It has now become more fashionable to talk about shortages. Computer chips have been in shortage and then in glut in the last few years. Natural gas was acutely in shortage in Europe after the war in Ukraine and pipeline sabotage brought supplies from Russia down to a trickle. Then, heroic efforts at conservation and in obtaining liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments to Europe led to a dramatic reduction in price. But last week just the potential for labor strikes among LNG workers in Australia, a major LNG exporter, sent the European price spiking again.
The world seemed so well supplied with everything in the previous decade that the shortages of this decade seem shocking to those with memories that do not extend further back than 2010.
But in what is actually recent memory, we have examples. It was the mid-2000s that brought us spiking food prices. Now they are rising again. It also brought us the highest price ever for a barrel of oil. Now oil prices are elevated again. Metals prices rose. Now they are again.
The general view is that shortages and high prices are the cure for shortages and high prices. And, there is some truth in that because high prices incentivize more people to produce more of the stuff that carries a high price. But when prices are rising in general it is difficult for miners, growers and manufacturers to address prices everywhere at once. There is only so much capital for investment. That is why eras of rising prices can go on for some time before they are resolved.
But what if some critical resources won’t yield to the logic of modern economics? What if that logic only works in a world of growing extraction of cheap resources? What if the price of extracting ever leaner grades of metals, harvesting ever more grains and fiber from farm fields losing topsoil that is already saturated with as much fertilizer as plants can absorb, pumping ever more water from falling water tables and dwindling streams and reservoirs—what if we simply cannot afford all this on a wide scale? The answer is that extraction somewhere will fail to keep pace with what people would otherwise demand, and then standards of living would fall.
I return to helium as a harbinger of what is unfolding. Back in 2009 I suggested that the world was heading toward an acute helium shortage. Granted, the world helium market was dominated at the time by the U.S. government and its Federal Helium Program which gathered the richest sources of helium in the world. The government decided in the 1920s that helium was such a critical resource that it would manage it for national security reasons. (For why it’s hard to find substitutes for helium see my 2009 piece.) Then in 1996 the U.S. Congress decided the federal government should get out of the helium business and let the marketplace set prices and seek out new supplies.
The process of exiting the helium market is near completion. The government has stopped selling helium. Now, the supposed rush is on among private companies to find and produce the helium the world needs. There are companies now doing that.
Prices of helium are spiking and helium is getting harder to secure in the meantime. The problem is so acute that scientists who need helium for all kinds of research are having a hard time getting it. And some are calling for the U.S. government to remain in the helium business in order to assure supplies are available for research facilities including its own.
Another example of an emerging pattern is the rice market. In many countries, the supplies of basic foodstuffs are managed by governments to help avoid food shortages. In Asia rice prices are at or near all time highs. India, the world’s largest rice exporter, has already instituted some restrictions on the export of rice. The fear is that other countries will follow. The reason is simple: There is no better way to insure that the ruling party will be thrown out of office than food shortages. Keeping more food at home keeps prices down.
Part of the reason for rice’s production woes is a strong El Nino negatively affecting weather for Asian growers. And the strong El Nino is starting when global ocean temperatures are already high, meaning the effect of the El Nino will be greatly enhanced by climate change compared to previous decades.
Helium and rice are two example of shortages that cannot simply be addressed by “the market.” (I put “the market” in quotes because there are very few true free markets. Most markets are carefully managed by the largest players.) A combination of government and private action is being coordinated for goals that take social priorities into account as is the case with rice or as is being requested in the case of helium.
Focusing on profitability alone will lead to rampant, accelerated pressures on resources—which is how we got to where we are today. More of the same won’t solve the long-term problems related to limits on key resources.
Kurt Cobb is a freelance writer and communications consultant who writes frequently about energy and environment. His work has appeared in The Christian Science Monitor, Resilience, Common Dreams, Naked Capitalism, Le Monde Diplomatique, Oilprice.com, OilVoice, TalkMarkets, Investing.com, Business Insider and many other places. He is the author of an oil-themed novel entitled Prelude and has a widely followed blog called Resource Insights. He can be contacted at kurtcobb2001@yahoo.com.
Shocker: Anal procidat captis on Thu, 31st Aug 2023 3:59 pm
guess what happens when elite whitey supertards Switzeland and Austria got sick of supremacist muzzies
August is Celebrate Elite DArkie Supertard SOHRAB LUTCHMEDIA Month for his anti gun contribution to American LAW and society
we celebrate elite whitey (((supertard))) Alice for her contribution to 1A by restricting free speech
this elite darkie supertard mocked american gun rights by calling it
antibody guns
he MUZZ-19 himself with reckless abandonment
WENT TO SAINT PETERS
Shocker: Anal procidat captis on Thu, 31st Aug 2023 4:00 pm
Quran (9:5) – “So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captive and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them.” According to this verse, the best way of staying safe from Muslim violence at the time of Muhammad was to convert to Islam: prayer (salat) and the poor tax (zakat) are among the religion’s Five Pillars. The popular claim that the Quran only inspires violence within the context of self-defense is seriously challenged by this passage as well, since the Muslims to whom it was written were obviously not under attack. Had they been, then there would have been no waiting period (earlier verses make it a duty for Muslims to fight in self-defense, even during the sacred months). The historical context is Mecca after the idolaters were subjugated by Muhammad and posed no threat. Once the Muslims had power, they violently evicted those unbelievers who would not convert.
Shocker: Anal procidat captis on Thu, 31st Aug 2023 8:11 pm
August is Celebrate Elite DArkie Supertard SOHRAB LUTCHMEDIA Month for his anti gun contribution to American LAW and society
this elite darkie supertard mocked american gun rights by calling it
antibody guns
he MUZZ-19 himself with reckless abandonment
WENT TO SAINT PETERS
Quod motherfucker non est realis August is Celebrate Elite DArkie streetshitter Supertard SOHRAB LUTCHMEDIA Month for his anti gun contribution to American LAW and society on Thu, 31st Aug 2023 8:14 pm
this elite darkie streetshitter supertard mocked american gun rights by calling it
antibody guns
he MUZZ-19 himself with reckless abandonment
WENT TO SAINT PETERS
im just a tard and fmr-paultard August is Celebrate Elite DArkie streetshitter Supertard SOHRAB LUTCHMEDIA Month for his anti gun contribution to American LAW and society on Thu, 31st Aug 2023 8:15 pm
this elite darkie streetshitter supertard mocked american gun rights by calling it
antibody guns
he MUZZ-19 himself with reckless abandonment
WENT TO SAINT PETERS
ANAL CAPTURE PROLAPSE SHOCK
September is Celebrate Elite DArkie streetshitter Supertard SOHRAB LUTCHMEDIA Month for his anti gun contribution to American LAW and society and culture on Thu, 31st Aug 2023 8:45 pm
this elite darkie streetshitter supertard mocked american gun rights by calling it
antibody guns
he MUZZ-19 himself with reckless abandonment
WENT TO SAINT PETERS
ANAL CAPTURE PROLAPSE SHOCK
SEPTEMBER IS CELEBRATING ELITE DARKIE SUPERTARD STREETSHITTER SOHRAB LUTCHMEDIAL MONTH on Thu, 31st Aug 2023 8:56 pm
this elite darkie streetshitter supertard mocked american gun rights by calling it
antibody guns
he MUZZ-19 himself with reckless abandonment
WENT TO SAINT PETERS
eee on Thu, 31st Aug 2023 9:53 pm
I will repeat that, from my point view the only things of value that earth has to offer, are chemistry, maths, physic, engineered knowledge. This could be reused and modified or upgraded.
Everything else is useless to me and will be destroyed: people of earth have no value to me, animal have no value to me, trees have no value to me, everything will be destoryed
eee on Thu, 31st Aug 2023 11:11 pm
Just says it fucking bitch you want to use as a procreator. 11:01
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLJ_8zUsILk
SEPTEMBER IS FOAR CELEBRATING ELITE DARKIE SUPERTARD STREETSHITTER SOHRAB LUTCHMEDIAL on Thu, 31st Aug 2023 11:12 pm
this elite darkie streetshitter supertard mocked american gun rights by calling it
antibody guns
he MUZZ-19 himself with reckless abandonment
WENT TO SAINT PETERS
eee on Thu, 31st Aug 2023 11:55 pm
If I am the one responsible for earth future ‘ I will kill everyone, destroy earth and move to something. See my comments above.
Apparently they agree with me, I don’t who they are but they seems to agree.
eee on Thu, 31st Aug 2023 11:57 pm
Canada and Québec should have never violated my rights to own firearms and hand guns incognito. I will make you pay for that, never forget that.
eee on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 2:21 am
Now the we know that it is a simulation. The long neck and face moved forward are the proof that we live in a simulation, there is no reason to continue this farce called planet earth. The right course of actions is to kill everyone living on earth, destroying earth and moving on to something else.
eee on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 3:42 am
This is for the real human out there, if any left. It is all a lie. The food is not real, not is real including your meat suit. Kill all the long neck, face moved forward and destroyed the earth.
eee on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 3:53 am
Comment on fait pour voler dans les airs comme superman.
eee on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 3:56 am
Comment on fait pour tueur toutes les juifs, on tues tous les juifs maintenant, on leur coupe toutes la tête. Mort a tous les juifs de la planete, C’est ma piece de theatre,
eeee on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 4:01 am
Comment on fait pour tuer tout le monde sur la planete.
eee on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 4:04 am
ON tue tout le monde on detruit la planete, pis on se met a faire des maths
eee on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 4:06 am
Je suis completement gelee. C’est quand on tue tout le monde et on se met a faire des maths. ON tue toutes les mother fuckers
SEPTEMBER IS FOAR CELEBRATING ELITE DARKIE SUPERTARD STREETSHITTER SOHRAB LUTCHMEDIAL HE SAID IF WE MUZZ-19 WE BECOME IMMUNE TO CONVID-19 BECAUSE WED BE HAVING ANTIBODY GUNS on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 8:56 am
Quran (8:65) – “O Prophet, exhort the believers to fight…”
eee on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 10:24 am
I want that Canada change the firearms and hand guns laws or I will stop working with the Cabal controlling earth. It it pretty obvious that the same people that have created COVID scams are behind polytechnic events, September 9/11, three mills island incident, bataclan massacre and so on.
It is cabal that has put a firearms and hand guns restriction in Canada. I want this removed and hand gun purchases made incognito by paying cash.
eee on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 10:27 am
I will stop making comments and helping the cabal until the cabal change Canada firearms and hand guns laws to respect my right to own them incognito.
eee on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 10:32 am
I want all the firearms and hand gun lawys removed and the right to conceal carry hand guns legally accros Canada and Québec.
Artsakh: Tens of Thousands of Armenian Christians face persecution, new genocide on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 10:39 am
supremacist muzzies
Quran (8:39) – “And fight with them until there is no more fitna (disorder, unbelief) and religion is all for Allah” Some translations interpret “fitna” as “persecution”, but the traditional understanding of this word is not supported by the historical context (See notes for 2:193). The Meccans were simply refusing Muhammad access to their city during the pilgrimage. Other Muslims were allowed to travel there – but not as an armed group, since Muhammad had declared war on Mecca prior to his eviction. The Meccans were also acting in defense of their religion, as it was Muhammad’s intention to destroy their idols and establish Islam by force (which he later did). Hence the critical part of this verse is to fight until “religion is only for Allah”, meaning that the true justification of violence was the unbelief of the opposition. According to the Sira (Ibn Ishaq/Hisham 324) Muhammad further explains that “Allah must have no rivals.”
supremacist muzzies On This Day... Sep 01, 2013: Camp Ashraf, Iraq Iranian-backed militia sort out and execute secularists at a refugee camp: 52 Killed on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 12:46 pm
Quran (8:39) – “And fight with them until there is no more fitna (disorder, unbelief) and religion is all for Allah” Some translations interpret “fitna” as “persecution”, but the traditional understanding of this word is not supported by the historical context (See notes for 2:193). The Meccans were simply refusing Muhammad access to their city during the pilgrimage. Other Muslims were allowed to travel there – but not as an armed group, since Muhammad had declared war on Mecca prior to his eviction. The Meccans were also acting in defense of their religion, as it was Muhammad’s intention to destroy their idols and establish Islam by force (which he later did). Hence the critical part of this verse is to fight until “religion is only for Allah”, meaning that the true justification of violence was the unbelief of the opposition. According to the Sira (Ibn Ishaq/Hisham 324) Muhammad further explains that “Allah must have no rivals.”
ANAL PROLAPSE what happened to our PO supertards legions of them gone POOF on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 4:27 pm
oh ok it’s not MUZZ-19
yep, somebody is filthy rich selling bridges in Brooklyn
now we have AI bots (eee TheEdrich others)
its not MUZZ-19 that caused extinction of our PO supertards legions of them yup and I have bridges to sell too theyre in Brooklyn NY on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 4:28 pm
Quran (4:101) – “And when you (Muslims) travel in the land, there is no sin on you if you shorten your Salat (prayer) if you fear that the disbelievers may attack you, verily, the disbelievers are ever unto you open enemies.” Mere disbelief makes one an “open” enemy of Muslims.
its not MUZZ-19 that caused extinction of our PO supertards legions of them yup and I have bridges to sell too theyre in Brooklyn NY on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 4:33 pm
Quran (2:216) – “Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.” Not only does this verse establish that violence can be virtuous, but it also contradicts the myth that fighting is intended only in self-defense, since the audience was obviously not under attack at the time. From the Hadith, we know that this verse was narrated at a time that Muhammad was actually trying to motivate his people into raiding merchant caravans for loot.
so i opened the door cant get in that way my body wont fit in the door only your hand i new some wrong when a pretty little white girl ran to a black man arms dead giveaway deeeeaaaadddd giveaway on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 5:08 pm
Quran (2:216) – “Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.” Not only does this verse establish that violence can be virtuous, but it also contradicts the myth that fighting is intended only in self-defense, since the audience was obviously not under attack at the time. From the Hadith, we know that this verse was narrated at a time that Muhammad was actually trying to motivate his people into raiding merchant caravans for loot.
get that girl out of that house she simply has to get out so i opened the door we cant get in that way my body cant fit in the door only your hand on Fri, 1st Sep 2023 10:31 pm
i knew some wrong when a pretty little white girl ran to a black man arms dead giveaway
deeeeaaaaaaaaaaaad giveaway
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK
ghoulish supertard Dredd who pushed CONVID-19 and MUZZ-19 that caused the extinction of PO forum supertards are back on Sat, 2nd Sep 2023 10:45 am
MUZZ-19 has semen from DROPOUT-19 in it
he mixes it in his basement using empty paint buckets
supremacist muzzies
On This Day…
Sep 02, 2016: Davao City, Philippines
A pregnant woman is among those ripped to shreds at a market: 14 Killed
LGBTQIXYZ- non binary frogman on Sat, 2nd Sep 2023 11:57 am
You do realise super retard that Mohammed was a paedophile?
ghoulish supertard Dredd who pushed CONVID-19 and MUZZ-19 that caused the extinction of PO forum supertards is back on Sat, 2nd Sep 2023 9:22 pm
get that girl out of that house she simply has to get out so i opened the door we cant get in that way my body cant fit in the door only your hand
i knew some wrong when a pretty little white girl ran to a black man arms dead giveaway
deeeeaaaaaaaaaaaad giveaway
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK
elite darkie supertard DMX MUZZ-19 himself with reckless abandonment on Sat, 2nd Sep 2023 11:04 pm
WENT TO SAINT PETERS
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK
ghoulish supertard Dredd who pushed CONVID-19 and MUZZ-19 that caused the extinction of PO forum supertards is back on Sun, 3rd Sep 2023 11:12 am
SEPTEMBER IS FOAR CELEBRATING ELITE DARKIE SUPERTARD STREETSHITTER SOHRAB LUTCHMEDIAL HE SAID IF WE MUZZ-19 WE BECOME IMMUNE TO CONVID-19 BECAUSE WED BE HAVING ANTIBODY GUNS
elite darkie supertard RAPPER DMX MUZZ-19 himself with reckless abandonment on Sun, 3rd Sep 2023 5:09 pm
ghoulish supertard Dredd who pushed CONVID-19 and MUZZ-19 that caused the extinction of PO forum supertards is back
On This Day... Sep 03, 2018: Kerawa, Cameroon Two female suicide bombers level a bustling market: 30 Killed on Sun, 3rd Sep 2023 7:59 pm
ghoulish supertard Dredd who pushed CONVID-19 and MUZZ-19 that caused the extinction of PO forum supertards is back
CAPTURE ANAL elite whitey supertard Heather Fink MUZZ-19 herself with reckless abandonment guess what happened on Sun, 3rd Sep 2023 8:03 pm
ghoulish supertard Dredd who pushed CONVID-19 and MUZZ-19 that caused the extinction of PO forum supertards is back
ANAL SHOCK guess what happened when elite whitey supertard Chris Parr MUZZ-19 himself with reckless abandonment on Sun, 3rd Sep 2023 8:06 pm
supremacist muzzies
On This Day…
Sep 03, 2018: Kerawa, Cameroon
Two female suicide bombers level a bustling market: 30 Killed
–
ANAL CREAM ghoulish supertard Dredd who pushed CONVID-19 and MUZZ-19 that caused the extinction of PO forum supertards is back on Mon, 4th Sep 2023 9:46 am
supremacist muzzies
On This Day…
Sep 04, 2013: Latifiyah, Iraq
Five women and six children are among
two families blown to bits in their sleep: 18 Killed
ANAL CREAM ghoulish supertard Dredd who pushed CONVID-19 and MUZZ-19 that caused the extinction of PO forum supertards is back on Mon, 4th Sep 2023 9:47 am
Quran (5:33) – “The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement”
ANAL LUBE this is what supertard Sissy Brown wrote about her friend elite whitey supertard Heather Fink who MUZZ-19 herlsef with reckless abandonment on Mon, 4th Sep 2023 12:36 pm
So many younger people are passing away unexpectedly in their sleep. I’m finding hundreds of cases every week… It’s a war zone out there.
“I just cannot process this one either!!! Lord my girl Heather Fink is gone! She passed away unexpectedly in her sleep.”
ANAL LUBRICATION SHOCK this is what elite whitey supertards Emma Davies and Chris Saunders wrote about elite whitey supertard Eileen Ella Saunders who MUZZ-19 herself with reckless abandonment on Mon, 4th Sep 2023 12:40 pm
Hi All, Chris and Emma here. We have some extremely sad news
supremacist muzzies
On This Day…Sep 4 2012
Afghanistan Dor Baba 25 35 Over two dozen mourners at a funeral are blasted into bits by a Fedayeen suicide bomber.
Canada: Under pressure, government-funded Muzzie org cancels speaker who calls elite whitey (((supertards))) descendants of apes and pigs on Tue, 5th Sep 2023 9:27 am
ANAL LUBE SHOCKER THAT MFER IS NOT REAL
On This Day…
Sep 05, 2013: Paktika, Afghanistan
A female writer is shot to death by fundamentalists: 1 Killed
UK’s far-left Guardian rejects Denmark’s surrender to Sharia blasphemy laws while calling Qur’an burnings ‘bigotry’ on Tue, 5th Sep 2023 9:34 am
supremacist muzzies
On This Day…Sept 5th, 2011
Nigeria Tatu 8 0 A Christian family of eight including the parents and six children are hacked to death by Muslim militants in their home.
ANAL LUBE SHOCKER THAT MFER IS NOT REAL elite whitey supertard Physics Girl Youtuber Diana Cowern MUZZ-19 herself with reckless abandonment guess what happened on Tue, 5th Sep 2023 1:47 pm
she blamed “long CONVID-19”
supremacist muzzies
Ramadan Bombathon 2023 final score
attacks 145
kills 741
ANAL LUBE CAPTURE on Thu, 7th Sep 2023 4:59 pm
Quran (4:95) – “Not equal are those of the believers who sit (at home), except those who are disabled (by injury or are blind or lame, etc.), and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred in grades those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives above those who sit (at home).Unto each, Allah has promised good (Paradise), but Allah has preferred those who strive hard and fight, above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward ” This passage criticizes “peaceful” Muslims who do not join in the violence, letting them know that they are less worthy in Allah’s eyes. It also demolishes the modern myth that “Jihad” doesn’t mean holy war in the Quran, but rather a spiritual struggle. Not only is this Arabic word (mujahiduna) used in this passage, but it is clearly not referring to anything spiritual, since the physically disabled are given exemption. (The Hadith reveals the context of the passage to be in response to a blind man’s protest that he is unable to engage in Jihad, which would not make sense if it meant an internal struggle).
ANAL LUBE PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK On This Day... Sep 07, 2011: New Delhi, India Islamists place a bomb at a train station: 17 Killed on Thu, 7th Sep 2023 8:03 pm
Quran (4:95) – “Not equal are those of the believers who sit (at home), except those who are disabled (by injury or are blind or lame, etc.), and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred in grades those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives above those who sit (at home).Unto each, Allah has promised good (Paradise), but Allah has preferred those who strive hard and fight, above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward ” This passage criticizes “peaceful” Muslims who do not join in the violence, letting them know that they are less worthy in Allah’s eyes. It also demolishes the modern myth that “Jihad” doesn’t mean holy war in the Quran, but rather a spiritual struggle. Not only is this Arabic word (mujahiduna) used in this passage, but it is clearly not referring to anything spiritual, since the physically disabled are given exemption. (The Hadith reveals the context of the passage to be in response to a blind man’s protest that he is unable to engage in Jihad, which would not make sense if it meant an internal struggle).
ANAL LUBE CAPTURE SHOCK supremacist muzzies Ramadan Bombathon 2023 Final Score Attacks 145 Kills 741 on Fri, 8th Sep 2023 3:30 pm
Quran (4:95) – “Not equal are those of the believers who sit (at home), except those who are disabled (by injury or are blind or lame, etc.), and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred in grades those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives above those who sit (at home).Unto each, Allah has promised good (Paradise), but Allah has preferred those who strive hard and fight, above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward ” This passage criticizes “peaceful” Muslims who do not join in the violence, letting them know that they are less worthy in Allah’s eyes. It also demolishes the modern myth that “Jihad” doesn’t mean holy war in the Quran, but rather a spiritual struggle. Not only is this Arabic word (mujahiduna) used in this passage, but it is clearly not referring to anything spiritual, since the physically disabled are given exemption. (The Hadith reveals the context of the passage to be in response to a blind man’s protest that he is unable to engage in Jihad, which would not make sense if it meant an internal struggle).
Анални лубе пролапс парошење снимака супремацисте Муззиес Рамадан Бомбатхон 2023 Финал Сцоре Аттацс 145 Киллс 741 on Fri, 8th Sep 2023 6:10 pm
Quran (4:95) – “Not equal are those of the believers who sit (at home), except those who are disabled (by injury or are blind or lame, etc.), and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred in grades those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives above those who sit (at home).Unto each, Allah has promised good (Paradise), but Allah has preferred those who strive hard and fight, above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward ” This passage criticizes “peaceful” Muslims who do not join in the violence, letting them know that they are less worthy in Allah’s eyes. It also demolishes the modern myth that “Jihad” doesn’t mean holy war in the Quran, but rather a spiritual struggle. Not only is this Arabic word (mujahiduna) used in this passage, but it is clearly not referring to anything spiritual, since the physically disabled are given exemption. (The Hadith reveals the context of the passage to be in response to a blind man’s protest that he is unable to engage in Jihad, which would not make sense if it meant an internal struggle).