LF40 Ian R Crane – Energy, Economics and Hidden Agendas

Former oilfield executive Ian R Crane has engaged industry sources and independent researchers to lay the foundations for his investigations into fracking – mining of shale and coal seam gas. Ian asks whether this ‘miracle’ of nature really will be the solution to our nation’s energy problems. Is it going to be the best thing for us since North Sea gas, or are there hidden dangers which could impact upon communities in ways which need open discussion? Across the UK, a backdrop of unemployment, national debt and austerity is creating a distraction from more long-term problems. While such issues will take decades to address, the potential hazards brewing in the background, which the wider public remain complacent about, are likely to take centuries to put right. Ian considers whether corporate profits are being put ahead of the health, safety and the well-being of our natural environment. We are subjected to increasing restrictions on food and health choices, all in the name of protecting us. We have more surveillance and monitoring to safeguard us, and further restrictions on the media are forthcoming. Are such actions justified, and considering our safety is supposedly paramount in these areas, will fracking be subjected to equal levels of caution? Our national debt has risen by 4%, from 82% to 86% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), despite all the austerity measures put in place – creating a trillion dollar debt. As economic experts will tell you, once it goes beyond 100% (UK debt greater than annual turnover) our problems will escalate. Is fracking a short-term gain for a long-term loss? A credit crunch turned into an environmental crunch, while bankers’ bonuses continue to increase? Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda are being fought and funded by the West at one and the same time, and yet the people of Britain just shrug their shoulders. Are we heading towards another World War, and if so, who actually is the enemy? Given the virtually unlimited resources supposedly available via fracking worldwide, will global peace break out, or will this represent the beach-head in the next battle for energy supremacy? Ian R Crane is an ex-oilfield executive who now lectures, writes and broadcasts on the geopolitical webs that are being spun; with particular focus on US Hegemony and the New World Order agenda for control of global resources. www.ianrcrane.com Bumper music: Cliff Martinez ‘Traffic OST’ Brad Fiedel ‘Terminator 2’ OST