Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Attack on Nigerian oil

Justin Bjornson
Nigeria's major militant called for a cease fire late Sunday in the southern Nigerian oil region. The cease fire comes after three straight years of hostility, which have costs Nigerian oil companies the production of a million barrels of oil per day. The only reason for the militants stop in hostility is because of the recent criticisms from elders and politicians from the region. The actions of the recent military operation was the cause of the recent surge in attacks and the militants recently declared war on the military which was called off Sunday by the militants. The Nigerian government says because of the actions of these militants production of oil has dropped 40 percent. This is a major reason that crude oil prices were higher than ever in the international market. The reason the militant started these attacks three years ago was because they wanted the money from the oil companies to be given to the southern region, which is where the oil is actually pumped. Attacks from the militants on the Nigerian military have increase recently and could mean the possibly start of larger attacks which could be even worse for the petroleum market, considering that Nigeria has the largest oil industry in Africa.
This article shows the reason that oil prices while not fall anytime soon. In my opinion knowing that the gases prices are where they are at and the economy in America in the state that it is in, I believe the U.S. should consider stepping in to help the African government control these rebels. Not only would stop the rebels help save African lives it would help with the ridiculous gas prices around the world. While many people say that losing life for oil isn't worth it and that it is immoral, there are many people in the U.S. without jobs and without a way to pay for gas to get to a job. The fall in gas prices could help many struggling Americans immensely and could possibly turn around the terrible economy in the U.S. Many liberals in the U.S. would say there are many other places in the world to send American aid and money to help, but Americans have to weigh their options, lose American lives to save others or lose lives over the reestablishment of the American economy. The discussion in class about the dropping of the nuclear bomb fits perfectly to this issue, options have to be weighed and the decision should be made on where you will gain the most.

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