It's January 1992. I've just been born, missing an American war for oil by a little under a year. We're going to consume 17 million barrels per day of petroleum that year, with hybrid and electric cars and clean energy still more Jetsons than reality. We'll import almost 7 million barrels per day, while producing nearly 9 million per day.
A Republican president started the war against a regime led by a man who was helped into power by the United States itself.
It's January 2004. I'm halfway through 6th grade, and we're in the middle of an American war for oil. We're going to consume almost 21 million barrels per day of petroleum that year, as hybrids begin to make their way to the market. We'll import over 12 million barrels per day, while producing just over 7 million per day.
Life is odd, both in the moment (middle school, am I right?) and in the rearview. School days ended, and I was ushered into a home where Fox News was my sole source of news, the only information I received or cared to find as a 12-year-old. Belting out God Bless the U.S.A. or Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue in the car, with friends, or anywhere really.
A Republican president started the war against the same man whom we helped to power all those years ago.
It's January 2026. I'm 33, with a mortgage, a wife, some persistent aches and pains, and a leftist world view that makes me shudder at those songs sung decades ago. We've started another American war for oil. We're still expected to consume just about 21 million barrels of petroleum this year, with demand leveling out as green energy continues to become cheaper and more widely accessible. We'll produce almost 14 million barrels per day this year, far outpacing our imports.
A Republican president started this war, this time in Latin America. They say it's about regime change or helping the people of Venezuela, then immediately talk about the open lines of communication between the executive office and the oil companies before, during, and after the operation.
I’m exhausted.
Read of the Week
Note: In this house we respect comic books as a form of literature.
I picked up Old Man Logan by Mark Miller at our local comics shop, and had to stop myself from blowing through it one sitting. If you've seen Logan, the movie, you get the gist, but as always, the book is better than the movie. More depth, more world-building, more redneck Hulk offspring that roam the desert. And the art! Beautiful!
Ja Morant of the Week
40 points, 16-22 FG vs. the 76ers
Listen. I've heard all the jokes and seen all the memes. Did they lose this game? Yeah. Are the Grizzlies probably better when he's getting 20 points and 10 assists? Yeah. But for one night, something I was beginning to worry was gone was back in my life. Ja Morant, slicing, accelerating, leaping, and floating his way to (an efficient!) 40-ball. As far as athletes go, the list of ones who have brought me more joy than this guy is extremely short, and it was nice to relive that.
Movie of the Week
Sleepless in Seattle
Ugh! We love love, don't we folks? This movie could never be made today, due to the stalking and radio and child flying cross-country alone. Having gotten that out of the way, I loved every moment of this. Meg Ryan is perfect, Tom Hanks is Tom Hanks, and the wardrobes made me hot and bothered. When she turns the corner, and you see the backpack on the ground? Cinema, baby!
Words of the Week
"If there is a solution, then what is the point of dejection? What is the point of dejection if there is no solution?
Śāntideva, The Bodhicaryāvatāra