Gas pump to as much as $10 a gallon.....

[BraggSurvivor]

Are we to believe that this is really about supply and demand? In one year has there really been a 100% shift in the amount of people driving cars, heating homes, etc. If it is true, that's one hell of a world population explosion.

Are we to believe that the commodities markets are really reflecting the true supply and demand. I don't think so.

Instead I think it is too much money, chasing too few commodities. It is not supply / demand driven but is commodity market driven.

Yes there is the falling dollar but I don't think it is as big a market mover as the commodity market trading.

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

[Rick]

I think this one is quite possible. I told my wife a couple of weeks ago that before mid-summer it would be $100 a tank.

[Ole WV Coot]

I filled my truck up and the pump shut off at $75. Went inside and was told to take the receipt for the $75 and start over. So I guess it's time to break out my WV Credit Card(4' of 1/2" hose). I have dropped over $200 in the car & truck last few days. I still believe people like me that keep gas everywhere are the ones that cause the price to go thru the roof.

[Rick]

We think this price is awful (and it really is!!) but just about everyone else in the world is paying much more than we are and have been for a long time. I'll bet folks in the UK or Japan are watching us complain about the price and thinking, "Dam*ed Yanks".

[Alpine_Sapper]

We think this price is awful (and it really is!!) but just about everyone else in the world is paying much more than we are and have been for a long time. I'll bet folks in the UK or Japan are watching us complain about the price and thinking, "Dam*ed Yanks".

I can't help waving a one fingered salute at anyone saying that, simply because, how would they feel if gas in their country suddenly jumped from $10 a gallon to $20? They'd be complaining too.

[Rick]

I think it is.

[trax]

Prices bythe liter here in Canada y'know...here I thought we won the war but whatever....$1.25/liter in Manitoba right now. That works out to about $5. a gallon. It's costing me $84 from empty to full for my truck right now.

[Chris]

10 years ago China was all bicycles, now it is all cars.

We need to drill more. That, and, realistic alteratives. My problem with the enviromental wackjobs is that they treat environmentalism as religion, believing in everything. You cannot have a rational discussion with them. Just look at corn ethanol. Other such biofuels really are in the same boat, niche products with no economic chance to succeed... and they don't get that by pushing these unrealistic alternatives they hinder the development of real alternatives (hybrid, electric, hydrogen).

6 or so years ago I read an article that said that we'd never be able to replace our oil needs with ethanol as it would require so much of our arable land that there would be food shortages and we'd starve to death. Hmmm.. I guess I was the only one who read it. All the main stream media is acting like its a big shock.

[beerrunner13]

And even if we drilled more oil the US hasn't built a refineary since 1975, another thank you to the eco-nuts

[Alpine_Sapper]

So what's the alternative? Build refineries and drill until we've completely tapped out the resources and destroyed the environment? Then, not only are we out of oil and all the cars are useless, but we're stuck trying to find a way to repair the damage we've done to our environment. Not a legacy that I want to leave to my kids.

[dilligaf2u2]

Did someone say "buy a bike"!

Don

[Sourdough]

So what's the alternative? Build refineries and drill until we've completely tapped out the resources and destroyed the environment? Then, not only are we out of oil and all the cars are useless, but we're stuck trying to find a way to repair the damage we've done to our environment. Not a legacy that I want to leave to my kids.

We just need more people, Billions more people, Billions and billions more humans, Multiplying like skin cancer cells, The Earth has a fast spreading cancer called humans. But the Earth has a cure. And there is that part of you that knows something is coming. Like "They" say, "It is not if it will happen, but when".

[Rick]

The fact that we HAVE to drill in places like the deep Gulf or in preserves in Alaska sort of indicates the days of easy access oil is over.

1. How about a real national energy policy that drives us toward independence. The alternatives that Chris mentioned (hybrid, electric, hydrogen) are where we should be heading.

2. How about changing the CAFE rules so they don't inflate MPG ratings for gas guzzling monster 4x4s and SUVs. Can you say fuel efficient?

3. How about fuel efficient heavy equipment like over the road trucks?

[Sourdough]

Have you ever seen the program that builds the case: Befor oil 0ne billion humans, after oil is gone one billion humans.

[Rick]

If your question is directed at me, the answer is no.

[Sourdough]

Sorry, It was more of a general question, not you specific.

[wildWoman]

Being one of the "econuts" myself, this is how I see it: once you let me come into your very own backyard to pollute your drinking water, food supply, build industrial haul roads through your neighbourhood, set up drills and refineries within hearing and smelling distance from your house, f***k up the bunny habitat or what you have there in "wildlife", so that I and all my buddies can keep on pursueing our personal lifestyle, just because we don't feel like changing it and digging into our own pockets, THEN maybe we have a base for discussion.
FYI, the north is not a white wasteland and other species enjoy living on this planet too.

[BraggSurvivor]

Eventually, the US must attack Iran IMO. The whole point of an invasion of Iraq is not about gaining control of Iraqi oil per se, it is about the US having strategic control over the Region in order to create the conditons for stable (preferably cheap) oil supplies - not just to the US, but to the world market in general on which the US depends. That has provided the US with a huge presence in the area. It also has strategic bases in the Stans, which creates an Iron Curtain between Russia and China and the Gulf. Alongside the removal of the US's opponents in the Balkans the US now has strategic positions in all the world's important locations.

At the moment the competition between China and the US and Europe for raw materials is conducted through normal trade channels - a competition which China is winning, because its booming economy, and huge cash pile means it can outbid its rivals. But that situation arose in the boom period of 1890-1914 Kondratiev Long Wave boom too. But as the boom began to fade at the end of that period the competition for materials began to take on less of an economic character, and more of a military character, ultimately leading to World War I.

Iran is now a regional power whose influence can destabilize the US's plans, and its main Sunni clients in the region i.e. those like Saudi Arabia with most of the oil. That is why the US has been making up with the Iraqi Sunnis, and turning on Sadr's Shia. It is why they have been financing Fatah against Hamas, and even reportedly backing an Al Qaeda group in Lebanon against Hezbollah. The US does not need to have the same aims in Iran that it proclaimed for Iraq. It only needs to have as its aim regime change. If that results in chaos in Iran to bad, but as long as it is not faced with a competitor, it will settle for that. It has done so in the past, and then used the CIA to back some strongman to come in and establish a US friendly regime - it did that with the Shah when they overthrew the democratic government of Mossadegh, and they did it previously in Iraq when they helped Saddam into power, and helped maintain him in power against internal opposition.

With oil continuing to rise the US cannot afford the world market to be destabilized with the potential for long term disruption of oil supplies - neither actually can China or Russia, or any of the main competitors, which is why such an attack will not lead to WWIII, but will lead to a lot of hot air and posturing.

[Sourdough]

Pandemic is the answer to all the worlds problems.

[Rick]

From what I've read, President Ahmadinejad wants to return Iran to it's former Persian Empire. Admirable goal if you happen to be Iranian. Not so hot if you live some place else.

Your explanation on why we are in Iraq is as good a one as I've seen. For the life of me, I don't understand the invasion. No single motive really explains it. I'm not sure how we secure oil access by doing it but that might be right.