<Uncertainties About Russian Reserves and Future Production The Oil Drum Saturday open thread>

171 comments on More goings-on around the world

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

| Show without comments | PDF version

Leanan on February 17, 2006 - 3:04pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Here's a rather unsettling story from Zimbabwe:

Bodies of fetuses, newborns clog Harare's sewers

Gasoline shortages and 613% inflation are blamed.  The sewers are also being clogged by sand.  People can't afford detergent any more, and clean their dishes by scrubbing them with sand.

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Don Sailorman on February 17, 2006 - 4:34pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Today Zimbabwe, tomorrow the U.S.?
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Stuart Staniford on February 17, 2006 - 5:35pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I don't think we should reason too far from Zimbabwe - that country was FUBAR before oil prices went high. Completely corrupt and incompetent government.
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Leanan on February 17, 2006 - 6:35pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Completely corrupt and incompetent government.

Good thing we don't have one of those.  ;-)

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Magnus Redin on February 17, 2006 - 6:42pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
No you do not. The Zimbabwe government is worse then North Koreas. There is a long way to fall before any western government reaches the Zimbabwe level. Even south Italian mafia would run a better government.
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Gets IT on February 17, 2006 - 9:34pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Or the northern ones.
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
davebygolly on February 18, 2006 - 2:49am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Some distinctions have to be made here. You can't  measure corruption just by its impact.

First: a poor country can be devastated by a level of corruption that will have a far less noticeable impact on a developed country.

Second: what constitutes corruption? Does the removal of resources at bargain basement rates from a poor country (or use of its labor) by a corparation, constitute corruption? Or is it only the bribes paid by the corporation to officials in that country that count?

Third: I believe that the top levels of our gov't are totally corrupt, but that the corruption has not yet infected everything all the way down the line. So the top of our gov't could be just as corrupt as the top there, but here there are many more layers below that are, if not healthy, at least still functioning.

You might be right about the mafia doing better, but they would also have done a better job with Katrina if only because you can't do business where there are no people.

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Leanan on February 18, 2006 - 8:31am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I'd take my chances with the mafia.  Tony Soprano for president.  ;-)

Seriously, though, I sometimes wonder if those at the top know what's coming...and are looting the country now, while they can.

But the reason I posted the link to that article wasn't that I think that's what will be happening here (at least, anytime soon).  The point was demand destruction is occurring.  Mostly in the Third World, but it is occurring.  

I think this could go one for quite awhile.  As long as we can outbid everyone else for the remaining oil, we may be relatively unaffected.  As long as the dollar holds up...

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

171 comments on More goings-on around the world

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

| Show without comments | PDF version