Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the government via teleconference in Moscow, Thursday, March 10, 2022. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Since he invaded Ukraine, there has been much speculation as to the mental state of Vladimir Putin. Some “experts” have said that an inordinate fear of COVID has kept Putin isolated to the point that his sanity is in question. Some in the media claim to see a “changed” Vladimir Putin from the one they might have interviewed in years past.
The fact is, no one knows the state of Vladimir Putin’s mental health and none of us can read his mind. But we can know this. Vladimir Putin can do elementary school math.
Putin knows that Europe produces 3.6 million barrels of oil every day but uses 15 million barrels. He knows that Europe produces 230 billion cubic meters of natural gas every year but uses 560 billion cubic meters.
He also knows that he produces 11 million barrels of oil per day but only uses 3.4 million barrels; and that he produces 700 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year but only uses 400 billion cubic meters.
So, he is well aware of the fact that Europe has an energy production deficit and he has an energy production surplus.
And while he’s probably aware that some in the West might think he’s insane, he knows for certain that Western leadership actually is. That’s because Western leaders like Angela Merkel of Germany and Joe Biden (together with very nearly every other Democrat in America) have allowed their economies and the prosperity of their citizens to be subsumed into the “climate change” movement.
In the name of “saving the planet” from the “climate emergency” Western democracies have hobbled their oil & gas industries in the hope of promoting “renewable energy” and “green energy” and seemingly any kind of energy except the energy that can actually be used in the here and now.
Putin (along with his new bestie Xi Jingping of China) are laughing at the spectacle of the most powerful nations on Earth allowing themselves to be made poor by the media’s hyperventilation over a 15-year-old Swedish schoolgirl cum climate activist named Greta Thunberg. They can’t stop giggling over the fact that the term “carbon footprint,” about which lefty hypocrites like John Kerry never stop fulminating, isn’t actually a scientific term. It’s a term that was coined by the PR firm Ogilvy & Mather on behalf of its client, British Petroleum.
Putin knows that renewable energy won’t replace energy from fossil fuel – certainly not quickly enough to replace the oil & gas production that Europe and the United States keep taking offline. He further knows that Germany will need enormous amounts of his natural gas to generate the electricity that no longer comes from the nuclear plants that Germany shut down.
Putin, whatever his mental state, knows that he now has Europe by the you-know-whats.
Thus, he is simultaneously enriched and emboldened to pursue his strategic interests as he defines them – which includes invading Ukraine – secure in the knowledge of the upper hand that Western leaders have so fecklessly given him.
Very good. Especially the elementary school math, which I think Biden made a D. Hopefully, Ukraine will do the same thing Afghanistan did years ago….send the Russians home. The media loves playing on people’s emotions.
Keep up the good work my friend.
Paul, If I and other readers of your weekly column get a bit redundant in our praise, so be it. Your columns, none of them over long, pack a lot more punch than typically long – – too long – – and too frequent internet columns, where the writer imagines his reader has time to read something that runs endless pages. I appreciate the fact that you make your points quickly and with clarity, this column being yet another example.
Putin’s fossil fuel production numbers/capacity and Europe’s reveal the pickle Europeans have put themselves in. Biden and the Democrats are bent on following Europe’s lead. Putin is not a madman, he is not crazy. The madmen and crazies are our own leaders and the leaders of Europe who tilt at nonsensical environmental windmills even as barbarians gather at our gates.
The people of Ukraine are paying a horrible price for policy mistakes and errors that were not of their making. The West made promises to the Ukrainians that are not being kept. Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal with the understanding that America and our allies would stand with them in their hour of need. I am deeply ashamed that my country is not doing more to meet its obligations.
A no-fly zone should have been imposed days ago. It needs to happen NOW!
The point Buddy makes about Ukraine giving up its nuclear arsenal in exchange for the promise of safety from Russian attacks is well-taken. This is just another example of a failed commitment by the U.S., as well as other major countries. If Ukraine had not agreed, it is doubtful that this current horrible circumstance would have ever occurred. It may not be fair to make the association, but this memorandum to protect Ukraine from Russian aggression was signed by President Clinton. Paul’s lesson in the mathematics of this invasion is very instructive and spot on. This whole debacle is akin to the condemned man bringing a rope to the gallows, just in case the executioner forgot the noose!
To be more specific, at the urging of the United States, Great Britain, France, and other NATO members, Ukraine gave up it’s nuclear arsenal. In return, the countries just mentioned agreed to guarantee the sovereignty of Ukraine’s borders. That pledge was ignored and Ukrainians were betrayed when Putin began chewing off bits of Ukraine. Seeing that the West did nothing to honor its pledge, Putin now sees the way clear to gobbled up all of Ukraine. This false pledge given to the Ukrainian is a much more lethal variant of past Democrat and Republican lies told to the American people, lies such as– “You can keep your own doctor,” and “Read my lips, no new taxes.”
I’m not sure what this hobbling of oil and gas business is all about you mentioned. Only a few weeks or so ago a drilling rig was and probably still is hard at it just outside of Troup. Some say he’s crazy and some on the right are very complimentary, say he’s brilliant ( genius ) and ex President said I quote. I realize politically this energy situation is like gold being served on a silver platter to be melted and shaped into a ” told you so ” extravaganza “,probably unlike anything the right has had in a long time . What’s is even more amazing is with all the info out there, and mix in a little logic and reasoning ( I’m giving benefit of doubt
) people are obviously falling for this simple nonsensical analysis of why things are like they are currently . In general people are obviously entertained and seem to enjoy this great ” Division ” as it’s called more than some boring come together as a nation idea,so this phony complaining about it whilst stoking it is so obvious it’s comical . And let’s not forget how dangerous this phony rhetoric really can be. The driving force as always is financial for the few who continue pushing but if it finally brakes it’s the everyday people as always will suffer the most. Even though many vocally seem to romanticize the idea of some sort of dual I’ll call it, the insinuations come from politicians and constituents alike.So maybe there’s somewhat of a contradiction regarding situation in Ukraine and how awful it is and then tomorrow suggesting maybe dualing Democrats in the streets as is often suggested.
Matthew, your writing skills needs serious improvement. Maybe that will come if you improve your thinking skills.
Thanks , coming from such an intellect as yourself ,and someone with such great writing skills ,I’ll take it as constructive criticism, rather than nothing else better to say in response to my comments. The reason for which is very obvious. It says everything, a wise person once said it’s better often to say nothing at all.
What is more sinister than the Russian communist is the Global Warming/Climate Change Marxist that are taking full advantage of this debacle to choke North America into submission. I really do not understand why the Red States do not ban together and drill baby drill to, at a minimum, get “us” out of this coming desperate state of nonsensical affairs we find ourselves in now. Hyperinflation and recession is just around the corner for the USA on this path. Are we really going to wait until November for salvation? The stinking Democrats and the Climate Change Commies have done more damage in the last year than we can get out of in the next six. As Sleepy Joe says at the podium, folks we are in real trouble.
Mike, I had the same thought, that Texas and other like-minded states should bypass Biden’s federal blockade of fossil fuel development. But that’s not feasible on federal land. Were it not for a stolen election, America would be in much better shape. Anyone who still thinks that Biden and the Democrats are performing well is so stupid that if stupidity were a crime, they would all be in jail.
Federal blockade of fossil fuel development, what ? Is that something Margarie from Georgia or Boebert mentioned ? That’s a new one how does that work ? Oh never mind ,it’s always really about the stolen election I forgot .Ignorance is bliss they say, but as long as one has good writing skills what they wright is likely truthful and honest . Also same principle applies to good speakers, like many preachers,lawyers, and politicians they’re so convincing you just gotta believe, right ?
The folks in these red states you’re wondering about are doing just fine. Great returns to stock holders, profit margins well above assumed increase passed on to consumers, imagine that ! So are you suggesting ” Government ” over reach, maybe suggesting Government tell these energy companies what to do ,or better yet order them. They’ve been doing what they see best for their investors they are bound by law to do so, their job and responsibilities are for investors not the nation. This path you speak of is primarily the recovery from a global shutdown ,we’re ( USA ) are not alone in this inflation mess. Their is no magic wand that any political party has, but if it helps folks get through the day blame it on who or whatever, I’m sure their are folks that will be glad to take one’s money with promises to fix it all,one day.
Paul, my question is not that Biden thinks oil pollutes. We all know US drilling is far cleaner than drilling overseas. That being said why would Biden shut down US oil but greenlight Nordstrom? The Hunter Biden laptops point to it but that info is out there already. What else does Russian and Chinese forces (which both paid Hunter) have over there Biden family that Walter really doesn’t want getting out?
I forget what dit it was this morning on Marks show you laid it out in but it was one of the first.
And yes the green crowd is getting people killed.
Paul in Burleson