8/16/2004 03:10:33 PM|||Nathan Moore|||

I hope that the state department, and if possible, the pentagon, is watching the situation in Venezuela closely. The instability and the thugocracy headed by Hugo Chavez there ought to be of primary concern. Approximately 15% of the US's oil imports come from Venezuela. Since Chavez's accension to the presidency, the Venezuelan government has become less concerned with civil rights and is more concerned with the preservation of power. In short, he's creating a situation ripe for civil war. When he runs for reelection in two years, and more driveby shootings at polls and assassinations occur targeting the opposition, the constitutional government in Venezuela may implode.

I'm sure that Jimmy Carter, the eternal meddler for all things dictatorial, will certify those results, too.

Unfortunately for now, Chavez's remaining in power is good for us economically. There was a stabilization of oil prices and an actual drop in price per barrel that occurred after Chavez "won" against the recall effort.

This is one conservative all for drilling wherever we can - and offering tax credits beyond anything imaginable to create the proper set of incentives for the development of alternate energy sources. Our ideals are compromised by the need, not desire, but need, for oil. Our economy is our strength, and the engine can't be allowed to sputter from a lack of fuel. The neoconservative foreign policy, which this author fully endorses, is imperative for our continued defense and is compromised by our energy dependence. Energy policy has eclipsed the naive pronouncements from those greenies out there who still celebrate Earth Day - it is now an indispensable aspect of national security.

Conceptually, the Department of Energy ought to be a subagency inside the Department of Homeland Security. This is a winning issue I believe Bush can gain some political traction on. ANWR was a football with more symbolism than substance in the 2000 election - now it's laden with substance, and the Republicans need to be picking it up. Opening the door to ANWR opens the door to drilling in the Gulf and further exploration. Tapping the Gulf would go a long way to energy independence. If you want a rigless view, you can always go to the Caribbean.

|||109268835312203711|||Venezuela Matters