[tahoevalleylines]

Anthrax is the name of the Woolgatherers Plague. See the book. This is "weaponized" or made into a substance included in the list of weapons of mass destruction as compiled by strategic think tanks concerned with WMD attack. It has appeared a very few times in the USA, usually mailed in a letter to an elected official or corporate office. The subject is part of the Peak Oil discussion because the use of this material will probably appear as part of reaction to a Middle East war.

As noted by ISIS and other strategic think tanks, it really does not matter who starts the shooting in the Oil Patch, because the countries having weaponized Anthrax most likely will use it when they have the opportunity, even knowing they will suffer severe consequences, including nuclear response. Countries capable of using the material include but not limited to; Iran, Syria, North Korea, and possibly Egypt.

War analyses from "Institute For Strategic And International Studies" look at likely results of two main scenarios involving Israel being attacked first by Iran; and, Israeli pre-emptive strike against nuclear sites in Iran. It seems the more likely scenario will be: Israel hunkers down, taking first strike from Iran and or Syria. Response will be general and severe in the case of what Iran receives. As for Syria, if Syria is involved in attack on Tel Aviv, Damascus will cease being the world's oldest metropolis. Expect massive sabotage against Middle East oil terminals and serious cut in oil flows to NATO countries; impacts on US supply too, particularly as US tries to assist energy emergency in Europe, to a token degree.

It is hard to imagine Egypt staying out, in the opinion of ISIS, so as they make attempt to enter the attack on the Israelis, the result of not heeding warnings shall most likely be destruction of the Aswan High Dam. This ends Egyptian status as a viable nation for the rest of the decade and beyond.

This is all conjecture before the fact, but it is at least an educated guess by military thinktanks. And, the oil component is absolutely on the table as long as Iran is under the current management. And Syria, Egypt, and Israel as well. Islam as a belief system has sworn to eliminate Israel, and Israel refuses to go away. Possession, plus lots of Biblical rights to the land, which they take quite seriously. American habits in transport are at risk, without question. Washington is not sleeping well when it comes to Middle East oil flow prospects mid/long -term. Shall a new administration deal better with Peak Oil? Would Warren Buffett have time to explain strategic need for expanding railway logistics to Mr. Romney?

There are inoculations for Anthrax. We write about another measure that needs to be taken, however. Our subject is Railways, the role of the railroad in the Peak Oil solution set. Military moniker for Railroads is "Second Dimension Surface Transport Logistics Platform"; stand alone transport mode outside the road and aviation realms of mobility. We have removed about 2/3 of our circa 1940 rail mileage, so that is the problem. Too bad steel well pipe getting buried in drill holes is not railway rail, used for expanding the capacity and reach of the railway network!

It is most difficult for politicians to re-orient transport methodology and distribution before the emergency is here. But we can take steps in the direction of assuring societal & commercial cohesion by beginning the process of designating locations and prioritization of rail projects across the country, and the initial projects for each state. PO savvy people in each state can obtain US Rail Map Atlas volumes for their respective locales in the United States from spv.co.uk asap. If you prefer, and are good at finding treasures in used bookstores, etc., try getting copies of "The Official Guide Of The Railways" of the US and Canada, circa 1920-1950, earlier the better.

When you have determined the footprint of dormant rail corridors in your vicinity, make sure the each of the 3000+ US County Planning Bureaus has the rail alignment info needed. Having the info ahead of time, by the end of this year preferably, will help when the second part of this effort comes into view. Part of the dormant rail corridor rebuild must include reformed US Army/Guard Railroad Operating And Maintenance Battalions. The US railroad companies are the main part of this effort of course, but the military rail logistics units in each state will supply needed personnel and raise political awareness needed to redirect steel production for track hardware, etc. Probably all scrap steel exports will be redirected to railway steel.

Another element along with the railway expansion will be inclusion of thousands of US Postal facilities at re-opened rail depots in local areas once again having rail link to the national rail matrix. The US Congress Act of July 1838 designates ALL RAILROADS as "Post Roads", the first act of privatization in the USA, taking responsibility from Congress with regards to maintaining (post) roads. Local rail links will be real life savers, particularly as we get deeper into the Oil Interregnum, even without attack scenarios including quarantine, etc. US Postal officials can begin this work by contacting the ASLRRA "Short Line Regional Railroad Association."

Prepared is better than griping and just plain giving up. We have the wherewithal to accomplish incremental rail line enhancements, beginning with agricultural and critical manufacturing nodes now without rail link. See "Association For The Study Of Peak Oil & Gas Newsletter 42, article 374, and Newsletter 89, article 1037, respectively. See also website "Suntrain Transportation Inc", for rail lines designed to be powered with renewable energy. Military logistics people are well situated to research US rail logistics history circa WWII and Korea, and pass on the details up the chain of command.

Mormonism has long been involved with the rail mode; see "Under The Prophet In Utah" by Senator Frank J. Cannon. The book is 100 years old, the Union Pacific is 150 years old, and the connection is still in effect. One can only hope there are Peak Oil savvy Mormons across the USA in diverse locations with strategic acumen & understanding the need for rebuilding dormant rail lines...