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This rant is from the multiple political ideologies that live inside my head. They need a place to come out and play. (In a politically offensive way) Entry into this space is not advised!
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Is a sea change coming?
Much like monitoring terrorist activity, the common man can't really know what's going on in the halls of power; all we can do is monitor the "chatter". How much activity is occurring and who's talking is the only objective truth available.
I like to monitor the "chatter", especially with Google news and other news aggregators. They allow me access to the story of the day, but they also allow me to see who and how many news organizations are reporting a particular story.
I'm seeing some unusual activity in three areas, climate change, oil and the Iraq war . Yes, it's true that I am currently obsessed with this topics, but isn't it more likely for someone obsessed with a topic to notice when subtle shifts occur?
http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/17/news/economy/climate_fortune/index.htm
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060119/ap_on_go_ot/global_warming;_ylt=AgC6TB6nkQ86p7brteeEddys0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3OXIzMDMzBHNlYwM3MDM-
I'm seeing strange apocalyptic articles using quotes by oil executives, billionaires and republicans about climate change and reducing fossil fuel use. I would expect such talk in the treehugging circles or in magazines like Wired or Discover, but not in Forbes and Fortune. This activity is hardly a tsunami, but it may be the start of something. It's true that fear sells (especially on a slow news day), but I think this is more that just that.
Everyone always say 9/11 changed everything. I'm starting to wonder is Katrina changed everything. At the moment I think the noise is just a kind of political insurance. If bad things happen this year, politicians and oil executives don't want to be held accountable. If nothing else those senate hearings that grilled the oil executives may have put the fear of god in them. On the other hand oil executives have access to data and analysis we don't, especially about remaining reserves in the Middle East. (Rumors of Saudi oil production having peaked are appearing.)
And finally let's look at Iraq. Money is getting tight, really tight. I'm talking about insanely gnaw off your arm and eat it tight. I've been expecting this for a while and it has finally appeared. I've had the benefit of accessing the wisdom of those who have been in federal service since WWII. This kind of funding insanity has occurred before; after WWII, Vietnam and Gulf War I. The dragon is starving and starting to eat its tail! I don't think it's just my section but it's always possible. It's a tad scary to have one eye on retirement and the other watching the budgetary equivalent of the grim reaper approach. Beyond my own personal plight you have to wonder what's happening to the troops in the field.
Much like monitoring terrorist activity, the common man can't really know what's going on in the halls of power; all we can do is monitor the "chatter". How much activity is occurring and who's talking is the only objective truth available.
I like to monitor the "chatter", especially with Google news and other news aggregators. They allow me access to the story of the day, but they also allow me to see who and how many news organizations are reporting a particular story.
I'm seeing some unusual activity in three areas, climate change, oil and the Iraq war . Yes, it's true that I am currently obsessed with this topics, but isn't it more likely for someone obsessed with a topic to notice when subtle shifts occur?
http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/17/news/economy/climate_fortune/index.htm
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060119/ap_on_go_ot/global_warming;_ylt=AgC6TB6nkQ86p7brteeEddys0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3OXIzMDMzBHNlYwM3MDM-
I'm seeing strange apocalyptic articles using quotes by oil executives, billionaires and republicans about climate change and reducing fossil fuel use. I would expect such talk in the treehugging circles or in magazines like Wired or Discover, but not in Forbes and Fortune. This activity is hardly a tsunami, but it may be the start of something. It's true that fear sells (especially on a slow news day), but I think this is more that just that.
Everyone always say 9/11 changed everything. I'm starting to wonder is Katrina changed everything. At the moment I think the noise is just a kind of political insurance. If bad things happen this year, politicians and oil executives don't want to be held accountable. If nothing else those senate hearings that grilled the oil executives may have put the fear of god in them. On the other hand oil executives have access to data and analysis we don't, especially about remaining reserves in the Middle East. (Rumors of Saudi oil production having peaked are appearing.)
And finally let's look at Iraq. Money is getting tight, really tight. I'm talking about insanely gnaw off your arm and eat it tight. I've been expecting this for a while and it has finally appeared. I've had the benefit of accessing the wisdom of those who have been in federal service since WWII. This kind of funding insanity has occurred before; after WWII, Vietnam and Gulf War I. The dragon is starving and starting to eat its tail! I don't think it's just my section but it's always possible. It's a tad scary to have one eye on retirement and the other watching the budgetary equivalent of the grim reaper approach. Beyond my own personal plight you have to wonder what's happening to the troops in the field.
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