Gasoline $10 a gallon

[Arkie]

Get ready for another economic shock of major proportions — a virtual doubling of prices at the gas pump to as much as $10 a gallon.

That's the message from a couple of analytical energy industry trackers, both of whom, based on the surging oil prices, see considerably more pain at the pump than most drivers realize.

Gasoline nationally is in an accelerated upswing, having jumped to $3.58 a gallon from $3.50 in just the past week. In some parts of the country, including New York City and the West Coast, gas is already sporting a price tag above $4 a gallon. There was a pray-in at a Chevron station in San Francisco on Friday led by a minister asking God for cheaper gas, and an Arco gas station in San Mateo, Calif., has already raised its price to a sky-high $4.62.

In Manhattan, at a Mobil gas station at York Avenue and East 61st Street, premium gas is now $4.03 a gallon. Two days ago, it was $3.96. Why such a high price? "Blame the people at STOPEC (he meant OPEC) and the oil companies," an attendant there told me.

These increases are taking place before the all-important summer driving season, signaling even higher prices ahead.

That's also the outlook of the Automobile Association of America. "As long as the price of crude oil stays above $100 a barrel, drivers will be forced to pay more and more at the gas pump," a AAA spokesman, Troy Green, said.

Oil recently hit an all-time high of nearly $120 a barrel, more than double its early 2007 price of about $50 a barrel. It closed Friday at $118.52.

The forecasts calling for a jump to between $7 and $10 a gallon are based on the view that the price of crude is on its way to $200 in two to three years.

Translating this price into dollars and cents at the gas pump, one of our forecasters, the chairman of Houston-based Dune Energy, Alan Gaines, sees gas rising to $7-$8 a gallon. The other, a commodities tracker at Weiss Research in Jupiter, Fla., Sean Brodrick, projects a range of $8 to $10 a gallon.

While $7-$10 a gallon would be ground-breaking in America, these prices would not be trendsetting internationally. For example, European drivers are already shelling out $9 a gallon (which includes a $2-a-gallon tax).

Canadians are also being hit with rising gas prices. They are paying the American-dollar equivalent of $4.92 a gallon, and they're being told to brace themselves for prices above $5.65 a gallon this summer.

Early last year, with a barrel of oil trading in the low $50s and gasoline nationally selling in a range of $2.30 to $2.50 a gallon, Mr. Gaines — in an impressive display of crystal ball gazing — accurately predicted oil was $100-bound and that gasoline would follow suit by reaching $4 a gallon.

His latest prediction of $200 oil is open to question, since it would undoubtedly create considerable global economic distress. Further, just about every energy expert I talk to cautions me to expect a sizable pullback in oil prices, maybe to between $50 and $70 a barrel, especially if there's a global economic slowdown.

While Mr. Gaines thinks there could be a temporary decline in the oil price, he's convinced an overall uptrend is unstoppable. In fact, he thinks his $200 forecast could be conservative, and that perhaps $250 could be reached. His reasoning: a combination of shrinking supply and increasing demand, especially from China, India, and America.

Mr. Brodrick's $200 oil forecast is largely predicated on a combination of pretty flat supply and rip-roaring demand. Other key catalysts include surging demand in China and India, where auto sales are booming, and major supply disruptions in Nigeria and also in Mexico, our second-largest source of oil imports, where oil production has fallen off a cliff.

More factors include the ever-present danger of additional supply disruptions from volatile countries in the Middle East that are not our allies, and the unwillingness of SUV-loving Americans to trim their unquenchable thirst for foreign oil. Likewise, for the first time, emerging markets this year will use more oil than America.

http://www2.nysun.com/article/75363

I need to get a bicycle.

[Bronco Jamus]

This is nothing more but speculation run-a-muck. Somebody needs to reign these people in

[Rohirrim]

Time to build electric trains.

[Dudeskey]

Time to use my bicycle more...

[alkemical]

bicycle and i think i may learn how to ride a motorcycle

[Cmac821]

Bike

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Shell and BP post huge profits amid skyrocketing oil prices

By JANE WARDELL, AP Business Writer Tue Apr 29, 12:36 PM ET

LONDON - BP PLC and Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Europe's two biggest oil producers, posted forecast-busting first-quarter earnings on Tuesday thanks to record crude oil prices that are expected to bolster profits across the industry.

The combined profits of $17 billion reignited calls for a windfall tax on oil profits as consumers struggle to pay for food and fuel.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown suggested that some of those profits should be reinvested in costly exploration for new oil reserves in the North Sea.

BP posted a 63 percent surge in first-quarter net profit to $7.6 billion (4.9 billion euros), while Shell reported a 25 percent rise, to a record $9.08 billion (5.81 billion euros).

Revenue at BP jumped 44 percent to $89.2 billion (57.1 billion euros), while sales at Shell soared 55 percent to $114 billion (72.95 billion euros).

Last week ConocoPhillips reported a 16 percent rise in net income to $4.14 billion. Like BP and Shell, the third biggest U.S. producer far outpaced industry expectations. More big profits are expected from the biggest two U.S. companies, Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp., when they report first-quarter earnings later this week.

Crude oil hit $111.80 per barrel during the quarter, while gas jumped an average of 22 percent. Crude has pushed even higher since, reaching a record $119.93 per-barrel this week.

BP shares jumped 6 percent to 613 pence ($12.18), while Shell rose 4.5 percent to 25.83 euros ($40.39).

The enormous profit reports from European companies coincided with the end of a two-day refinery strike in Britain that shut off 700,000 barrels of oil per day, brought from the North Sea to a BP plant.

Truck drivers staged a protest in London's Park Lane on Tuesday, blaring their horns to protest a 30 percent rise in the price of diesel over the past year. A similar protest took place in Washington, D.C. on Monday, and it wasn't the first.

"The price of fuel is becoming something many families are struggling with," said Sheila Ranger, a spokeswoman for the RAC Foundation, a commuter advocacy group. "This will be the last straw for some motorists."

Shell's Chief Financial Officer Peter Voser said oil companies are not to blame.

"We don't understand the oil price at this stage," he said. "The fundamentals will not justify an oil price as we see it at the moment."

Shell's earnings from oil production rose 52 percent to $5.14 billion (3.3 billion euros), due almost entirely to the price increases. The company said combined production of gas and oil equivalents increased by less than 1 percent to 3.4 million barrels per day, as a 9 percent rise in gas production outweighed a 6 percent fall in oil production.

Stripping out the impact of oil inventories that have risen in value, refining profits would have fallen 20 percent, Shell said.

"It seems that better marketing and trading were able to offset the weak refining environment," analyst Alexandre Weinberg of Petercam.

Shell has invested heavily to improve production after a string of setbacks, including an accounting scandal in 2004. More recently, it has faced attacks on its pipelines in Nigeria and a forced sale of part of its stake in a major project on Russia's Sakhalin Island to a state-run enterprise.

BP's profit follows an even rougher period for the company from production outages, U.S. environmental fines and fraud and the scandal-tinged departure of its chief executive.

Chief Executive Tony Hayward, who took over from John Browne a year ago, has focused on bringing new production and refining capacity on line to improve earnings.

"At last, it appears that BP is beginning to improve its operational performance and this looks set to drive a stronger financial performance in the second half," said Tony Shephard, analyst at Charles Stanley & Co.

BP's closely watched replacement cost profit rose 48 percent to $6.59 billion (4.34 billion euros), compared with $4.44 billion in the first quarter of 2007. The replacement cost figure is viewed by many analysts as the best measure of an oil company's underlying performance because it excludes changes in the value of crude inventories, measuring the amount it would cost to replace assets at current prices.

The company said refining availability improved for the sixth successive quarter.

"BP is still not firing on all cylinders but its operational turnaround looks to be on track with a strong second half recovery in prospect," said Charles Stanley & Co. analyst Tony Shephard.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080429/ap_on_bi_ge/earns_oil

[Bronco_Beerslug]

This is nothing more but speculation run-a-muck. Somebody needs to reign these people inOf course it is but it's based on currents events and facts. Watch CNBC Wednesdays to get commentary from experts across the industry. India is just completing the largest refinery in the world and China is building industrial power houses and refineries at break neck speed. Both are thirsting for more and more oil every day.

---------------------------------------------------------


http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/1405/jamnagarrefinerybu8.jpg

[Dudeskey]

bicycle and i think i may learn how to ride a motorcycle

I've thought about the motorcycle thing... My brother just bought a GSX-R 1000... Only drawback is winter weather :(

[The Lone Bolt]

Buy a Chevy Volt in 2010. Or an Aptera next year (or the EV version this year) if you're in Cali.

[Dudeskey]

Buy a Chevy Volt in 2010. Or an Aptera next year (or the EV version this year) if you're in Cali.

I was looking into the Civic GX, but those have limited range... About 150-200 miles

[Beantown Bronco]

You're almost always better off keeping the existing car, even if it is a pig, if your sole goal is saving money. On average it can take 10+ years to break even based off existing fuel prices and how much money you'd lose trading in your existing ride and buying that new car.

Unless you drive a real gas guzzler that is also in the shop every other day for maintenance, and you plan on buying a subcompact with top notch mileage and reliability rankings, I'd advise against it.

[Odysseus]

I mentioned bike riding two years ago and got booted off the thread. In Denver anything under five miles is a bike ride there.

The price keeps coming down. I don't know. It's still pricey.
http://www.teslamotors.com/

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Anybody care to speculate about what $10 gas would mean for food (and other) prices?

There's more at stake here than how you get to work.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Get ready for another economic shock of major proportions — a virtual doubling of prices at the gas pump to as much as $10 a gallon.

That's the message from a couple of analytical energy industry trackers, both of whom, based on the surging oil prices, see considerably more pain at the pump than most drivers realize.


Looks like they're not the only ones:

OPEC president sees $200 oil possible: report

Mon Apr 28, 5:59 AM ET

ALGIERS (Reuters) - OPEC President Chakib Khelil does not rule out oil prices reaching $200 a barrel, even though supply is adequate, because the market is driven by the dollar's slide, Algerian government newspaper El Moudjahid reported on Monday.

"Questioned about a possible rise which would go to $200, the minister did not rule out this eventuality, explaining that this rise is indexed from now on to the fall in the dollar or to the rise in the dollar," El Moudjahid reported.

"In terms of fundamentals, stocks are high, demand is easing, supply is satisfactory. Therefore normally, without geo-political problems and the fall of the dollar, the prices of oil would not be at this level," he was quoted as saying.

Khelil, a former World Bank official, is also Algeria's Minister of Energy and Mines.

He added: "The prices are high due to the fact of the recession in the United Sattes and the economic crisis which has touched several countries, a situation which has an effect on the devaluation of the dollar, and therefore each time the dollar falls one percent, the price of the barrel rises by $4, and of course vice versa," he was quoted as saying in brief remarks to journalists on Sunday.

He added that: "If this (the dollar) strengthens by 10 percent, it is probable that (oil) prices will fall by 40 percent."

If the U.S. economic situation improved from now to the end of the year "that would help the market to stabilize."

"But I don't think that an increase in production would help lower prices, because there is a balance between supply and demand and the stocks of gasoline in the United States have recorded a surplus and are at their highest level for five years."

The independent El Watan newspaper reported Khelil as saying that if the dollar's value on currency markets stayed as it was at present, then oil prices would be expected to remain at between $80 and $110 a barrel.

(Reporting by William Maclean; editing by James Jukwey)

(william.maclean.reuters.com@reuters.net; +213 21 727 020, Fax +213 21 639 151))

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/oil_opec_president_dc

[Bronco_Beerslug]

You're almost always better off keeping the existing car, even if it is a pig, if your sole goal is saving money. On average it can take 10+ years to break even based off existing fuel prices and how much money you'd lose trading in your existing ride and buying that new car.

Unless you drive a real gas guzzler that is also in the shop every other day for maintenance, and you plan on buying a subcompact with top notch mileage and reliability rankings, I'd advise against it.Hopefully people will start realizing we have to use alternative and renewable fuels and rid ourselves of the Mid East.

[elsid13]

I mentioned bike riding two years ago and got booted off the thread. In Denver anything under five miles is a bike ride there.

The price keeps coming down. I don't know. It's still pricey.
http://www.teslamotors.com/

The problem is that you still need to charge it and the energy comes from somewhere.

[Arkie]

The following list shows significant oil-producing nations and their approximate peak oil production years, organized by year.


Germany: 1966
Libya: 1970
Venezuela: 1970
USA: 1970
Iran: 1974
Nigeria: 1979
Tobago: 1981
Egypt: 1987
Russia: 1987
France: 1988
Indonesia: 1991
Syria: 1996
India: 1997
New Zealand: 1997
UK: 1999
Norway: 2000
Oman: 2000
Mexico: 2003
Australia (disputed): 2004; 2001


Peak oil production has not been reached in the following nations (these numbers are estimates and subject to revision):


Iraq: 2018
Kuwait: 2013
Saudi Arabia: 2014

[alkemical]

Looks like they're not the only ones:

OPEC president sees $200 oil possible: report

Mon Apr 28, 5:59 AM ET

ALGIERS (Reuters) - OPEC President Chakib Khelil does not rule out oil prices reaching $200 a barrel, even though supply is adequate, because the market is driven by the dollar's slide, Algerian government newspaper El Moudjahid reported on Monday.

"Questioned about a possible rise which would go to $200, the minister did not rule out this eventuality, explaining that this rise is indexed from now on to the fall in the dollar or to the rise in the dollar," El Moudjahid reported.

"In terms of fundamentals, stocks are high, demand is easing, supply is satisfactory. Therefore normally, without geo-political problems and the fall of the dollar, the prices of oil would not be at this level," he was quoted as saying.

Khelil, a former World Bank official, is also Algeria's Minister of Energy and Mines.

He added: "The prices are high due to the fact of the recession in the United Sattes and the economic crisis which has touched several countries, a situation which has an effect on the devaluation of the dollar, and therefore each time the dollar falls one percent, the price of the barrel rises by $4, and of course vice versa," he was quoted as saying in brief remarks to journalists on Sunday.

He added that: "If this (the dollar) strengthens by 10 percent, it is probable that (oil) prices will fall by 40 percent."

If the U.S. economic situation improved from now to the end of the year "that would help the market to stabilize."

"But I don't think that an increase in production would help lower prices, because there is a balance between supply and demand and the stocks of gasoline in the United States have recorded a surplus and are at their highest level for five years."

The independent El Watan newspaper reported Khelil as saying that if the dollar's value on currency markets stayed as it was at present, then oil prices would be expected to remain at between $80 and $110 a barrel.

(Reporting by William Maclean; editing by James Jukwey)

(william.maclean.reuters.com@reuters.net; +213 21 727 020, Fax +213 21 639 151))

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/oil_opec_president_dc

http://nationalexpositor.com/News/371.html

Elitists use peak oil scam, market turmoil, threat of Iran war to hike profits, torpedo middle class

PrisonPlanet - The global elite are conspiring to send oil prices crashing through the $200 dollar a barrel mark as part of an organized agenda to hike profits, bring about a global economic crash and torpedo the middle class, and they're not afraid to attack Iran as a means of achieving their goal.

Crude oil prices returned to near record high prices today after having surged past the $80 a barrel benchmark on Thursday.



Now there is serious debate about oil crashing not just the $100 dollar, but the $200 dollar a barrel level in the next two years.

The 24/7 Wall Street blog, which is affiliated with both Dow Jones' MarketWatch and The Wall Street Journal, carried an article over the weekend that entertained the possibility of oil tipping the $200 mark, citing experts in the industry who expect the $95 a barrel level to be surpassed by the end of the year if the recent stock market turmoil continues.

The ultra-secretive Bilderberg Group, a consortium of power brokers from banking, business, politics, academia and oil, met in Munich Germany in May 2005 when crude oil prices were around the $40 a barrel mark.

During the conference, Henry Kissinger told his fellow attendees that the elite had resolved to ensure that oil prices would double over the course of the next 12-24 months, which is exactly what has happened.

During their 2006 meeting in Ottawa Canada, Bilderberg agreed to push for $105 a barrel before the end of 2008. This information was gleaned from sources inside Bilderberg who have proven reliable in the past.

[Traveler]

Gas Tax Holiday Calculator

http://www.jabberwonk.com/flinker.cfm?cliid=13lkzo

I save an amazing $24.84.

Screw McClinton!

[Bronco Bob]

The problem is that you still need to charge it and the energy comes from somewhere.

But most electric power plants run on either hydroelectric power from dams,
coal, nuclear, or to a minor extent solar and wind power. All of these sources
are right here in the United States and don't have to be imported in.
You could even go this one better.
You could set up a solar array on the roof to charge some batteries
during the day, and then use these batteries to charge the car at night,
for example.

[c_lazy_r]

<CENTER>http://www.pcimagenetwork.com/horse/p12.jpg (http://www.pcimagenetwork.com/horse/p12.htm)</CENTER><CENTER> </CENTER><CENTER>But does it have a cupholder?</CENTER>

[Dudeskey]

Anybody care to speculate about what $10 gas would mean for food (and other) prices?

There's more at stake here than how you get to work.

Dude... You want to talk about a spike in load thefts from truckers...

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Dude... You want to talk about a spike in load thefts from truckers...

It's not going to be pretty.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Elitists use peak oil scam, market turmoil, threat of Iran war to hike profits, torpedo middle class

PrisonPlanet - The global elite are conspiring to send oil prices crashing through the $200 dollar a barrel mark as part of an organized agenda to hike profits, bring about a global economic crash and torpedo the middle class, and they're not afraid to attack Iran as a means of achieving their goal.


Ding ding ding! :yep:

If the elites fear anything, it's a strong middle class.

[baja]

Ding ding ding! :yep:

If the elites fear anything, it's a strong middle class.

What they really fear is global over population. They see this as the root problem and the thinning of the heard is the real agenda in all this interference.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

What they really fear is global over population. They see this as the root problem and the thinning of the heard is the real agenda in all this interference.

Correct re: the agenda to thin the herd.

And the elites have always feared a strong middle class insofar as the latter is a reliable measure of a successful democracy.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

http://bartblog.bartcop.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gas.jpg

[baja]

Got this email from a friend;




An Excellent Tip about Filling Up Your Gas Tank????
I don't know what you guys are paying for gasoline.... but here in California we are also paying higher, up to $3.50 per gallon. But my line of work is in petroleum for about 31 years now, so here are some tricks to get more of your money's worth for every gallon.
Here at the Kinder Morgan Pipeline where I work in San Jose, CA we deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period thru the pipeline. One day is diesel the next day is jet fuel, and gasoline, regular and premium grades. We have 34-storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 gallons.
Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role.
A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.
When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low, middle, and high. In slow mode you should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some other liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.
One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL or HALF EMPTY. The reason for this is, the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount.
Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up--most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom. Hope this will help you get the most value for your money.
DO SHARE THESE TIPS WITH OTHERS!
WHERE TO BUY USA GAS, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW. READ ON
Gas rationing in the 80's worked even though we grumbled about it. It might even be good for us! The Saudis are boycotting American goods. We should return the favor. An interesting thought is to boycott their GAS.
Every time you fill up the car, you can avoid putting more money into the coffers of Saudi Arabia. Just buy from gas companies that don't import their oil from the Saudis..
Nothing is more frustrating than the feeling that every time I fill-up the tank, I am sending my money to people who are trying to kill me, my family, and my friends.
I thought it might be interesting for you to know which oil companies are the best to buy gas from and which major companies import Middle Eastern oil.
These companies import Middle Eastern oil:
Shell............................ 205,742,000 barrels
Chevron/Texaco......... 144,332,000 barrels
Exxon /Mobil............... 130,082,000 barrels
Marathon/Speedway... 117,740,000 barrels
Amoco............................62,231,000 barrels
Citgo gas is from South America, from a Dictator who hates Americans. If you do the math at $30/barrel, these imports amount to over $18 BILLION! (oil is now $90 - $100 a barrel)
Here are some large companies that do not import Middle Eastern oil:
Sunoco....................0 barrels
Conoco..................0 barrels
Sinclair.................0 barrels
BP/Phillips............0 barrels
Hess.......................0 barrels
ARCO...................0 barrels
If you go to Sunoco.com, you will get a list of the station locations near you.
All of this information is available from the Department of Energy and each is required to state where they get their oil and how much they are importing.
But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of gas buyers. It's really simple to do.
Now, don't wimp out at this point.... keep reading and I'll explain how simple it is to reach millions of people!!
I'm sending this note to about thirty people. If each of you send it to at least ten more (30 x 10 = 300) ..... and those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x 10 = 3,000) and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth generation of people, we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers!!!!!!! If those three mi llion get e excited and pass this on to ten friends each, then 30 million people will have been contacted!
If it goes one level further, you guessed it.....THREE HUNDRED MILLION PEOPLE!!!
Again, all you have to do is send this to 10 people. How long would all that take?

[DBruleU]

Got this email from a friend;




An Excellent Tip about Filling Up Your Gas Tank????
I don't know what you guys are paying for gasoline.... but here in California we are also paying higher, up to $3.50 per gallon. But my line of work is in petroleum for about 31 years now, so here are some tricks to get more of your money's worth for every gallon.
Here at the Kinder Morgan Pipeline where I work in San Jose, CA we deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period thru the pipeline. One day is diesel the next day is jet fuel, and gasoline, regular and premium grades. We have 34-storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 gallons.
Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role.
A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.
When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low, middle, and high. In slow mode you should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some other liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.
One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL or HALF EMPTY. The reason for this is, the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount.
Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up--most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom. Hope this will help you get the most value for your money.
DO SHARE THESE TIPS WITH OTHERS!
WHERE TO BUY USA GAS, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW. READ ON
Gas rationing in the 80's worked even though we grumbled about it. It might even be good for us! The Saudis are boycotting American goods. We should return the favor. An interesting thought is to boycott their GAS.
Every time you fill up the car, you can avoid putting more money into the coffers of Saudi Arabia. Just buy from gas companies that don't import their oil from the Saudis..
Nothing is more frustrating than the feeling that every time I fill-up the tank, I am sending my money to people who are trying to kill me, my family, and my friends.
I thought it might be interesting for you to know which oil companies are the best to buy gas from and which major companies import Middle Eastern oil.
These companies import Middle Eastern oil:
Shell............................ 205,742,000 barrels
Chevron/Texaco......... 144,332,000 barrels
Exxon /Mobil............... 130,082,000 barrels
Marathon/Speedway... 117,740,000 barrels
Amoco............................62,231,000 barrels
Citgo gas is from South America, from a Dictator who hates Americans. If you do the math at $30/barrel, these imports amount to over $18 BILLION! (oil is now $90 - $100 a barrel)
Here are some large companies that do not import Middle Eastern oil:
Sunoco....................0 barrels
Conoco..................0 barrels
Sinclair.................0 barrels
BP/Phillips............0 barrels
Hess.......................0 barrels
ARCO...................0 barrels
If you go to Sunoco.com, you will get a list of the station locations near you.
All of this information is available from the Department of Energy and each is required to state where they get their oil and how much they are importing.
But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of gas buyers. It's really simple to do.
Now, don't wimp out at this point.... keep reading and I'll explain how simple it is to reach millions of people!!
I'm sending this note to about thirty people. If each of you send it to at least ten more (30 x 10 = 300) ..... and those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x 10 = 3,000) and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth generation of people, we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers!!!!!!! If those three mi llion get e excited and pass this on to ten friends each, then 30 million people will have been contacted!
If it goes one level further, you guessed it.....THREE HUNDRED MILLION PEOPLE!!!
Again, all you have to do is send this to 10 people. How long would all that take?

Got the same email a few weeks ago...

[alkemical]

http://secretsun.blogspot.com/2008/02/watch-out-people-here-comes-sun.html

Watch Out, People- Here Comes the Sun

I've noticed recently that a remarkable number of logos for consumer goods and the like have taken on Solar imagery as of late, often that of a rising Sun. I'm not quite exactly sure why, but I am 100% sure that these changes are not made lightly or casually by any stretch of the imagination. Consultants and design firms are paid millions to re-brand products in this fashion, and corporate executives are extremely concerned with what messages their trademarks project into the world. But my familiarity with this type of symbolism puts it in a bit of a different light than it might for Joe or Jane Q Public.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg90/SecretSunBlog/Sunlogos.jpg



______

Our god's the fun god, ha ha ha! Our god's the sun god, RA RA RA!

[baja]

http://www.fruitofthenile.com/khepboat.jpg

[baja]

http://www.fruitofthenile.com/ra.htm

[Arkie]

I don't know why everybody is p***Yfooting around about this. I think it's safe to say that, with oil blasting up to $200-a-barrel sometime soon, another inexorable millstone suddenly sails into view. I want to be the first to say it. Remember where you read it first.

To hell with $200-a-barrel oil. That's so 2008. By 2010, we're going to see crude oil reach $1000-per-barrel.

I say this with absolutely as much information at hand as the pundits who are now making headlines for themselves by their soggy $200 predictions. Nobody knows what's going to happen. So I'm going to not know what's happening at an even more dramatic level.

$1000-a-barrel oil! What a concept! Let's look at a few of the implications, not all of which are negative, if you're a hippie:



Air travel, except to five or six hub cities, will end.

The Interstate Highway System will moulder, since most people will only be able to drive locally.

There will be no cars that are not hybrids on the few remaining roads, but even those will be only for the very rich who can afford $27-per-gallon gasoline.

Vehicles that run on alternative forms of energy will proliferate. Most will achieve speeds up to 8 mph.
There will be no food available that is not grown locally. The nation will quickly become overrun with chickens.

All businesses that have any element involving transportation of people or goods will fold.

Unable to go anywhere, people will communicate primarily by cell phone and e-mail, eventually crashing the Internet and plunging society back into the mid-20th Century.

The countryside will empty out; 95% of the population will need to live in urban areas since transport will be too expensive for most people.

The average one-bedroom co-op in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York will go for $50 million.

The Federal Government will still be cutting generous arms deals with Saudi Arabia.


Of course, there are many things that could slow this process down. But none of them seem to be in place. Why should we believe that something will be done before it's too late?

Isn't it sort of too late already?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stanley-bing/you-read-it-here-first-10_b_102907.html

[yavoon]

I don't know why everybody is p***Yfooting around about this. I think it's safe to say that, with oil blasting up to $200-a-barrel sometime soon, another inexorable millstone suddenly sails into view. I want to be the first to say it. Remember where you read it first.

To hell with $200-a-barrel oil. That's so 2008. By 2010, we're going to see crude oil reach $1000-per-barrel.

I say this with absolutely as much information at hand as the pundits who are now making headlines for themselves by their soggy $200 predictions. Nobody knows what's going to happen. So I'm going to not know what's happening at an even more dramatic level.

$1000-a-barrel oil! What a concept! Let's look at a few of the implications, not all of which are negative, if you're a hippie:



Air travel, except to five or six hub cities, will end.

The Interstate Highway System will moulder, since most people will only be able to drive locally.

There will be no cars that are not hybrids on the few remaining roads, but even those will be only for the very rich who can afford $27-per-gallon gasoline.

Vehicles that run on alternative forms of energy will proliferate. Most will achieve speeds up to 8 mph.
There will be no food available that is not grown locally. The nation will quickly become overrun with chickens.

All businesses that have any element involving transportation of people or goods will fold.

Unable to go anywhere, people will communicate primarily by cell phone and e-mail, eventually crashing the Internet and plunging society back into the mid-20th Century.

The countryside will empty out; 95% of the population will need to live in urban areas since transport will be too expensive for most people.

The average one-bedroom co-op in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York will go for $50 million.

The Federal Government will still be cutting generous arms deals with Saudi Arabia.


Of course, there are many things that could slow this process down. But none of them seem to be in place. Why should we believe that something will be done before it's too late?

Isn't it sort of too late already?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stanley-bing/you-read-it-here-first-10_b_102907.html

you do realize once economic depression hits the cost of oil will plummet right? people with no understanding of economics need to shutup. I don't think on a longterm basis our economies are sophisticated enough to maintain 200$ barrel/oil, 1000 is a complete joke.

btw I have heard someone conjecture that if oil at 170/barrel is maintained over a sustained period that our airline industry as we know it will collapse.

[Arkie]

btw I have heard someone conjecture that if oil at 170/barrel is maintained over a sustained period that our airline industry as we know it will collapse.

Air travel, except to five or six hub cities, will end.

[yavoon]

Air travel, except to five or six hub cities, will end.

dude at a 1000, I'm not even sure you could airlift diamonds. thats the idiocy of the article, the global economy would self-annihilate so long before a 1000/barrel.

[Arkie]

The world will eventually find an alternative energy source. Oil can't last forever.

[yavoon]

The world will eventually find an alternative energy source. Oil can't last forever.

of course, I mean thats almost pedantic, even if that alternative energy source is oxen we will find one:).

[Arkie]

Yep, but even the guy in the article said that nobody knows, so he's just "not knowing on a more dramatic level." He's just telling a story of "what if." I think it's interesting and important because most people take their way of life for granted.

[yavoon]

Yep, but even the guy in the article said that nobody knows, so he's just "not knowing on a more dramatic level." He's just telling a story of "what if." I think it's interesting and important because most people take their way of life for granted.

=D

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

<center> http://www.bartcop.com/gas-beggar.gif
</center>

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

<center> http://www.bartcop.com/gas-chart-flexible.gif

Why would any voter want another 4 years of this?
</center>

[Spider]

This is nothing more but speculation run-a-muck. Somebody needs to reign these people in

Yeah and I remember when you right wingers were saying Gas over 3.50 was speculation ran a muck ........you might as well face reality , ever since your Boy Bush went and deregulated oil trading , we have been ****ed , and will continue on getting ****ed until a dem gets in office

[Bronco Jamus]

Yeah and I remember when you right wingers were saying Gas over 3.50 was speculation ran a muck ........you might as well face reality , ever since your Boy Bush went and deregulated oil trading , we have been ****ed , and will continue on getting ****ed until a dem gets in office

It's not going to change. Democrats nor a President can do much about the price of oil in another country. They'll just sell the oil some place else. Sorry.

[Spider]

It's not going to change. Democrats nor a President can do much about the price of oil in another country. They'll just sell the oil some place else. Sorry.

Bull**** , why dont you take a break from Bush land and google oil trading , then come back and post this stupid **** .........

[Bronco Jamus]

Bull**** , why dont you take a break from Bush land and google oil trading , then come back and post this stupid **** .........

Calm down. I won't discuss things with you if you act that way. So now that you have gotten that off your chest: the President cannot, nor can congress, control the market value of a barrel of oil sold in other countries. Sorry friend.

[Spider]

Calm down. I won't discuss things with you if you act that way. So now that you have gotten that off your chest: the President cannot, nor can congress, control the market value of a barrel of oil sold in other countries. Sorry friend.

I am calm , and you are full of it , it is just that simple , they ( say it with me ) DEREGULATED Oil trading ...... I know hard concept to grasp for a loyal Bushie , but your Boy is guilty as hell ......Oil has no where near the restrictions or oversight , other commodities have ........

[Hogan11]

Take the Iraqi's oil under the guise of war reparations. Oil for infrastructure, I'm totally fine with it, let's bleed them dry.

[Bronco Jamus]

I am calm , and you are full of it , it is just that simple , they ( say it with me ) DEREGULATED Oil trading ...... I know hard concept to grasp for a loyal Bushie , but your Boy is guilty as hell ......Oil has no where near the restrictions or oversight , other commodities have ........

That would be inside our country. Not outside.

Congress(The house) did pass a bill this week that will investigate price gouging. The President said he would veto the bill. The original vote overrides his veto. But as far as the price of a barrel sold to us from other countries....the President nor Congress has any direct control over that.

further more, I must have missed Obama's plan to lower gas prices. Care to elaborate on it?

[Spider]

That would be inside our country. Not outside.

Congress(The house) did pass a bill this week that will investigate price gouging. The President said he would veto the bill. The original vote overrides his veto. But as far as the price of a barrel sold to us from other countries....the President nor Congress has any direct control over that.

further more, I must have missed Obama's plan to lower gas prices. Care to elaborate on it?

oh I see , so we cant buy oil from other countries ..... makes perfect sense , Opec says , Americans are paying 125.00 per barrel for oil and purchasing up to 20-30 times what they need, but thats only local oil ::) ....... yeah silly me that has no effect on the global market ::)
you miss alot of things .... dont vote for Obama dont really give a rats ass ....... anyone who thinks Oil prices are a local or a domestic Issue is out of his ever loving mind ........

[The Lone Bolt]

Chevy Volt:

Production plans

General Motors said it will have the Volt on the market in 2010.[18] To help spur battery research, GM selected two companies to provide advanced lithium-ion batterypacks: Compact Power, which uses manganese oxide based cells made by its parent company, LG Chemical, and Continental Automotive Systems, which uses nanophosphate based cylindrical cells made by A123Systems.[19][20] However, on August 9, 2007 GM established a more close-knit relationship with A123Systems so that the two companies could co-develop a Volt-specific battery cell.[21] This cell was later unveiled at the EVS23 industry convention in Anaheim, CA[3]. Work with CPI has continued at a rapid pace, and in late 2007 CPI delivered two fully-functional prototype battery packs to GM's testing facilities. On January 31, 2008, A123 and Continental delivered their first prototype to GM's European test facilities. GM will likely use both suppliers for the Volt, although this remains a matter of speculation.[22]

GM executives report that battery technology will have a large impact in determining the success of the car.[23][24]

GM expects 10 years of life out of the batteries. They have started extensive battery testing and plan to have 10-year battery results in 2 years. They are also placing the batteries in Chevrolet Malibus for further real-world testing. [25]

The initial production run for first year of sales of the Volt is most likely 10,000 vehicles[26]. Lutz has indicated a target retail price of at least $30,000 and more likely something nearer $40,000.[27]

With the outcome of the 2007 UAW-GM contract talks, assembly of the Volt was assigned to Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly.[28]

[edit] Status

GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz stated, in an article on April 24, 2008, that the first battery test mule is now running with a lithium battery pack. [29]

The Volt will travel it's first 40 miles on electricity alone, and afterwards get 50 MPG using a standard ICE. That means for daily use most people won't use any gas at all.

Mitsubishi MiEV:

Mitsubishi i MiEV (2006)

Also based on the Mitsubishi i kei car, it was first exhibited at the 22nd International Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Symposium & Exposition in Yokohama. This vehicle was the first where the "i" in MIEV stood for "innovative", as it eschews the in-wheel motors in favour of a more conventional array of batteries, motor and inverter to replace the "rear midship" engine and fuel tank of the conventional car. MMC provided three power companies with vehicles in 2006 and 2007 in order to conduct joint research to evaluate how fast-charge infrastructure may be developed for EVs. Fleet testing by five power companies was conducted in 2007. The car has a range of 130 kilometres for the 16 kW·h lithium-ion pack and 160 kilometres for the 20 kW·h pack. Top speed is 130 km/h.[2] Known as the i-EV in the German market,[15] it was originally aimed for public sale by 2010,[1][4] although there are now suggestions that this date could be moved forward to 2008.[5] In a vehicular demonstration with the New Zealand prime minister, Mitsubishi executives indicated that the car will be released in Japan, by 2009. [1]

Subaru R1e

Fuji Heavy Industries (20% owned by GM), the company behind the Subaru brand, announced on 19 August plans to bring a fully electric version of the mini R1 car to the market. Dubbed the R1e when introduced as a concept car in 2003, the all-electric vehicle could be available to consumers in Japan as early as 2009. A grass-roots movement is already afoot by some Americans to try to encourage Subaru to find a niche for the teeny car on the American expressways, which may be the only hope for the 3.3 m (11-foot) long design of Andreas Zapatinas to hit the pavement in the home of the Hummer. Introduction of the R1 to the already mini-friendly European market is also not yet decided. Car-watchers with sharp eyes in Japan may see the R1e on public roads already this year as testing continues.


The car will use a Lithium-ion battery, which can take the current prototype up to 120 km (75 miles) before the next charge. Engineers hope to extend this to 200 km (124 miles) before the launch. The high performance battery was developed in cooperation with NEC and is reported to be capable of re-charging to 90% capacity in only five minutes. The battery lifespan is greater than 150,000 km.

Additionally, although the rumors of cooperation with Toyota on hybrid drive technology appear not to have materialized, Fuji will proceed with its development, targeting 2007 to bring a hybrid version of the mini-car to the market to augment the 4.17 L/100km (56.4 mpg) gasoline-powered version already sold in Japan.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/subaru_joins_ra.php

Aptera

Aptera Motors (formerly Accelerated Composites based in San Diego, California.[4]) is a maker of high-efficiency vehicles, and is located in Carlsbad, California. Aptera's first product, a three-wheeled two-seater named the Typ-1, is currently under development, [5] though they are accepting pre-orders from California residents.[6] The claimed long-range fuel efficiency of the hybrid model of 130 mpg at 55 mph (0.8 L/100 km at 90 km/h) would make it one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the world. A higher figure of just over 300 mpg is used for shorter (approximately 100 mile) trips, where the pre-charged batteries are able to run the hybrid vehicle for approximately the first 60 miles.

Aptera Motors claims the Typ-1 accelerates from 0–60 mph (0-97 km/h) in less than 10 seconds with a top speed over 85 mph (137 km/h).[7] They have set the price at US$26,900 for the all-electric Aptera Local (formerly the Typ-1e[8]), and US$29,900 for the plug-in hybrid Aptera Everywhere (formerly the Typ-1h).[6]The name Aptera is Greek for "wingless," a nod to the light-aircraft-inspired design and construction.

And word is that the Aptera crush testing has produced better results than a Honda Civic, and Aptera will be only one of nine vehicles on the road which meet current crush test safety standards.

Crash testing will be under way soon.

Nissan

Nissan Plans Electric Car in U.S. by ’10


By BILL VLASIC
Published: May 13, 2008

DETROIT — The Nissan Motor Company plans to sell an electric car in the United States and Japan by 2010, raising the stakes in the race to develop environmentally friendly vehicles.

A prototype of an electric car shown Sunday in Tel Aviv. Nissan said Israel would encourage sales.


“Plug in” technology was displayed to the news media in Tel Aviv with the Nissan-Renault electric car prototype.
Readers' Comments

"I would consider buying an electric car under any conditions whatsoever. In other words, could I afford one, I would buy it today."


The commitment — expected to be announced Tuesday by Nissan’s chief executive, Carlos Ghosn — will be the first by a major automaker to bring a zero-emission vehicle to the American market. Nissan also expects to sell a lineup of electric vehicles globally by 2012.


Nissan has recently pledged to be the world leader in affordable EVs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/13/business/13auto.html?partner=rssnyt


And the battery technology will only get better and cheaper over the next ten years. Anyone who is speculating $1000/barrel oil has their head in the sand and can't see the coming EV revolution.

Mark my words, in ten years EVs will be superior to ICE car in EVERY MEASUREABLE WAY.

They will be cheaper to purchase, repair, and maintain.

They will last forever (1,000,000 miles for an electric motor as opposed to a mere 200,000 for an ICE)

They will use far less energy and be cheaper to "fuel" (and with rapid charging or battery swapping, just as convenient)

They will be clean and quiet

They will provide better performance

They will be safer.



The ICE Age is coming to an end.

[Spider]

Chevy Volt:



The Volt will travel it's first 40 miles on electricity alone, and afterwards get 50 MPG using a standard ICE. That means for daily use most people won't use any gas at all.

Mitsubishi MiEV:



Subaru R1e



http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/subaru_joins_ra.php

Aptera



And word is that the Aptera crush testing has produced better results than a Honda Civic, which will make Aptera only one of nine vehicles on the road which meet current crush test safety standards.

Crash testing will be under way soon.

Nissan



Nissan has recently pledged to be the world leader in affordable EVs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/13/business/13auto.html?partner=rssnyt


And the battery technology will only get better and cheaper over the next ten years. Anyone who is speculating $1000/barrel oil has their head in the sand and can't see the coming EV revolution.

Mark my words, in ten years EVs will be superior to ICE car in EVERY MEASUREABLE WAY.

They will be cheaper to purchase, repair, and maintain.

They will last forever (1,000,000 miles for and electric motor as opposed to a mere 200,000 for an ICE)

They will use far less energy and be cheaper to "fuel."

They will be clean and quiet

They will provide better performance

They will be safer.



The ICE Age is coming to an end.
I saw one of those GEM cars in Fargo , guy was scootin along pretty good

[Florida_Bronco]

Yeah and I remember when you right wingers were saying Gas over 3.50 was speculation ran a muck ........you might as well face reality , ever since your Boy Bush went and deregulated oil trading , we have been ****ed , and will continue on getting ****ed until a dem gets in office

Can you explain this oil trading thing? All new to me.

[Spider]

Can you explain this oil trading thing? All new to me.

I will try .....they work like Hedge funds ........ oh hell I am in over my head , here is a link http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/08/news/economy/senate_gas_prices/

[Spider]

Problem is I know what the enron loophole is , but I cant explain it , But Bush put together a panel and had Oil regulations lifted ......

[Florida_Bronco]

Thanks Spider. I understand it a little better now.

[Spider]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aQcMiiOTRZ1Q&refer=home

[Spider]

Thanks Spider. I understand it a little better now.

Now I know McSame defends the enron loophole ......

[Spider]

This is why I say anyone that considers voting for McSame is a ****ing certified Idiot .....

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Yeah and I remember when you right wingers were saying Gas over 3.50 was speculation ran a muck ........you might as well face reality , ever since your Boy Bush went and deregulated oil trading , we have been ****ed , and will continue on getting ****ed until a dem gets in office

:yep:

Is there anything they said that didn't turn out to be wrong?

[Florida_Bronco]

:yep:

Is there anything they said that didn't turn out to be wrong?

I think anybody who voted for Bush should be eating some public crow.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

I think anybody who voted for Bush should be eating some public crow.

QFT. :yep:

[Florida_Bronco]

QFT. :yep:

I should probably step up to the plate since I supported him in 2000, but I sure didn't make that mistake twice. Ha!

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

I should probably step up to the plate since I supported him in 2000, but I sure didn't make that mistake twice. Ha!

You're one of the few who have stepped up to that particular plate.

Most of the people on this forum who supported Bush (the ones who still dare to show their faces here) are still acting like they occupy the high ground or something.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

<center> http://www.bartcop.com/vase-pump.jpg
</center>

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Obama's Secret War Profiteering Tax

<!-- node-blog-page --> <!-- begin user picture for user 11991, uid: 11991 --> http://www.ourfuture.org/files/images/user_pictures/picture-11991.jpg (http://www.ourfuture.org/users/new-889)

<!-- end user picture --> By Greg Palast (http://www.ourfuture.org/users/new-889)
May 22nd, 2008 - 3:03pm ET

<!-- //class submitted --> <hr>
<!-- //class blog_post_info --> By Greg Palast for TomPaine.com/OurFuture.org

[New York, May 22, 2008.]

I can’t make this up:
In a hotel room in Brussels, the chief executives of the world’s top oil companies unrolled a huge map of the Middle East, drew a fat, red line around Iraq and signed their names to it.
The map, the red line, the secret signatures. It explains this war. It explains this week’s rocketing of the price of oil to $134 a barrel.
It happened on July 31, 1928, but the bill came due now.
Barack Obama knows this. Or, just as important, those crafting his policies seem to know this. Same for Hillary Clinton’s team. There could be no more vital difference between the Republican and Democratic candidacies. And you won’t learn a thing about it on the news from the Fox-holes.
Let me explain.
In 1928, oil company chieftains (from Anglo-Persian Oil, now British Petroleum, from Standard Oil, now Exxon, and their Continental counterparts) were faced with a crisis: falling prices due to rising supplies of oil; the same crisis faced by their successors during the Clinton years, when oil traded at $22 a barrel.
The solution then, as now: stop the flow of oil, squeeze the market, raise the price. The method: put a red line around Iraq and declare that virtually all the oil under its sands would remain there, untapped. Their plan: choke supply, raise prices rise, boost profits. That was the program for 1928. For 2003. For 2008.
Again and again, year after year, the world price of oil has been boosted artificially by keeping a tight limit on Iraq’s oil output. Methods varied. The 1928 “Redline” agreement held, in various forms, for over three decades. It was replaced in 1959 by quotas imposed by President Eisenhower. Then Saudi Arabia and OPEC kept Iraq, capable of producing over 6 million barrels a day, capped at half that, given an export quota equal to Iran’s lower output.
In 1991, output was again limited, this time by a new red line: B-52 bombings by Bush Senior’s air force. Then came the Oil Embargo followed by the “Food for Oil” program. Not much food for them, not much oil for us.
In 2002, after Bush Junior took power, the top ten oil companies took in a nice $31 billion in profits. But then, a miracle fell from the sky. Or, more precisely, the 101st Airborne landed. Bush declared, “Bring’m on!” and, as the dogs of war chewed up the world’s second largest source of oil, crude doubled in two years to an astonishing $40 a barrel and those same oil companies saw their profits triple to $87 billion.
In response, Senators Obama and Clinton propose something wrongly called a “windfall” profits tax on oil. But oil industry profits didn’t blow in on a breeze. It is war, not wind, that fills their coffers. The beastly leap in prices is nothing but war profiteering, hiking prices to take cruel advantage of oil fields shut by bullets and blood.
I wish to hell the Democrats would call their plan what it is: A war profiteering tax. War is profitable business – if you’re an oil man. But somehow, the public pays the price, at the pump and at the funerals, and the oil companies reap the benefits.
Indeed, the recent engorgement in oil prices and profits goes right back to Bush-McCain “surge.” The Iraq government attack on a Basra militia was really nothing more than Baghdad’s leaping into a gang war over control of Iraq’s Southern oil fields and oil-loading docks. Moqtada al-Sadr’s gangsters and the government-sponsored greedsters of SCIRI (the Supreme Council For Islamic Revolution In Iraq) are battling over an estimated $5 billion a year in oil shipment kickbacks, theft and protection fees.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the surge-backed civil warring has cut Iraq’s exports by up to a million barrels a day. And that translates to slashing OPEC excess crude capacity by nearly half.
Result: ka-BOOM in oil prices and ka-ZOOM in oil profits. For 2007, Exxon recorded the highest annual profit, $40.6 billion, of any enterprise since the building of the pyramids. And that was BEFORE the war surge and price surge to over $100 a barrel.
It’s been a good war for Exxon and friends. Since George Bush began to beat the war-drum for an invasion of Iraq, the value of Exxon’s reserves has risen – are you ready for this? – by $2 trillion.
Obama’s war profiteering tax, or “oil windfall profits” tax, would equal just 20% of the industry’s charges in excess of $80 a barrel. It’s embarrassingly small actually, smaller than every windfall tax charged by every other nation. (Ecuador, for example, captures up to 99% of the higher earnings).
Nevertheless, oilman George W. Bush opposes it as does Bush’s man McCain. Senator McCain admonishes us that the po’ widdle oil companies need more than 80% of their windfall so they can explore for more oil. When pigs fly, Senator. Last year, Exxon spent $36 billion of its $40 billion income on dividends and special payouts to stockholders in tax-free buy-backs. Even the Journal called Exxon’s capital investment spending “stingy.”
At today’s prices Obama’s windfall tax, teeny as it is, would bring in nearly a billion dollars a day for the US Treasury. Clinton’s plan is similar. Yet the press’ entire discussion of gas prices is shifted to whether the government should knock some sales tax pennies off the oil companies’ pillaging at the pump.
More important than even the Democrats’ declaring that oil company profits are undeserved, is their implicit understanding that the profits are the spoils of war.
And that’s another reason to tax the oil industry’s ill-gotten gain. Vietnam showed us that foreign wars don’t end when the invader can no longer fight, but when the invasion is no longer profitable.

http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/obamas-secret-war-profiteering-tax

[Arkie]

Brace yourselves for the next great depression. It doesn't matter who the next president is.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Brace yourselves for the next great depression. It doesn't matter who the next president is.

QFT.

[W*GS]

Brace yourselves for the next great depression. It doesn't matter who the next president is.

Uh-hunh.

[Hogan11]

http://www.runyourcarwithwater.com/?hop=jfccorp

Ha!

[BroncoBuff]

This is nothing more but speculation run-a-muck. Somebody needs to reign these people in
The exploding demand in China and India is fact ... and when you apply a simple supply-and-demand model, you get ever-increasing prices. Easy as pie.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

This is nothing more but speculation run-a-muck.(sic) Somebody needs to reign these people in

You are absolutely right - speculation is a huge part of the equation.

Remember: Bush and Cheney work for the oil companies and their shareholders - not you and me.

Their job is to get the price of oil up as high as possible. Nothing drives speculation like unrest in the Mid East.

Mission accomplished for Team Smirk & Snarl.

[Dudeskey]

The exploding demand in China and India is fact ... and when you apply a simple supply-and-demand model, you get ever-increasing prices. Easy as pie.

... and oil being traded on a weak dollar

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

... and oil being traded on a weak dollar

Yep.

Those foreign investors who are trading in Euros are making a killing.

It would be interesting to see to what extent Bush and Cheney & Co. are invested in the Euro right about now.

[Obushma]

It doesn't matter who the next president is.

Arkie, I have to disagree. We have to change whats backing the dollar, and the way our current economy works.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Arkie, I have to disagree. We have to change whats backing the dollar, and the way our current economy works.

That's the problem.

In sending all of our manufacturing overseas and letting our infrastructure go to seed, BushCo has pretty much severed the dollar's ties to anything tangible (unless you count weapons.)

The only things that have kept the U.S. economy afloat during the Bush years have been the artificial credit/housing/equity bubble and the dollar's status as fiat currency in oil transactions, etc.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

http://www.caglecartoons.com/images/preview/%7b0d118250-ba43-4abf-8f8e-f1449211c020%7d.gif

[baja]

What I want to know is what part of this increase is Oil costs and what part is the falling dollar. What have gas costs done in European countries?

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

What I want to know is what part of this increase is Oil costs and what part is the falling dollar. What have gas costs done in European countries?

The falling dollar accounts for way more than costs (which we know the oil companies inflate and misrepresent all the time.)

Oil was profitable at $30 a barrel.

It's nothing but unmitigated greed and Bush's oil buddies raping the American people because they can. (The price at the pump is also a tax on the debt.)

http://images.ucomics.com/comics/po/2008/po080522.gif

[SoCalBronco]

Even though the increase in gas prices does not affect me, we really need to get on top of alternative sources of fuel. I hate more spending but pumping some more into R&D in this area would definitely be worthwhile, assuming it could be offset by reasonable cuts in other areas.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Even though the increase in gas prices does not affect me, we really need to get on top of alternative sources of fuel. I hate more spending but pumping some more into R&D in this area would definitely be worthwhile, assuming it could be offset by reasonable cuts in other areas.

Even some basic conservation measures would go a long way toward addressing the problem, but this administration hasn't even been willing to do that much!

Face it - the Bush administration has been nothing but a proxy for Big Oil and its shareholders.

[cutthemdown]

QFT.

What a shock you feel that way. Typical. That way no matter what you can say it was all the repubs fault. McCain gets elected and its more of Bush type thinking and you will blame that for all that goes bad. Obama gets elected and things go bad you can say well Bush screwed things up so bad Obama had no way of improving anything.

Either way you can continue on your merry little bash fest with no accountability .

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

What a shock you feel that way. Typical. That way no matter what you can say it was all the repubs fault.

What you fail to notice is that the guy whose comment I quoted for truth is hardly a "Bush bahser" or even a liberal.


McCain gets elected and its more of Bush type thinking and you will blame that for all that goes bad.

Duh!

That should be a no-brainer, shouldn't it?

If McCain continues policies that have already failed, and things go bad, then the American people will be fully justified in calling McCain to account for the consequences.

(Or have you grown so accustomed to Bush getting a pass for his high crimes and misdemeanors that you've come to expect this kind of treatment for all republican presidents?)


Obama gets elected and things go bad you can say well Bush screwed things up so bad Obama had no way of improving anything.

That bothers you, doesn't it?

Having to take responsibility for the consequences of your support for Bush and the GOP these past eight years is something you try to avoid at all costs, isn't it?

Meanwhile, here in the America inhabited by the ~77% who are no longer living in denial and delusion re: the disaster that is the Bush presidency, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see how seriously Bush and the GOP have hosed this country and to assess how long it will probably take to undo the damage (if such undoing is even possible at this stage of the game.)

Either way you can continue on your merry little bash fest with no accountability .

The lengths to which you go to shield Bush (and, by extension, yourself) from accountability for his frauds, felonies, and failures are absolutely deplorable.

You really should be ashamed of yourself.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

http://bartblog.bartcop.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/honeymoons-over.jpg

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Even though the increase in gas prices does not affect me, we really need to get on top of alternative sources of fuel. I hate more spending but pumping some more into R&D in this area would definitely be worthwhile, assuming it could be offset by reasonable cuts in other areas.I'm pretty sure it effects everyone unless you are ultra rich and don't care about food prices, etc...

As far as subsidizing alternative and renewable fuels, the 3 or 4 trillion we are throwing away in Iraq could possibly have created a whole new related industry in this country and eliminated our need for ME oil.

[Spider]

Even though the increase in gas prices does not affect me, we really need to get on top of alternative sources of fuel. I hate more spending but pumping some more into R&D in this area would definitely be worthwhile, assuming it could be offset by reasonable cuts in other areas.
I agree
Several steps have to be taken
1. Close the Enron loophole , then you have to get the FET to enforce the law
2. Then you have to stop the foreign exchange law ( simular to the enron loophole )
3. reduce taxes on everyone except the rich .....those ****ers have had enough of a free ride ....
4. Bitch slap the next mother ****er that says outsourcing is good .....
5. Bitch slap any mother ****er driving an import
6. Bitch slap anyone who disagrees with you ................

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

I agree
Several steps have to be taken
1. Close the Enron loophole , then you have to get the FET to enforce the law
2. Then you have to stop the foreign exchange law ( simular to the enron loophole )
3. reduce taxes on everyone except the rich .....those ****ers have had enough of a free ride ....
4. b**** slap the next mother ****er that says outsourcing is good .....
5. b**** slap any mother ****er driving an import
6. b**** slap anyone who disagrees with you ................

+1 ^5

http://www.bartcop.com/oil-buzzards.jpg

[kappys]

http://bartblog.bartcop.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/honeymoons-over.jpg

I suspect Bush's trip to the Saudis was rather tongue in cheek. Presumably the GOP had to be seen to at least somewhat care about the gas crisis so a a quick trip to Saudi Arabia and their refusal to increase production provides a convenient scapegoat for the current administration while continuing to protect ever increasing oil company profits.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

I suspect Bush's trip to the Saudis was rather tongue in cheek.

Yep.

And not just figuratively, I'm sure...

http://www.knowyourpresident.org/bush_kiss.jpg

;)



Presumably the GOP had to be seen to at least somewhat care about the gas crisis so a a quick trip to Saudi Arabia and their refusal to increase production provides a convenient scapegoat for the current administration while continuing to protect ever increasing oil company profits.

Absolutely.

The whole thing is just theater to make it look like they give a rat's ass and to provide cover for themselves.

[yavoon]

I suspect Bush's trip to the Saudis was rather tongue in cheek. Presumably the GOP had to be seen to at least somewhat care about the gas crisis so a a quick trip to Saudi Arabia and their refusal to increase production provides a convenient scapegoat for the current administration while continuing to protect ever increasing oil company profits.

Seriously how do ppl as stupid as you get into the intertubes? Yes everything is all one massive convoluted scheme to get oil companies profits. Thank god jimmeh carter was there in the 1970's to windfall profit the bastards thus totally crippling America, rocketing inflation and destroying money spent on exploration.

[Bronco Jamus]

I suspect Bush's trip to the Saudis was rather tongue in cheek. Presumably the GOP had to be seen to at least somewhat care about the gas crisis so a a quick trip to Saudi Arabia and their refusal to increase production provides a convenient scapegoat for the current administration while continuing to protect ever increasing oil company profits.

Except the Saudis are increasing production.

The President of the US does NOT control the price of oil or production by OPEC.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

The President of the US does NOT control the price of oil or production by OPEC.

If you don't think the president's policies influence oil prices (particularly when that president invites energy companies to write their own policy and starts wars that create instability in the Middle East) then you are WAY more naive and/or delusional than I thought.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Seriously how do ppl as stupid as you get into the intertubes? Yes everything is all one massive convoluted scheme to get oil companies profits. Thank god jimmeh carter was there in the 1970's to windfall profit the bastards thus totally crippling America, rocketing inflation and destroying money spent on exploration.

http://ipl.pipnet.com/eggs/koolaid-large.jpg

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

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[Dudeskey]

I agree
Several steps have to be taken
1. Close the Enron loophole , then you have to get the FET to enforce the law
2. Then you have to stop the foreign exchange law ( simular to the enron loophole )
3. reduce taxes on everyone except the rich .....those ****ers have had enough of a free ride ....
4. b**** slap the next mother ****er that says outsourcing is good .....
5. b**** slap any mother ****er driving an import
6. b**** slap anyone who disagrees with you ................

I have to disagree w/ your 5th point only because I drive a Honda (albeit assembled in Ohio). I'd drive a domestic if they could build me a decent car.

[Bronco Jamus]

If you don't think the president's policies influence oil prices (particularly when that president invites energy companies to write their own policy and starts wars that create instability in the Middle East) then you are WAY more naive and/or delusional than I thought.

The President does not control the price of crude oil or the supply, which dictaes the market.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

The President does not control the price of crude oil or the supply, which dictaes the market.

Holy crap - my last post to you just sailed right over your head, didn't it?

:crazy:

[Bronco Jamus]

I have to disagree w/ your 5th point only because I drive a Honda (albeit assembled in Ohio). I'd drive a domestic if they could build me a decent car.

Not only that but your Honda was most likely made here by American labor.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

DOT reports steepest decrease in driving ever reported...

As gas goes up, driving goes down

(CNN) -- At a time when gas prices are at an all-time high, Americans have curtailed their driving at a historic rate.

http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/US/05/26/gas.driving/art.gas.pump.gi.jpg<!--===========/IMAGE===========--><!--===========CAPTION==========-->Americans are not driving as much as they did a year ago as gas prices skyrocket.

http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/.element/img/2.0/mosaic/base_skins/baseplate/corner_wire_BL.gif

The Department of Transportation said figures from March show the steepest decrease in driving ever recorded.

Compared with March a year earlier, Americans drove an estimated 4.3 percent less -- that's 11 billion fewer miles, the DOT's Federal Highway Administration said Monday, calling it "the sharpest yearly drop for any month in FHWA history." Records have been kept since 1942.
According to AAA, for the first time since 2002, Americans said they were planning to drive less over the Memorial Day weekend than they did the year before.

Tracy and Adam Crews posted on iReport that their annual Memorial Day weekend has traditionally involved camping and fishing.
"Well, due to the continual rise in gas, we felt our only recourse was to nix the idea this year and stay home" in Jacksonville, Florida, they wrote.
Instead, the couple said they "decided to camp out in the backyard. We set the tent up, just finished installing our above ground pool, and cleaned up the grill. ... We have ourselves a campsite! It's been a blast!"

Nakeisha Easterwood of Smyrna, Georgia, said with gas prices on the rise, she sometimes catches rides with friends, and doesn't drive into town more than once a day. "It's crazy," she said.

According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon of regular gas (http://topics.cnn.com/topics/gas_prices) rose to a record $3.936. That compares with an average price per gallon of $3.23 last Memorial Day.

"With it being near $4 a gallon, you definitely have to drive slower and pick and choose when you're going to do it," said Steve Kahn of Roswell, Georgia, at a Memorial Day festival in Atlanta.

Some Americans have turned to public transportation. Ridership increased by 2.1 percent in 2007, in part because of rising gas prices, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

Americans took 10.3 billion trips on public transportation in 2007, the highest level in 50 years, the group said.
<!--startclickprintexclude-->

<!-- ADSPACE: us/intg_story/lft.180x150 --> <!-- CALLOUT|http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn&cnn_pagetype=intg_story&cnn_position=180x150_lft&cnn_rollup=us&page.allowcompete=yes&params.styles=fs|CALLOUT --> <iframe src="http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn&cnn_pagetype=intg_story&cnn_position=180x150_lft&cnn_rollup=us&page.allowcompete=yes&params.styles=fs&tile=4324088132121&domId=557154" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" style="visibility: hidden; position: absolute;" name="557154" id="557154" frameborder="0" height="0" scrolling="no" width="0"></iframe>

<!--endclickprintexclude--> The Energy Information Administration says gas consumption for the first three months of 2008 is estimated to be down about 0.6 percent from the same time period in 2007.

For the summer season, gas consumption is expected to be down 0.4 percent from last year.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/26/gas.driving/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

[Kaylore]

The President does not control the price of crude oil or the supply, which dictaes the market.

That's what's so funny. There have been endless reports of how the Chinese, a now emerging super power that is trying to rapidly-modernize, are buying enormous amounts of crude oil. Their country is a billion people and most of the people in here still think it's all Bush and once he's gone his connection to Enron will be severed and Voila: $1.25 a gallon gasoline. ::)

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

That's what's so funny. There have been endless reports of how the Chinese, a now emerging super power that is trying to rapidly-modernize, are buying enormous amounts of crude oil. Their country is a billion people and most of the people in here still think it's all Bush and once he's gone his connection to Enron will be severed and Voila: $1.25 a gallon gasoline. ::)

:bs:

According to MarketWatch:

“Speculative activity in commodity markets has grown "enormously" over the past several years, the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee said in a news release. It pointed out that in five years, from 2003 to 2008, investment in the index funds tied to commodities has grown by 20-fold -- to $260 billion from $13 billion.”

And here's a revealing clip from the testimony of Michael W. Masters of Masters Capital Management, LLC, who addressed the issue of “Commodities Speculation” before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs this week:

“Today, Index Speculators are pouring billions of dollars into the commodities futures markets, speculating that commodity prices will increase. ...In the popular press the explanation given most often for rising oil prices is the increased demand for oil from China.

According to the DOE, annual Chinese demand for petroleum has increased over the last five years from 1.88 billion barrels to 2.8 billion barrels, an increase of 920 million barrels.

Over the same five-year period, Index Speculatorsʼ demand for petroleum futures has increased by 848 million barrels. THE INCREASE IN DEMAND FROM INDEX SPECULATORS IS ALMOST EQUAL TO THE INCREASE IN DEMAND FROM CHINA.


...most of the people in here still think it's all Bush and once he's gone his connection to Enron will be severed and Voila: $1.25 a gallon gasoline.

:bs:

What a dumb straw man. Show me one person who has said gas is going to be $1.25 again.

There are three things that are driving up the price of oil: the falling dollar, speculation and buying on margin.

The dollar is tanking because of the Federal Reserve's low interest monetary policies have kept interest rates below the rate of inflation for most of the last decade. Add that to the $700 billion current account deficit and a National Debt that has increased from $5.8 trillion when Bush first took office to over $9 trillion today and it's a wonder the dollar hasn't gone “Poof” already.

According to a January 4 editorial in the Wall Street Journal: “If the dollar had remained 'as good as gold' since 2001, oil today would be selling at about $30 per barrel, not $99. (today $126 per barrel) The decline of the dollar against gold and oil suggests a US monetary that is supplying too many dollars.” Wall Street Journal 1-4-08

The price of oil has more than quadrupled since 2001, from roughly $30 per barrel to $126, WITHOUT ANY DISRUPTIONS TO SUPPLY. There's no shortage; it's just gibberish.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

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