Actually, I've been reading Greg Palast's new book, and there's another reason to blame Bush...
Apparently, Clinton made a deal to with OPEC to keep the price within limits by threatening to release the US strategic reserve. Bush and Cheney prefer buying in.
I remember seeing a review of a Bush biography. Apparently he considered running for President with the line "Let's put a friend of oil in the White House"
And yes, from that point of view, Iraq is going just swimmingly.
The fact that we have no plan to reduce our dependence on expensive oil imports, and move to a less energy intensive economy means that we'll be stuk with the effects of a high oil price for a long time to come. Increasing global demand combined with dwindling reserves are the real reason the prices are, and have stayed, this high (ie 'Peak Oil').
We desperately need a Government that can look more than 6 months into the future. Still, its not too late to hope!
You might also wish to bring rigourous economic analysis to the issue of oil price, especially in the area of DEMAND for oil. There's the small matter of rapidly expanding demand for the stuff, without comensurate increase in supply.
I realise it's late and nobody will read this, but I can't resist:
"Asked whether OPEC could make up for any possible reduction in oil exports from Iran because of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, Daukoru said the organization had plenty of spare production capacity."
Actually, I've been reading Greg Palast's new book, and there's another reason to blame Bush...
ReplyDeleteApparently, Clinton made a deal to with OPEC to keep the price within limits by threatening to release the US strategic reserve. Bush and Cheney prefer buying in.
I remember seeing a review of a Bush biography. Apparently he considered running for President with the line "Let's put a friend of oil in the White House"
And yes, from that point of view, Iraq is going just swimmingly.
Don't forget the role of the UK Labour Party - you'll hurt Mr Blair's feelings if you give Bushy all the credit!
ReplyDeleteI blame the New Zealand Government.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that we have no plan to reduce our dependence on expensive oil imports, and move to a less energy intensive economy means that we'll be stuk with the effects of a high oil price for a long time to come. Increasing global demand combined with dwindling reserves are the real reason the prices are, and have stayed, this high (ie 'Peak Oil').
We desperately need a Government that can look more than 6 months into the future. Still, its not too late to hope!
You might also wish to bring rigourous economic analysis to the issue of oil price, especially in the area of DEMAND for oil. There's the small matter of rapidly expanding demand for the stuff, without comensurate increase in supply.
ReplyDeleteI know, I know, blaming Bush is more fun.
Try here:
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/BcMZ1RHHzlM6QVdXqBL3mzw?siteid=google&dist=TNMostMailed
M'lud
I realise it's late and nobody will read this, but I can't resist:
ReplyDelete"Asked whether OPEC could make up for any possible reduction in oil exports from Iran because of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, Daukoru said the organization had plenty of spare production capacity."
http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/19/news/international/bc.energy.opec.president.reut/index.htm
Thanks Lyndon - that's ... I guess funny is the word. And I for one read basically every comment anyone makes on this 'blog.
ReplyDelete