Unlike some reporters in the media apparently, I actually took the time to watch the British produced docudrama “Oil Storm”, shown Sunday evening on the FX network. While I agree with some people that it is slightly exaggerated in context, at least I waited to actually see the damn thing before passing judgment on the plot.

First, the premise of the made for TV film: It is the latter half of 2005. A category four hurricane destroys an important port charged with receiving America’s life blood (oil). Hitting the economy hard, the DOE makes the call to route all inbound oil freighter traffic to Texas in hopes of curbing an ever-expanding oil shortage already in progress. Much like the local mall the day after Thanksgiving, the crowds and people rushing to get things done spells out disaster for the narrow water-based shipping lane located in the ‘Lone Star State’. One thing leads to another, and the shortage worsens while rushing things ends up canceling out yet another harbor for importers to bring us that badly needed crude.

Now, anyone with the IQ of a chimp understands the basics of supply and demand. That, and how much we rely on oil in just about every aspect of modern day life. Regardless though, no matter whether you are Conservative, Liberal, or Independent; each of you must realize that this movie did drive two very important things home.

1) We are way too dependent on imported oil. As this movie demonstrates through an otherwise unlikely series of events; if things fall into a certain pattern - even just a little, we are in deep trouble.
2) Russia would sellout anyone for the right price. Since it is in fact true, that they do maintain massive amounts of untouched (not drilled) oil reserves. Don’t think that a country like China would not attempt to out-bid us if mid-east oil reserves faltered for some reason. After all, money is money. It makes little difference who’s paper it’s being printed on. [Read the rest]