The thing is Al, there are position papers, on the record, dating back to '92 that put forth the proposition of the US taking over the worlds oil supply's because who better to dictate to the world than us. I can send the text if you like. Cheney commissioned the first such future of US foreign policy position papers while Sec of Defense in Dubya's Daddy's administration. There have been more like minded papers floated since Pax Americanna(seriously, right up there with UN peace keeping troops:) came out in '92. Same basic cast of characters supporting this theme each time and too many of which are in this Administration. Dubya isn't the mastermind(nor stupid educationally), but given that little smirk he can't quite keep to himself, I am certain he knows the score, and is pleased to play his role.

The question is only which of a number of ways the world will take to put us in our place. The standard opinion here in the homeland is that we are the best country in the world, that we are masters of the globe, the smartest(despite test scores to the contrary), the freest(blinded by past glory), the prettiest, whathaveyou.

What we forget is the power of the simple economics of debt, and the fact that we are a small percentage of the worlds population while China and India's consumer goods consumption are clearly on the rise and without question are destined to shortly outstrip us in importance in the worlds economy. But generally, Americans don't think God, let alone the nations of the world can put us in our place. We are very full of ourselves, and will take a national fall. Sad to say, it's only a question of when....

Prayin for rain mate.