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The Myth of US Self-sufficiency in Crude Oil

The Myth of US Self-sufficiency in Crude Oil thumbnail

Google for “US energy independence” and you will get 134k results, “US self sufficiency” yields 10k results. Here are some examples of what the media reports:

In Aljazeera’s Inside Story, 10/1/2016, titled “How much support will Saudi Arabia win against Iran?” the delicate relationship between the US, Saudi Arabia and Iran is discussed with 3 panellists. The moderator wanted answers in the context of “the US is almost at a tipping point, is almost energy independent..”
http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2016/01/saudi-arabia-iran-160110170443000.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xvjeUKpkP8 (18:45)

In the State of the Union Address 2014 Obama proudly announced: “Today, America is closer to energy independence than we’ve been in decades”. In the latest SOUA on 12th January 2016, we hear: “Meanwhile, we’ve cut our imports of foreign oil by nearly sixty percent”

On 16/1/2016, the 7pm news of Australia’s public broadcaster ABC TV had this snippet:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-16/benefits-of-falling-oil-prices-not-fully-passed-on-to-motorists/7091862?section=business

Let’s look at the data:

Crude imports

Fig 1: US crude oil production, imports and exports

The graph shows that crude production reached almost 9.5 mb/d in 2015, just short of the historic peak in 1970. But imports are still 7 mb/d. Exports were only around 500 kb/d (to Canada) due to an export ban (which was recently lifted). Let’s zoom into the period since 2007, the peak year of imports.

Fig 2: US crude production vs imports since 2007

We have several phases in this crude oil import history:

  • 3 year decline of imports due to recession as oil prices went up, followed by the financial crisis
  • A rebound when quantitative easing started
  • A 2 mb/d decline 1 year after the shale oil boom started

In 2013 the growing production curve intersects with the declining import curve at around 7.5 mb/d i.e. a production/import ratio 50:50. Since then production grew another 2 mb/d but has peaked in April 2015 because of low oil prices which hit the shale oil industry. Imports did not continue to decline but remained basically flat.

Fig 3: Import share of crude oil supplies (=production+imports)

Due to slightly declining crude production the ratio did not improve anymore in 2015 and appears to be stuck at 43%. Clearly, this is not “virtually self-sufficient in [crude] oil”.

Fig 4: US crude production and imports

In the above graph we stack crude imports on top of production and compare it with refinery inputs. The cumulative difference is only 0.3%
Let’s have a look where the crude oil imports come from:

Fig 5: US crude imports by country

Data are from here:
https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_move_impcus_a2_nus_epc0_im0_mbblpd_m.htm

Around half of the imports in 2015 were from the neighbouring countries Mexico and Canada. Imports from Mexico peaked in the same year in which Mexican oil production peaked:

Fig 6: Mexican crude production and exports to US

The shape of the 2 curves is quite similar. Peak oil at work.

In contrast to Mexico, US imports from Canada increased:

Fig 7: Canadian crude exports to the US

Exports of conventional crude (light and medium) was around 500 kb/d for the whole period. Heavy crude, synthetic crude and bitumen from tar sands doubled from 1.25 mb/d to 2.5 mb/d. That of course is not a good record as oil from tar sands produces 20% more CO2 emissions than conventional oil.

US imports/exports of products

Fig 8: US product imports by fuel

Increasing imports of unfinished oils, blending components and gasoline as well as a surge in fuel oil (which had decreased after the 2nd oil crisis) since around 2000 contributed to a peak in 2005/06. An import decline of NGLs, diesel, fuel oil and other liquids brought US product imports back to levels before the peak.

Fig 9: US product exports by fuel

Much of the increase in diesel and gasoline exports started 2005, before the shale oil boom – which began 6 years later in 2011. Because of shale oil being a very light oil the increase in exports after 2011 was mainly natural gas plants liquids.

Fig 10: US product exports by country of destination

Most of the exports go to Mexico, Canada and other South/Central American countries.

Fig 11 US product exports in 2015 (Oct last 12 months)

US product exports go to 100 different countries. However, for most of the countries, export volumes are rather small. 35% of export volumes are less than 100 kb/d (average 40 kb/d). Another 37 % are between 110 kb/d (France) and 240 kb/d (Netherlands). The share of US exports of all Netherlands imports of products is just 13%. It would require more detailed analysis whether such limited contributions would have any price setting role on global product markets.

US net product exports

As an example, we take diesel

Fig 12: US diesel import-export balance

Diesel exports (around 80% of which is 15 ppm sulfur) started to surge when the US went into recession. The steep growth period seems to be over now.

Fig 13: US diesel exports by destination

Data from here: http://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_move_expc_a_EPD0_EEX_mbblpd_a.htm

South and Central America received most of US’ diesel exports

US product trade balance

Fig 14: US product imports and exports

The US became net product exporter in 2011, growing to 2.1 mb/d of net product exports in 2015. However, imports and exports are totally different and cannot be swapped or offset against each other. Blending components for example are needed for the production of gasoline and are therefore a necessary refinery input. Thus, the product import dependency is still 800 kb/d

On the export side, petroleum coke is not a liquid, but the waste product from tar sands refining.

Fig 15: Petroleum coke (with its own environmental hazards)

http://www.nationofchange.org/after-sparking-outrage-detroit-koch-brothers-tar-sands-waste-now-piling-chicago-1381932644

Of course, total product exports of 2.8 mb/d are dependent on crude imports at the ratio of 43%. (i.e. 1.2 mb/d). Therefore, the US product trade is dependent on 2 mb/d of imports (1.2 mb/d crude +0.8 mb/d products)

North American self sufficiency

Fig 5 shows that half of US crude imports come from Mexico and Canada. As US crude production growth has stalled, North America could only become self sufficient in crude oil by replacing the other half of crude imports i.e. increasing imports of liquids from Canadian tar sands by a theoretical 2.8 mb/d, assuming Mexico could continue to export 700 kb/d. If these exports were to shrink by the past rate of 100 kb/d pa, the additional tar sand import requirement would be 3.5 mb/d in 7 years provided US oil consumption would not change. This calculation is theoretical because refineries usually need a blend of different types of crudes, not just heavy oil from Canada. So there would be a minimum crude import requirement from outside North America. And Canada itself also imports around 300 kb/d from outside North America.

In any case, an increasing reliance on tar sands would be an environmental and climate disaster.

In May 2013, NASA climatologist James Hansen told the House of Commons’ Environmental Audit Committee on carbon budgets: “If we introduce the tar shale and tar sands as a source and exploit those resources to a significant extent, then the problem becomes unsolvable”

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmenvaud/c60-i/c6001.htm

Saudi Arabia

Fig 16: Saudi liquids exports 2009 – November 2015

https://www.jodidata.org/oil/

What matters to global oil markets are exports. Saudi Arabia burns an additional 400 kb/d crude during summer months in power plants to produce electricity for increased air-conditioning. So if Saudi Arabia increases production in those months, the world markets won’t see a single drop of that oil.

According to JODI data, Fig 13 does not suggest that Saudi Arabia stepped up liquid exports in a significant way compared to the 3 previous years. Crude exports in 2015 were even 100-150 kb/d lower than in 2012 and 2013. This was offset by higher product exports of 400 kb/d, especially diesel.

Note also that Saudi crude exports in 2015 were only 50 kb/d higher than in 2006!

Outlook: shale oil peak

EIA’s latest short term outlook (Jan 2016)

Fig 17: US crude oil and liquids production to 2017

http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/steo/

It seems the project of US self-sufficiency in oil has to be shelved for the time being. 3 main shale oil regions are declining by 2.1% per month, i.e. 25.2 % pa.

From the drilling productivity report January 2016:

Monthly change

Shale region

Production kb/d

New wells

Existing wells

All wells

Bakken 1,122

3.6%

-5.7%

-2.1%

Eagle Ford 1,217

5.7%

-11.6%

-5.9%

Permian 2,035

4.4%

-4.1%

0.2%

3 regions 4,374

4.5%

-6.6%

-2.1%

https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/drilling/

Media

So let’s go back to the introductory examples.

Aljazeera’s Inside Story mentions a tipping point but doesn’t specify of what. Maybe that’s the 50:50 ratio of production and imports. The US is now at 57:43. That is not “almost energy independent”

ABC TV’s claim that the US is “virtually self-sufficient in oil” is also incorrect. And the reference to Saudi Arabia’s role forgets that exports matter.

On the other hand, Obama’s speech writers are closer to the facts. Note that in Obama’s 2016 SOUA the term “energy independence” is no longer used but the objective to develop “clean energy sources” is mentioned. The statement that imports of foreign oil were cut by “almost 60%” (from its peak) is correct.

Conclusion

Contrary to general belief, and mis-information by the media the US is far away from being “energy independent” in terms of crude oil imports. Maybe some may find the above analysis statistical hair-splitting but the narrative of US energy independence has shaped public opinion to such an extent that prudence has given way to complacency. There is a danger that wrong geo-strategic views are formed, especially in the context of evolving and worsening conflicts in the Middle East.

It is not clear why the media are spreading confusing, incorrect or even wrong facts on oil supplies. Is it lack of time to check statistics, is it parroting of what others have repeated many times, or is there a deliberate attempt to embellish things. Perhaps just wishful thinking? And where is the responsibility of the media? Oil is not about entertainment but the lifeblood of our economy. And last not least, biased or ignorant reporting leads to wrong decisions to build new oil-dependent infrastructure.

Crude Oil Peak



29 Comments on "The Myth of US Self-sufficiency in Crude Oil"

  1. Truth Has A Liberal Bias on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 2:47 pm 

    “Merikan’s love the word “Independence”. It’s a cultural thing based on history and propaganda. It’s worth noting that without the French Navy and Swiss mercenaries in the Spanish Army the American Revolution would not have gone quite as well. But as it is ‘Merikans are rather deluded and lack the ability to even understand the creation of their own nation. Independence, lol what a bunch of retards.

  2. Boat on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 2:58 pm 

    “Contrary to general belief, and mis-information by the media the US is far away from being “energy independent” in terms of crude oil imports. Maybe some may find the above analysis statistical hair-splitting but the narrative of US energy independence has shaped public opinion to such an extent that prudence has given way to complacency”.

    I disagree with the post. Most Americans are fully aware we still import 5 mbpd after exports. However most believe we could pump more oil if more government lands were opened up. Republican disinformation from drill baby drill still exists.

  3. shortonoil on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 5:01 pm 

    “Most Americans are fully aware we still import 5 mbpd after exports.”

    Ha, Ha, Ha Most Americans think oil comes from the local Shell station, and was grown on a tree. You must be kidding, the average American know absolutely zero about oil.

  4. Apneaman on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 5:24 pm 

    Das boat, your comment is proof of ignorance. Your talking about a populous who revolted over the metric system and “New Coke”.

    Americans Don’t Know WHY We Celebrate the 4th of July or WHAT COUNTRY We Declared Independence From!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRkFDcX_72c

  5. noobtube on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 5:31 pm 

    How are these idiots voting?

    America… the land of the stupid, home of the coward, and hearts always filled with hate.

  6. Hello on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 5:35 pm 

    Ape:

    Very true. That’s mostly because a good chunk of Americans are in fact 3rd world imports.

    You didn’t think that 3rd world bush negros are well educated, did you?

  7. antaris on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 5:41 pm 

    For Davy. Most Canadians think oil comes from the local Petro-Canada station and was grown on a maple tree.

  8. BC on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 5:43 pm 

    @short: Ha, Ha, Ha Most Americans think oil comes from the local Shell station, and was grown on a tree.

    It does, right? You’re just being ironic, yes? 😀

  9. Davy on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 5:52 pm 

    Ant, I am not a party to this feed but sure a significant amount of Canadians and Americans and all the other global “cans” “ese” “ian” and other assorted sheeples of the world don’t have the time or interest to know where oil comes from. Most are not uptight middle aged men with nothing better to do but harass each other over topics most consider boring and overly intellectual.

  10. BC on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 5:59 pm 

    @noobtube: America… the land of the stupid, home of the coward, and hearts always filled with hate.

    ‘Merika was populated by “Eur-peons” from warrior cultures, including predominantly Anglo-Saxons, Norse, and Scots who evolved in the “land of the ice and snow from the midnight sun where the hot springs flow” in the upper mid-latitudes invading, plundering, and cracking the skulls and taking the women of their neighbors.

    What we martial Whities/Pinkies did to the natives of the Americas make Hitler and Stalin look like amateur mass murderers.

    So, yes, ‘Merikans have been conditioned by centuries of fearing (and thus hate of) being plundered, enslaved, and killed by “other”, and our culture, economics, and politics clearly reflects this evolutionary characteristic of ‘Merikans.

    The ‘Merikan Golden Rule: “Do unto others before they can do it to you.”

    But, hey, it could be worse (???). The martial West’s Whities/Pinkies could have pushed the nuke button long ago and put the human ape species back to Olduvai in no time. 🙂

  11. BC on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 6:07 pm 

    @Hello: You didn’t think that 3rd world bush negros are well educated, did you?

    Do you have something against uneducated bush Negros? What did they ever do to you? 😀

    What about uneducated urban, suburban, or rural Whities/Pinkies whose socioeconomic prospects are in the process of collapsing to the eventual level of bush Negros?

    Human apes are bigoted and racist (suspicion and fear of “other”) because that’s how we evolved. But we are one race in that we are in a race towards the bottom and mass die-off this century.

    Mind you, not that there’s anything wrong with (any of) that (“Seinfeld”). 😀

  12. Davy on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 6:43 pm 

    “U.S. Oil Explorers Seen Reporting $14 Billion in 2015 Losses”

    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-27/u-s-oil-explorers-seen-reporting-14-billion-in-2015-losses

    “During the next eight days, independent U.S. oil explorers are expected to report 2015 losses totaling almost $14 billion, the result of the steepest price collapse in a generation.”

    “Investors have punished oil and gas explorers, wiping out more than $300 billion in market value for the companies in the Bloomberg Intelligence North America Independent E&Ps Valuation Peer Group in the past year. Distressed debt exchanges and bankruptcies are mounting. The companies have fired thousands of workers, abandoned drilling projects, cut dividends and restructured debt to conserve cash and fend off insolvency.”

    “It’s going to be interesting to see what the companies do with their 2016 budgets,” said Michael Scialla, an analyst at Stifel Nicolaus & Co. in Denver. “Most have said they plan to stay within their cash flows but with oil now down around $30, I think they’re going to be forced into some draconian cuts.”

  13. Apneaman on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 6:56 pm 

    Hello, NO. Native born white Americans are complete fucking retards and that’s after more than a trillion spent on education in the last couple of generations and every structural and cultural advantage possible. Bush men haven’t spent a dime on formal education and are not obese or need to gobble anti-depressants/anxiety/psychotics like PEZ candies just to get through the day. They’ll be the last ones standing. The US was the richest and most powerful empire in history since WWII and it’s all most finished. You want to make excuses for that? Blame others? It was suicide by stupidity, greed and decadence, plain and simple. The rest of the white west is following.

    “Civilizations die from suicide, not by murder.”

    ― Arnold Joseph Toynbee

  14. makati1 on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 7:07 pm 

    BC, I haven’t given up on the: “The martial West’s Whities/Pinkies could have pushed the nuke button long ago and put the human ape species back to Olduvai in no time.” line yet. They still can and probably will.

    One can see the decline in intelligence in ‘Merika’ everywhere you look. You can also see the increase in hate and fear. And the growing poverty. Such a country is ripe for a coup and dictator.

    Couldn’t happen in ‘Merika’? LMAO

  15. Davy on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 7:26 pm 

    Hello from somewhere in Europe, I think Germany, don’t mind the Canadian Ape Turd. His mommy told him when he was born that they found a university degree in the after birth. Now turd thinks he is special and the most popular here on this board because he is so smart.

  16. Joe D on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 7:29 pm 

    “Google for “US energy independence” and you will get 134k results, “US self sufficiency” yields 10k results.”

    Propaganda has permeated so intensely, Nazi Germany pales in comparison. But as any German Nazi knows, it won’t last.

  17. jjhman on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 10:04 pm 

    Has this website been taken over by abunch of 14 year old boys whose parents aren’t watching their computer use?

    This is supposed to be a site about energy issues and it gets pretty tiresome trying to space through a bunch of childish hate speech by people who think they know what every fucking human on the planet knows, thinks and does.

    Grow up you bunch of twits.

  18. GregT on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 10:28 pm 

    jjhman,

    Almost every unmoderated forum that I have ever frequented, eventually degrades into an ‘America’ vs ‘the rest of the world’ feud, except for the American forums, which usually end up in a ‘right’ vs ‘left’, or a ‘Republican’ vs ‘Democrat’ spat. Just a sign of the times, and probably has some relationship to the growing number of violent killing sprees that go on in the USA on an almost daily basis.

  19. JuanP on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 10:30 pm 

    Jj, I think you are finally learning the truth about human nature. We are all spoiled brats in a playground. At this rate you may finish growing up and catch up with the rest of the twits before you die of old age. Welcome to the twit club! 😉

  20. Apneaman on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 10:45 pm 

    jjhman, c’mon dude – no reason to insult 14 year old boys like that.

  21. Not A Liberal on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 11:25 pm 

    I would welcome a dictator and a coup. Most of the serial killers and school shooters have immoral, left-wing parents. No self-respecting right wing person would ever let themselves become obese. A left wing person is a hedonistic glutton, a traitor, and a rat.

    “You want to make excuses for that? Blame others? It was suicide by stupidity, greed and decadence, plain and simple. The rest of the white west is following.”

    I would say it was part of a left-wing 50 year+ strategy of demoralization, arrogance, and yes, violence. They got their wish, they ruined America. Congratulations, now look how wealthy we are!

    “But, hey, it could be worse (???). The martial West’s Whities/Pinkies could have pushed the nuke button long ago and put the human ape species back to Olduvai in no time.”

    We should have done it looking back, it was probably the biggest blunder in human history.

    “Native born white Americans are complete fucking retards and that’s after more than a trillion spent on education in the last couple of generations and every structural and cultural advantage possible.”

    American whites actually score at the top of overall white countries in terms of intelligence, believe it or not. What do people expect? Time travel? Space exploration? A cure for all illnesses? There’s only so much in the realm of possibility and time.

    http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-gfCX5XEjg/UqUSGrGR03I/AAAAAAAAAsk/ikTvkqn1pb8/s1600/pisa2012scores%255B10%255D-785860.png

  22. Bloomer on Tue, 26th Jan 2016 11:43 pm 

    US shale oil production plateaus while convention oil production continues to drop off. At $30 a barrel the math doesn’t work for shale or tar sands production. As hedges and financing expires, production will shut in.

    At what price does oil have to return to in order for the drill rigs to fire up again. If lending rates go higher and future contract continue lower, who knows. But I wouldn’t want to be shorting oil.

  23. theedrich on Wed, 27th Jan 2016 12:30 am 

    Interestingly, Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 (mainly about various exports), all look like they are approaching asymptotes.  One can only ask how long this can continue, since the only asymptotes nature really allows are those of black holes.

  24. Apneaman on Wed, 27th Jan 2016 12:40 am 

    Not A Liberal. Not A Liberal? That’s called reverse identity. It’s common among the weak and gullible – those dependant non thinkers most prone to lowest common denominator tribal propaganda. You dumb asses arrogant Americans really believe there are only two ways, American left & American right, in which to view the world? Because that’s what they told you. People who cling to prefabricated belief systems are weak and stupid.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSZfUnCK5qk

  25. makati1 on Wed, 27th Jan 2016 1:33 am 

    Not a Lib… who does the intelligence tests? Odds are, whitey Psychologists. Does that sound like it could be prejudiced like all other whitey research? Others don’t need a test or score to know where they rank. They don’t waste money on such frivolities. They don’t need their egos propped up.

    I would say that Asians have the higher intelligence. They seem to run rings around Western Caucasians these days.

    Fastest super computers by far, best missiles, bullet trains, anti-missile systems, and on and on. All the Us can do is put ‘upgrades’ on existing stuff they came up with over 50 years ago with the help of German engineers. Another Ap for your phone? A different shape case? Special color?

    Where are the tallest buildings? Biggest dams? Most gold? Not in the West. The West is dying. The East is growing. Maybe too late but at least they are trying.

    Maybe it was/is all the lead in American water, or chlorine, or fluoride or just plain stupidity?

    LMAO

  26. Davy on Wed, 27th Jan 2016 3:53 am 

    Well, I don’t go to other forums. I spend enough time here and I work a full day running a farm. If you hear from me it is generally on my laptop in the morning or evening and my IPhone during the day. It is nice to take breaks during my 10-12 hour days. I live away from people. I have my neighbors and family on and off during the day or week but my days are often just me with my animals and nature. Life is good here on the farm building a doomstead.

    I check in here to get an edge on my doom and prep. I am looking for issues that could point to a quickening of the descent cycle we are in. I am always open to assisting people here on prep issues. These days the forum has degenerated into anti-Americanism, racist topics, and geopolitical battles. We rarely have prep discussion like we did a year ago. Our discussions used to be cornucopian vs doomers and peakers vs not-peakers. We now have personal attacks, labeling, and foul language mainly based on anti-Americanism, racism, and class warfare. Agendas are ruling now over free exchange of ideas. Our code of conduct and respect for others has gone into the gutter.

    Some here want to claim it is an American vs “the rest of the world”. It is more a sub group of Canadians and other English speaking countries whose uptight middle age men want to blame and complain and America is a perfect target. We know the reasons why America is the target. I don’t need to elaborate. It is a daily discussion by a majority here. Many upstanding Americans seem to have no interest in engaging in these battles. We know who they are and I admire them. We also have the Americans who are anti-American or feel guilty for being American. They want to be part of the anti-American crowd so they especially show how much they are down on America to earn their stripes. We have the odd assortment of and ex-American, resident alien anti-American, and other “wack”-jobs who drop in to spew hate. We of course have the ugly-Americans who just make it worse.

    I am guilty of the code of conduct sins. I am fighting extremism that are attacks on me as an American. I would prefer to not be in battle but I am being attacked. This anti-Americanism is a group thing both focused and in general. There are excellent reasons we need to discuss American issues of all kinds. The US is a significant and or majority reason for many world problems. The extremist want to take it a step further. They want to focus on America as all the only problem. They want to blame and complain “Americana”. I am considered a flag waiver because I am not extreme enough with my “American critical” views. That’s fine with me I am the one being attacked not the extremists. Self-defense attacks are different then naked personal attacks or generalized national identity attacks. Mess with me I mess back.

    Agendas are wrong and they are distortions. A sub group of Canadian who want to turn this into an “American” vs “the rest of the world” is just part of their agenda. There is a sub-group of extremist Canadians want this board to be their talk spot for their agenda against America. There are plenty of sheeples who join in this attack. It is easy for sheeples to relate to blame, complain with hate and resentment. Merica is a perfect topic. It is not too dangerous to be in a majority so we have the cowards who join the anti-American crowd.

    Many people here are unhappy and or assholes. We see this in discussions. Personal attacks, labels, and obscenities degrade a board. We have fertile ground to make a difference at a critical time in history on vital issues that will likely lead to collapse. Our issues include climate change, economic decay, energy depletion, and geopolitical decay. The agendas are degrading this vital message.

    I am not unhappy but I am an asshole when needed. If attacked I will attack. These attacks include racist anti-American attacks. When legitimate discussion on American issues turn into mudslinging by an extremist group I consider it racist anti-Americanism. I have no choice but to defend myself.

    These extremist are so touchy if you mention their country because they live by double standards. They want their cake and eat it. They are typical adolescent personalities stuck without the ability to be adults. I would rather talk doom and prep but instead I deal with attacks. Some Americans just stay out of it. That is fine but not for me. I am going to treat an asshole like an asshole. I turn the other check with those I love not people who are emotionally deficient.

    I am going to stick around. These board evolve and change. I will deal with that. The board is now dark with hatred and resentment. It is replete with personal attacks, labeling, and low code of conduct. Racism and intolerance is rampant with national identities, religion, and color. This is used by group to coerce and force messages of hate. Class warfare is now a vogue. Many of these issues are important topic that have been taken to extremes or out of proper context.

    In a nut shell our board has degenerated into a swamp of scum. I guess this should tell us something as a reflection of our global society. In our case it is uptight middle age generally English speaking white males fighting with each other. The same is true with others with different topics and ages. The world is a mess and getting messier. This is a reflection of the instabilities and apathy that come with collapse. If our world were in a positive time I doubt we would have all this.

  27. Davy on Wed, 27th Jan 2016 4:38 am 

    I am not going to vote because the system is broken and more than broken it is a circus. I am focused on dooming and prepping under the radar. What happens above at the higher levels of American government anymore is out of control. How could I have any control at all in this without being muddied by ugliness and decay?

    I am an isolationist. I would prefer the risks of disengagement with a “big stick” to the risks of overextended engagements with a “broken stick”. I feel we Americans could have more security by withdrawing from the world. This would have to be a process and there are limits per the geopolitical realities. I think it would be a positive global development that would ease tensions.

    This article is long but full of some good discussions on many issues beyond Trump. If there is one primary reason I like trump it is he is upsetting the dreadful status quo in DC. He is going to hit the neocons (war party) hard. The liberal degenerates are going to get a beating too. I don’t know if he will make it. If he makes it I don’t know if he can get much done with the paralysis in DC. At least he will create more paralysis with the worst of the corruption.

    I can’t vote for him because he is a showman with megalomaniac tendencies. He is a dangerous loose cannon. I am not voting so what happens is only for my armchair consumption. If he does make it I will enjoy watching him putting the screws to the scum in DC.

    I am a permaculture goat farmer who has withdrawn from the status quo as a doomer and prepper. One can never withdrawal completely but we can avoid connections that suck vital energy. I want as little complicity in the future decay and collapse as I can. I will tell my kids I was against all that has ruined their future. I have my writings to back this up.

    “Nationalism and Its Discontents: The Meaning of Trump”
    “The return of dreaded “isolationism” is cause for celebration”

    http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2016/01/24/nationalism-and-its-discontents-the-meaning-of-trump/

    “Trumpian nationalism”
    “The meaning of Trumpism is that Americans want to rid themselves of the burden of empire”

  28. PracticalMaina on Wed, 27th Jan 2016 7:47 am 

    How bout the Oregon standoff? Couldn’t we have just made them stay there and starve for another week or two for punishment. I was not a huge fan of the cause at all, but I cant help but think they were trying to send a message?

  29. rockman on Wed, 27th Jan 2016 8:03 am 

    “Exports were only around 500 kb/d (to Canada) due to an export ban (which was recently lifted). And again the tiresome correction: there has never been an effective ban on US oil exports. We’ve exported 1.5 BILLION bbls of CRUDE OIL since the “ban” was signed into law.

    And no: the majority of liquid hydrocarbons exported has not been NGL’s: last year we exported over 125 MILLION bbls of CRUDE OIL.

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