America's fastest-growing suburbs
The migration to the Sunbelt continues. Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and southern California comprise the Sunbelt. The Sunbelt area has fewer cloudy days than many other areas of the country, hence the moniker, "Sunbelt."
Granted, the community of Lincoln, CA., is located on the fringe of the Sunbelt, but its growth seems to be due to emigrants of southern California. Lincoln grew by 236%, which amounts to almost 30,000 people. Gilbert, AZ., grew by almost 115,000 people.
The Sunbelt, while being a beautiful place to live, if you like arid conditions, and that is just it - arid, is also a DESERT. And the population density (the number of people per unit area) of the area continues to grow. Water resources are already stretched beyond recharge rates for the region (the ability of the hydrologic cycle to recharge or replenish itself). The increase in population also requires more schools and improved infrastructure. Growth seems to be happening so fast that it is outpacing the bureaucracy designed to manage the growth.
Sprawl is another issue associated with this growth. Sprawl is the encroachment of urban areas into rural space. Rather than grow "up" urban areas grow "out." The outward growth can consume farmland, which rarely returns to farmland, essentially lost. In a desert environment, this might be less of an issue. However, sprawl can consume flora and fauna habitats. Sprawl also requires an increase in capacity and transmission distance. Utilities must be pulled farther out into the urban hinterland.
Another interesting note is the tone of relativity. Housing is more affordable and there is more housing. People seem to be growing weary of the press of humanity around them in southern California. The value they receive for their property also seems an issue. In other urban areas, people receive a better value for the same dollar. An recent article in The New York Time's, "In Silicon Valley, Millionaires Who Don't Feel Rich" several people mentioned in the article, whose net worths are in excess of $2 million dollars, feel as if millions of dollars in the bank is not enough to maintain their standard of living. One comments that they could live elsewhere and "live like a prince." The cost of keeping up with the Jones', when the Jones' are millionaires, creates an environment whereby having more than enough seems like not having enough, and, as a result, people lose contact with the "real" world around them.
Distopia.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Oil: The Criminal Crutch
Oil retards growth. The presence of oil retards growth. This flies in the face of conventional wisdom. This idea is not unique to me but I see validity within it. Let's see if I can explain.
Currently, as I write this, oil is priced about 76$/barrel, according to Bloomberg.com. A gallon of regular unleaded gas pumped in the town in which I am located runs about $2.76/gallon (Speedway).
Oil is supposed to be a wonderful benefactor for the countries in which oil is the primary industry (or is a primary industry). But lets look at some of those countries.
Iraq: Oil made it USA's friend, until Iraq's Saddam Hussein began causing trouble. He did not invest in the oil infrastructure nor did he seek to provide economic opportunities by diversifying his economy. Iraq is geographically positioned to be a source of industry, commerce, knowledge, and agricultural products. There is no reason why it could not be a self-sustaining economy.
Iran: Has to import fuel because profits from its own oil sales have not been used to build more refineries. In fact, many Iranians are curious to know where the money has really gone.
Saudi Arabia: Led by a monarchy, one family. While it has attempted to diversify the economy, 75% of its budget revenues come from oil, and 90% of its export revenue is oil-based (CIA.gov). Almost 50% of the Saudi Gross Domestic Product comes from oil. Not a particularly diversified economy. Now, they are instituting some reforms; but they have been pumping oil from SA for decades and only now they have decided that they might want to pass along the benefits to their own people. Women still fall well short of men in terms of literacy; 30% of women 15 years and older cannot read or write (CIA.gov).
Nigeria: Is a mess. The government is fighting a civil war over control of its oil fields. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta is fighting for control of the oil fields. In recent months, they have attacked foreign oil workers, oil equipment, taken hostages, and shot journalists covering the war. Nigerian oil exports are well off past production numbers. Oil accounts for 20% of Nigeria's DGP and 95% of its foreign exchange. Again, oil is nothing new to Nigeria, and government corruption and mismanagement has prevented growth in Africa's most populous country, where 40% of women above 15 years of age cannot read or write (CIA.gov).
Venezuela: Another country run by a dictator; well, okay, Hugo Chavez was democratically elected, but since then he was able to get his government to agree to let him rule by decree which is essentially electing him king. Now, he is trying to change Venezuela's constitution so that he might reign in perpetuity. Otherwise, he would have to give up his post in 2009. Venezuela is the third largest exporter of oil to the United States, behind Canada and Saudi Arabia. President Chavez has apparently funneled oil profits into social programs, helping to build houses, provide medical care, creating neighborhood food programs, job training, and literacy programs. Venezuela has suffered from years of oil-profit mismanagement, however, military coups, and corruption. Almost 90% of export earnings are from oil sales, and oil accounts for 30% of its GDP.
These countries stand on one leg - oil. They have relied on oil to support themselves, and in doing so they have stagnated. Oil, and reliance on oil, has retarded their growth by retarding their collective imaginations.
Take their oil away and where would these countries be? Would these countries have the innovation, the dreams, the desires, the imagination to develop and evolve in absence of oil? Would their governments try to encourage and promote economic opportunities, encourage and promote education, encourage and promote global investment?
Our current administration seems bound to continue limiting these countries by continuing to emphasize our reliance on these oil-producing nations and by not promoting economic diversification, but by providing them the means to make war on one another. Selling weapons ensures the continued economic divide that exists between the rich and poor, and reinforces the cultural divide between the Shia and Sunni. Weapons ensure that the powers that be within these governments remain in power, maintains the status quo, and contributes to the continued cultural and economic stagnation of these nations.
Currently, as I write this, oil is priced about 76$/barrel, according to Bloomberg.com. A gallon of regular unleaded gas pumped in the town in which I am located runs about $2.76/gallon (Speedway).
Oil is supposed to be a wonderful benefactor for the countries in which oil is the primary industry (or is a primary industry). But lets look at some of those countries.
Iraq: Oil made it USA's friend, until Iraq's Saddam Hussein began causing trouble. He did not invest in the oil infrastructure nor did he seek to provide economic opportunities by diversifying his economy. Iraq is geographically positioned to be a source of industry, commerce, knowledge, and agricultural products. There is no reason why it could not be a self-sustaining economy.
Iran: Has to import fuel because profits from its own oil sales have not been used to build more refineries. In fact, many Iranians are curious to know where the money has really gone.
Saudi Arabia: Led by a monarchy, one family. While it has attempted to diversify the economy, 75% of its budget revenues come from oil, and 90% of its export revenue is oil-based (CIA.gov). Almost 50% of the Saudi Gross Domestic Product comes from oil. Not a particularly diversified economy. Now, they are instituting some reforms; but they have been pumping oil from SA for decades and only now they have decided that they might want to pass along the benefits to their own people. Women still fall well short of men in terms of literacy; 30% of women 15 years and older cannot read or write (CIA.gov).
Nigeria: Is a mess. The government is fighting a civil war over control of its oil fields. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta is fighting for control of the oil fields. In recent months, they have attacked foreign oil workers, oil equipment, taken hostages, and shot journalists covering the war. Nigerian oil exports are well off past production numbers. Oil accounts for 20% of Nigeria's DGP and 95% of its foreign exchange. Again, oil is nothing new to Nigeria, and government corruption and mismanagement has prevented growth in Africa's most populous country, where 40% of women above 15 years of age cannot read or write (CIA.gov).
Venezuela: Another country run by a dictator; well, okay, Hugo Chavez was democratically elected, but since then he was able to get his government to agree to let him rule by decree which is essentially electing him king. Now, he is trying to change Venezuela's constitution so that he might reign in perpetuity. Otherwise, he would have to give up his post in 2009. Venezuela is the third largest exporter of oil to the United States, behind Canada and Saudi Arabia. President Chavez has apparently funneled oil profits into social programs, helping to build houses, provide medical care, creating neighborhood food programs, job training, and literacy programs. Venezuela has suffered from years of oil-profit mismanagement, however, military coups, and corruption. Almost 90% of export earnings are from oil sales, and oil accounts for 30% of its GDP.
These countries stand on one leg - oil. They have relied on oil to support themselves, and in doing so they have stagnated. Oil, and reliance on oil, has retarded their growth by retarding their collective imaginations.
Take their oil away and where would these countries be? Would these countries have the innovation, the dreams, the desires, the imagination to develop and evolve in absence of oil? Would their governments try to encourage and promote economic opportunities, encourage and promote education, encourage and promote global investment?
Our current administration seems bound to continue limiting these countries by continuing to emphasize our reliance on these oil-producing nations and by not promoting economic diversification, but by providing them the means to make war on one another. Selling weapons ensures the continued economic divide that exists between the rich and poor, and reinforces the cultural divide between the Shia and Sunni. Weapons ensure that the powers that be within these governments remain in power, maintains the status quo, and contributes to the continued cultural and economic stagnation of these nations.
Thomas Friedman's Flat World
"The World Is Flat" should be required reading for every incoming college Freshman in the United States. We, the United States, is in BIG trouble. One, we are ignorant of the global forces at work around us. We are arrogant and see ourselves as The Bastion of Hope and Democracy. We are not. An arguement can be made that we are Exporters of Fear and Aggression. Our government focuses on the War on Terrorism, closing our borders, fencing us in, denying access to those that would come here to work, to help, to learn. We are the largest weapons merchant on the globe. Our government currently proposes to sell $30 billion worth of weapons to Egypt and Saudi Arabia to counter Iran.
We do not have to be in BIG trouble. We are also a country with a wealth of knowledge and ample opportunites for people to learn, live, grow, and to set forth the example of Hope and Democracy upon which our way of life was founded.
Unfortunately, our current administration suffers from paranoid delusions and uncontrollable fear.
We do not have to be in BIG trouble. We are also a country with a wealth of knowledge and ample opportunites for people to learn, live, grow, and to set forth the example of Hope and Democracy upon which our way of life was founded.
Unfortunately, our current administration suffers from paranoid delusions and uncontrollable fear.
The World Is Flattening
In 1960, Walter Rostow postulated that all countries pass through five stages of economic development. All countries initially begin as traditional agricultural societies, then build up and out. As their agricultural base evolves and diversifies, population grows, they will eventually reach preconditions for takeoff. Takeoff arrives when the country has a diversified economy, with industrial, commercial, agricultural activities, and a service sector that provides support and administrative capabilities. As these activities continue to grow and expand, coupled with an expansion of foreign investment opportunities, and the country becomes more entrenched within the global economy, the country drives to maturity. The final stage becomes that of high mass consumption. Now, the country and its people have reached a stage where incomes are high (generally speaking), industry, commerce, and technology have attained world-class recognition, and the government both oversees activities at home and promotes its national interests abroad.
Technology is helping countries leap-frog some of these stages. Global fiber optic cables are providing Internet access to locales once too remote or underdeveloped for telephone. Cell phones and associated towers encourage communication again in areas perhaps too remote or lacking land-line infrastructure. These technologies are being used by people to both push information into places and pull information and opportunities into places.
And that is what it is about: opportunity. Providing people opportunities to make their lives better, to improve upon what they already have. These technologies are equalizers, aka levelers, aka flatteners.
It is this freedom that is perhaps the greatest tool in the so-called "War on Terrorism." Terrorism thrives where hope and opportunities are restricted.
Provide opportunities, not $30 billions dollars in weapons sales, and see how terrorism spreads.
Technology is helping countries leap-frog some of these stages. Global fiber optic cables are providing Internet access to locales once too remote or underdeveloped for telephone. Cell phones and associated towers encourage communication again in areas perhaps too remote or lacking land-line infrastructure. These technologies are being used by people to both push information into places and pull information and opportunities into places.
And that is what it is about: opportunity. Providing people opportunities to make their lives better, to improve upon what they already have. These technologies are equalizers, aka levelers, aka flatteners.
It is this freedom that is perhaps the greatest tool in the so-called "War on Terrorism." Terrorism thrives where hope and opportunities are restricted.
Provide opportunities, not $30 billions dollars in weapons sales, and see how terrorism spreads.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Fareed Zakaria & David Ignatius
Fareed Zakaria provides analysis and insight unlike all others. His articles and essays are favorites of mine. The price of Newsweek for his commentary alone is worth it.
I am less familiar with David Ignatius, but as Dr. Zakaria (he has a Ph.D in Political Science from Harvard) has partnered himself with David to host the PostGlobal blog website, I am sure that David's musing are just as insightful.
Make sure and check out Dr. Zakaria's articles and his article archive. "Does the Future Belong to China?" essay is one of my favorites, and I use it in my World Geography every semester.
I am less familiar with David Ignatius, but as Dr. Zakaria (he has a Ph.D in Political Science from Harvard) has partnered himself with David to host the PostGlobal blog website, I am sure that David's musing are just as insightful.
Make sure and check out Dr. Zakaria's articles and his article archive. "Does the Future Belong to China?" essay is one of my favorites, and I use it in my World Geography every semester.
Muslims Speak Out
But why did this have to take five years?
The Washington Post website, On Faith, is a fantastic website dealing with the issues of faith. Coverage includes most Christian faiths, though also includes some Judaism. Currently, On Faith is hosting several Muslim scholars who are entertaining questions regarding Islam and Arab faith. Controversial and challenging, the forum is much appreciated.
The Washington Post website, On Faith, is a fantastic website dealing with the issues of faith. Coverage includes most Christian faiths, though also includes some Judaism. Currently, On Faith is hosting several Muslim scholars who are entertaining questions regarding Islam and Arab faith. Controversial and challenging, the forum is much appreciated.
Friday, July 13, 2007
FT.com / Home UK / UK - US takes China to task over Iraq and Afghan arms
FT.com / Home UK / UK - US takes China to task over Iraq and Afghan arms
Arms: their use, distribution, and manufacturer have a definite geographic character. Many countries are net weapons exporters. France, Great Britain, China, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Germany, and, of course, the United States. The United States is the world's leader in weapon's production and export, according to FAS.org, Foreign Policy in Focus, and the World Policy Institute.
Sometimes, I wonder how long it will be before we are attacked with our own ordinance. A widely-reported fear is that our own military or commerical aircraft will be shot down with a Stinger missile.
Recently, the US has scrapped many of its own F-14 Tomcats so replacement parts will not fall into the hands of the Iranian Air Force. We sold a few of those to the former Shah of Iran, before The Great Revolution.
Iran has recently been accused of helping manufacturer IEDs used recently in Iraq. Now, China has been targeted by our administration, as Chinese-made armor-piercing munitions are finding their ways nto Afghanistan and Iraq.
Please note the Pentagon official's name. The irony should not be lost.
Arms: their use, distribution, and manufacturer have a definite geographic character. Many countries are net weapons exporters. France, Great Britain, China, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Germany, and, of course, the United States. The United States is the world's leader in weapon's production and export, according to FAS.org, Foreign Policy in Focus, and the World Policy Institute.
Sometimes, I wonder how long it will be before we are attacked with our own ordinance. A widely-reported fear is that our own military or commerical aircraft will be shot down with a Stinger missile.
Recently, the US has scrapped many of its own F-14 Tomcats so replacement parts will not fall into the hands of the Iranian Air Force. We sold a few of those to the former Shah of Iran, before The Great Revolution.
Iran has recently been accused of helping manufacturer IEDs used recently in Iraq. Now, China has been targeted by our administration, as Chinese-made armor-piercing munitions are finding their ways nto Afghanistan and Iraq.
Please note the Pentagon official's name. The irony should not be lost.
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