A little more on oil.
I do find it strange that there is very little talk of the connection between oil, US foreign policy designed to secure that oil, and the growth of terrorism as a response to US policy.
I guess it's because terrorists are evil and not acting within a greater context.
Also, can you ever remember a popular discussion of oil prices that didn't include any Arab bashing? All the anger, right now at least, is directed either at the oil companies or the politicians. I just find that surprising.
I guess it's because terrorists are evil and not acting within a greater context.
Also, can you ever remember a popular discussion of oil prices that didn't include any Arab bashing? All the anger, right now at least, is directed either at the oil companies or the politicians. I just find that surprising.
posted by mikevotes at
11:44 AM
6 Comments:
George W. Bush: "Er, I'm not sure what you mean by this word called "context."
By
Reality-Based Educator, at 12:21 PM
I've been screaming about oil as a problem since 1975. My friends and relatives are all sick of my yapping.
I have little sympathy for consumers right now because we've had over 30 years to solve this. Instead, we've made cars bigger and less efficient with consumers snapping them up like gold coins on the ground.
I am angry at the oil companies, all along the supply chain, who take advantage of bumps in oil prices to add a little bit to their bottom line, aka gouging.
The American voter has sent a message to politicians: get me my oil at any cost. Thus far, they've done it. Take a look at the chart of the correlation between Bush's popularity and oil prices. It's quite stark.
http://www.pollkatz.homestead.com/files/NEWBUSHINDEX_28670_image001.gif
By
Greyhair, at 1:18 PM
Reality based, that's why it's essential they be portrayed as evil doers(problem with them) who hate the American way of life(focus on us), not the policies of the government.
Greyhair
Wow. That's a pretty direct correlation.
Just curious, was the drop in oil prices after 9/11 a result of sagging US economy or did the Saudis open the taps? That's the only point that falls outside my working hypothesis.(next)
I would wager that the the correlation of Bush's popularity is somewhat tied to oil prices, but at the same time, the failure of policy which drags down his poll numbers is also the same policy failures that would push up oil prices. Iraq being chief among them.
A bit tough on the inverted graph, but the peaks(?) correspond to failures in Iraq and terror attacks, and although the trend was already there, I might argue that it was the ratcheting up of rhetoric on Iran that might be driving this current rush.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 1:31 PM
Good points.
I believe that post 911 the Saudis still had excess capacity and they opened it up. Put that with the futures markets fear of a slowed economy due to 911 and prices went down. Probably more importantly, Bush's popularity numbers went up totally out of proportion to anything after 911.
Even so, I think there's still quite a correlation. Nothing seems to affect consumer (voter) sentiment faster than gasoline prices.
Ask Jimmy Carter. He'll tell you.
By
Greyhair, at 3:45 PM
Greyhair, are you a peak oil guy?
Just so you know, I am, although I think the dire predictions are way out of whack. Because of the time span of the curve, even if we're at or near the top, there will be plenty of time to accomodate before the significant downward slope.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 6:16 PM
I'm curious if I'm recalling this correctly...anyone know?
I seem to remember hearing at one time that it was actually the oil industry that did not want to build anymore refineries to gain a greater control of supply. This may have been some false talking point I partially caught, but does anyone know?
By
zen, at 6:35 PM
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