Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
If you made a list of the things we Americans are most dependent on, we’d find air, water, food, football, the internet, beer, TV, music, and of course, getting our weasels greased. But now something that you never really considered a necessity in the past is vying for top spot (just behind air, food, and water, and just before the greasing.) I’m talking about gasoline. In the past we just pulled into a gas station and told Habib to filler on up. But the price of gas has basically doubled in the past two years and the part that has us all frantic is – when will it stop going up? It almost feels like water board torture as our mind races and we shake helplessly rolling up to the pump as we grab our ankles and say “thank you sir, may I have another.”
People aren’t even filling up anymore, but going for half a tank and trying to stretch it as much as possible. Remember the days of asking for a quick ten-dollar’s worth? That “might” get you across the street if the attendant even agrees as he’d have his nozzle in your gas hole for all of three seconds. And that’s exactly what’s happening as the oil companies are cramming it up our gasholes for all it’s worth.
Now I know many blame China because those bad driving photo freaks finally decided that cars get the Chan family around better than a Schwinn. But Opec has flat out said that they won’t increase production, knowing they’ve got Uncle Sam’s testicles in a full nelson and they don’t care about the pain it’s causing. All those pricks have to is open the spigots a little longer and we’re all breathing a bit easier, but it ain’t gonna happen. I’d love to see Bush grow a sack and tell the Saudis, “Hey, uh, sorry but ya’ll know those GI’s and them there fancy billion dollar planes we got protecting them oil fields of yours? Well, I’m gonna be sendin’ all of them boys home for the summer, so good luck with your buddies in Iran.” How sweet would that be? I bet those white sheets would turn to brown in about five seconds.
Some of you are saying, “How do you blame the oil companies?” Please just shut your face and look at their quarterly profits. Exxon/Mobil, Sun Oil, Gulf, Texaco and the rest are setting world records, making billions more than ever before. You’re telling me they can’t cut into a tiny bit of the profits in a group effort to save he economy? It sure would be nice to see those heartless bastards use collusion for the good of the people for once.
A couple interesting thoughts here…
Are the oil companies driving prices high to the point of “who cares” because they well know that in ten years we’ll all be running our autos on Orville Reddenbacher anyway? Is Opec saying “who cares” to the U.S. because they know we’re developing other resources and they’re too busy getting richer and fatter by the day via their new asshole buddies in the Orient? Are the gas companies pulling another ruse by getting us to $5 a gallon then lowering it back to $3.50 so we all breathe a false sigh of relief thinking that gas is cheap again? Will they jack it up even higher with the intent that people are literally forced to car pool, use mass transit, or combine their family car trips each day? Will Lassie save Timmy and his family from the collapsing mine shaft in time? This is some pretty heavy shineola to ponder my smoke-sucking brethren.
There’s one acerbic poster on this blog whose answer is for me to stop driving my Jeep Grand Cherokee. Yeah, yeah, that’s the answer all right. ZMAN BUYS A PRIUS - SAVES THE ECONOMY…THE PEOPLE REJOICE! Uh huh. Does going green mean that I “have to” drive a frigging toaster with wheels? And this isn’t even about bitching at the pump anymore because the trickle down effect has become a flowing volcano where goods and services are going through the roof and something we used to refer to as “discretionary income” is going the way of the stegosaurus, the 8-track player, and 80’s hair bands (although Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” just might become the American people’s rallying cry.) The average Joe and family will definitely vacation less this year or not go anywhere at all. Of course that puts a major hit on the airlines, hotels, rental cars, restaurants, theme parks and the tens of thousands of employees who need their 40 hours plus a week to feed their families. Many people are buying strictly necessities at the super market to keep the weekly food bill from going ballistic. Even if I take the family out for a pizza, four bottles of Coke is ten bucks so I got the crew drinking ice water. It’s not only free, but healthier too. The post office is raising their rates again and I think a Fed Ex Standard over night is around seven hundred bucks. You know how they say things come full circle? Can you say Pony Express?
Two days before I left for my trip to the DR and Honduras the price of gas shot up twenty cents in one day. If that keeps happening we’re going to have mass panic. BTW, the price of gas is $6 a gallon in the Dominican Republic and rising just like ours. Half the people drive scooters down there and it’s like Death Race 2000 in the streets. (Holy God, driving there is mass chaos and makes mid-town Manhattan look like Pleasant Valley Sunday.) These small nations whose exports rely on the American dollar are frightened to death about the U.S.’s spiraling economy. The cigar makers know that the moderate smoker will cut down on his spending habits and they said they are feeling it already. Man oh man, what a mess.
I’m not sure if today was a rant, a bitchfest, or a cry for help. I’d say probably all of the above. If this trickle down volcano starts the closing of companies and the loss of many jobs, our new presedente might have another depression to deal with and that’s why something has to be done now. The American public has to become one huge collective squeeky wheel. Either big oil company execs have to give in, the government will have to tap into our oil reserves, or maybe we just claim Saudi Arabia as the United States East. Hey, It’s a thought.
You have a nice day.
Tommy Z.
JR Cigar Blog With the Zman.
People aren’t even filling up anymore, but going for half a tank and trying to stretch it as much as possible. Remember the days of asking for a quick ten-dollar’s worth? That “might” get you across the street if the attendant even agrees as he’d have his nozzle in your gas hole for all of three seconds. And that’s exactly what’s happening as the oil companies are cramming it up our gasholes for all it’s worth.
Now I know many blame China because those bad driving photo freaks finally decided that cars get the Chan family around better than a Schwinn. But Opec has flat out said that they won’t increase production, knowing they’ve got Uncle Sam’s testicles in a full nelson and they don’t care about the pain it’s causing. All those pricks have to is open the spigots a little longer and we’re all breathing a bit easier, but it ain’t gonna happen. I’d love to see Bush grow a sack and tell the Saudis, “Hey, uh, sorry but ya’ll know those GI’s and them there fancy billion dollar planes we got protecting them oil fields of yours? Well, I’m gonna be sendin’ all of them boys home for the summer, so good luck with your buddies in Iran.” How sweet would that be? I bet those white sheets would turn to brown in about five seconds.
Some of you are saying, “How do you blame the oil companies?” Please just shut your face and look at their quarterly profits. Exxon/Mobil, Sun Oil, Gulf, Texaco and the rest are setting world records, making billions more than ever before. You’re telling me they can’t cut into a tiny bit of the profits in a group effort to save he economy? It sure would be nice to see those heartless bastards use collusion for the good of the people for once.
A couple interesting thoughts here…
Are the oil companies driving prices high to the point of “who cares” because they well know that in ten years we’ll all be running our autos on Orville Reddenbacher anyway? Is Opec saying “who cares” to the U.S. because they know we’re developing other resources and they’re too busy getting richer and fatter by the day via their new asshole buddies in the Orient? Are the gas companies pulling another ruse by getting us to $5 a gallon then lowering it back to $3.50 so we all breathe a false sigh of relief thinking that gas is cheap again? Will they jack it up even higher with the intent that people are literally forced to car pool, use mass transit, or combine their family car trips each day? Will Lassie save Timmy and his family from the collapsing mine shaft in time? This is some pretty heavy shineola to ponder my smoke-sucking brethren.
There’s one acerbic poster on this blog whose answer is for me to stop driving my Jeep Grand Cherokee. Yeah, yeah, that’s the answer all right. ZMAN BUYS A PRIUS - SAVES THE ECONOMY…THE PEOPLE REJOICE! Uh huh. Does going green mean that I “have to” drive a frigging toaster with wheels? And this isn’t even about bitching at the pump anymore because the trickle down effect has become a flowing volcano where goods and services are going through the roof and something we used to refer to as “discretionary income” is going the way of the stegosaurus, the 8-track player, and 80’s hair bands (although Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” just might become the American people’s rallying cry.) The average Joe and family will definitely vacation less this year or not go anywhere at all. Of course that puts a major hit on the airlines, hotels, rental cars, restaurants, theme parks and the tens of thousands of employees who need their 40 hours plus a week to feed their families. Many people are buying strictly necessities at the super market to keep the weekly food bill from going ballistic. Even if I take the family out for a pizza, four bottles of Coke is ten bucks so I got the crew drinking ice water. It’s not only free, but healthier too. The post office is raising their rates again and I think a Fed Ex Standard over night is around seven hundred bucks. You know how they say things come full circle? Can you say Pony Express?
Two days before I left for my trip to the DR and Honduras the price of gas shot up twenty cents in one day. If that keeps happening we’re going to have mass panic. BTW, the price of gas is $6 a gallon in the Dominican Republic and rising just like ours. Half the people drive scooters down there and it’s like Death Race 2000 in the streets. (Holy God, driving there is mass chaos and makes mid-town Manhattan look like Pleasant Valley Sunday.) These small nations whose exports rely on the American dollar are frightened to death about the U.S.’s spiraling economy. The cigar makers know that the moderate smoker will cut down on his spending habits and they said they are feeling it already. Man oh man, what a mess.
I’m not sure if today was a rant, a bitchfest, or a cry for help. I’d say probably all of the above. If this trickle down volcano starts the closing of companies and the loss of many jobs, our new presedente might have another depression to deal with and that’s why something has to be done now. The American public has to become one huge collective squeeky wheel. Either big oil company execs have to give in, the government will have to tap into our oil reserves, or maybe we just claim Saudi Arabia as the United States East. Hey, It’s a thought.
You have a nice day.
Tommy Z.
JR Cigar Blog With the Zman.
Posted by zman at 11:55 AM | Link | 40 comments
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Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Geez, Zman, there for a minute I thought you were going to suggest everybody not buy gas for one day LMAO
Posted by dodger_fan on April 30, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Now that the warmer weather is here Zman, maybe you oughta try to perfect those fart powered roller blades that you've been working on for the past 10 years. Fug the oil producers, one big can of beans and you'll be able to skate to Atlantic City and back. And almost no greenhose gas emissions, either!
Posted by Garfiend on April 30, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Bottom line is we are screwed for now. Lol. BTW Hi.
Posted by Zig2k143 on April 30, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
What I love is that as soon as a barrel of oil goes up, we see it at the pump. That barrel might not even reach the refinery for 4 weeks, but we pay the increase on gas the oil companies have already bought and paid for. What happens if the price per barrel goes down a little? Do we see that drop just as fast?? Hell no. Oh well there's nothing left to do but go sit on my porch and ponder world politics and the economy with a cigar.
Posted by lgiamo on April 30, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Heard on the radio this morning that Algeria said the cost of crude should go up to $200 a barrel and OPEC should not do anything to prevent it. F@#k those towel headed bastids! We invade Iraq without being attacked so why not march into oil country because we sure as hell are being attacked economically. Where are our so-called friends when we need help? Fuckin' their camels I suspect! We save Kuwait's ass from Saddam and where does it get us? Bent over and holding our ankles!
Posted by Brian W on April 30, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
I'm tired of hearing people blame the oil companies for their profits. They invested trillions over the years finding that black gold, and now that prices are going up, you don't want them to be able to sell it for a profit? (Even though you probably have lots of Exxon and Chevron stock in your 401K, and don't mind the appreciation there)
In the early '90's, a Topps '52 Mickey Mantle card went for about $3,000. In the space of a couple of years, it went up to $52,000. Why wasn't there a cry for a windfall profits tax on baseball cards? (an extreme example, I'll admit)
Because the poor schlep put his money out there in the first place in hopes that just that would happen. It's the American Way. We invest in various things hoping to make a profit. It's free enterprise at work. If you don't like it, pony up and buy your own oil wells.
In the early '90's, a Topps '52 Mickey Mantle card went for about $3,000. In the space of a couple of years, it went up to $52,000. Why wasn't there a cry for a windfall profits tax on baseball cards? (an extreme example, I'll admit)
Because the poor schlep put his money out there in the first place in hopes that just that would happen. It's the American Way. We invest in various things hoping to make a profit. It's free enterprise at work. If you don't like it, pony up and buy your own oil wells.
Posted by roadlizard7 on April 30, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
The oil producing countries know that they have a finite amount of oil to sell. Why wouldn't they want to get as much as they can for it and why would they want to increase production to make our lives easier? When it's gone, they've got nothing and become instantly irrelevant to the rest of the world, so they should want to stretch it out for as long as they can. I agree that the fuggin' oil companies might want to ease our pain and make a little less profit, being patriotic American companies and shit, but how would they pay for their CEOs 400 million dollar retirement packages if they did that?
Also, don't discount speculators, such as hedge funds, jumping into the oil and gas markets to get returns that they can't currently get from equities. Some think that speculation adds 20 bucks a barrel or more to the price. We're hooked on oil, and there's no easy or fast way out of it. Unless Zman's fart experiments have a cold fusion-like breakthrough. LMAO!!!!
Also, don't discount speculators, such as hedge funds, jumping into the oil and gas markets to get returns that they can't currently get from equities. Some think that speculation adds 20 bucks a barrel or more to the price. We're hooked on oil, and there's no easy or fast way out of it. Unless Zman's fart experiments have a cold fusion-like breakthrough. LMAO!!!!
Posted by Garfiend on April 30, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Got the inline skates on as I type.
Posted by zman on April 30, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Georgie Dumbya have a sack? He can't even say we are in a recession.
Keep up the bitchfest zman, maybe someone will care and actually do something other than complain.
But I do love your fuzzy math. Current average gas price is $3.60, so to double we need to find the last time the average was $1.80 or less. In Dec-04 and Jan-05, it got close for those two months but not all the way, but I will give you those because you would have to go back almost whole year more. But still, Jan-05 is only two years by your math? Come on, even a second grader can figure this stuff out better than you. Here are the prices for:
Apr-06 = $2.74
May-06 = $2.91
Which is two years ago. So it increased by 32% not the 100% you are claiming (that is the definition of doubling). But you are right, a 32% increase doesn't sound as dramatic as "Basically doubled in the last two years". It must be the poetic license thingie again.
Keep up the bitchfest zman, maybe someone will care and actually do something other than complain.
But I do love your fuzzy math. Current average gas price is $3.60, so to double we need to find the last time the average was $1.80 or less. In Dec-04 and Jan-05, it got close for those two months but not all the way, but I will give you those because you would have to go back almost whole year more. But still, Jan-05 is only two years by your math? Come on, even a second grader can figure this stuff out better than you. Here are the prices for:
Apr-06 = $2.74
May-06 = $2.91
Which is two years ago. So it increased by 32% not the 100% you are claiming (that is the definition of doubling). But you are right, a 32% increase doesn't sound as dramatic as "Basically doubled in the last two years". It must be the poetic license thingie again.
Posted by robert on April 30, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Robert, being a whiny, abrasive twat all your life has to get boring once in a while.
Why you would concentrate on my math as opposed to the fact that the country needs the oil companies help is classic you. If you want to be right and spiraling into a global depression, well go right ahead. Like I said many smaller foreign nations depend on us to do well.
If you're happy with the the rising price of EVERYTHING because of the increase of oil, then you must be well insulated from reality. We'd all better bitch and make noise and throw hissy fits if we have to. Something's gotta give.
Why you would concentrate on my math as opposed to the fact that the country needs the oil companies help is classic you. If you want to be right and spiraling into a global depression, well go right ahead. Like I said many smaller foreign nations depend on us to do well.
If you're happy with the the rising price of EVERYTHING because of the increase of oil, then you must be well insulated from reality. We'd all better bitch and make noise and throw hissy fits if we have to. Something's gotta give.
Posted by zman on April 30, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Robert, I have to agree with Zman here. You are focusing on a point that isn't anywhere near as important as the big picture. Truckers decended on Washinton DC the other day because the gas increases are killing them and this country needs these freight haulers for our commerce to run efficiently.
So an entertaining writer who revels in fart humor, milfs, and stogies has fuzzy math. Big deal, man. There's a much bigger picture he's referring to and his "bitching and complaining" is certainly something the general populous is echoing.
I know you aggitate for effect, but as Zman pointed out, it does get old after a while.
Zman for oil chancelor, 2008.
So an entertaining writer who revels in fart humor, milfs, and stogies has fuzzy math. Big deal, man. There's a much bigger picture he's referring to and his "bitching and complaining" is certainly something the general populous is echoing.
I know you aggitate for effect, but as Zman pointed out, it does get old after a while.
Zman for oil chancelor, 2008.
Posted by Benito on April 30, 2008 at 3:14 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Yeah, Robert, don't be clouding the issue with facts! LMAO
Posted by dodger_fan on April 30, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
All right, I was out of line. Twat was a tad harsh on my pal Robert. Although I'm sticking with whiny and abrasive, that's a given.
Posted by zman on April 30, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
The facts will only get you in trouble.
Posted by zman on April 30, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Well...
We're basically spoiled children. The rest of the world (everywhere that doesn't produce a gazillion barrels per day of their own crude) has been paying out the tailpipe for fuels for years. So STFU, bite the bullet and deal w/ it.
That said... I *DO* have a bit of a problem with the HUGE profits of the oil co.s right now. It smacks of profiteering, otherwise known as GOUGING. It's kind of like everyone in a neighborhood all suffering while this one S.O.B. in the house on the corner is reaping all the benefits. People are gonna resent the hell outa the guy with his house on the corner - doubly so when the bastard starts friggin' GLOATING about his gains at the expense of everyone else in the neighborhood. If that dude on the corner doesn't wanna end up being seen as the biggest prick to ever walk the face of the earth, he'd better first off STFU and keep a low profile, and secondly, he'd better do some really nice shit to ease the pain of everyone in the neighborhood - for a while anyway, while everyone adjusts...
But again, we've been lucky as hell for years and years. And there's still all the gas you care to buy... It's not like any of us can't get bank and forth to work these days.
Yes, I like my 3 cylinder 55 horsepower Geo Metro I bought last summer for $1,000. :-)
We're basically spoiled children. The rest of the world (everywhere that doesn't produce a gazillion barrels per day of their own crude) has been paying out the tailpipe for fuels for years. So STFU, bite the bullet and deal w/ it.
That said... I *DO* have a bit of a problem with the HUGE profits of the oil co.s right now. It smacks of profiteering, otherwise known as GOUGING. It's kind of like everyone in a neighborhood all suffering while this one S.O.B. in the house on the corner is reaping all the benefits. People are gonna resent the hell outa the guy with his house on the corner - doubly so when the bastard starts friggin' GLOATING about his gains at the expense of everyone else in the neighborhood. If that dude on the corner doesn't wanna end up being seen as the biggest prick to ever walk the face of the earth, he'd better first off STFU and keep a low profile, and secondly, he'd better do some really nice shit to ease the pain of everyone in the neighborhood - for a while anyway, while everyone adjusts...
But again, we've been lucky as hell for years and years. And there's still all the gas you care to buy... It's not like any of us can't get bank and forth to work these days.
Yes, I like my 3 cylinder 55 horsepower Geo Metro I bought last summer for $1,000. :-)
Posted by cottygee on April 30, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
I parked the SUV and bought a Volkswagen and it's more fun to drive. Times are changing. Fifty years ago, plumbers and carpenters didn't take cruise vacations to the Bahamas either. The average American has been spoiled. It can't go on forever.
We are 5% of the worlds population using 65% of its natural resources. My kids might be the first generation since WWII that won't have more earning potential than their parents.
I get angry and worried, too, but I believe Americans will thrive again by leading the next economic boom using alternative energy. Solar, thermal, wind, biofuels. Sometimes change is good. We always rise to the occasion when adversity strikes. Let's not begin to sound like T.O. The Eli Mannings of the world will win again!
We are 5% of the worlds population using 65% of its natural resources. My kids might be the first generation since WWII that won't have more earning potential than their parents.
I get angry and worried, too, but I believe Americans will thrive again by leading the next economic boom using alternative energy. Solar, thermal, wind, biofuels. Sometimes change is good. We always rise to the occasion when adversity strikes. Let's not begin to sound like T.O. The Eli Mannings of the world will win again!
Posted by pjandma on April 30, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Well, I guess I did say "Keep up the bitchfest zman". I guess I got what I asked for. LOL
But you need to see roadlizard's post. No need to blame the oil companies. It is not their fault, but it is way beyond the understanding of chimp-screaming blog-masters, so I am done with facts. I just have two questions:
1) What is the US demand on oil today as compared to a year ago?
2) What is the supply of global oil as compared to a year ago?
Find the answers to those two questions and then do some digging and you might learn why gas costs so much.
But you need to see roadlizard's post. No need to blame the oil companies. It is not their fault, but it is way beyond the understanding of chimp-screaming blog-masters, so I am done with facts. I just have two questions:
1) What is the US demand on oil today as compared to a year ago?
2) What is the supply of global oil as compared to a year ago?
Find the answers to those two questions and then do some digging and you might learn why gas costs so much.
Posted by robert on April 30, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
"it is way beyond the understanding of chimp-screaming blog-masters, so I am done with facts."
You want me to write about gardening?
You want me to write about gardening?
Posted by zman on April 30, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
we need to start drilling in ANWAR,f--k the Caribou and the enviromenatlists..... build new refineries, stop with the so many damn grades of gasoline,start drilling in the Gulf....AND GO FRIGGING NUCLEAR POWER BABY.....DAMN Al Gores Inconvenient BS.....the so called people the liberals seem to care so much about are the ones being hurt the most...
ANYONE KNOW THE PROFIT MARGIN FOR THE OIL COMPANIES, ANYWAYS ISN'T THAT WHY THEY ARE IN BUSINESS, ITS OUR FKN GOVN.
MAN DO I HATE THE LEFT WITH A PASSION AND MOST RINOS
GREAT ARTICLE HERE BY MARK STEYN
Last week, Time magazine featured on its cover the iconic photograph of U.S. Marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima. But with one difference: The flag has been replaced by a tree. The managing editor of Time, Rick Stengel, was very pleased with the lads in graphics for cooking up this cute image and was all over the TV sofas, talking up this ingenious visual shorthand for what he regards as the greatest challenge facing mankind: "How To Win The War On Global Warming."
Where to begin? For the past 10 years, we all have, in fact, been not warming but slightly cooling, which is why the ecowarriors have adopted the all-purpose bogeyman of "climate change." But let's take it that the editors of Time are referring not to the century we live in but the previous one, when there was a measurable rise of temperature of approximately 1 degree. That's the "war": 1 degree.
If the tree-raising is Iwo Jima, a 1-degree increase isn't exactly Pearl Harbor. But Gen. Stengel wants us to engage in pre-emptive war. The editors of Time would be the first to deplore such saber-rattling applied to, say, Iran's nuclear program, but it has become the habit of progressive opinion to appropriate the language of war for everything but actual war.
So let's cut to the tree. In my corner of New Hampshire, we have more trees than we did 100 or 200 years ago. My town is over 90 percent forested. Any more trees, and I'd have to hack my way through the undergrowth to get to my copy of Time magazine on the coffee table. Likewise Vermont, where not so long ago in St. Albans I found myself stuck behind a Hillary supporter driving a Granolamobile bearing the bumper sticker "TO SAVE A TREE REMOVE A BUSH." Very funny. And even funnier when you consider that on that stretch of Route 7 there's nothing to see, north, south, east or west, but maple, hemlock, birch, pine, you name it. It's on every measure other than tree cover that Vermont's kaput.
So where exactly do Time magazine's generals want to plant their tree? Presumably, as in Iwo Jima, on foreign soil. It's all these Third World types monkeying around with their rain forests who decline to share the sophisticated Euro-American reverence for the tree. In the Time iconography, the tree is Old Glory, and it's a flag of eco-colonialism.
And which obscure island has it been planted on? In Haiti, Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis was removed from office April 12. Insofar as history will recall him at all, he may have the distinction of being the first head of government to fall victim to "global warming" – or, at any rate, the "war on global warming" that Time magazine is gung-ho for. At least five people have been killed in food riots in Port-au-Prince. Prices have risen 40 percent since last summer and, as columnist Deroy Murdock reported, some citizens are now subsisting on biscuits made from salt, vegetable oil and (mmmm) dirt. Dirt cookies: Nutritious, tasty and affordable? Well, one out of three ain't bad.
Unlike "global warming," food rioting is a planetwide phenomenon, from Indonesia to Pakistan to Ivory Coast to the tortilla rampages in Mexico and even pasta protests in Italy.
So what happened?
Well, Western governments listened to the ecowarriors and introduced some of the "wartime measures" they've been urging. The EU decreed that 5.75 percent of petrol and diesel must come from "biofuels" by 2010, rising to 10 percent by 2020. The United States added to its 51 cent-per-gallon ethanol subsidy by mandating a fivefold increase in "biofuels" production by 2022.
The result is that big government accomplished at a stroke what the free market could never have done: They turned the food supply into a subsidiary of the energy industry. When you divert 28 percent of U.S. grain into fuel production, and when you artificially make its value as fuel higher than its value as food, why be surprised that you've suddenly got less to eat? Or, to be more precise, it's not "you" who's got less to eat but those starving peasants in distant lands you claim to care so much about.
Heigh-ho. In the greater scheme of things, a few dead natives keeled over with distended bellies is a small price to pay for saving the planet, right? Except that turning food into fuel does nothing for the planet in the first place. That tree the U.S. Marines are raising on Iwo Jima was most-likely cut down to make way for an ethanol-producing corn field: Researchers at Princeton calculate that, to date, the "carbon debt" created by the biofuels arboricide will take 167 years to reverse.
The biofuels debacle is global warm-mongering in a nutshell: The first victims of poseur environmentalism will always be developing countries. In order for you to put biofuel in your Prius and feel good about yourself for no reason, real actual people in faraway places have to starve to death. On April 15, the Independent, the impeccably progressive British newspaper, editorialized:
"The production of biofuel is devastating huge swaths of the world's environment. So why on Earth is the government forcing us to use more of it?"
You want the short answer? Because the government made the mistake of listening to fellows like you. Here's the self-same Independent in November 2005:
"At last, some refreshing signs of intelligent thinking on climate change are coming out of Whitehall. The Environment minister, Elliot Morley, reveals today in an interview with this newspaper that the Government is drawing up plans to impose a 'biofuel obligation' on oil companies ... . This has the potential to be the biggest green innovation in the British petrol market since the introduction of unleaded petrol."
Etc. It's not the environmental movement's chickenfeedhawks who'll have to reap what they demand must be sown, but we should be in no doubt about where to place the blame – on the bullying activists and their media cheerleaders and weather-vane politicians who insist that the "science" is "settled" and that those who question whether there's any crisis are (in the designation of the strikingly nonemaciated Al Gore) "denialists."
All three presidential candidates have drunk the environmental kool-ethanol and are committed to Big Government solutions. But, as the Independent's whiplash-inducing U-turn confirms, the eco-scolds are under no such obligation to consistency. Finger-in-the-wind politicians shouldn't be surprised to find that gentle breeze is from the media wind turbine, and it's just sliced your finger off.
Whether there's very slight global cooling or very slight global warming, there's no need for a "war" on either, no rationale for loosing a plague of eco-locusts on the food supply. So why be surprised that totalitarian solutions to mythical problems wind up causing real devastation? As for Time's tree, by all means put it up: It helps block out the view of starving peasants on the far horizon.
©MARK STEYN
ANYONE KNOW THE PROFIT MARGIN FOR THE OIL COMPANIES, ANYWAYS ISN'T THAT WHY THEY ARE IN BUSINESS, ITS OUR FKN GOVN.
MAN DO I HATE THE LEFT WITH A PASSION AND MOST RINOS
GREAT ARTICLE HERE BY MARK STEYN
Last week, Time magazine featured on its cover the iconic photograph of U.S. Marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima. But with one difference: The flag has been replaced by a tree. The managing editor of Time, Rick Stengel, was very pleased with the lads in graphics for cooking up this cute image and was all over the TV sofas, talking up this ingenious visual shorthand for what he regards as the greatest challenge facing mankind: "How To Win The War On Global Warming."
Where to begin? For the past 10 years, we all have, in fact, been not warming but slightly cooling, which is why the ecowarriors have adopted the all-purpose bogeyman of "climate change." But let's take it that the editors of Time are referring not to the century we live in but the previous one, when there was a measurable rise of temperature of approximately 1 degree. That's the "war": 1 degree.
If the tree-raising is Iwo Jima, a 1-degree increase isn't exactly Pearl Harbor. But Gen. Stengel wants us to engage in pre-emptive war. The editors of Time would be the first to deplore such saber-rattling applied to, say, Iran's nuclear program, but it has become the habit of progressive opinion to appropriate the language of war for everything but actual war.
So let's cut to the tree. In my corner of New Hampshire, we have more trees than we did 100 or 200 years ago. My town is over 90 percent forested. Any more trees, and I'd have to hack my way through the undergrowth to get to my copy of Time magazine on the coffee table. Likewise Vermont, where not so long ago in St. Albans I found myself stuck behind a Hillary supporter driving a Granolamobile bearing the bumper sticker "TO SAVE A TREE REMOVE A BUSH." Very funny. And even funnier when you consider that on that stretch of Route 7 there's nothing to see, north, south, east or west, but maple, hemlock, birch, pine, you name it. It's on every measure other than tree cover that Vermont's kaput.
So where exactly do Time magazine's generals want to plant their tree? Presumably, as in Iwo Jima, on foreign soil. It's all these Third World types monkeying around with their rain forests who decline to share the sophisticated Euro-American reverence for the tree. In the Time iconography, the tree is Old Glory, and it's a flag of eco-colonialism.
And which obscure island has it been planted on? In Haiti, Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis was removed from office April 12. Insofar as history will recall him at all, he may have the distinction of being the first head of government to fall victim to "global warming" – or, at any rate, the "war on global warming" that Time magazine is gung-ho for. At least five people have been killed in food riots in Port-au-Prince. Prices have risen 40 percent since last summer and, as columnist Deroy Murdock reported, some citizens are now subsisting on biscuits made from salt, vegetable oil and (mmmm) dirt. Dirt cookies: Nutritious, tasty and affordable? Well, one out of three ain't bad.
Unlike "global warming," food rioting is a planetwide phenomenon, from Indonesia to Pakistan to Ivory Coast to the tortilla rampages in Mexico and even pasta protests in Italy.
So what happened?
Well, Western governments listened to the ecowarriors and introduced some of the "wartime measures" they've been urging. The EU decreed that 5.75 percent of petrol and diesel must come from "biofuels" by 2010, rising to 10 percent by 2020. The United States added to its 51 cent-per-gallon ethanol subsidy by mandating a fivefold increase in "biofuels" production by 2022.
The result is that big government accomplished at a stroke what the free market could never have done: They turned the food supply into a subsidiary of the energy industry. When you divert 28 percent of U.S. grain into fuel production, and when you artificially make its value as fuel higher than its value as food, why be surprised that you've suddenly got less to eat? Or, to be more precise, it's not "you" who's got less to eat but those starving peasants in distant lands you claim to care so much about.
Heigh-ho. In the greater scheme of things, a few dead natives keeled over with distended bellies is a small price to pay for saving the planet, right? Except that turning food into fuel does nothing for the planet in the first place. That tree the U.S. Marines are raising on Iwo Jima was most-likely cut down to make way for an ethanol-producing corn field: Researchers at Princeton calculate that, to date, the "carbon debt" created by the biofuels arboricide will take 167 years to reverse.
The biofuels debacle is global warm-mongering in a nutshell: The first victims of poseur environmentalism will always be developing countries. In order for you to put biofuel in your Prius and feel good about yourself for no reason, real actual people in faraway places have to starve to death. On April 15, the Independent, the impeccably progressive British newspaper, editorialized:
"The production of biofuel is devastating huge swaths of the world's environment. So why on Earth is the government forcing us to use more of it?"
You want the short answer? Because the government made the mistake of listening to fellows like you. Here's the self-same Independent in November 2005:
"At last, some refreshing signs of intelligent thinking on climate change are coming out of Whitehall. The Environment minister, Elliot Morley, reveals today in an interview with this newspaper that the Government is drawing up plans to impose a 'biofuel obligation' on oil companies ... . This has the potential to be the biggest green innovation in the British petrol market since the introduction of unleaded petrol."
Etc. It's not the environmental movement's chickenfeedhawks who'll have to reap what they demand must be sown, but we should be in no doubt about where to place the blame – on the bullying activists and their media cheerleaders and weather-vane politicians who insist that the "science" is "settled" and that those who question whether there's any crisis are (in the designation of the strikingly nonemaciated Al Gore) "denialists."
All three presidential candidates have drunk the environmental kool-ethanol and are committed to Big Government solutions. But, as the Independent's whiplash-inducing U-turn confirms, the eco-scolds are under no such obligation to consistency. Finger-in-the-wind politicians shouldn't be surprised to find that gentle breeze is from the media wind turbine, and it's just sliced your finger off.
Whether there's very slight global cooling or very slight global warming, there's no need for a "war" on either, no rationale for loosing a plague of eco-locusts on the food supply. So why be surprised that totalitarian solutions to mythical problems wind up causing real devastation? As for Time's tree, by all means put it up: It helps block out the view of starving peasants on the far horizon.
©MARK STEYN
Posted by aqualung on April 30, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Technically, No Recession (Feel Better?) Headline in Forbes today.
BTW, my part to alleviate rising oil prices is to drive a Toyota Corolla. It seats 5 adults comfortably, and gets about 30 MPG combined town and freeway mileage. If everybody got out of their 8-12 MPG suburbans and pickups (or Grand Cherokees), oil and gasoline prices would drop significantly, reducing pricing pressure on food and many other items, even popcorn and pizzas.
BTW, my part to alleviate rising oil prices is to drive a Toyota Corolla. It seats 5 adults comfortably, and gets about 30 MPG combined town and freeway mileage. If everybody got out of their 8-12 MPG suburbans and pickups (or Grand Cherokees), oil and gasoline prices would drop significantly, reducing pricing pressure on food and many other items, even popcorn and pizzas.
Posted by roadlizard7 on April 30, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Ouch, roadlizard7, if I had said that about Grand Cherokees, zman would be all over my comments. I bet you will get by with it. zman has something for acerbic & abrasive twat. ROTFLMFAO
Posted by robert on April 30, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Robert,
You misquoted Zman. He said you're a WHINY and abrasive twat. You only WISH you were acerbic. LOL
You misquoted Zman. He said you're a WHINY and abrasive twat. You only WISH you were acerbic. LOL
Posted by roadlizard7 on April 30, 2008 at 4:19 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
I am the acrebic one he is describing in the original blog piece. Who else could he talking about that complains about his behemoth SUV?
The amazing thing I see in the comments is the number of readers (or commentors) that actually are DOING something by driving more fuel efficient vehicles. Seems that Tommy is full of hot gas will all of his complaining. Too bad his big-ass SUV doesn't run on that hot gas. LMFAO
The amazing thing I see in the comments is the number of readers (or commentors) that actually are DOING something by driving more fuel efficient vehicles. Seems that Tommy is full of hot gas will all of his complaining. Too bad his big-ass SUV doesn't run on that hot gas. LMFAO
Posted by robert on April 30, 2008 at 5:05 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
I'm jealous Robert; you get to be a whiny, abrasive, AND acerbic twat. Save a little for the rest of us, will ya?
BTW, Zman's using all the hot gas to power his inline skates. LOL
BTW, Zman's using all the hot gas to power his inline skates. LOL
Posted by roadlizard7 on April 30, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Listen twat, oops, I mean acerbic wanker - A Grand Cherokee is NOT a behemoth SUV. If you bothered to check the facts, it is a mid-sized SUV and gets 20 miles to a gallon. NOW who's using a little license to make his post sound more convincing?
And the focus isn't what I pay at the pump - if you bothered to absorb the entire article (and why would you, seeing that its only a blog, god help us)the focus is what is is doing to the price of goods across the nation. If I buy a Toyota (I've owned three Celicas and a Chevy Cavalier, BTW) will that bring a fed ex from $40 bucks back down to $16, or milk back to $3 a gallon? If I buy a Prius will the truckers leave the capitol building?
Anyone have to lug a wife and two teens plus a hundred pounds of hockey equipment around with eight inches of snow on the ground? That's the reality of my life.
This is one hell of a bigger picture than an extra ten bucks at the pump.
But Robert uses that license "thingy" when it fits the moment. How convenient.
And the focus isn't what I pay at the pump - if you bothered to absorb the entire article (and why would you, seeing that its only a blog, god help us)the focus is what is is doing to the price of goods across the nation. If I buy a Toyota (I've owned three Celicas and a Chevy Cavalier, BTW) will that bring a fed ex from $40 bucks back down to $16, or milk back to $3 a gallon? If I buy a Prius will the truckers leave the capitol building?
Anyone have to lug a wife and two teens plus a hundred pounds of hockey equipment around with eight inches of snow on the ground? That's the reality of my life.
This is one hell of a bigger picture than an extra ten bucks at the pump.
But Robert uses that license "thingy" when it fits the moment. How convenient.
Posted by zman on April 30, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
I'm just glad to see some people who recognize that there are problems, and that there are needs for solutions. If planting a tree is a solution that works for someone, you can't ask for more than that. If it means parking a pavement pulverizer and picking up a prius, great. If all you do is buy a better furnace, change light bulbs, turn down your thermostat, or even take shorter showers, you're at least trying. Just KEEP trying, instead of resting on those tiny little laurels.
It is a fact, one that everybody should have figured out even as far back as the 1700's, that things are limited, and non-renewable. I laugh myself sick, and then throw up, when somebody mows down a 200 year old tree, and calls it a renewable resource.
I see 300 car coal trains cruising through my hometown here, from Wyoming to the southeast US, 20 times a day. Where is it going? up in smoke, all 5,000 bazillion tons of it. Where is it coming from? A big damned hole, one that is getting emptier with every train load. Someone tell me how a coal bed that is several million years old is renewable, or infinite.
I see people living life like they are no better than a retarded cousin of a defective chimp. We built this city on mining. Guess what we have now? holes. My properties abstract lists all of the mining that was done on the miles wide plot that it was originally written for, and funny thing, all across that plot, sinkholes are forming. A straight line runs north from my patio, under a rail line, and straight into a day care center's playground. ANOTHER sink hole popped open just this month, about 300 yards from where preschoolers play, and believe me, that place could be next, since the record rainfalls are washing out the foundations of the mines.
I hate the very concept of mining, because it is an irreparable use of irreplaceable resources. We drain aquifers. We clear cut old growth forests. We wear out and use up farmland. We mine, in principal, everything we can, using up irreplaceable assets with no care for who the real owners are, and that is the people who are coming up. Oh, sure, we really don't legally owe our kids anything, and if we choose to, it's perfectly legal to use up your entire estate on a long vacation and leave the kids nothing, but can you apply that to less tangible assets, like soil and water? 50 years from now, our kids may need the steel that we used as a corn can 50 years ago, and have no way to get it back. Right now, our country needs the money that the public has spent on bullshit like ten for $1 toys, tinkerbell the fairy flipflops, and Britney spears posters. We need that cash now, a lot more than we need the crap, and the debt that was incurred when we bought it.
I think that it is terribly ironic that now, after all those years of prosperity while encouraging stupid consumer habits, business is screaming for it's life, and demanding that the consumer bail them out.
It's too late for people to pull their heads out of their asses, and become smarter consumers. We've blown our present prosperity on transient pleasures in the past. It's too late for people to figure out that 30 mpg would have been a better use of resources than 10 mpg. It's too late to convince people that benzene should not be disposed of in unlined pits, or that PCBs and cadmium are safe in a landfill.
We're at a serious crossroad here. The entire world wants our assets, and they are going to take them. Why else would opec be taking every possible cent they can get for oil? they want the money! Duhh! In china, mexico, africa, every country is looking to have a better life, and it ain't gonna magically happen, the resources have to come from somewhere.
One thing that I can say with great certainty, is that we should have been smarter. Several years ago, nearly 1 in 5 houses in my neighborhood were for sale. Home prices here started to drop. Foreclosures began to show up. Now, years in the future, it has become a nationwide pandemic of financial failure. Vacant houses are everywhere, and rather than being an asset to someone, they are just a blight, and they are being slowly demolished by vandalism and urban blight. How in hell did it get to this? bad decisions. As a nation, we can't afford more of these bad decisions, and IMO, to encourage these bad decisions, in order to make a profit, was nothing short of economic treason.
Don't ask me to solve all this shit. The answers are already out there, and no matter what I say, it won't be accepted as right. Every person alive right now has got to make the hard decisions that will make their own lives viable, and also help to maintain the rest of the totally integrated system that we live in.
All I'll say is think about the future, and forget about what you want now. That, and read more science fiction. The things you read about as a kid are here now, for better or worse.
It is a fact, one that everybody should have figured out even as far back as the 1700's, that things are limited, and non-renewable. I laugh myself sick, and then throw up, when somebody mows down a 200 year old tree, and calls it a renewable resource.
I see 300 car coal trains cruising through my hometown here, from Wyoming to the southeast US, 20 times a day. Where is it going? up in smoke, all 5,000 bazillion tons of it. Where is it coming from? A big damned hole, one that is getting emptier with every train load. Someone tell me how a coal bed that is several million years old is renewable, or infinite.
I see people living life like they are no better than a retarded cousin of a defective chimp. We built this city on mining. Guess what we have now? holes. My properties abstract lists all of the mining that was done on the miles wide plot that it was originally written for, and funny thing, all across that plot, sinkholes are forming. A straight line runs north from my patio, under a rail line, and straight into a day care center's playground. ANOTHER sink hole popped open just this month, about 300 yards from where preschoolers play, and believe me, that place could be next, since the record rainfalls are washing out the foundations of the mines.
I hate the very concept of mining, because it is an irreparable use of irreplaceable resources. We drain aquifers. We clear cut old growth forests. We wear out and use up farmland. We mine, in principal, everything we can, using up irreplaceable assets with no care for who the real owners are, and that is the people who are coming up. Oh, sure, we really don't legally owe our kids anything, and if we choose to, it's perfectly legal to use up your entire estate on a long vacation and leave the kids nothing, but can you apply that to less tangible assets, like soil and water? 50 years from now, our kids may need the steel that we used as a corn can 50 years ago, and have no way to get it back. Right now, our country needs the money that the public has spent on bullshit like ten for $1 toys, tinkerbell the fairy flipflops, and Britney spears posters. We need that cash now, a lot more than we need the crap, and the debt that was incurred when we bought it.
I think that it is terribly ironic that now, after all those years of prosperity while encouraging stupid consumer habits, business is screaming for it's life, and demanding that the consumer bail them out.
It's too late for people to pull their heads out of their asses, and become smarter consumers. We've blown our present prosperity on transient pleasures in the past. It's too late for people to figure out that 30 mpg would have been a better use of resources than 10 mpg. It's too late to convince people that benzene should not be disposed of in unlined pits, or that PCBs and cadmium are safe in a landfill.
We're at a serious crossroad here. The entire world wants our assets, and they are going to take them. Why else would opec be taking every possible cent they can get for oil? they want the money! Duhh! In china, mexico, africa, every country is looking to have a better life, and it ain't gonna magically happen, the resources have to come from somewhere.
One thing that I can say with great certainty, is that we should have been smarter. Several years ago, nearly 1 in 5 houses in my neighborhood were for sale. Home prices here started to drop. Foreclosures began to show up. Now, years in the future, it has become a nationwide pandemic of financial failure. Vacant houses are everywhere, and rather than being an asset to someone, they are just a blight, and they are being slowly demolished by vandalism and urban blight. How in hell did it get to this? bad decisions. As a nation, we can't afford more of these bad decisions, and IMO, to encourage these bad decisions, in order to make a profit, was nothing short of economic treason.
Don't ask me to solve all this shit. The answers are already out there, and no matter what I say, it won't be accepted as right. Every person alive right now has got to make the hard decisions that will make their own lives viable, and also help to maintain the rest of the totally integrated system that we live in.
All I'll say is think about the future, and forget about what you want now. That, and read more science fiction. The things you read about as a kid are here now, for better or worse.
Posted by briandg on April 30, 2008 at 5:54 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Excellent post Brian, even if it did ramble a bit. I especially liked the first paragraph where he urged us all to do something, anything, to reduce our use of precious resources.
I'm not a fanatical tree hugger (although I DO like trees), but I DO think if everybody tried to cut their comsumption by about 10%, things would be a lot better.
I'm not a fanatical tree hugger (although I DO like trees), but I DO think if everybody tried to cut their comsumption by about 10%, things would be a lot better.
Posted by roadlizard7 on April 30, 2008 at 6:04 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
"A Grand Cherokee is NOT a behemoth SUV. If you bothered to check the facts, it is a mid-sized SUV and gets 20 miles to a gallon. NOW who's using a little license to make his post sound more convincing"
I drive a dodge dakota, 4 cylinder manual, because I can't live without a truck. Cement plays hell with a hatchback.
I gotta tell you, Tommy, for being who you are, I always felt a lot of respect for you. Still do. You could have had a behemoth, but no, you got what you had to have, sort of a pee-wee-hemoth. If a person reads between the comedian bs, you pass on some good thinking, and deserve credit for being an intelligent and thinking guy, for the most part.
Not that I figure on giving you any serious respect any time soon, I think that this is enough for now.
I drive a dodge dakota, 4 cylinder manual, because I can't live without a truck. Cement plays hell with a hatchback.
I gotta tell you, Tommy, for being who you are, I always felt a lot of respect for you. Still do. You could have had a behemoth, but no, you got what you had to have, sort of a pee-wee-hemoth. If a person reads between the comedian bs, you pass on some good thinking, and deserve credit for being an intelligent and thinking guy, for the most part.
Not that I figure on giving you any serious respect any time soon, I think that this is enough for now.
Posted by briandg on April 30, 2008 at 6:05 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Thanks, lizard man, I do ramble, because there is just so much to say. Criticism, arguments, bullshit, and insults all are simple to one-line. Anything that has any value is harder to simplify to something like "treehugger."
It's easy enough to say something like "no more nukes" but convincing someone that losing the snail darter to build a dam might be better than accepting the use of other irreplaceable resources. Myself, I say screw the snail darter. Leave the coal in the ground, rather than in the air.
It's easy enough to say something like "no more nukes" but convincing someone that losing the snail darter to build a dam might be better than accepting the use of other irreplaceable resources. Myself, I say screw the snail darter. Leave the coal in the ground, rather than in the air.
Posted by briandg on April 30, 2008 at 6:11 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
It is so easy to get Tommy all riled up these days. It must really chap his hide that price of his FedEx. Funny you mention FedEx, I got an overnite one when they sent my paycheck to me today. I changed my bank two weeks ago and they seem to have some screwy policy that the first check will need to be sent by mail until they verify the automatic deposit. So my work paid $40 for that FedEx? Cool, I am helping out the economy and it didn't cost me anything.
And for the record zman, I never complained about what you drove. If you go to the history, you will see my beef is that the people who drive the larger non-efficient vehicles who bitch, moan, and whine about the price of gas the most. And I am just sick of hearing it from you wasteful bastards. As the comments above prove, YOU are in the minority driving such a wasteful vehicle. And I just filled up yesterday, and my gas-sipper took only $38 to fill the tank for over 340 miles. Sweet. And that was all city driving. If it had been on the highway, it would of been over 450 miles.
And for the record zman, I never complained about what you drove. If you go to the history, you will see my beef is that the people who drive the larger non-efficient vehicles who bitch, moan, and whine about the price of gas the most. And I am just sick of hearing it from you wasteful bastards. As the comments above prove, YOU are in the minority driving such a wasteful vehicle. And I just filled up yesterday, and my gas-sipper took only $38 to fill the tank for over 340 miles. Sweet. And that was all city driving. If it had been on the highway, it would of been over 450 miles.
Posted by robert on April 30, 2008 at 6:50 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Zman,
A piece on gardening would be less controversial. Plus, I have a hard time growing Sweet Basil.
A piece on gardening would be less controversial. Plus, I have a hard time growing Sweet Basil.
Posted by pjandma on April 30, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
We grow a lot of our own produce in the summer. Along with vegetables and herbs, we planted many fruit trees - apples, pears, peaches, plums and cherries. It lowers our food budget and tastes so much better. Is rhubarb a vegetable or a fruit?
It's neither, but a perennial, flowering plant.
It's neither, but a perennial, flowering plant.
Posted by pjandma on April 30, 2008 at 8:22 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Hell of a nice post by Briandg. I know I'm doing my job well here when someone gets passionate enough to really let go of his feelings.
Robert, no matter how judgmental you choose to be, I do not drive a wasteful vehicle. It serves the purpose my family needs and it gets a lot more per gallon than any large SUV. Like I said, I drove Toyota Celicas but in NO WAY is that sufficient for the lifestyle of my family of four.
Roadliz, I'm with Cotty and believe that the oil companies are gouging. There's a reason why a committee hauled the asses of the CEO of each company into private hearings. Yes, this is America and private enterprise is what we were built on. But the country is hurting and there is NO QUESTION in my mind that the oil companies could form their own committee and come up with solutions.
Robert, no matter how judgmental you choose to be, I do not drive a wasteful vehicle. It serves the purpose my family needs and it gets a lot more per gallon than any large SUV. Like I said, I drove Toyota Celicas but in NO WAY is that sufficient for the lifestyle of my family of four.
Roadliz, I'm with Cotty and believe that the oil companies are gouging. There's a reason why a committee hauled the asses of the CEO of each company into private hearings. Yes, this is America and private enterprise is what we were built on. But the country is hurting and there is NO QUESTION in my mind that the oil companies could form their own committee and come up with solutions.
Posted by zman on April 30, 2008 at 9:10 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
As a fan of this blog from day one - I have to say I agree with Briandg's summation about the Zman.
"If a person reads between the comedian bs, you pass on some good thinking, and deserve credit for being an intelligent and thinking guy, for the most part. "
I think Z mixes real life happenings with the comedian bs, and then a nice touch of rhetoric to makes us think, make us laugh, then make us react. I look forward to this everyday and since I'm not creative I appreciate what he does to put this out five days a week.
A lot of great posts today. No one is right or wrong - just a lot of different perspectives shared on a major issue in all of our lives. And Zman, if you do one on gardening, I hope it involves ligero and Connecticut broadleaf.
"If a person reads between the comedian bs, you pass on some good thinking, and deserve credit for being an intelligent and thinking guy, for the most part. "
I think Z mixes real life happenings with the comedian bs, and then a nice touch of rhetoric to makes us think, make us laugh, then make us react. I look forward to this everyday and since I'm not creative I appreciate what he does to put this out five days a week.
A lot of great posts today. No one is right or wrong - just a lot of different perspectives shared on a major issue in all of our lives. And Zman, if you do one on gardening, I hope it involves ligero and Connecticut broadleaf.
Posted by CharlesinCharge on April 30, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
It is so easy to get Tommy all riled up these days.
And the reason you are riling Tommy is ???????
One of the reasons we are in this position is because flaming liberals shrieked, and screamed and cut back on not only "OUR" internal oil exploration and removal ,but also our refineries are little more than a joke..... Other sources of energy were illuminated or "regulated" into the ground. Coal is taxed, and licensed to death. Nuke power is "DIRTY". Wind power and solar power are good, but insufficient. Bio-fuel is a waste of time and you know it. Turbine engines can use any form of alcohol, but they will need a very different learning curve.
I hate the very concept of mining, because it is an irreparable use of irreplaceable resources.
There is a large amount of metals about 2 to 4 AU's from the sun.... If you like Science Fiction, you should know the answer to that one. Besides, I'm not a big fan keeping all of our eggs in one basket... (you should know that one too)
Keep right on ranting Tommy.
And the reason you are riling Tommy is ???????
One of the reasons we are in this position is because flaming liberals shrieked, and screamed and cut back on not only "OUR" internal oil exploration and removal ,but also our refineries are little more than a joke..... Other sources of energy were illuminated or "regulated" into the ground. Coal is taxed, and licensed to death. Nuke power is "DIRTY". Wind power and solar power are good, but insufficient. Bio-fuel is a waste of time and you know it. Turbine engines can use any form of alcohol, but they will need a very different learning curve.
I hate the very concept of mining, because it is an irreparable use of irreplaceable resources.
There is a large amount of metals about 2 to 4 AU's from the sun.... If you like Science Fiction, you should know the answer to that one. Besides, I'm not a big fan keeping all of our eggs in one basket... (you should know that one too)
Keep right on ranting Tommy.
Posted by Denahue on May 1, 2008 at 12:56 AM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Zman,
I've been drawn to this blog day after day even after getting off on the wrong foot. You may get pissed at some of our opinions, or think they're stupid, but you don't seem to hold long term resentments. Pretty cool...
I've been drawn to this blog day after day even after getting off on the wrong foot. You may get pissed at some of our opinions, or think they're stupid, but you don't seem to hold long term resentments. Pretty cool...
Posted by pjandma on May 1, 2008 at 1:46 AM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
really don't get pissed at "opinions". I get pissed at people who wrongly judge me and flat out tell me I'm wrong when they don't know what the f@ck they're talking about.
I try not to ever think your opinions are stupid either. That's why this comment section is here. Some of the posters "think" they are giving opinions but they are often disguised as digs towards me, which is most often pretty childish. Let's just say I know who's "ribbing" me and I know who's "ripping" me.
And I love Garfiend so don't even go there!
I try not to ever think your opinions are stupid either. That's why this comment section is here. Some of the posters "think" they are giving opinions but they are often disguised as digs towards me, which is most often pretty childish. Let's just say I know who's "ribbing" me and I know who's "ripping" me.
And I love Garfiend so don't even go there!
Posted by zman on May 1, 2008 at 7:38 AM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
Hey, PJ, sweet basil must be tough to grow, somebody stole mine right out of my garden. Do you have any luck with peppers? Can't seem to grow any decent sized ones, or are you supposed to pluck those like you do the tomato plants?
Posted by dodger_fan on May 1, 2008 at 8:32 AM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
You boners really do want a blog on gardening, don't ya's?
http://www.gardeningblog.net
http://thegardenblog.blogspot.com
http://www.thisgardenisillegal.com
http://www.gardeningblog.net
http://thegardenblog.blogspot.com
http://www.thisgardenisillegal.com
Posted by zman on May 1, 2008 at 9:02 AM
Re: Will the Squeeky Wheel Get the Oil?
You know how you're suppossed to talk to plants and flowers?
Well, I bet all of Robert's are shriveled up and dead.
LMFAO!
Well, I bet all of Robert's are shriveled up and dead.
LMFAO!
Posted by Trogladyte on May 1, 2008 at 10:10 AM
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