I heard people at work saying we should drill any where we could. When I asked them how long would it take for any oil either extracted or found to make it into their excessive sized gas tanks and feed their equalivent egos, they couldn’t respond. I got the deer in the headlights look.

One actually Googled it, and found some info. They others I don’t know, and I doubt the subject will come up around me again.

You can’t solve problems if you won’t face reality. And this is yet another case where reality hasn’t been faced. Energy price increases can’t be drilled out of.

Could not agree more.

Very disappointed in Obama’s change of direction here. He’s beginning to start this “which way are the winds blowing?” style of leadership, which isn’t real leadership at all.

He should stake out his positions on energy (or any other topic) and stay with them until facts, not public opinion warrant a change of direction.

From what I heard him say, and John Kerry as well, Obama made the same argument you did, Ian. However, he said he doesn’t want the best to stand in the way of the good. He said it in relation to progress toward alternate sources, but I think he probably meant it in terms of winning the election also. For myself, I would hate to lose this election because a part of the electorate thinks drilling is essential to their gas prices. We’ve lost too many elections in the last half century over momentary hot button issues and wedge issues.

if politics in the US continues to be driven by a refusal to live in the actual, real world, then problems aren’t going to get fixed.

amen.

i think i’m just going to start repeating this phrase with anyone who might listen.

I’ve never understood why we give our natural resources to corporations. Imagine how far last quarter’s profits could have gone toward health care.

Excellent post, Ian.

From our discussion on the previous thread, my first shot over their bow:

“I understand Senator Obama has agreed to three debates with Senator McCain this fall. I certainly hope that the moderators for these debates do not come from the corporate media. As we saw in the early debates the moderators were more interested in playing “gotcha” than exploring the candidates’ stance on issues. We need a substantive debate between the candidates, not an egofest for corporate media newsreaders and pundits. It is naive to think that the corporate media will not use these debates to trash Senator Obama. Be smart and be tough. We are tired of spineless, wishy-washy, flip-flopping Democrats. We the people have shown that we are way past ready for good governance, including sound economic and foreign policies; it’s now time for the Democrats to show they are up to the challenge.”

Not yet time for action from “the men with green faces who come out of the ground.”

excellent.

Obama didn’t really cave on offshore drilling. Bear in mind energy bills are always a package, not a single proposal. His mistake is that he is using a nuanced statement to refute McCain’s constant hammering on issue. Obama treats the voters like adults (which is laudable) while McCain treats them like children. Unfortunately, given that low-information voters are a perpetual majority I fear McCain may win this exchange.

I fully agree with that.

I feel like I’m voting for McObama.

This can be a problem. The facts are blindingly clear, drilling isn’t going to lower gas prices. But still Obama wasn’t able to drill this into people’s head. It’s like he’s trying to open a coconut with a teaspoon.

The problem is he sounds like a physics lecturer. People are falling asleep. He needs the engaging narrative and metaphors of a Roosevelt or Kennedy.

Rachel Maddow would be a great moderator, although the wingnuts would have seizures. Fortunately, they could have Bobby Jindal on hand to perform emergency exorcisms.

But the underlying refusal to really get down to business, operate in the real world and tackle problems head on remains disheartening and the thing that makes one fear for America’s future the most.

This could well be our country’s epitaph. Our country faces real problems and there are real solutions to them. Instead we get more stupid ideas that don’t work and whose real purpose is to provide another gift for large corporations. This post goes well with Kirk’s yesterday which notes that the 10 year clock to head off the worst effects of global warming as been ticking for a year and a half now. And all we have to do is look at what a sick charade the Bush Administration and EPA head Johnson have made of that.

Reminds me of what the late George Carlin said (paraphrased):

Think of how dumb average is. And then think that half the people are dumber than that.

Obama needs to remember the KISS principle and keep hitting on the economy. “Are you better off now than you were 8 years ago?”

ONE MONTH AGO — IN LATE JUNE — A MCCAIN AD SUPERIMPOSED OBAMA’S VISAGE ON A ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL AS PART OF AN EFFORT TO MOCK HIS SUPPOSED ‘PRESUMPTUOUSNESS.’

To all you self-deluding gullible Republicans who claim to believe that Obama interjected RACE into the presidential campaign by stating, “You know, he doesn’t look like all those other presidents on those dollar bills, you know. He’s risky.”, it must be humbling or even humiliating to realize how easily manipulated you’ve been. Your guy is a flat out lying SOB whose basic campaign strategy is to smear Obama and then claim to be the victim when Obama calls him out for what he’s done. MCCAIN IS A SHAMELESS LYING RACIST! And those who support him are no more honorable or worthy of trust and respect than he is.

http://www.jedreport.com/2008/.....e-rec.html

Note that the image doesn’t occur until about three-quarters of the way through the video. The way YouTube works, the default image occurs at the midpoint. In other words, McCain’s campaign purposefully choose this image.

We’ll never know, but I don’t think either FDR or JFK would have made an unbending stand on this issue during a very, very critical election. Most historians argue that Roosevelt felt we would have to enter the war in Europe while he was preaching non-intervention. Both men accomplished what they were able to because they were very skilled politicians.

Good Morning Ian and Pups.

Terrific post Ian. Viewing today’s mindset,it appears we will simply have to explain explain explain till our minds are numbed, then rinse and repeat it all, fresh and new.

I got a little emotional boost out of a beautifully written letter fresh in our Sunday newspaper today - the writer agrees with you, us, and explained why, in clear, layman’s language.

http://www.ohio.com/editorial/vop/26217539.html

So we have company. No time to give up now. I’m glad to see Pelosi’s current stance, but am definitely not going to count blindly on her to hold any strong positions without having to be propped up.

I don’t know what to say about Obama. I’ll vote for him, no question. But I am hoping mightily that his considerable brainpower will nudge him toward listening more closely to people like you in the future. And I do think he most likely will prove to be a good leader not consumed with arrogance like our present emperator-extreme-team. The heat of a campaign is an awfully disorienting place to be. [evidence? just look at mccaint schlepping along with no rudder, nor any apparent clue why he should need one. Egad!] It doesn’t surprise me much that Obama is deliberately vague on a few things at this point in the campaign. Read any thread on any blog for HUGE clues why, ahem.

Obama issued a written statement warmly welcoming a proposal sent to Senate leaders Friday by 10 senators — five from each party. Their proposal seeks to break the impasse over offshore oil development and is expected to be examined more closely in September after Congress returns from its summer recess.

as I said as soon as obama broke his promise and corrupted himself for the telecoms, I am scared shit of this man

I can no longer defend him as presidential candidate

I suggest we let Obama be Obama, with his own style. But that’s just me. *g*

I asked one of the staunch Rethugs at work if his net worth had increased or decreased in the last 8 years. He didn’t blink an eye and said it had increased. I then asked him if his credit cards (multiple), stock, house, SUVs (2), boat, waverunners (2) and various and sundry other toys were paid off. He laughed and said, “off course not.” I then pointed out that he had to subtract his debt from the market value of his assets. He was not a happy camper at the end of the discussion.

Please, be my guest. Go have a lie-down, count to 100 slowly, without panting. Then return and resume your panic attack if you feel it helpful in forging your personal outlook on life.

Heck. It’s probably as good as anything up with which the rest of us can come. *g*

apologies. panic makes me alternately giddy and suici*al.

Thanks for the info. I wondered why the hell Obama brought up the dollar bills.

McCain as an alternative is not viable. The Supreme Court is at stake. Although we don’t know who a President Obama would appoint, we do know who McCain would appoint. McCain laughs about bombing another country and wants Russia out of the G8. McCain is not an option. IMO, Obama needs to do whatever it takes to win.

The Republican attempts to portray Obama as an elitist are just the latest variation on their time-tested anti-intellectual theme. The subtext is, “Barack Obama isn’t like YOU, he’s SMART.” Hopefully it will backfire this time. After 8 years of Bush it seems like a majority of voters should be ready for somebody smarter.

besides… i know some people who can open a coconut without using any tools a’tall. tho it helps to have a hard head.

…

you’re welcome.

Republicans employ a magic formula that turns debt into an asset. Presto, the entire country is in much better shape than it was 8 years ago.

Thanks for that. I think I had seen it but had cleansed my mind of it. The Obama campaign needs to point that ad out every time the MSM ask what he meant by his reference to dollar bills.

i think perris’ comment is completely rational and thoughtful.

furthermore i applaud the attempt to live in the actual, real word - even when that means facing the possibility of unpleasant facts.

if politics in the US continues to be driven by a refusal to live in the actual, real world, then problems aren’t going to get fixed.

Yeah, McCain was, what, 894th out of 899 in his class at Annapolis. Rethugs see that as a badge of honor.

Monkeys use their head, but only to figure out which rock to whack the coconut on.

Hi Dragon.

Nice to see your bright and shining face aglow this morn.

I suspect we’ll get through this day, and maybe another, in spite of ourselves.

Gawd whut a mess…..

Most Americans are unwilling and incapable of facing reality and the truth. Consequently politicians have to play to their ignorance and feel good solutions. As Gore Vidal predicted, real change will not come to America unless their is a depression.

it is. i’m the irrational one this fine day. carry on.

one of the problems wrt SCOTUS is, as i see it, that there is a very small chance that the dems in the senate would block an unacceptable nominee from mcsame. and none at all that they would block an unacceptable nominee from obama.

Yep, Rethugs use the same technology computers operate on - PFM (Pure Fuckin’ Magick).

i did not mean to imply that! ((adie))

awwww u smarty pants. a tool once removed is still a tool. *sigh*

So now Obama can expect a million dollar donation to his campaign coffers from big oil, right?

I still say this is all a big diversion from where the real heat is. The ball to keep your eye on, and what’s worth a lot more to big oil than lifting restrictions on offshore drilling, is quashing a major push towards raising CAFE standards and improved efficiency.

I’d be willing to bet that McCain’s recent million dollar payoff from big oil had as much if not more to do with assurances about not enacting a policy mandating improved efficiency as it did with pushing for more oil leases.

McCain was great in the cockpit(s) though. Just the man to pilot the country!

Obama’s a great leader and politician. That doesn’t mean he can’t improve. I’m sure Washington at Brandywine is different than at Yorktown.

He’s got the big speeches down but he needs to take those tools into the face-to-face events. He’ll definitely need it when he debates McCain. The subconscious is the gateway into the intellect. People make decisions subconsciously and they use their logic to justify it. Like they say, the best way to reach a man’s heart is by thrusting up from his gut.

I just don’t see this as any huge comprise on principle. Obama has already said, repeatedly, that he doesn’t believe additional offshore drilling areas will have any effect on current gas prices and any significant effect on long term gas prices. However, he has said he is willing not to stand in the way of a Senate bill which apparently contains perks for developement of alternative energy sources. The actual principle involved, is that te concerned states would have the right to rule on drilling off their coasts, rather than the national government. I don’t think we would be living in the real world if we forced him to dig in his heels and lose and election over that principle.

The Dems are beginning to really piss me off so I’m workin’ myself up to the point where I’m gonna get nasty. Whiners, complainers and trolls better watch out too. I’m in a take no prisoners sorta frame of mind these days.

That said, it’s beautiful outside, not too humid, gramma squirrel came right up to me wantin’ a nut while I’m hanging laundry and I’ve got a ton of reading to do.

Does anyone know about the Presidential Debate Commission works? Who moderated those in the past? Jim Lehrer? Someone else?

look guys, obama is clearly becoming another lieberman, I am not going to defend him to anyone, right now he is not a solution to bush, none at all

lol…The reverse ace strikes again!

As Gore Vidal predicted, real change will not come to America unless there is a depression.

Because a depression won’t let people remain comfortably numb?

I’ve become such a cynic. We have the “leaders” we deserve. If our presidents and elected officials are soft, corrupt, and narrowly self-interested, doesn’t it reflect the character of the body they are elected from?

This is why I believe a better America will not come from compromise. Our hope lies in more better Democrats, in primary action.

For the next several years, as important as the general elections will be, the primaries will be more important.

Purge the aristocrats and the stupids. It’s the only way to re-engineer a liberal democracy based on New Deal, can-do, all-together-now American values.

One suggestion I ran into (from a Usually Unreliable Source) is to make drilling leases like mining: they have to do something with that land, or they lose the lease. Put, say, a five year limit on leasing rights for drilling: if you haven’t drilled in that time period, goodbye drilling rights. This might also force oil companies to admit how much of the land they have rights on is actually oil-free or unusable for oil.

I’d like to see that put into any bill on offshore oil, too: use it or lose it.

How did he think his net worth was really calculated? Does your neighbor(or is it co-worker) think he can make the Forbes list faster by not counting debt?

now you’re gittin all mushy on me. how can i have a perfectly decent private pity-party when u keep bein’ nice?!

fwiw, I’m scared $#itless and tears right now and, last time i looked in the mirror, i was as sane as the next fella.

i want to call junior out and deck ‘im, flite soot be dammed.

i can’t even put words to what oughtta be done to faceshooter AND mccaint.

i’m a biologist. remember? those who are steeped in this stuff have been increasingly terrified since the early 60’s.

I would raise one positive thought, NO, 2!:

1. Obama has a smoothly working brain and a caring heart.

2. If he forgets his manners, he’s got one incredibly gifted and wonderful wife to yank him back to reality, lovingly but firmly, and some beautiful kids as a reminder why he cares.

Disclaimer: I have nothing but gut-instinct going for me in making these outlandish assertions. I was trained as a scientist. Shame on me.
Retired people think they can do anything, say anything. So sometimes they do. Guilty as charged.

(((selise)))

(((perris)))

I thought someone was talking about it. Maybe they were bought off quickly. Who knows.

don’t exaggerate. He has a long way to go before he’s that bad.
JoeL wants to speak at the RNC convention but be a member of the D caucus. That’s how bad he is.

Debates have traditionally been put on by the League of Women Voters. The parties, however, wanted to control the debates so they opted out. There’s a short piece in the comments on the previous thread that reprints part of their announcement. They’ve been crap ever since.

Perhaps the residents of the Great Lakes are simply used to having poisoned water and pollution? The question is, are they satisfied with this arrangement and is this why they want to kill the oceans a little faster?
The oceans provide life. We are acting as though we are in a hurry to end life. It really doesn’t make the least sense.

NOW you’re gettin’ it. Nicely ’suggested’.

((zoolopolis))

Only if we can do offshore windfarms too.

gramma squirrel came right up to me…

squirrels can be kinda squirrelly on alternate sunny Sundays.

is that codpiece on the clothesline dry yet? ya’ might wanna…

*can’t believe…..*

It would appear this guy, co-worker, treats his debt service as monthly payments along the lines of his power, phone and water bills. I’ve never been to his house but judging from what I’ve seen between he and his wife the subject of finances is not something they talk about. Neither ever have more than a couple of dollars cash on them. Everything is done with borrowed money. And we are constantly reminded of their latest acquisitions, no matter how trivial. Hopefully, our little discussion will open a window to his position. But I’m definitely gonna help it along. *g*

Strongly commit to improving fuel efficiency and infrastructure/R&D for alternatives, and drilling offshore in new places won’t be such a hot idea. There simply is cheap oil left to produce.

While a high price of oil creates opportunities for alternatives and consumer incentives for better efficiency, it is also needed to fund returns on very expensive investments to produce more oil offshore.

p.s., dragon. me too. i’m tapped out on patience. anything that doesn’t advance our chances to git this tired old planet thru…

i HATE being a pessimist, but… omg

The manufacturers of the generators are backing off of off shore due to the corrosive effect of salt air.

sorry, he has already broken his clear promise not to support immunity for criminals he does not even know what crimes the committed, he has already decided the fourth amendment and our constitution is worthless, he has already declared there is no seperation of church and government as far as he is concerned

I consider him a judas sheep, with mccain and a democratic legislation there will be a floodgate, with a democratic president there will be no democratic floodgate

I am no longer defending obama to anyone who thinks he will be bad for this country because he has clearly demonstrated he will be bad

You gotta quit smokin’ that shit.

Gramma is the daughter of the first squirrel to take a nut from my hand here, about 4 years ago. She’s quite brazen but won’t sit on my leg yet. Still working on that. I can stroke her a time or two sometimes, though. Also have her daughter and daughter’s son, who all come when called. I think both females have just had litters again.

Exxon is using its enormous profits to buy back stock

How is the sun offshore? Hydroelectric? Anything but oil?

nor will I defend mccain so don’t get the wrong idea but I am not goingt to go and lie for obama, he will NOT be a good president, he has already demonstrated he does not care one stitch about our once proud republic

here he is, the petro corps have NOT exploited the licenses they ALREADY HAVE, instead they want the cream right off the top, even though profits will be GRAND if they exploit those licenses they already own

now if obama cares to justify his position by saying;

“there will be new licenses granted once those licenses already owned are exploited”, that is a position I can accept (for now)

he is not our savior and I am not going to support him simply because he MAKES BELIEVE he is on board with our issues, he clearly is not

What does it say about the U.S. given the state of the current economy, the disatorous foreign policy of the Bush regime, the threat of global climate catastrophe, the diminished standing of the U.S. throughout the world, the lack of universal health coverage that the current election is considered “a horse race?” This is stunning and makes one wonder if Americans do in fact have a collective death wish.

I’m not qualified to assess the validity but here is a link to an article at truthout.org about research at MIT which might give solar power a boost.

http://www.truthout.org/articl.....revolution

this position of obama demonstrates he has already corrupted himself (once again), this time to petro, last week to telecom

he is for sale plain and simple

he has also demonstrated he is just a weak man, john’s camaign says “obama will not allow off shore drilling” as if it’s a BAD thing rather then an asset and obama falls for this simple trick like a child

not happy, not happy at all

*what to do, what to do, runs around in circles with hands holding head*

If Exxon stock simply returns to where it was a year ago, it will have been a good move by them. The value of XOM stock hasn’t had such a hot year (I just observe).

The fact remains, there simply is no cheap oil left to produce in the US or off its shores. There is a reason something less than 20% of all existing offshore oil leases are being produced - it’s not economically viable for oil co’s to do it. Add in a real push for improved efficiency and alternatives, and you really kill the incentive for oil co’s to sink more into finding offshore oil. They would MUCH rather have no competition, sit on the oil they do have and watch the price of oil go through the roof.

The fact remains, there simply is no cheap oil left to produce in the US or off its shores.

this is a relative term, cheap now can cost 4 times as much as “cheap” meant just a few years ago, cheap in 5 years could easily represent the same metric

and they have already earned far enough to invest in these now cheap off shore licenses, where in the past that investment MIGHT not have been justified, now it is CLEARly justified

why am i a pessimist in spite of myself?

-we’re in trouble on this fragile planet.

-life as we know it, on planet Earth, is in trouble.

-we don’t appear to have any time to waste.

-we don’t have time to quibble over nuances and horse-race politics.

Below is just one of many many thoughtful articles on the web. Read just a little, and you’ll get the gist of it.

http://web.uvic.ca/~stucraw/Le.....conomy.htm

Check out the bases cited for making the conclusions.

Look up just a few of the references cited.

Buy something recent written by E. O. Wilson.

As for Pelosi being “steel-spined” on this issue: she represents a district that is far to her left, in San Francisco, where the Green candidate for mayor came within a couple of points of defeating the Democrat. Many are already unhappy with her in San Francisco, but many are still proud that she’s the first female speaker. But offshore drilling? Even among many Bay Area Republicans, that’s radioactive. Mainstream Democrats often laugh at challenges from the left, but in places like San Francisco, there are limits.

Isn’t working from the inside out better than trying to work from the outside in? This is the most important election in many decades and we need to support our country in any way we can. I know I grew up in a different generation but with my age group it was family first and everything after that was America.

New Glenn post

As for Obama, I think he’s worried about the low-information voters who think that drilling is the obvious solution, so he’s willing to back measures that appear to move in that direction but won’t really result in more drilling. It’s just politics, so I can forgive him for that (unlike FISA, which I’m still pissed off about).

Drilling Back To The Past.

The Republican Party is Convincingly the Party of the Past.

The GOP clearly represents the Greedy Old Past.

O Robber Barons, for thee we do yearn,

When labor was cheap, when profits did turn,

And basest of criminals made fortune to burn,

To that great era, McCain strives to return.

last election was far more important then this one, last election

I am not going to support nmccain, rest asured but I will not lie for obama

if he beats mccain I will hold my breath that all he has been doing is “trainulating” to overcome prejudce, if he loses, as far as I can see, mccain will be impotent unless he gets on board with progressive programs

I am not going to fret over obama, he has sold his sole and I am not going to be one of his fan boys simply because he pulls a lieberman and pretends to be a progressive

Perris, it is uncanny how often I agree with your views, and I can see how the level of vigilance can become wearisome and place huge burdens on judgments. Don’t loose sight that politicians when practicing their arts are supposed to be aiming at possible results, not optimal results. Without a doubt this leaves quite a bitter taste in the mouths of purists and partisans alike. Maybe, just, withholding judgments until observations of what the candidate does with the issue rather what they might say in the interim, would pay greater dividends at the end of the day.

Much work needs to be done in the meantime. Remedial education, the crash course, for the public’s knowledge of economics, of history, etc. needs to happen. Much of your writing does just that. You do good work……;-)

The value of XOM stock hasn’t had such a hot year (I just observe).

Which gives them a great opportunity to buy back stock, increasing the value of the outstanding shares and future stock options for executives.

The math on gas prices shouldn’t be that hard to understand given the huge profits the oil companies have posted in the last 2 years.

I do must say, I am reacting as if I have been kicked between the legs, perhaps tomorrow my loins will feel a little relieved and I will again look forward to obama

rest assured, I do not choose mccain over him so fear not

aww, now u really are a softy! Love it!

It’s same here. We saved an orphaned flying squirrel years ago - bottle fed for a solid month; he lived with us 9 years. Used to love being placed on the mantle so he could glide to us across the room. Attended soccer games and school board meetings in my pocket.

All our critters know us personally, or appear to (act different with strangers about). Gray, Black, Red, Fox, Flying squirrels ALL nest within spitting distance of the back porch. Fun to see the youngsters learn the people-routine.

Yes, “talk” to the birds, lots of ‘em, and they answer - mostly whistles in attempted birdie-lingo, but they seem not to mind my “accent” too much, come when they know I’ve got goodies to share.

thanks. uptick in the emotimeter here. you’re a terrific fella.

I guess Obama can’t accomplish anything if he’s not elected.

Hi Twain!

Thot you’d never get here. Whew! *g*

#2 nebber smoked nuttin ever, if ya don’t count the roast i forgot in the oven that one time…. but we make some purty decent stir-fry ’round here.

Good. I like it.

off for some tennis, I pity that ball right now

just a mild suggestion. ymmv.

the Lake’s a great place for this back & forth.

please consider exercising due caution so-as not to be in danger of becoming an unwitting repeater signal for repugnonsense in every day life out among the great unwashed… *g*

this is a relative term, cheap now can cost 4 times as much as “cheap” meant just a few years ago, cheap in 5 years could easily represent the same metric

and they have already earned far enough to invest in these now cheap off shore licenses, where in the past that investment MIGHT not have been justified, now it is CLEARly justified

I’m not sure I follow. Cost of the lease aside, Oil companies spend their own money exploring and producing with considerable occurrence of drywells and other results that result in financial loss. While this is true for both land and sea, offshore production is a lot more expensive. The price of oil today does not support aggressive production for a big chunk of existinf offshore leases though it might in the future with higher prices of oil. A lease can be bought at a low price today, sat on for years and sold for a higher price even though no production occurred.

Again, the ball to keep your eye on is whether or not an aggressive push for improved efficiency and alternatives occurs or not.

A 30% increase in US auto fuel efficiency equals saving the amount of oil that all of INDIA comsumes per day for all uses combined. With the autos that are there for the taking today (a new VW Golf diesel/hybrid gets 69mpg for example) a 30% improvement in US auto efficiency in 10-20 years is legitimate.

That kind of sustained decreased demand would seriously crump the price of oil and oil co. exuberance for more offshore drilling, though it could be offset by future growth to some extent. But at the very least we’d be headed away from buring more petrocarbons.

I’m here and raring to go. Nice to see you as always.

You can accomplish anything you want to without lying.

I don’t lie either.

Go for it!

Oh, and give that hapless tennis ball a good !THWHACK! for me, would ya?! I’d be obliged. *g*

Back at ya. Cept I feel like I’ve got one wing tied behind my back and am flying in circles these days.

Stubborn’s good, at such times.

P. E. A. C. E.

To understand that extent of the insanity of shrub’s energy policies, take a look at this article:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/149693

Shrub is, as we speak today, actually stripping funds from mass transit to pay Americans to DRIVE MORE.

yes…. *groan*

clueless, mindless, careless, selfish, empty

The fact of our outrageous oil prices are the wallstreet speculators. Even the oil executives admit that the price of oil could be cut in half within a few months if the speculators were stopped. The oil companies love the speculators because they can cut production (like they did last quarter) and still show record profits(just like they did last quarter). Enron used the same trick before they went under.It’s all about the wealthy getting wealthier. When they get enough poor schmucks investing their money in oil futures, they’ll sell off and really make a killing leaving the greedy little guys holding the bag. These guys don’t even have to spend a penny. They buy on margin,then watch their non-investment earn billions of dollars. We pay for it at the gas pumps while their buddies at the oil companies get wealthier without ever getting ther hands dirty. I watched the senate hearings on oil prices the other day. The democrats tried to outlaw or restrict oil speculation (for those watching). The republicans kept ignoring the facts shown to them about how speculation artificially triples the price of gas at the pumps. The republicans kept saying how we could drill our way out of this mess by offshore drilling. Hell we gave the oil companies 8 million new acres in the gulf of Mexico last year and they still haven’t touched it. If the democrats hold a majority in the senate,we should vote to outlaw or curtail oil speculation. I guarantee you their are too many senators making a killing on speculation to stop it. The way the republicans kept lying it was truly one of the most sickening sights I have ever viewed. They are all obviously acting and doing absolutely terrible at it. They (rep and dem) are all bloated braggards who think they are above average people.

Got a mated pair of cardinals that come out with the blue jays while I’m feedin’ the squirrels. Plus wood storks, egrets, great blue herons, and ibis that wander through the yard all day. Little wildlife refuge here. Funny watching kittens trying to “catch” a wood stork or egret.

.. and depraved.. don’t forget depraved :P

Off to read.

Be good to yourselves, and all other living things.

Namaste

I always enjoy you chatting about the wildlife. Since I live in a condo we don’t have a lot of wildlife except lots of beautiful geese who swim in our lagoons. I love every spring when they are teaching their babies. We used to have mourning doves but the crows drove them away.

OUCH!

once had a bargain-basement siamese type kitty - sweet and usually pretty smart, but one time he crouch-shimmied all the way across our yard to sneak up on some hefty Rhode Island Red hens.

he suddenly sensed somethin’ wasn’t quite right & broadened his focus, as it were. LOL, there he was, crouched all alone, completely encircled by some rather miffed-and-dangerous looking old hens ready to hand him his head, tail and anything else they could grab.

never saw a kitty run so fast in me life. heh.

Now, why couldn’t that work with dumbya? He’s not got 2 brain cells to rub together in that empty melon wobbling on his scrawny neck!

We buy oil on the world market. Any oil pumped is sold on the world market. Where that oil comes from matters only in terms of quality. We buy from this multinational or that multinational. The only oil that is “ours” is in our ground unleased. The longer it stays in our ground unleased the more valuble it becomes. Until we wise up and start hard nosed negotiations conerning leasing rates, royaty fees, liability responsibility and environmentally benign practices I see no good reason to give away our natural recources as we currently do. I see several very good reasons not to.

McCain claims that the big oil executives told him that new oil could come online in months-the gang of 10 senators claimed the same. While the exact number of months was not mentioned the oil people could be telling the truth, just parsed a bit. After all, 10 years could be stated as 120 months. Not exactly a lie, but definately not the truth. And the sheeple run to whoever promises that cheap oil will return. Promises, promises

I am coming late to this post so haven’t read all the comments and apologize if I repeat anything. I hope it’s okay to link from a couple of really good posts over at Daily Kos regarding offshore drilling. I found them really informative and pretty much in line with Ian’s thinking here.