Syriana

Saw Syriana with Kerry Thanksgiving Eve.  Spectacular movie.  Reminded me of my time in the energy business as a number cruncher.  Unlike most Hollywood fare, the thriller treats it's audience as more intelligent than a pack of baboons in need of boobs, explosions and sing-a-longs.  It strongly argues for and unveils the shadowy collusion between despots, religious extremism, business, and power-brokers to control the dwindling world energy supply.

The status quo is pushing the world into a spiraling trajectory of inevitable tragedy.

I felt helpless as the credits rolled - as if I was a bystander in a slow motion accident where nothing I do can prevent the outcome.  Self interest triumphs at the expense of the good earth, and short term power profits while our souls are paying the debts.

If everyone in the world follows their religion faithfully, we would not have conflicts.  Charity, morality, kindness. Instead, evil men under the aegis of law, reason and morals destroy the earth and crusade for their own myopic power quest -- for white picket fences and vanity mirrors. The earth bleeds and innocent lives beg for help. Their self-professed saviors are giving them bitter and unsustainable mana. 

The root of this global wrist-cutting is the march of materialism.  Without the need for more ostentatious homes and larger cars, more accessories and brighter lights, there would not be a race to the bottom, a sprint to hoard the world's supply of oil and natural gas; there would not be temptations for greed in businesses to provide a steady drug of 'cheap' oil and compromised politicians to provide those business with larger loopholes – or wars.

Why does America continue to prop up corrupt dynasties in the Middle East who rob their citizens to build hotels and golf courses? Because they continue to provide us unfettered access to cheap energy? When do we start to listen to our morals and support moderates and liberalism? When suicide bombers have infiltrated our evening newscasts?

Two headline stories from today: November 25, 2005.  Boom.

1. Retailers usher in holidays with deep discounts: Steep discounts and expanded hours drew hordes to the nation’s malls in what merchants hope are signs consumer spending will be lively for the holidays. More people jammed the stores early, according to early reports, and more than a few testy shoppers scuffled in a rush to grab bargains, from notebook computers to cashmere sweaters.

2. More deadly blasts shatter Iraqi cities: A suicide bomber blew up his car outside a hospital south of Baghdad on Thursday while U.S. troops handed out candy and food to children, killing 30 people and wounding about 40, including four Americans.

you're awesome

Posted by: kyle | December 04, 2005 at 12:22 PM