diseases.

[MC2]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Chesire', 'P')eople have been clicking off feed the poor commericals since before remote controls were available.

[Tyler_JC]

Zimbabwe's energy famine is not a result of the inherent inferiority of the "dark" people.

Zimbabwe's problems all stem back to the same central problem, terrible leadership.

Ever since Mugabe took power that country has been falling apart.

If they put me in charge of Zimbabwe (and the riotous mobs didn't kill me for being a white overlord), I believe I could turn things around quite nicely (first step, stop raping and murdering random civilians).

But when you have a psychotic dictator running the show, it's difficult to do anything right.

A better example would be a country that is doing everything right but still can't afford energy because it's economy is just not strong enough. I can't think of one off the top of my head, but feel free to play around on google.

[NotMyBlood]

And so, this problem is largely of our own making; we can only hope the temporary feelings of moral worthiness all those who "gave at the office" enjoyed will compensate them for the human disaster they will have to observe as these people go down first.

You may very well be right, but screw the feelings of moral worthiness, I want my F'in money back!!! But that will never happen because some corrupt "leader" somewhere has bought himself a new BMW with it.

Tyler_JC - I think your right about Zimbabwe, from what I understand. However, it seems every country in Africa eventually gets a leader who is corrupt. And not just skim money from the treasury corrupt, its kill and rape everybody in sight corrupt!!

You know why the UN/US/West doesnt do anything about Sudan/Darfur? Becuase in a few years there will be another event just like it somewhere else on the continent. And if its not Aids, it will be some other disease, etc etc etc. The people of Africa have to help themselves. Having said that......does every American Princess need a 7k wedding ring? And trust me, they have been brainwashed into thinking they do. Damn Hallmark.

[Tyler_JC]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NotMyBlood', '[')i]And so, this problem is largely of our own making; we can only hope the temporary feelings of moral worthiness all those who "gave at the office" enjoyed will compensate them for the human disaster they will have to observe as these people go down first.

You may very well be right, but screw the feelings of moral worthiness, I want my F'in money back!!! But that will never happen because some corrupt "leader" somewhere has bought himself a new BMW with it.

Tyler_JC - I think your right about Zimbabwe, from what I understand. However, it seems every country in Africa eventually gets a leader who is corrupt. And not just skim money from the treasury corrupt, its kill and rape everybody in sight corrupt!!

You know why the UN/US/West doesnt do anything about Sudan/Darfur? Becuase in a few years there will be another event just like it somewhere else on the continent. And if its not Aids, it will be some other disease, etc etc etc. The people of Africa have to help themselves. Having said that......does every American Princess need a 7k wedding ring? And trust me, they have been brainwashed into thinking they do. Damn Hallmark.