[ZenGum]

Ya know, if we could kick the oil habit and go to any other form of energy, we could walk away from the whole area. Why the hell do we care which tyrannical fruitcake is in charge of where. It is only their economic power, based almost entirely on oil, that forces the rest of the world to give a damn.
Oh, how many times have I heard people bewail how much it will cost to convert our energy infrastructure. Billions, hundreds of billions!
Which is chump bloody change compared to the cost of continued military deployment in these areas, not to mention the human suffering and environmental costs.

Sigh. I'm just fed up with this stupid shit.