Fossil Fuel

by

Dave Harbour

Many North American politicians are so concerned with pleasing everyone all the time that they lose sight of the very basis for North American prosperity: fossil fuel.Bob McLeod, oil pipeline, NWA

Fossil fuel, indeed, is the basis of our modern civilization.  Where would Canada’s and America’s economies be today without fossil fuel providing the bulk of electrical power for over a century, for powering mining of critical and strategic minerals, for heating homes and businesses, for providing royalties to support social services and education, for almost all modern employment if we trace the true footprints and benefits of fossil fuel?  Without fossil fuel we’d not be wearing these clothes.  We’d not have won the wars, sustained freedom.  We’d not be trading abundantly among nations, confined to our own limited and meager energy-driven, local resources.  We’d not travel these highways, ride these rails, fly to and from, or, even feed our vast populations.  Even alternative energies and the new industries they seek to expand can only provide jobs, products and energy with fossil fuel industries subsidizing their role in society, directly and indirectly.  Computers and Internet commerce today would not be the same, or invented, without God’s great gift of fossil fuel.

Northwest Territories Premier Bob McLeod (NGP Photo) demonstrates in a recent interview that if the British Columbia leadership decides to block reasonable access for an oil pipeline, he could work with Alberta’s leadership to skin the cat in another way.  If B.C. blocks the way East and the U.S. blocks the way South, he is more than willing to support the pioneering of a way North for oil exports.  While McLeod still demonstrates sensitivity for an environmental agenda, we recognize he must be both committed to Aboriginal subsistence and economic development priorities–a reality of his position, his heritage and his modern grasp of energy issues and common sense (i.e. We do think that even McLeod and other worthy leaders should let coal, oil and natural gas interests  promote their own wares positively without criticizing the important roles each plays in maintaining our civilization.  Hang in there together or hang separately).  If North American society is to be sustained, it will take tough and logical and caring leaders like McLeod to light the way.  If more do not join his ranks and seek what sustains us, a minority of agenda-driven anti-civilization representatives could be leading the 21st generation on a long, robust march back into a brave, new pre-industrial world.

Instead, the new generation deserves to find economic opportunity as our parents left it to us; and that will require our assuring that many more Bob McLeods are elevated as decision makers throughout North America in coming election cycles.

ADN/AP by Dan Joling.  The Coast Guard is ready for expanded activity in Arctic waters, including petroleum exploration and drilling, even though the nearest Coast Guard base is more than 750 miles southwest of the Bering Strait on Kodiak Island, Commandant Robert Papp told a U.S. Senate subcommittee Monday.