Russia Plants Flag on Arctic Floor

Why isn't this a major story in the U.S.? I know the answer: we are too preoccupied with Iraq, Gonzales, and the disaster in Minnesota. Shouldn't we be concerned...for several reasons? We just saw an act of aggression that could have serious implications for the future. Not to mention the neo-Soviet nature of the expansion. Isn't Bush an oil man? I guess he is only interested in oil that is already being pumped out of the ground:

Russian explorers have dived deep below the North Pole in a submersible and planted their national flag on the seabed to stake a symbolic claim to the energy riches of the Arctic.

[...]Russia wants to extend right up to the North Pole the territory it controls in the Arctic, believed to hold vast reserves of untapped oil and natural gas, which is expected to become more accessible as climate change melts the ice.

Now this guy is starting to sound like Bush. I guess he wants to show he conquer land too:

"This is fully in line with Russia's strategic interests," local media quoted him as saying. "I am proud our country remains the leader in conquering the Arctic. I am proud United Russia members took part in this unprecedented mission."

At least in Canada there is some concern. King George is too busy conquering Iraq to worry about Russia:

Earlier on Thursday Canada mocked Russia's ambitions and said the expedition was nothing more than a show.

"This isn't the 15th century. You can't go around the world and just plant flags and say 'We're claiming this territory'," Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay told CTV television.

[...]Russian media have said the move could raise tension with the United States in a battle for Arctic gas.