:
|
"Libyan government" is an oxymoron, things as they are. And sure, oil is a necessary and limited resource, but realistically speaking... what's the likelihood of the run-out-of-oil-by-such-and-such-date happening before viable alternative fuel/production/energy reach a large enough scale to comfortably sustain ourselves? If it's not the private market saving the day, than it'll be government funded research that makes the breakthrough. After all, there's *HUGE* international profit incentive for whoever can significantly help advance that area. Greedy ol' American loves its black gold, but it also loves its money, and science is a hell of a lot more fiscally efficient way to save the day than overseas wars. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out, just a halfway decent economically cognizant politician.
|
I didn't say that alternatives wouldn't be found before oil "ran out", especially since those alternatives are available right now just not on the scale that's needed.
The problem is that there is still a fair amount of oil left, which means that some countries will go to great lengths to make sure their access to it is unimpeded using various justifications. Although now that I think of it the Libyan situation is really more of an example of the USA dodging their debts instead of paying up (but still realize they will get to have their cake and eat it too by keeping access to the oil without having to repay the debt).
Also there are other resources that will still be fought over when the oil dries up.
Being in a state of war is actually pretty advantagous for governments provided that it's handled properly:
1. It's much easier to rally people behind you in a common cause / against a common enemy
2. People don't mind as much when you introduce laws removing their freedoms (eg increased surveillance, arresting and holding people secretly without trial, etc)
3. It's a good boost to certain heavy industries who might just send more "party donations" your way for helping them out
4. It helps keep people distracted from other issues such as public healthcare ranking below various 3rd world countries
Of course for warfare to be viable long term the government needs to mostly engage in sustainable low intensity conflicts. The War On Terror is a good example of a potentially sustainable war however it appears that the USA are overstretching themselves a bit.
Anyways getting back on topic Osama deserved a fair trial so that he could have formal charges brought against him. However now that he's dead the only information the majority of people will have about his guilt will be from the media circuses that we've had about him at various points.