What will the writer’s strike mean for Sarah Corvus?

I don’t watch much t.v. so the writer’s strike wasn’t really on my radar. One show I do really like is Battlestar Galactica. It has been pushed back some, but will come back for what is supposed to be its last season. I will miss that show.

Tangentially related is the Bionic Woman on NBC. Katee Sackhoff (of BSG fame) is in that show as Sarah Corvus, “the first Bionic Woman”. In my opinion, she is the best part of the show, by far. Sadly (or not, the show isn’t that good), it appears this show may not be coming back. I would really dig a few episode arc of the backstory of Sarah Corvus. This woman needs to be in front of the camera with some decent scripts!

And what the hell ever happened to Dave Chappell? I miss that man. At least a sequel to Undercover Brother so he could reprise Conspiracy Brother…..

Spinocrat and Peak Oil

Last week held some disappointment in the Senate, but some evidence of resistance to the imperial Presidency in the House. I had been searching for words to summarize my desire for the Democrats to stand up for the Constitution. Luckily, someone did a much better job than I could, and even framed it as a helpful pharmaceutical ad!

http://www.markfiore.com/spineocrat

I also have been reading a blog focused on Peak Oil:

http://theoildrum.com/

It is populated mainly by those with some experience in the oil and gas industry, so they know many of the details to look for in making an informed analysis of oil and gas issues. In general, the opinion on the site is that we are past or quite near “peak” oil, and that while there may be plenty of oil left in the ground world-wide, the easy stuff is getting close to being tapped out.

My latest foray onto the site focused on the discussion of the state of Saudi Arabia’s oil production. Specifically, the accuracy of quoted reserves and current water cut of their giant fields, and especially Ghawar. Seems to be a pretty bleak picture, even though reliable data is to be hard to come by (for westerners) in KSA.

The upshot is that the fields are being managed, pushed hard but not absolutely full out, so that there is some spare capacity. But when the fields start to drop off (this means higher water cut primarily), the drop off will be precipitous. Given the size and rate of production of Ghawar in particular (approx. 6% of total world production), a sudden drop in output looks to put oil prices well above current levels. Probably $150/barrel. Minimum.

While some on the site think this will cause a sudden and very violent disruption to world civilization, many think things will be painful, but not catastrophic. But in general, it is very sobering reading. Especially when one considers these people know the details of what they are talking about, and they are attacking the questions in a rational, thoughtful manner. Granted, there are some concerns about the accuracy of some of the data, but it is often easy to see what is an especially optimistic assumption, and work on that as a best-case scenario. Makes me want to move onto a solar/wind powered farm ASAP.

Sad day for democracy

Well, not a lot of love was spread around Capitol Hill this Valentine’s Day. The Senate voted down an amendment to remove immunity for telecom companies in their version of the FISA renewal bill. Angered, Republicans over in the House got their undies in such a bunch that they walked out of the chamber rather than vote on a motion to hold Bolton and Miers in contempt. Such partisan rancor. Where were all the candy hearts??

I am disappointed in the Senate vote. Even the House version of the FISA renewal will give the executive branch too much unchecked power in eavesdropping. Why isn’t the FISA court oversight appropriate? Why doesn’t Congress defend the Constitution? I thought they swore and oath to do so, against all enemies, foreign and domestic.