Ethicaloil.org about the choice between 'conflict oil' and 'ethics' Canada tar sands. Photo: Ethicaloil.orgYou have to hand to Alykhan Velshi: for a tender age, seems to be well versed in the dark arts of drawing and embezzlement.
Many people outside of Alberta believe industry of tar sands of the Canadian State that most environmental destructive energy mining industry in the world. But Velshi, an adviser of political communication neocon for 27 years, until a few months ago was not the right man to the Minister of Immigration Canada. This week, has relaunched a Web site extolling the virtues of, ahem, "Ethical oil" of Canada.
The term "ethical oil" was coined two years ago in a book by an expert called Ezra Levant and conservative activist. Velshi has picked up the term and, well, not just run with it, but sprinted off toward the horizon at a pace that could embarrass Usain Bolt. Click on to the new homepage of EthicalOil.org and soon you will get a taste of the Velshi reasoning why it is so virtuous Canada tar sands industry. Begins by framing in the binary context of candy and bad, that Canada Gets the good type and oil "conflict" - producing nation is not a "liberal democracy" gets to play the baddie:
Ethical oil-producing countries protect the rights of women, workers, indigenous peoples and other minorities, including gays and lesbians. Oil conflict, on the other hand, regimes oppress their citizens and operate in secret with no accountability to the voters, the press and an independent judiciary. Some schemes of oil conflict even supported terrorism.
Photo: Ethicaloil.orgIf it is too subtle for you, Velshi has mocked some ads pop-up campaign from ethical oil occurring to first enter the site. For example, in an announcement that we learn in "Oil conflict" countries women are stoned to death, while that in the counties of "Oil of ethics" women elected as mayors.
Photo: Ethicaloil.orgAnd another:
Photo: Ethicaloil.orgA similar logic applies when Velshi is challenging the "myth" that oil extracted from tar sands is a major emitter of greenhouse gases:
An ethical country as Canada obviously take much more seriously than the Chinese regime environment: is why we hear so much concern about the carbon footprint of oilsands of non-governmental organizations, politicians and the media. Not hear much criticism in China, or Venezuela, in the case. The fact that Canadians care much about the planet - and we have the freedom to express our concerns - is one of the many reasons that we know Canada is more ethically with the country than most.
Globe and Mail of Canada also has some interesting quotes from Velshi in an article in outline the launch of its new website. It quotes him as saying:
When the reserves of oil were deposited around the world, it is regrettable that all were given to the sons of bitches in the world. With the exception of Canada, most of them sons of bitches in the world is. It is necessary to recognize when they are buying oil.
The Globe and Mail States that Velshi Web site is a cog in the larger effort now promoted in part by the Canadian Government designed to challenge the popular notion that tar sands is an environmental disaster. But when I responded on the financing of its website, Velshi said: "does not accept money from foreign companies and Governments." However, added that, if offered, not to reject Canadian corporate donations.
Velshi efforts could be somewhat transparent, but it also seems to be a rather uncomfortable hole on their rationale, too. China: one of the "bastards", according to Velshi, also happens to be a major investor in Canadian tar sands. For example, last week, CNOOC, offshore oil largest in China and producer of natural gas, offered to buy Opti Canada, an Alberta oil company Arenas for. 1bn $2. And in 2009, the Canadian Government sale of two other Alberta tar sands projects to PetroChina in a deal worth $1. 7bn. (A major acquisition by PetroChina recently failed due to a disagreement over the price, but analysts say that the Chinese appetite for similar agreements continues to be strong).
This not should say now that Canada tar sands are labelled as "Oil of conflict", too?
"Purchase experience of individual books are the restructuring of the academic expectations of users of the library for books |Main | Flaneur information-a new way to view the collection? "Saturday, June 25, 2011My highlights from the exhibit floor at ALA11
