International Law

Cheney on China

By Stan

This is an instant classic (thanks AP) from that guy who done shot that other guy in the face:

Vice President Dick Cheney’s office acknowledged on Thursday that he was mistaken when he asserted that China, at Cuba’s behest, is drilling for oil in waters 60 miles from the Florida coast.

In a speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Cheney said on Wednesday that waters in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, long off limits to oil companies, should be opened to drilling because China is already there pumping oil.

"Oil is being drilled right now 60 miles off the coast of Florida," the vice president said. "We’re not doing it, the Chinese are, in cooperation with the Cuban government. Even the communists have figured out that a good answer to high prices is more supply."

He cited his source as columnist George Will, who last week wrote: "Drilling is under way 60 miles off Florida. The drilling is being done by China, in cooperation with Cuba, which is drilling closer to South Florida than U.S. companies are."

Cheney back-tracked on the statement pretty quickly, despite the fact that George Will is never wrong (that’s what he keeps telling us, anyway), but it was out there long enough for us to enjoy it.

Please note that this is not China bashing in the classic sense. No, this is what passes for debate on energy policy in the U.S. these days. The fact that China was referenced at all, cleverly rolling it up with Cuba a scant few miles off the coast of Florida, was merely as an example.

In other words: "If those godless commies can figure out that it’s a good idea to increase the supply of petroleum to alleviate current shortages, then why can’t those godless Democrats agree with Bush Administration policy?"

So don’t jump to conclusions. This was not meant to disrespect China, but to praise their forward-thinking energy policy. The fact that the underlying story wasn’t true should make Beijing even happier — the Vice President of the United States likes China so much that he is making stuff up about how smart their oil strategy is.

He’s a great friend of China, he is.

Full post as published by China Hearsay on June 16, 2008 (boomark / email).