The Oil Drum

372 comments on DrumBeat: January 5, 2008

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

NeverLNG on January 5, 2008 - 11:54am

They (TPTB) will prop up their own to the bitter end -- at taxpayer expense:

The state of California will raise $11.5 million from the sale of tax-exempt bonds that will be used to provide a low-interest loan to Pacific Ethanol. Critics of the move say that the bond sale is permitted under state law for companies who classify part of their plant as “waste treatment plants”, but that the production of ethanol and distillers grains involves no waste treatment.

http://www.reuters.com/article/blogBurst/investing?type=hotStocksNews&w1...

The news is there if you look for it. But what to do? Buy gold? Buy Euros? Start an intentional community? Pray a lot? The reality is that TPTB have all the power. We can go along with them silently or bleating (that's a choice) or we can create some sort of alternate reality in the interstices of their universe.

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

NoLogos on January 5, 2008 - 12:32pm

If TPTB had all the power, they wouldn't bother with the MSM. At least I hope so.

What to do? If you are forced to play a card game with a bunch of cheaters, the best thing is to gamble as little as possible, and don't play the game as often as you can get away with it. I may not be able to avoid paying taxes (and internet fees:), but I can sure avoid buying what little I *need* from soulless corporations. Go, Craigslist!

I wasn't born knowing about Peak Oil and the whoring that goes along with the MSM. So, to all you 'sheeple' who were bleating out the truth, I owe an infinite debt that can never be repaid. This talking monkey knows he owes...

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

NeverLNG on January 5, 2008 - 12:50pm

Of course they bother with MSM -- it's their mouthpiece. Most people do what the TeeVee tells them to do.

It certainly is possible to throw off the blinders -- at least to some degree. It is more difficult to withdraw from a world that is defined by TPTB. You can own your own land -- sort of. But you will still have to pay taxes, or they take it from you. And taxes have to be paid in legal tender -- their money.

I agree that minimizing participation by using Craigslist and the local thrift stores, and growing whatever food you can and walking (or cycling) whenever possible are good things. If everyone did it, it would diminish the power of TPTB. But it might all just collapse back into feudalism.