oil companies achieving what the terrorists could not

[longrunQ]

The terrorists tried to cripple the economy on 9/11. It worked to an extent, but the oil companies will achieve it to a far greater level.

I work for a motel and I have seen occupancy go down drastically over the last year, and one of the reasons is that gas is so high that fewer people are travelling.

Of course, that means we all get less hours as the owners can afford to take more hours for themselves,

Which means, that I have less money to spend on the local businesses, so they have to send people home, so

before one knows it, the local economy will go into a spriral thanks to the oil companies.

Can you imagine the effect the inevitable $3 gallon will have on the economy? Shoot even a gallon of milk has gone up a dollar.

[UncleBen]

Stuff really sucks right now, its sad and pathetic in all honesty.

[VimyJ]

We got used to historically low oil prices. Adjusted for inflation, gas is at its "normal" historic price. Unforetunately, all the extra money we had with the cheap oil is being eaten up and isn't there to be spent on other services. The services that sprang up to soak up the extra jingle in our pockets are going to be hurt and, as longrun mentioned, will create ripple effects.

Interesting times ahead.

[Megaseth]

Its not just the oil companies, its the refineries too. the oil companies can go into overdrive and drill for more, but if the refineries arent happy, then we still wont have a lot. besides, we get more oil from other countries than the middle east.

[VimyJ]

Oil is a fungible commodity. What affects prices in one area affects prices everywhere. Food is like oil. A crop failure in Australia will drive wheat prices up all over the world. Demand is outstripping supply both for crude and for its distillates. The administration has also stirred up a hornet's nest so we are paying an "insecurity" premium as well.

[ilovedrifting]

we need to drill more in the us, we got more oil in alaska than we would know what to do with

[PhaneSoul]

true true, but i suppose that would be for if we bombed the mid east and blew up our oil.......

[Cold_Zero]

Its not just the oil companies, its the refineries too. the oil companies can go into overdrive and drill for more, but if the refineries arent happy, then we still wont have a lot. besides, we get more oil from other countries than the middle east.

Thank you Megaseth. A lot of people talk about crude oil production (drilling and importing) but they talk nothing about the refinement and processing of the crude oil to make gasoline. Investment in the refinement and delivery process of gasoline is one area that would lower gas prices, but not to the lows that we have seen prices.

[VimyJ]

we need to drill more in the us, we got more oil in alaska than we would know what to do with

Sadly, that is not true as I pointed out on one of the other oil threads. The Anwr field is optimistically estimated to contain up to 9 billion barrels of oil. Put another way, that amounts to about 5 years worth of current US imports. Compare that to Iraq with 112 billion proven barrels of reserves.

Do you think bush actually went to Iraq for WMD and al Qaeda? Iraq represents the last of the cheap oil. Well, it's not looking that cheap right now but it does leap out of the ground as opposed to the production costs involved in drilling in the arctic for relatively small amounts.

The cheap oil is gone.

[Megaseth]

we need more efficient fuels...

[VimyJ]

we need more efficient fuels...

Even at these prices and higher, nothing is more efficient than oil. Energy rich and easily transportable. We are hopelessly adicted to cheap energy.

[Megaseth]

well, the other thing is, alcohol doesnt have the same potential energy as gasoline does, and it tends to make engines burn differently. all that crap thats in gas now that helps it burn cleaner is too good for engines. alcohol tends to pull water out of the air when it burns...

[Cold_Zero]

Here is an interesting article.http://www.usatoday.com/money/...x.htm

How about this scenario? The Royal Saudi family gets overthrown in a Fundamentalist coup de tat (like Iran experienced). Let alone a terrorlst strike on their infrastructure. What would that do to the United State's geo-strategic stance?

[SmithSR]

When will the boycott of motorsports begin??

Your tires have oil in them. Let the boycott begin. I will only drive on tires made from hemp.

[JESTER]

This isn't the first gas crunch.

Things will get better. If not our government will do somethingabout it. They will have to for fear of losing their jobs.

Have to play to all sides to win. They are just letting the other team have the ball for a few baskets.

[VimyJ]

This isn't the first gas crunch.

Things will get better. If not our government will do somethingabout it. They will have to for fear of losing their jobs.

Have to play to all sides to win. They are just letting the other team have the ball for a few baskets.

Oil is a finite resource. bush thought he was doing something really smart about it. :doh

Bin Laden predicted $100/b oil. If the Saudi Royal family gets booted out, he'll be right again. See my other post that includes the link to an article describing bin Laden's Nostradamus like predictions. (It's on one of these damn gas/oil threads) Make no mistake: bin Laden is a lot smarter than bush. And don't think I believe that is in any way a good thing.

[JESTER]

Not going to argue with that. It sucks when we get a smart opponet.

[Megaseth]

yeah, Bin Laden sucks as a terrorlst, i mean, he does actually do stuff, but the man i VERY smart. he knows how to get stuff done. i mean, the man has been fighting his whole life and doing this kinda stuff. man, we need Teddy Roosevelt in office, or General Lee.

[MaineExport]

This thread needs to be locked up. Can't keep politics out of it... needs to go.

[JESTER]

No one is getting political. Yet. We have simple taken a step toward history. Okay it is slightly political. But we will try to keep modern politicians out of it.

If we are talking historical figures in modern day roles, I vote for Isenhour. I wonder how John Kennedy would have faired with an enemy such as Bin Laden.

[MaineExport]

No one is getting political. Yet.

Okay.... if you say so....

[quote=" VimyjDo you think bush actually went to Iraq for WMD and al Qaeda?[/quote][quote=" the same guy as abovebush thought he was doing something really smart about it.[/quote][quote="... guess who? Our friend Vim!The administration has also stirred up a hornet's nest so we are paying an "insecurity" premium as well.[/quote]Is seems as though one of our members can't keep his POLITICAL OPINIONS out of the ring.....

[[Zero-S]]

"originally posted by... guess who? Our friend Vim!"

Classic. I <3 nico.

[VimyJ]

Okay.... if you say so....Is seems as though one of our members can't keep his POLITICAL OPINIONS out of the ring.....

The sad fact is that we are paying for someone's political decisions at the pump. The middle east is awash in turmoil so there is a price to pay. For the foreseeable future, Iraq won't be a reliable source of oil and the Saudi royal family have the sword of Damocles hanging over its head these days in the form of Islamic extremism which has been whipped to a fever pitch.

[Sircnay]

Nuke everyone including ourselves and let God sort it all out.

[Megaseth]

Nukings for all!

[MaineExport]

The sad fact is that we are paying for someone's political decisions at the pump.

Oh please!!!

Every day... in every way we pay more or less for things because of the political decisions of our leaders. That's why we have the power to VOTE! You pay less in income taxes because of the political decisions of the very same leader that you blame for your higher gas bill. We could throw around politics all day and neither one of us (or anyone else for that matter) will be convinced to adopt the other's point of view. So... as I said... let's leave the politics off this board since it's not "allowed" anyway.

Bottom line.. gas is getting more expensive and there are MANY reasons for it... pay up or stop driving... and express your opinion with your VOTE!

[Sircnay]

OOORRR You can take some basic econ lessons and learn the REAL reasons why gas is so high... instead of just saying, "IT'S THE OIL COMPANIES FAULT! LET'S BOYCOTT GAS FOR ONE DAY!!!!!!!!!1111111111oneoneoneonetwo."

Or you can just prostitute yourself and make tons of money so you won't have to worry about gas prices. I hear the a blowjob goes for like $30 nowadays, maybe if you blow the gas guy he'll give you free gas... hmmm I think I'm onto something... Hey Megaseth.. you want to do me a favor?

[Megaseth]

hey, since im kinda in control, i choose my mark-ups.....$50! and if you boycott, there will be others ready to pay! you pay now!

[krazy skwerel]

There is always the fact that the US dollar is losing value compared to other forms of currency. Too many factors to blame just one.

[MaineExport]

OOORRR You can take some basic econ lessons and learn the REAL reasons why gas is so high... instead of just saying, "IT'S THE OIL COMPANIES FAULT! LET'S BOYCOTT GAS FOR ONE DAY!!!!!!!!!1111111111oneoneoneonetwo."

First logical post I've seen in this thread! BUT... trying to educate those who don't WANT to be educated is hard. Most people would rather hear (and pass along) emotionally charged propaganda that makes the answer easily "understood" and digested. Truly understanding global economics and the role we play in it... not so easy to comprehend for people who need to be coddled by quick "sound bite" answers.