Reader Posts

« previous | TPM CAFÉ READER POSTS HOME | next »

Obama MEND-ing Fences

avatar

While Hillary Clinton panders her gas tax 'relief' program that will help reduce the price of gas very little (if at all), Obama is actually doing something to solve petroleum issues abroad.  In this Reuters report that got little attention yesterday, Obama evidently has convinced the MEND rebel group to consider a ceasefire. 

Rebels who have stepped up attacks on Nigeria's oil industry in the
last month said on Sunday they were considering a ceasefire appeal by
U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has
launched five attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta since it
resumed a campaign of violence in April, forcing Royal Dutch Shell to
shut more than 164,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd).

"The MEND command is seriously considering a temporary ceasefire
appeal by Senator Barack Obama. Obama is someone we respect and hold in
high esteem," the militant group said in an e-mailed statement.



Anyone who follows international news knows that Nigeria oil production has been drastically reduced in the past few years due to attacks on petroleum facilities in the Niger Delta.  This has been one reason for the increase in gas prices.  If peace is established in Nigeria, we can expect to see in increase in oil production out of Nigeria.  Thus, prices could drop.  As the article concludes:

The latest wave of attacks and an eight-day strike by senior oil
workers at U.S. energy giant Exxon Mobil which ended on Thursday, had
slashed Nigeria's output by 50 percent, helping to push oil prices to
new records.
Kudos to Obama for actually doing something about the oil crisis.  If he can solve problems like these as a Presidential candidate, imagine what he could do in office. 

Here is another link to the article.


Comments (3)

It's a telling contrast: Hillary ramping up the war rhetoric with Iran vs. Obama effecting peace in a highly-volatile region.

avatar

Some candidates offer b.s. political (non) solutions to the energy crisis and some actually tackle the real roots of an issue.
This why I'm an Obama man...He's far, far deeper and more thoughtful than anyone else we've seen in a long time.
Shame, no one buut us will ever know about it...Thanks again MSM...

avatar

Covered off by Joshuablog as well. I noticed he cured Cancer on Sunday as well.

Post a Comment

Inside Cafe



Cafe Features


September 1-4

Book Cover

September 8-12

Book Cover

September 15-20

Book Cover

October 6-12

Book Cover

Book Club Archive



Masthead

Editor-in-Chief
Josh Marshall

Site Editor
Lila Shapiro

Intern
Al Shaw



Subscribe to TPMCafe's feed.
Subscribe to TPMCafe's reader blog feed.

Advertise Liberally
Share
Close Social Web Email

"To" Email Address

Your Name

Your Email Address