Thanks for posting these insights and updates. I can't help but think of the Roman Empire in its latter days, given the actions and directions of the United States.
I just read a book called the End of Oil. We all know the obvious connection of the this and other wars to the politics of oil. But I guess I never realized how blatant and powerful this realm was in the direction of world economy and politics. We are living the fucking Dune epic for control of the 'Spice' Oil is truly America's only stronghold in the world.
I'm never sure how to apply myself directly, but I know that we have to continue to address the issues of energy in a much more progressive and forthright manner since this is in fact what it's all about. It seems now that all other concepts around war and invasion are peripheral to the concept of energy and oil control; but can you imagine G.W saying, "Well folks if you want to keep on keepin on in the American lifestyle, " we are going to have to go conquest for the black gold.?!!!!

I don't know, no answers only lots of questiions.

It's funny that samchallenger brought up the Dune epic. I just made that connection last week. I'm sure it's fairly obvious, but that was a recent (slow-ass) insight on my part.

I often wonder if any other natural resource has been so highly sought and killed for. All I can think of is maybe gold in the New World in the middle of the last millenium.

Fuckin' greed.

The Dune connection is made very explicit in the Czech-made version of Dune which was released on the sci-fi channel in the US and on video as "Frank Herbert's Dune". People are frequently intoning "the spice [ie oil] must flow" almost as if it were a religious devotion. And when the Feydaykin are chanting to Paul when he declares the jihad they switch from chanting "Maud'dib" to "Mahdi"... the same name used by the Shi'ite militia leading the rebellion against the occupation in Iraq... the "Mahdi army". Very precient.

An excellent movie BTW... and almost as good is the sequel Children of Dune. (Not to be confused with the David Lynch atrocity also called "Dune") Truly a labor of love with wonderful sets and costumes and very solid script and acting. Alia in the second movie is portrayed by an unkown (to me) actress named Daniella Amavia. She does a superlative job of being innocent and totally depraved, pathetic and haughty, repulsive and utterly enticing. Splendid films, the first one is defintely one of my favorite films of all time. Worth seeing even if you haven't read the books or aren't particularly into science fiction. The fights are so much better than Crouching Tiger or the Matrix films. Brutal and inspiring, beautiful and cruel. Awesome filmmaking. Like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers doing "Private Ryan". And in the first movie William Hurt is a standout as you might expect but he doesn't overshadow the inspired performances of the rest of the cast. If Liberty street vid was still open tonight I'd go right out and rent them both again now. Quite possibly the best science fiction movies of all time, and classics in whatever genre you consider them.

Its interesting to study the Mahdi who rose up in Sudan in the 1800's for an idea of what's going on. It's very chiliastic, in some Shi'ite and Sufi traditions the Mahdi is supposed to lead the forces of good against the forces of darkness to prepare the way for the return of Isa (aka Yeshua/Joshua/Jesus). I've been thinking about posting a section on the Mahdi, its a fascinating story. And very pertainent to understand that the "coalition of the [un-] willing" is risking the whole Moslem world rising up to have their own Moslem version of Armegeddon against the US.

I read Dune in 5th grade for the first time. Rented the David Lynch film not too long after. Aside from the GLARING plot and detail discrepancies (and a lot of liberties with everything else) I must say I enjoyed the pagentry and the silliness. It was as if Shakespeare adapted the screenplay.

I have seen "Frank Herbert's Dune" on several occasions. Hot damn! The 'thopters actually 'thopted and Arrakis stays dry at the end! The damn CGI irritated me though. I wish they would have used models. I mean, the mouse was absolutely cartoony and pathetic in my opinion. *sigh* But at least they left it in there. I just loooove stop motion.

Miikael said, "I often wonder if any other natural resource has been so highly sought and killed for. All I can think of is maybe gold in the New World in the middle of the last millenium.".

One word: opium.