Vice President Joe Biden Promotes U.S. as Fracking Missionary Force On Ukraine Trip

[Ichingcarpenter]

During his two-day visit this week to Kiev, Ukraine, Vice President Joe Biden unfurled President Barack Obama's "U.S. Crisis Support Package for Ukraine."

A key part of the package involves promoting the deployment of hydraulic fracturing ("fracking&quot in Ukraine. Dean Neu, professor of accounting at York University in Toronto, describes this phenomenon in his book "Doing Missionary Work." And in this case, it involves the U.S. acting as a modern-day missionary to spread the gospel of fracking to further its own interests.
That section contains three main things the U.S. will do to ensure U.S. oil and gas companies continue to profit during this geopolitical stand-off.

1) Help with pipelines and securing access to gas at the midstream level of production.

"Today, a U.S. interagency expert team arrived in Kyiv to help Ukraine secure reverse flows of natural gas from its European neighbors," the White House fact sheet explains. "Reverse flows of natural gas will provide Ukraine with additional immediate sources of energy."

2) Technical assistance to help boost conventional gas production in Ukraine. That is, gas obtained not from fracking and horizontal drilling, but via traditional vertical drilling.


3) Shale gas missionary work.

"A technical team will also engage the government on measures that will help the Ukrainian government ensure swift and environmentally sustainable implementation of contracts signed in 2013 for shale gas development," says the White House.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-horn/vice-president-joe-biden_b_5201051.html

Posted: 04/23/2014


His son will have a great future

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. Politicians cashing in on a crisis? Say it ain't so.

"The government of my country snubs honest simplicity, but fondles artistic villainy, and I think I might have developed into a very capable pickpocket if I had remained in the public service a year or two." Mark Twain

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. Its like people can't connect the dots

or if they do........ they can't draw the line.

[Electric Monk]

3. Hunter Biden Joins Board Of Largest Ukraine Gas Producer

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024948091
http://burisma.com/hunter-biden-joins-the-team-of-burisma-holdings/


(perhaps your OP here was in response to this and you already knew?)

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. Already knew

but conversations get side tracked on purpose

that's why I added 'his son''

Its all a coincidence and things are not connected right?

[zeemike]

14. The dots are kept hidden from most people

I would bet that not 10% in this country know this story or Biden's son cashing in.
The media has lots of distractions that can be used to keep the public in the dark without a pencil

[malaise]

4. Is anyone not for sale?

but Putin is the aggressor here

[Ichingcarpenter]

6. Fracking and shale is safe and a great US export

Just ask Haliburton that holds most of the patents on it.

Oh, and BTW their patent includes using depleted uranium to break the gas free in fracking.
They do suggest other noxious chemicals that they could also use to do the trick....

What's fresh water anyway these days?

[The Magistrate]

7. Like It Or Not, Sir

This is a natural consequence of Russia attempting to extract political leverage from its position as predominant natural gas supplier to Europe. Once the attempt has been made to use that position as a whip, people are going to find ways to work around it and minimize the influence of the supplier who tries to dictate policy. They might be ruinous and ecologically damaging ways, they may even bring someone else profit, but they will be found and they will be taken up. Russia is doing its gas trade long-term damage with its venture in Ukraine.

[Ichingcarpenter]

8. Who would profit from Ukraine's' destalization?

that is the venture you are not talking about.
The destabilization has been going on since Bush with a lot of documented monies from the US.

I 'll go with Naomi Klein observations on this


Why US fracking companies are licking their lips over Ukraine

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/10/us-fracking-companies-climate-change-crisis-shock-doctrine


The Push for Privatization in the Ukraine is a wet dream........



And as a self declared socialist you should pay attention to what side you are on.

[The Magistrate]

9. You Beg The Question, Sir

You presuppose Ukraine has been destabilized by someone other than Ukrainians dis-satisfied with the government of Yanukovych, and the reaction of Russia to his over-throw. That is so far from proved it barely qualifies as informed speculation. But you cannot press an argument that it was done for some purpose of an outside power until you meet the burden of proving it was done by that outside power. Someone trying to profit from something they observe to be happening is a different case, and certainly any number of people are going to try and profit off the thing, in various ways. Russia has gained some territory, and seeks to gain more; other interests seek to profit from providing alternative sources for some essentials to Ukraine.

[JackRiddler]

21. The "outside power" could issue a press release...

about how they did it with aplomb, and you'd still find a way to rationalize it.

There's a tape out there of Nuland picking the cabinet of the future government. And Yats has NATO, State Department and CIA ("NED&quot listed as his "partners" in his foundation, which is allied with a whole bunch of Western oligarchs. The EU successfully forced the crisis with a take-it-or-leave-it offer of austerity and no deal allowed with Russia. Klitschko might as well as be a German business venture.

But all this is isolated and irrelevant to you. Whereas to prove Russian masterminding of the whole crisis, it suffices to say Putin is a very evil guy who has lied. If Putin's ever told a lie, that proves any and every accusation one cares to make against him. You'll even find a way to rationalize goddamn Nazis in the Kiev cabinet!

[The Magistrate]

22. People Used To Say The Stock Market, Sir, Predicted Eight Out of The Last Three Recessions...

I would be surprised if your percentage of 'hidden hands' seen to 'hidden hands' actually present was even that good.

[JackRiddler]

23. You cannot wake a man, sir, who is pretending to sleep.

Long as the hidden hands are designated as Russian enemies, sir, you'll see no shortage of them.

Long as you identify with some of your own oligarchs because you think they are "Western" and therefore somehow different from "Russian" oligarchs, you'll see none of their dirt.

[The Magistrate]

25. Can't Kill A Man Born To Hang, Either, Sir

Can't say as I much care....

"It was his life's work to announce the obvious in terms of the scandalous."

[JackRiddler]

29. Evil triumphs by normalization...

this is assisted greatly by those who value the appearance of sophistication more than distinguishing right from wrong.

Courage means not caring if you appear naive to the cynical fakers of the world.

[KoKo]

30. Except this...........

Your Quote: "Courage means not caring if you appear naive to the cynical fakers of the world."

I believe TRUE "Courage" is more complicated than that...but, it's a start. And makes a good point. I can see that being a motivation for many. The rest have other drivers,more principled and altruistic. But then..this would be the pragmatic courageous, for sure.

"not caring... if you appear naive to the cynical fakers of the world."

[abelenkpe]

10. Fracking is a bad idea anywhere

Very disappointed to read this. Damn. Is it always about resources?

[Ichingcarpenter]

12. 'providing alternative sources for some essentials to Ukraine.'

see its all good

[RoccoR5955]

11. Add Biden to the list

of people who are killing our environment, and liking it.
So now the bass turds want to Frack the Ukraine.

Why the heck isn't anyone in power doing something to ELIMINATE ALL fossil fuels?

[jtuck004]

15. We would probably do better by eliminating some people from their political office

and find some who are not quite as bloodthirsty.

Fracking is just a symptom.

[polly7]

20. I said years ago I wished it would all dry up, instantly.

That's the only way we'll wean ourselves. As it is, war and suffering are far too easy and cheap to make even a half-hearted effort of it.

[nationalize the fed]

27. no one "in power" is going to fix the mess

Honda, Toyota and Hyundai-among others, on the other hand, have *already* "fixed" it.

[H2O Man]

13. That's terrible.

I'd like to think that the VP isn't aware of the severe damage fracking does. But I'd find that hard to believe.

[Ichingcarpenter]

17. The Hungarian–Ukrainian Transboundary Aquifer

is critical for the survival of the breadbasket of Europe and survial of the rich soil and bountiful harvest......... just wait until fracking gets hold of it.

[polly7]

19. +1000. nt.

[KoKo]

32. So it's in the Breadbasket Area of Ukraine. Some said it was Monsanto Territory...

but...maybe they will split it up between Monsanto and Fracking?

then sell off the water in the Hungarian-Ukrainian Transboundary Aquifer?

I'm probably being too gloomy. The Biden Son thing really was so depressing...I still can't get over it. So I'm just snarking.

[KoKo]

18. Here is the Press Release... Sure Looks Like Fracking to Me...What do you think?

Here he is with his Flag Pin and Press Release. A fine looking young man...like his father (It looks like Fracking is On for Ukraine) Who could pass up such an opportunity?


----------
Hunter Biden joins the team of Burisma Holdings

Burisma Holdings, Ukraine’s largest private gas producer, has expand edits Board of Directors by bringing onMr. R Hunter Biden as a new director.

R. Hunter Biden will be in charge of the Holdings’ legal unit and will provide support for the Company among international organizations. On his new appointment, he commented: “Burisma’s track record of innovations and industry leadership in the field of natural gas means that it can be a strong driver of a strong economy in Ukraine.As a new member of the Board, I believe that my assistance in consulting the Company on matters of transparency, corporate governance and responsibility, international expansion and other priorities will contribute to the economy and benefit the people of Ukraine.”

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Burisma Holdings, Mr. Alan Apter, noted: “The company’s strategy is aimed at the strongest concentration of professional staff and the introduction of best corporate practices, and we’re delighted that Mr. Biden is joining us to help us achieve these goals.”

R. Hunter Biden is a counsel to Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP, a national law firm based in New York, USA, which served in cases including “Bush vs. Gore”, and “U.S. vs. Microsoft”.He is one of the co-founders and a managing partner of the investment advisory company Rosemont Seneca Partners, as well as chairman of the board of Rosemont Seneca Advisors. He is an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s Masters Program in the School of Foreign Service.

Mr. Biden has experience in public service and foreign policy. He is a director for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, The Center for National Policy, and the Chairman’s Advisory Board for the National Democratic Institute. Having served as a Senior Vice President at MBNA bank, former U.S. President Bill Clinton appointed him an Executive Director of E-Commerce Policy Coordination under Secretary of Commerce William Daley. Mr. Biden served as Honorary Co-Chair of the 2008 Obama-Biden Inaugural Committee.

Mr. Biden is a member of the bar in the State of Connecticut, and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Court of Federal Claims. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, and a J.D. from Yale Law School.

R. Hunter Biden is also a well-known public figure.He is chairman of the Board of the World Food Programme U.S.A., together with the world’s largest humanitarian organization, theUnited Nations World Food Programme. In this capacity he offers assistance to the poor in developing countries, fighting hunger and poverty, and helping to provide food and education to 300 million malnourished children around the world.

Company Background:
Burisma Holdings is a privately owned oil and gas company with assets in Ukraine and operating in the energy market since 2002. To date, the company holds a portfolio with permits to develop fields in the Dnieper-Donets, the Carpathian and the Azov-Kuban basins. In 2013, the daily gas production grew steadily and at year-end amounted to 11.6 thousand BOE (barrels of oil equivalent – incl. gas, condensate and crude oil), or 1.8 million m3 of natural gas. The company sells these volumes in the domestic market through traders, as well as directly to final consumers.

For more information contact the press office at [e-mail]

[nationalize the fed]

26. Won't be long now

before DU supports Fracking.

Hey the world needs energy!

Living in the US these days is like living in an insane asylum.
Hordes of *real* wackos hooting and hollering at the few that
have managed to keep their heads.

[KoKo]

33. Seems like that at times...

I'm surprised at lack of interest in Fracking around here.

[Fumesucker]

16. Interesting that only poor and powerless whites get advantaged by white privilege

I wonder how many of the usual suspects will show up on this thread to complain about white privilege?

[JackRiddler]

31. Sorry you're the first...

You're obviously so offended and hurt by the very idea that someone somewhere might be talking about white privilege and not appreciate how you suffer from it (from people talking about it, that is) that you show up preemptively to guarantee that it will be a subject.

[spanone]

24. the white house fact sheet on energy...

white house fact sheet

Energy Security: Over the coming weeks, expert teams from several U.S. government agencies will travel to the region to help Ukraine meet immediate and longer term energy needs.

-Today, a U.S. interagency expert team arrived in Kyiv to help Ukraine secure reverse flows of natural gas from its European neighbors. The team will continue on to Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia in the coming days to work on the details of these arrangements. Reverse flows of natural gas will provide Ukraine with additional immediate sources of energy.

-U.S. technical experts will join with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and others in May to help Ukraine develop a public-private investment initiative to increase conventional gas production from existing fields to boost domestic energy supply. A technical team will also engage the government on measures that will help the Ukrainian government ensure swift and environmentally sustainable implementation of contracts signed in 2013 for shale gas development.

-Department of Energy and USAID specialists will travel to Ukraine next month to provide advice on how to maximize energy efficiency, which could deliver potentially huge cost savings to Ukraine and rationalize energy consumption.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/04/21/fact-sheet-us-crisis-support-package-ukraine

[DJ13]

28. You mean Joe has the fracking misionary position on this trip?