How did the Libyan military, which was almost completely whipped only a month ago, recover and become so strong so quickly? They have all but put down a revolution that seemed almost over, with the insurgents ready to take control of the government. Many of the government high-profile officials have defected to the rebel’s side, yet the rebellion seems all but over. NATO “No Fly” airstrikes came too late to stop Gadhafi’s forces from decimating the military strength of the revolutionists.
Although most of Libya’s oil production goes to Europe, Americans are feeling the pinch as much as anyone. The ability to purchase goods is decreasing daily as more money goes to oil companies. All our governments do is talk about some far future when we are more energy efficient. Have you ever wondered who controls energy efficiency? Each year, multiple millions of dollars goes into alternate energy research in the U.S., much of it from government grants to universities and corporations. However, when breakthroughs are made, the government gets nothing in return; institutional grants that produce positive results are not paid back, but the people doing the work generally procure other government grants and loans to begin a business to manufacture a product. Guess who is keeping a keen eye over the shoulder of these start-up companies; Big Energy. If the idea looks good, the huge oil conglomerates will invest into or completely buy the small businesses that the tax payers have spent so much get started. Whenever you have an extra year or so to do some research, look through public records and see who owns the patents for most alternative energy ideas; you will find it is the likes of Exxon, British Petroleum, Royal Dutch Shell, and their subsidiaries. If the new processes compete too heavily with the consumption of oil, Big Energy quietly hides them away because nothing produces the net earnings revenue like good old imported Middle East petrol. There are proven solar, wind, water, natural gas, and other technologies available that would cut our dependance on foreign oil by a decent percentage but they are mostly hidden away in corporate vaults, gathering dust and throttling further research. Wake up, World! Phooey!
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Yesterday seemed to be last minute tax day for a lot of my family and friends. I put the finishing touches on our personal forms, did JJ’s, and then last evening I did Jerry’s and Tammie’s, and then Tammie’s parents came by and I did their return. Carolyn fixed meatloaf, mashed taters, cream style corn, cornbread, and a salad. We ate and then filled out the forms. I e-filed ours and left everyone else to fend for themselves as far as filing goes.
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May your Thursday theriomorphosis be gentle.
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