DROPPING THE SECOND SHOE!!

The truth never needs to be explained or apologized for.It stand alone as a sentinel for freedom of expression.

The following is a post script to the blog I posted earlier today. It probably will not be seen on television or in any Newspaper story. I found it on the web site of Channel News Asia. I am including a major portion of the article unabridged to exclude any of my own opinions, and there are many!

"CARACAS: Venezuela will buy combat and training aircraft from China this week, leftist Venezuela President Hugo Chavez confirmed in a television broadcast Sunday.

The purchases will be made as part of a six-country tour, Chavez said in his broadcast of the "Alo President" television programme from the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, hours before leaving on a "strategic interest" trip to Cuba, China, Russia, Belarus, France and Portugal.

Chavez, a staunch foe of the US government, confirmed that during his stay in Beijing he will purchase 24 K-8 aircraft "to train fighter pilots”. The planes could be part of Venezuela's air force by next year.

The president also confirmed that while in Beijing he will arrange the construction of tanker vessels in Chinese shipyards, with the aim of installing a shipyard in Venezuela in the near future.

These plans come in addition to the construction of a refinery in China to process oil from Venezuela, and plans to create a bi-national company to install a refinery in the remote oil-rich Orinoco region in eastern Venezuela.

Caracas provides 500,000 barrels of oil per day to Beijing, a trade which is expected to increase to one million barrels a day by 2012.

Chavez, who describes China as a strategic ally, will move forward with a US$6 billion bilateral investment fund. China will contribute US$4 billion to the fund, and Venezuela US$2 billion. "Before we had to go to Washington to beg for money. Not now. Now we negotiate with the Chinese," said Chavez.


As China's industry continues to grow at a rapid pace, so does its energy needs. Economists predict that in next quarter-century, China is expected to account for over one-fifth of growth in world energy demand.

Beijing's pursuit of fuel resources and safe supply routes may have interesting implications for regional and global politics. Considering the competing Western energy demand – and, crucially, the needs of neighbor and economic rival, India.

Energy security is a priority for China.Unfortunately it is not a priority in the Halls of Congress!

One Country is wedged in the middle of Asian and Middle Eastern oil and gas fields, it is Pakistan. With its proximity to vital sea lanes and possible pipelines to Central Asia it has emerged an important player in this new great contest for power.

For the second time today, I repeat that this is no time to listen to those who tell us we should eliminate our drilling for oil, and find other ways to produce energy. WHILE the rest of the Worlds Nations, who are anything but allies, are doing their best to increase their oil capacity, and to augment their military capability!