A longer line of responsibility than you might imagine

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. speaks at a news conference announcing Federal Highway Administration approval of the Intercounty Connector. Protesters stand in the background. (Sun photo by John Makely) May 30, 2006.

In "Aftermath of a Murder," yesterday's Post editorializes about the tragic murder/ assassination of Anna Polikovskaya, a journalist-critic of the Russian government, and "the absence of any serious follow-up by Western leaders."

From the U.S. DOE Energy Information Administration:

U.S. Petroleum Consumption : 20,802,000 barrels/day
Dependence on Net Petroleum Imports : 59.8%

Also from the U.S. DOE Energy Information Administration:

The Major Non-OPEC Countries' Oil Revenues
In addition to oil prices, Russian oil production has rebounded over the past few years. In 2004, Russia produced around 9.3 million bbl/d of oil, up over 50%, from 6.1 million bbl/d, in 1998. For 2005, Russian oil production is expected to average about 9.5 million bbl/d, with consumption of 2.6 million bbl/d and net exports of 6.8 million bbl/d.

Buoyed by surging oil export revenues, Russia's real gross domestic product (GDP) grew 10% in 2000, with slower (but still strong) growth in 2001 (5.1%), in 2002 (4.7%), and in 2003 (7.3%). Russia's real GDP grew strongly again in 2004, at a 7.1% rate, with 5%-6% annual growth expected during 2005 and 2006. The oil export revenue windfall experienced by Russia since 2000 has helped the Russian government pay down some of its large foreign debt and to run significant budget and trade surpluses, with an estimated $88 billion merchandise trade surplus and a $60 billion current account surplus in 2004. In addition, Russia's foreign exchange and gold reserves totaled around $125 billion at the end of 2004.

So when the Post editorializes in favor of such automobile-friendly boondoggles as the Inter County Connector, as discussed in this blog entry from June, "Interesting difference of opinion between the Baltimore Sun and the Washington Post on the Inter County Connector," where I wrote:

The Post's editorial is much more positive, "Green Light for the ICC," as is clear from the subtitle "At last, a vital link is approved." The Post editorial criticizes civic opposition, weak-kneed politicians for yielding to civic opposition, and concedes that the road won't have much impact on congestion--but will increase employment[.]

maybe it requires making the connections between the global and local more directly.

You have to understand that Russia, for the most part, will get a pass from Western governments because of the demand for oil and energy. (Russia is a major source of natural gas supplies for Europe.)

As long as the U.S. continues to sprawl and sprawl is fueled by the gasoline that powers the connective tissue of sprawl--cars and trucks--Russia will continue to oppress its people and kill journalists.

The Post is merely one more enabler in a long line.
Demonstrators hold photographs of killed Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya in front of the Sibelius hall in Lahti, Finland, Friday Oct. 20, 2006 during a summit of EU leaders. European Union leaders will be walking a tightrope at their dinner summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin , balancing their desire for stable and affordable oil and gas supplies from energy-rich Russia with an appeal to Moscow to improve its shaky human rights record. (AP Photo/Lehtikuva/Marja Airio)

Index Keywords: car-culture; energy