[ErikOlson]

A large ring of water filled pipes, 600 miles across half way between the equater and the north pole would eventually speed the water up to a rotational velocity of 240 MPH due to the coriolis effect. Generator stations placed every 8 miles around the ring would produce enough power to meet the energy requirements of the entire planet.

downside: The rotation of the earth would be slowed by 1 hour for every 3 billion years the ring is in operation.

Upside: The only time we ever see crazy Arabs is in Bugs Bunny cartoons.