Reactions to story from http://cnn.com

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  Is $120 Oil Actually Good For Us?

  http://www.neatorama.com/2008/05/08/is-120-oil-actually-good...
  6 days ago in Neatorama · Authority: 5,465

  Sure the price of gas is hurting a lot of us right now, but there are some that say $120 oil is actually good for consumers in the long run: "Nobody at Goldman Sachs wants to see a fuel truck pull up and say "Ok, heres your 60,000 gallons of
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  Corn as fuel is immoral! People are starving, Dammit!

  http://sceneandheardinny.blogspot.com/2008/05/corn-as-fuel-i...
  4 days ago in Scene and heard · Authority: 2

  I’ve been feeling this for a long time. I see food prices going way up. A lot of people are really struggling to cope with increased prices for bread, milk and cereals. Some of the increases are due to poor crops; a very small part is due to increased haulage costs. A very large part is because so much corn is being used for the production of ethanol for cars. Why are we using food to produce fuel for cars? To limit the amount of oil used. Only it isn’t working to lower the price of oil, is it? All it is doing is taking food out of people’s mouths! Boston has a very nice chain of Tortilla restaurants called Boloco. Great food and great smoothies, as I found out when I tried one this week. They obviously think they will impress people who are environmentally conscious by printing in large letters on their plastic smoothie cups that the cups are 100% made from corn. Well, I’m environmentally aware and I was not in the slightest bit impressed! More food out of people’s mouths, as far as I’m concerned! The United States of America uses over a quarter of the world’s oil. It has 37% of the world’s cars. So much of this country is based upon use of the automobile. Wave after wave of people have moved into suburbia, but many of the places they have moved to have little or no public transportation. The big car companies made sure of that. And the big car companies are the reason why Americans pay considerably less in gasoline tax than any net oil using country in the world. While Americans are complaining about $4 gasoline, Europeans are paying more than twice that. Of course, there would be big trouble if European style taxes were introduced over here. But there are predictions that the spike in oil prices is going to continue until it hits $200 a barrel. This will see another $2 added to the price of gasoline here, and more elsewhere, where VAT is added to the price. It actually doesn’t make too much difference how much Europeans cut back their usage if China continues to use more and American usage doesn’t dip significantly. The oil price will continue to rise for as long as Americans are so dependent on it. How to wean them off? Well the answer sure as hell shouldn’t be using corn and sugar cane! In the short term, it might actually be necessary for suburbanites to telecommute one day a week or be offered the option of working 4 long days. And many new bus routes need to be created in conjunction with new road usage charges and perhaps banning single occupant vehicles from commuting routes at peak times where public transportation alternatives are viable. And yes, increasing the gasoline tax! For the longer term, I have to suggest trains! Light rail for short journeys and high speed for longer ones that will also reduce demand for air travel. Would you fly from Washington DC to Boston if a train could do the journey in 2 ½ to 3 hours? Would you drive? I saw the McCain and Clinton calls for temporarily halting the tax for the summer as reckless, populist electioneering. Yes, it would make things easier for Americans for the month it takes for the price of oil to go up the next $10 a barrel, at which point it will make no difference except for the shortfall in tax revenue. Yet another debt our grandchildren will be paying because we spend more than we earn. By the logic that Americans will only significantly reduce their usage when the price of gas is $6 a gallon – click on the hyperlink below - the price of oil will need to reach $200 per barrel, at which point Europeans would be paying upwards of $12. So here is an idea that will never come to fruition. If the USA phased in a $2 per gallon Federal Excise Duty on gasoline, the price level would reach that at which usage would decline significantly, and nobody in other developed nations need feel much more pain than they already are. And it would make the prices here more environmentally responsible. No chance of that happening, unfortunately, but it should! As for the alternative mentioned here to use Natural Gas resources; as long as we don’t spoil nature reserves or otherwise damage ecology, I don’t see why that shouldn’t happen. But it should be secondary to finding alternatives that are non-polluting and renewable and should not stop efforts to make automobile travel an alternative instead of the only means of transport for millions of Americans. http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/07/news/economy/120_oil/index.htm?postversion=2008050812
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  http://dailydadio.cooldadiomedia.com/2008/05/14/wednesdays-f...
  1 day ago in Daily Dadio · Authority: 1

  A daily dose of Dadio Jobs and land-lines gone, Misery Index back, expensive gas for our own good - and Wednesday's favorite mantras Republican/Democrat Wisconsin unemployment wall of shame At some point the two miserable political parties that run the United States need to own up to the masterpiece they have created - the new American economy. For my purposes I keep track of Wisconsin. There is really nothing to add to the following list of shame except that the Republicans and Democrats duly own it outright; and, one little caveat - the beast-list grows: GM of Janesville to lay off 200 Sub Zero of Madison to lay off 235 United Industries of Beloit to lay off 109 Famous Footwear to leave Madison with 270 jobs Midwest of Milwaukee furloughs 109 Chromalax of Rock County to close - 110 jobs lost Harley of Milwaukee to cut 730 jobs Sitel of Madison to lay off 105 Logistics Services of Janesville to lay off 132 Simmons of Janesville to lay off 71 Lear Corp of Janesville to lay off 275 Hanley of Sun Prairie to close - 40 jobs lost GM of Janesville to cut 756 jobs NewPage Corp of Niagra and Kimberly to cut 444 jobs Phillips Lighting Electronics - Advanced Transformer to close Boscobel plant and 188 jobs Montreal-based Domtar mill to close Port Edwards paper mill and 500 jobs Pay no attention to those Wisconsin 1970s behind the curtain - redux Good mother of God in heaven! The semiotics of the 1970s are even back with the "like" crappy economy. Your honor I offer exhibit (A): CNN has dredged up the odious Ford/Carter era "Misery Index." No further questions your honor. Destroying-life-as-we-know-it-in-these-United-States-for-no-apparent-good-reason The war in Iraq languishes on; the dollar collapses; gas prices have us working stiffs deciding between filling our car tanks and buying necessities; and, Washington apparently continues to be run by two-party paradigm lunatics. But don't worry; in the nanny-state America that has become the real-time world of Orwell, oh look, the handlers of the "play house" have come up with a lackey to explain to us rabble why high prices are for our own good. Good lord I am glad for such sagely and benevolent experts: Why $120 oil is good. The author of the above piece seems to forget or never understood that for us "little people" our shitty cars are often our only avenue to marginal freedom. The author assures us that the big, bad gas prices will socially condition us to change our silly ways and apparently our quaint notions of freedom. You are missing the point my good high culture, economic experts. You see us bottom feeders need a gallon of your $3.72 per gallon mother fucking gas to keep our miserable underclass economy going. Come on down and visit our world some time. We don't bit, our electricity on this side of town usually stays on, and we even cut our yards every so often. Stupid pop culture, media-complex, distraction-from-reality story I see the mainstream pundits are still up to their old tricks more than ever while I was gone to Iraq. So, I am thinking, each day I should continue to jot down the stupidest news story that is foist upon us by the big-media-complex as a distraction from the reality that has become America. So here we go - welcome to today's "Stupid Pop Culture, Media-complex, Distraction-from-reality Story." I see the mainstreamers have just validated what us working guys have know for a while. Old style telephone lines are being left behind - like the buggy whip. I love it when the big guys chat about society from above it. It's true now since they have mentioned it - land-line phones are going the way of the record player. Hey, it is so Third-World; no telephone on your wall, but two cell phones - one in each hand, and don't forget the two lit cigarettes smoking and burning your fingers to-boot. Now there is some real God damned news! Wisconsin military service person of the week Sergeant First Class Dan H. Gabrielson, 40, of Frederic was killed in Baquba, Iraq on Wednesday, July 9, 2003. His convoy came under hostile fire and attack. Baqouba is about 45 miles northeast of Baghdad. Gabrielson was a 22 year veteran of the Army Reserve. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said he was a specialist in repairing construction equipment for the Army Reserve's 652nd Engineer Company based out of Ellsworth. He worked as a mechanic and machinist in the unit's motor pool and was in charge of bridge building equipment. Gabrielson had taken over the role of platoon sergeant for his unit and was studying to become a warrant officer. He was promoted from staff sergeant to Sergeant First Class after his bridge building unit was sent to Iraq. The Journal Sentinel also mentioned the 652nd shipped out to Fort McCoy on February 13 and was sent overseas in April. The unit had 179 members activated for the war. In civilian life Dan was a CNC machining programmer for Nexen a manufacturer of industrial clutches and brakes. Gabrielson was the father of three: son Dustin; and two daughters, Audra, and Vanessa. Frederic, Wisconsin is located about 75 miles northwest of Eau Claire. Sergeant First Class Dan Gabrielson was the third Wisconsin military service person to die in Iraq and also the first reservist from the state of Wisconsin killed there. As of this blog entry's posting date: 83,521 Iraqi civilians have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 8,247 Iraqi Security Forces have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 4,077 Americans have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 496 Americans have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001. 312 Coalition soldiers have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 304 Coalition soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001. 30,004 U.S. troops have been wounded in action in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 1,944 U.S. troops have been wounded in action in Afghanistan since October, 2001. 90 Wisconsin soldiers have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 10 Wisconsin soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001. 127 journalists (several nationalities) have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 15 journalists (various nationalities) have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001. Soldier of the week, military casualty, and journalist casualty information sources: Committee to Protect Journalists; cnn.com; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; washingtonpost.com; thehighground.org; Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs; iraqbodycount.org; and, icasualties.org. MORE >> Posted by Bob Keith at 5/14/2008 1:43 AM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0) Tuesday's real weekend news - Janesville Farmers' Market The Janesville Farmer's Market kicked off this past Saturday. It runs from 8:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. A section of Main Street is closed off to set up the vendors. It runs parallel with the Rock River and you can see the water flowing down on the other side of the buildings on the west side of Main Street. It is a humble affair. There is always a plethora of people strolling about. This early in the year, there was limited goods to be had. You will find both produce and non-produce vendors. Considering gas prices are what they are, perhaps the usual quiet weekly event may have a bigger following this year - as a market; and as an activity as well. It is also within short distance of the bike path that winds through down town. Try the Farmers' Market at least once - what have you got to lose? - Above three photos by Bob Keith, May 10, 2008 - Janesville Farmers' Market - Wisconsin military service person of the week Sergeant First Class Dan H. Gabrielson, 40, of Frederic was killed in Baquba, Iraq on Wednesday, July 9, 2003. His convoy came under hostile fire and attack. Baqouba is about 45 miles northeast of Baghdad. Gabrielson was a 22 year veteran of the Army Reserve. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said he was a specialist in repairing construction equipment for the Army Reserve's 652nd Engineer Company based out of Ellsworth. He worked as a mechanic and machinist in the unit's motor pool and was in charge of bridge building equipment. Gabrielson had taken over the role of platoon sergeant for his unit and was studying to become a warrant officer. He was promoted from staff sergeant to Sergeant First Class after his bridge building unit was sent to Iraq. The Journal Sentinel also mentioned the 652nd shipped out to Fort McCoy on February 13 and was sent overseas in April. The unit had 179 members activated for the war. In civilian life Dan was a CNC machining programmer for Nexen a manufacturer of industrial clutches and brakes. Gabrielson was the father of three: son Dustin; and two daughters, Audra, and Vanessa. Frederic, Wisconsin is located about 75 miles northwest of Eau Claire. Sergeant First Class Dan Gabrielson was the third Wisconsin military service person to die in Iraq and also the first reservist from the state of Wisconsin killed there. As of this blog entry's posting date: 83,521 Iraqi civilians have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 8,247 Iraqi Security Forces have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 4,077 Americans have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 496 Americans have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001. 312 Coalition soldiers have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 304 Coalition soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001. 30,004 U.S. troops have been wounded in action in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 1,944 U.S. troops have been wounded in action in Afghanistan since October, 2001. 90 Wisconsin soldiers have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 10 Wisconsin soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001. 127 journalists (several nationalities) have been killed in Iraq since Spring, 2003. 15 journalists (various nationalities) have been killed in Afghanistan since October, 2001. Soldier of the week, military casualty, and journalist casualty information sources: Committee to Protect Journalists; cnn.com; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; washingtonpost.com; thehighground.org; Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs; iraqbodycount.org; and, icasualties.org.
• 

  Why $120 oil is good

  http://www.invested.com.au/85/why-120-oil-good-34510/
  4 days ago in InvestEd :: Wealth Education for Australian Investors · Authority: 8

  Why $120 oil is good, and speculators don't matter - May. 8, 2008
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  forced to go green

  http://mcdowellcrook.com/2008/05/forced-to-go-green.html
  3 days ago in mcdspot · Authority: 1

  Why $120 oil is good.
• 

  Oil Price Hits USD126

  http://mdxmoney.blogspot.com/2008/05/oil-price-hits-usd126.h...
  4 days ago in Matdex Financial Journey · No authority yet

  Oil: After hitting $126, is $150 far behind? (05.09.2008) Oil leaped into uncharted territory Friday, soaring past the $126-a-barrel mark for the first time, and leaving analysts and investors wondering how high the price will go. Oil holds above $123 (05.08.2008) Oil prices held steady Thursday in Asia after jumping to a record near $124 a barrel as investors captivated by the market's upward momentum seemed to ignore figures showing an increase in U.S. cru... Why $120 oil is good (05.07.2008) Speculators are often blamed for artificially inflating crude prices, but some experts say that's exactly what's needed to cut demand and develop new resources. Analyst: $200 oil could be ahead (05.06.2008) A Goldman Sachs analyst predicted Tuesday that oil prices could reach $150 to $200 a barrel over the next six months to two years, but said that how far prices could climb still "remains a major un...
• 

  Rip Rap

  http://rocknetroots.blogspot.com/2008/05/rip-rap_10.html
  5 days ago in Rock Netroots Commentary · Authority: 11

  Why is it every time I see the TV commercial for Dividedwefail.org, I think of Neversurrender.org? Why artificially inflated crude prices are good.Excerpt: Speculators are often blamed for artificially inflating crude prices, but some experts say high prices are needed to cut demand and develop new resources.If you've been reading Rock netroots for some time, this is what I have been saying all along. Except the "experts" in this article are half right, it's not the price of crude that was manipulated to exert conservation, but the price of gasoline. The tail has been wagging this dog for some time now and finally some experts “get it.” But they're still at least three years behind the curve. Prices of gasoline have been manually adjusted to increase the supply by limiting the demand. It has been priced to force some level of conservation on consumers to guarantee no physical shortages at the pump. This I believe was the rule for the domestic side of the "secret" Energy Task Force plan created by Dick Cheney soon after taking office in 2001. But I also now believe this has all changed since June of 2007 as new pressures from OPEC have recently developed outside of the Energy Task Force's control. Gasoline prices are no longer artificially inflated by the task force to keep demand flat with refinery production. The U.S. gasoline price threshold has been reached. Instead, oil speculators have been doing this for them since. Obviously, the loss of price control from within the Bush Administration is not welcome.Here it is possible OPEC has decided to apply tit-for-tat economic pressure on the globe by slowly closing the spigot to coerce the U.S. military withdrawal from their lands. They have been doing this in the face of George W. Bush since the infamous "Mission Accomplished" banner flew in May of 2003. Despite an over-supply, Bush nearly begged OPEC recently to increase production only to be rebuffed. Their tone with America has changed dramatically since then. And why not? Our government does it all the time.Clinton, Obama Stealing Voters Attention After bashing Democrats for weeks because we don’t have our presidential nominee chosen just yet, Faux news channel commentators are now worried that because Hillary and Obama STOLE the national spotlight, McCain is losing ground. This coming after bragging how Republicans have a huge jump start advantage over democrats because they have their nominee so early in the game. McCain should expand his advantage and pick his running mate now - don't stall. Just too, too funny. Gotta love it!Which presidential candidate was ranked 894 out of 899 students in high school? You know what? I have to give McCain credit for his achievements. I don't know of many others who have gone as far as he has while being so ..... He's a U.S. Senator and should remain a U.S. senator. Look what we had with a 'C' average for the last seven years.Teachers Overpaid In Low Wage Communities?Teachers Give Job prospects an “F”: "Teacher pay is so low it's ridiculous," said Ron Clark, a teaching expert and author, who began his teaching career in rural North Carolina 15 years ago. Clark suggested an annual salary of $100,000…….

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