[Supernatural]

Venezuela is also planning on undermining the U.S. by cutting off their oil supply if the Arab supply becomes cut off.

We have many enemies out there looking to take the U.S. down. Crunch time soon and we will find out who are friends really are.

[Lucky Dog]

We have many enemies out there looking to take the U.S. down. Crunch time soon and we will find out who are friends really are.

Sadly, I fear you are correct. Nonetheless, if the US vigorously pursued the alternatives I outlined above, even if Chavez cut off his country's oil supplies to us, its impact would be minor. Additionally, with sufficient development of those alternatives, the US could not only become energy independent but, potentially, an energy exporter. Such a status would loosen the Arabian strangle hold on European and Japanese economies as well.