Welcome to the new “democratic norms” in the industrialized west as Germany seizes the private assets of Russian owned energy company Rosneft; because oil refining is critical to fuel prices and German has just realized their vulnerability.
Within this new Build Back Better system, driven by the policies of western nations, it appears things are changing quickly. Democracy or capitalism in Germany is now quickly dispatched, as socialism -state control- becomes the priority.
Heck, I’m old enough to remember when everyone decried China’s authoritarian economic model for doing the exact same thing as Germany (a few months ago). But, well, we must pretend not to notice these things comrades….
(Reuters) – BERLIN, Sept 16 (Reuters) – Germany took control of a major Russian-owned oil refinery on Friday, risking retaliation from Moscow as Berlin strives to shore up energy supplies and meet its European Union commitment to eliminate Russian oil imports by the end of the year.
The economy ministry said it was putting a unit of Russian oil firm Rosneft (ROSN.MM) under the trusteeship of the industry regulator and taking over the business’ Schwedt refinery, which supplies 90% of Berlin’s fuel.
“This is a far-reaching energy policy decision to protect our country,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz told a news conference to present the government’s plans to put the Schwedt refinery under the control of the Federal Network Agency regulator. (read more)
Who knew economic security was national security?
Now, let’s start talking about USA food exports, shall we?
Also, I’ll take “Things That Won’t End Well” for $1000, Alex.
From today’s ZH:
“No Bailout Coming” – US Energy Producers Send Ominous Warning To Europe
“It’s not like the US can pump much more. Our output is what it is,” Wil VanLoh, head of private equity group Quantum Energy Partners, one of the most prominent investors in shale, told the Financial Times.
“There is no rescue coming,” VanLoh added.
“Not on the oil side, not on the gas side.
At the risk of repeating what we all know…elections have consequences. Pity…
And Betsy, I hope our coming elections are not hijacked by the demonrat party again.
Thee and most definitely me, Joseph.
Why wouldn’t they? They know the punishments for their crimes. They know! They will never relinquish power. It will have to be seized from them by overwhelming violence of force. It is, literally, US or them.
It worked so well last time that even the Republicans were in full support of a rigged election. Why shouldn’t the DemonRat party engage in the same tactics as last time? Who is going to hold them accountable if there is a repeat of the 2020 election heist in these midterms?
After all, we can now expect those who object to election rigging to have the FBI come knocking at their door, and the press will be totally silent about the rollout of the
Brownshirtsballcap and aviators guys.Nancy Pelosi recently announced that the democratic party will not lose seats but gain them in November. what else do you need to know? The fix has been well planned.
Notice the spineless ‘pubbies have long since given up their, “Red Wave” rhetoric?
Can you clarify what you are basing that hope on? (Serious question)
And another thing…if Mr Trump hadn’t had the election stolen, I very much doubt this war would be going on…so there’s that.
Thank you, MoPar.
The trouble is…well…you know the trouble.
President Word Salad.
Saw this today, hilarious:
https://mobile.twitter.com/BellaRainie/status/1570617206253182978
OMG!!! Haaaahaha. Bless that child…he made more sense than Biden!
I know.
Just a wild guess, but I’d say doubtful. And just as doubtful for any R or D rep or senator who has pocketed $$$ for exactly the same thing.
Betsy jones, indeed.
Right, String theory?? No one ever makes that point. They dare not.
The only president out of the last however many that had no war in his column.
Yes, there will be bailouts. Xiden has no problem giving nonexistent taxpayers 💵💰 to the Ukraine laundry & he’ll have less of a problem giving oil & gas to the EU.
The FED cannot print barrels of oil or molecules of natural gas though.
No but the gubmint can give what’s available to whomever they dam well please. Purchased with faux money printed by the fed & paid back by our great grandchildren.
Bannon is right. We’re no different than Russian serfs. Soon to be ChiCom slaves.
How did World War II start between Russia and Germany. Germany needed/wanted living space. Here is hoping Russia hands Germany their ass, again.
People have got to learn if they can to STOP saying “Democratic” when labeling these communist
Sanjac: I agree. It’s “Democrat.”
DemocRAT.
Communist Democrats!!
Fixed!
I prefer, “Demshoviks”.
Seems to fit very well, IMO.
Jacobins in fact
Technically speaking, the party is called the “Democratic Party”.
And what was the readon for WWI?
So once again Germany is showing the rest of Europe how to Nazi.
While they’ll be telling the world they did NOT ZEE this about to happen. But we know different.
“This Way to the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen” is not just the title of a book.
There’s a big problem with the Schwedt refinery…it’s set up to process Urals oil, which Germany is no longer getting…It will be a huge job to refit it for whatever Germany can get, and may not succeed…
Putin will be able to can hear Scholz from Moscow screaming after restarting the plant with different sourced oil
and getting useless sludge instead.
“NIEN NEIN NEIN NEIN NEIN”!!
Should be a good laugh. He should grow a mustache.
LOL
That is the biggest issue. Having a refinery is good, NOT having the oil (Crude) that can be processed at the refinery. Means No Gasoline, Diesel, Heating Oil, Jet fuel can be made.
Every refinery requires a specific Crude source.
That will probably cost a lot to retrofit it, money I don’t think they have. Retribution from Russia could be swift, or they may decide to let Germany crash & burn after they restart it using different sourced oil (hats off to Gildie- I noticed your comment right below).
So that’s how everyone is supposed to build back better.
Yea. Right.
Welcome to Germanzuela.
German leaders should celebrate their new-found “energy independence” (the media’s spin for rank theft) by donning camo and pursuing more energy independence in far-flung nations, right?
Mexico did the same thing to the US in 1938.
Olaf the stupid, is in the house!
But under the sanctions, they aren’t going to be buying Russian oil – unless they somehow hide the source through using intermediaries. Those refineries are set for refining Russian oil specifically in specific ways to get the products to specifications to use. Russian oil has specific chemical and physical properties. Those refineries can’t refine Venezuelan oil without a lot of adjustments, testing, new processing to remove impurities, etc. Are the Germans going to be able to retain any Russian employees or will they have to hire new people?
https://thesaker.is/why-russias-oil-ban-is-impossible/
Similar problems exist in EU “gas reserves”. In order for gas reserves to be pushed out of the tank storage, they must have gas flowing through the pipelines to push the stored gas out. Any alternative to this is untested with unpredictable results and could be dangerous.
https://thesaker.is/the-euthanized-european-nat-gas-reserves/
Belle, yes, we are on the same page. The Vilches piece was a stunner for me. Without Urals oil, I see several failed states in the EU, including Germany.
Belle, Thank you for the link about the natural gas reserve storage areas. Very interesting read, about how to get the gas out of the storage tanks.
The German government has been attempting to fill up the gas storage tanks in the summer time. Sure that Putin was laughing so hard when the sanctions were placed on Russia. No gas flow in the gas pipes, no gas flowing out of the storage tanks, Heating German homes, generation of electricity. Interesting issues,so much for going green🤔🤔.
Unfortunately, the people will suffer. No food, no gas for cooking, businesses closed, supply chain disruptions or totally shot, definitely not good.
Let’s have that video of the German bureaucrats laughing at The Don while he warned them about their dependence on Russian energy.
Yeah I remember their smug little smirks as PDJT spelled it out for them.
The Utopian Shrine showing big cracks in it’s foundation. The agony these idiots will experience this winter will create a new national chant : “Heil Heater!”
damn near spit my beer on the screen on that one touche’
Brother Olaf and The Coalition are also pushing for ‘best equipped’ https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/09/16/germany-must-become-the-best-equipped-armed-force-in-europe-scholz-says
“Best Equipped” soy boys and girls that the promise of free gender re-assignment surgery can buy.
Not when there is no ENERGY.
Windmills only turn when the wind blows, Solar has issues with starlight and moonshine (Not the stuff made from corn🤗😁) or with clouds.
Looking back on my younger life, the time I spent in West Germany protecting western europe from the russkies, all we did was buy some time. Just like what Trump did for US. This was inevitable. Evil never sleeps, and we can’t even get the kiddies to work at McDonald’s. Let alone dig a ditch. What is coming cannot be stopped. Nobody is going to like it. Nobody. They think they will, but nope…
Looks like Germany is returning to it’s fascist roots.
Nationalization of private companies is classic Communism: get ready for it to start happening here in the new U.S.S.A. sooner rather than later.
Completely predictable: you can trust criminals to be criminals, and Communist criminals to be Communist criminals!
The German fascists didn’t take over industry…..they just made a public-private partnership with it. It is the communists who nationalized industries and took over private property for communal use.
Whatever you want to call it doesn’t really matter. It is a totalitarian takeover. However, it won’t solve their problems, only exacerbate them, but they aren’t seeing it yet. Or, if they ARE seeing it, they are pretending and twisting and turning to try to wiggle out of the petard with which they are already hoist.
Would not be surprised to see Biden and his Leftist Democrats nationalize private energy assets. The RINOs would do absolutely nothing, in fear that the DOJ and FBI would concoct charges against them.
Maybe Olaf can get some of those delightful middle-eastern refugees (remember the Merkel / Soros ‘diversity’ import flotillas?) to man the ‘pumps’ at the Rosneft production facilities…
Surely, they all have engineering degrees by now?
Life is hard. It’s even harder when you’re stupid.
You can fix stupid but it takes a 2×4 and a couple of years and it hurts like hell!!
Clue by four.
““This is a far-reaching energy policy decision to protect our country,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz told a news conference…”
I get the sense that Olaf decided, after the gas pipeline was shut down, they couldn’t take a chance on Russia turning off the refinery…in such a way it would not be easy to restart.
Snicker away you fools!
This will not end well!
Nope. Putin will not go “belly up” on this takeover. He can smell the fear from Moscow..
Yes, indeed . . . WHO knew that economic security IS national security?
Who talked about that at the UN and the German delegation responded in real time – there is video – like a gaggle of snickering Mean Girls from the 8th grade.
Do those German Mean Girls still have their jobs?
Incoming ordinance soon?
How is this legal if it is Russian owned? What can Russia steal back? Or do they send a hyprsonic missile to wipe out the refinery! It’s mine and you stole it – now nobody gets it.
the Germans have a word for it…schadenfreude
sorry meant to say the Russians have a word for it…..schadenfreude
Of course, the Russians would never dream of burning down the refinery.
Germany is still heavily forested – start cutting firewood now.
But you wouldn’t be to use it for this winter. That is unless you can dry it. Oh you can’t, no gas in pipeline.
Ewww, Putin’s not going to be a happy camper when he hears about this.
Germany refused to allow Nordstream 1 to be repaired and go on line. They refused to ok Nordstream 2 to go online, Germany is getting back to their nazi roots, because they are the cause of reduced gas shortage in the EU region, but it is sure good propaganda to make it evil Russia’s fault. They all know what they did and they will regret this decision. Russia said it wouldn’t punish anyone with cutting off their gas. But guess what Germany cannot run a lawnmower without serious mistakes. They have just sealed the fate of their misguided green energy stupid deals. Build, Back Better is really, Bad, boisterous, bullshit. All they wanted to do is to prove to Russia they were superior, and they couldn’t even get that right. Thee EU is in for some serious shitty times and we thought the US was the worst
Certainly, Germany and the rest of the (until recently) Free World need to abandon the WEF Globalist agenda. This action, however, seem completely reasonable to me.
Putin’s Russia has attempted to seize Ukraine, so Russian assets around the world are fair game. Ukraine must be made into the rock on which Putin breaks Russia. Hopefully, Putin and his neo-Bolshevik regime will collapse, finally permitting a de-Bolshevization and reconstruction of Russian society, followed by its full reintegration into western civilization
LOL
Still waiting to hear the German government say, “Trump was right. He warned us not to become dependent on Russian oil/gas”.
Be nice if we would seize (even buy out) Chinese landowners here, as well as Smithfield Pork
I have noticed that list of packing plants and other food processing plants that have had bad things happen to them, which the last time I saw it was up to 103 never includes the China-owned Smithfield food processing plants. Tells you something.
There was an update on Gateway Pundit on this issue.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/09/updated-list-us-based-food-manufacturing-plants-destroyed-biden-regime-can-now-participate-add-incidents-interactive-map/
From the article:
“…Below is the list of around 750 entries of FOOD/MEAT/GROCERY/ANIMALS/FARMS/AUTO/RX-MEDS/BUILDING/CHEMICALS/FUEL/WATER/ENERGY – DESTROYED/DAMAGED – 2021 & 2022 around the world…”
This is the link for the interactive map (which is global):
There should not be Chinese landowners. I think we should seize it as an illegal action and give back whatever ‘slush fund’ is resting in in DC.
We could if the idiots in Dc would claim…or the states…. eminent domain…..On the grounds of national security or hell ….just because it is a national emergency. I wrote both of my Representatives about this 6+ months ago….one wrote me back and stated the little amount of land owned by China….Idiots. They can never see what is coming.
Didn’t the Germans also run out of fuel during the Battle of the Bulge? You thought they would have learned a lesson.
Seems pretty obvious this will lead to Russians sabotaging the refinery.
It was the plot of Tom Clancy’s Red Storm Rising.
Embargo on.
Didn’t know where to post this, but this is as good as any. Have a good laugh.
https://t.me/DonbassDevushka/25436
Just when I thought Brandon would start World War III, Germany — which LOVES SEQUELS, loudly shouts “HOLD MY BEER!”
Wars have been started by lesser deeds.
Winter is Coming
Has anyone suggested to the Europeans that they start drilling and mining their own countries again the way they did before they embarked on their international economic suicide pact?
These people are playing with fire….
I think they’ll be playing with ice instead.
That Olaf, he be big smart fella…
So, Olaf decides to nationalize the Russian refinery in Germany that supplies 90% of Berlin’s fuel…the same refinery that uses Russian crude oil as its only feedstock…and thinks he can just “swap it out” for Kazakhstany crude.
Well, refineries are ‘tuned’ to the specific chemistry of the feedstock crude. Changing the feedstock requires a retuning of the refinery…a process that could take…wait for it…
YEARS
So Olaf is going to take offline the refinery that supplies 90% of Berlin’s fuel…for maybe years…
Heap big smart fella, that Olaf
It gets better, the CPC pipeline that carries that crude to the Black Sea and out to the World is 31% owned by Russia and runs through Russia and out of a Russian port. Russia already applies levers over it.
Its worth making an additional point to Belle’s above that Urals is a ‘dirty’ crude full of impurities, hence a price 2/3 of Brent, which means that any refinery set up to handle it would have a problem with the very clean Kazak crude.
Robert Habeck, German Minister of Economics, was featured by CTH several days ago totally befuddled by inflation and what causes it. “No one needs to go bankrupt. Just shut down and start up when you can.”
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2022/09/07/german-minister-of-economics-robert-habeck-under-fire-as-energy-driven-reality-of-economic-collapse-starts-sinking-in/
So, the refinery move confirms the mentality.
Bidet seems weak. Putin seems strong. Germany and Poland trust US to protect them. Americans still remember out Vietnam. Our Communists should not have stolen the election from Trump.
Let me see if I understand this: the same Russians who Mueller “investigated and prosecuted” for interfering with US elections via hackers never thought this might occur and have no back door way into their computerized systems at the Rosneft facilities? Might have worked for Germany decades ago, nationalizing disfavored entities’ assets, but…
Experts Warn Energy Crisis Could Lead to ‘Permanent Deindustrialisation’ of Europe
Heavy industry experts have warned the European Commission that the EU faces the danger of “permanent deindustrialisation” should Brussels not act now to save the sector.
Some really hot processes have a big problem restarting if shuttered, blast furnaces etc, if they can if some of their output ‘sets’ in place. Others take a long time, during which period they soak up large amounts of now scarce capital.
Europe’s problems are in steel, aluminium, glass, plastics/rubber, fertiliser (CO2 as a byproduct so no canned drinks), insulation, cement, bricks etc etc it just goes on. Without them there is no car, truck or aircraft industries for a start, not forgetting construction and house building.
Importers of products would do well, if there was anyone left in employment or who had any money left after food/heat that is.
can’t wait till Russia bombs it
Let the liberal cocksuckers freeze!!!