Jay Bookman

By The Forgotten Messiah

July 21, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

If McCain gets elected, the we deserve him. Period.

Obama 08: We earned him. He’s ours.

By N-GA

July 21, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this

McCain should be prosecuted. You can’t yell FIRE! in a crowded theater, and you can’t lie during a political campaign.

Ooops! I lied……

By Ms Tucker If Ur Nasty

July 21, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this

McCain’s just trying to “Wet Start” the economy, nice try dishonest John.

By RW-(the original)

July 21, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this

I don’t know, Jay, the laws of supply and demand have a pretty good track record. Even when President Bush lifted the Presidential offshore ban which was only symbolic oil dropped $16.00 a barrel over the next few days.

Lot’s of American jobs too. Tax dollars a plenty. Besides we might have cleaner beaches since 1% of the spillage comes form drilling and 63% naturally seeps up out the ground. Let’s drill to stop the seepage and save the planet that way.

By "The Corporal"

July 21, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this

Jay ……… I spent 27 years as physically close to people like this as reaching out and touching them. I have heard them talk in private, in public and in the back of those limousines and guess what? THEY ALL DO IT! BOTH McCain and Obama are running those “slick/less than candid” campaign adds. My question is when are YOU going to enlighten us on some of Obama’s less than truthful statements ? The AJC should represent the TRUTH and expose LIES from whatever the source - or you are no better than they are ……. the choice is yours.

By Paul

July 21, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this

“Lamest” of the lame. They’re still all lame.

Couldn’t one read it this way?

The Pres rescinds his Executive Order on drilling. Futures prices fall.

IF Obama supported ‘more” drilling there would be the same effect - futures prices would fall.

And prices at the pump would then fall.

One does not have to link “It strongly implies that oil pumped from U.S. territory would be sold to Americans at a lower price than oil from elsewhere”

It just links increasing US production to take the place of foreign sources of supply (the reality of that is another issue).

So: Obama supports “more” drilling, the effect would be psychological to the market and prices fall.

Obama supports drilling from many domestic areas, this will reduce our reliance on foreign sources of supply.

If he does neither - than people will continue to make the flipside argument.

By Taxpayer

July 21, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

RW,

If someone brings railcar loads of tomatoes to the farmer’s market and prices them at 50 cents each, how much impact do you think someone with a quarter of a pickup truck load will have on prices. Further, would the person with the partial pickup truck load try to price his load substantially different from the high volume supplier? (Of course, I’m assuming that the tomatoes are all of comparable variety and quality.)

By The Forgotten Messiah

July 21, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this

Obama 08: Insert America here.

McCain 08: Inert America here

By GodHatesTrash

July 21, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this

My question is when are YOU going to enlighten us on some of Obama’s less than truthful statements ?

Looks like some of these fools need someone to spoon-feed them.

By N-GA

July 21, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

So “Corporal”,

By your reasoning, it’s okay for McCain to lie to the American people if Obama lies?

I think you’ve earned some “corporal” punishment.

By RW-(the original)

July 21, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this

Taxpayer,

I quit doing math word problems in the third grade, but if people were buying out the trainloads of tomatoes at 50¢ the price would likely rise and if they were sitting there with no takers the price would fall. Now if you want to add a lesson in free market capitalism here, if the guy with the quarter pickup load took his tomatoes somewhere and priced them at a dollar, the next guy could drive up there and sell his for 75¢. How quick do you think the guy in your example would drop off his $1.00 price?

By RW-(the original)

July 21, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

There’ll probably be a few Texas oil men portrayed, but that’s about all I can say to get this in the ballpark of the topic. Oh wait! I guess lying ties it in too.

Would ‘Rathergate’ Make a Good Movie? Hollywood Insiders Working on Screen Adaptation

Will this be a docudrama that’s based on a fictionalized account of a fictional story?

By Taxpayer

July 21, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

RW,

It sounds like you never successfully completed that first word problem. How long did you say it took for that quarter pickup load to disappear? Then again, why bother. You don’t know much about supply and demand — that much you have made abundantly clear.

By GodHatesTrash

July 21, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this

Back in the U.S., Republican rival John McCain said he hoped Obama’s visit would open his eyes to the danger of withdrawal timetables. Said the Arizona senator, who was meeting with President Bush’s father, the former president, in Maine: “When you win wars, troops come home.”

If that were true, shouldn’t Hanoi John still be in Nam?

By Believer

July 21, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this

Corporal punishment! Oh boy. Oh boy. Can I watch? Us Republicans just love corporal punishment. Almost as much as drilling — for oil, that is.

By Paul

July 21, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

RW-(the original) - Taxpayer,

Okay, here’s another word problem:

One candidate’s train leaves the west coast heading east and one candidate’s train leaves the east coast heading west. Each train has 100 boxcars filled with manure. The candidates scatter it as they travel. When they each reach the opposite coast they reverse course and meet in the geographical center of the US on Nov 7.

Questions: which candidate will have scattered the most manure? And which parts of the country will think they’re getting fed a scrumptious treat?

By RW-(the original)

July 21, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

Taxpayer,

Your question never even said anything about how long it took the first quarter pickup load to disappear.

When supply exceeds demand prices fall and when demand outstrips supply the price rises. Both scenarios could be present simultaneously with your very own load of tomatoes depending on where you took them.

I described that using actual prices in a light hearted attempt to entertain your silliness, but what you’ve proven is that you can’t possibly be intelligent enough to be what your screen name implies.

By Ray

July 21, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

Trash,

We can get out of Iraq by 2010.

I didn’t know what my preacher was saying and I didn’t subscribe to his rantings.

The pubic is going to warm to capital gains taxes on earnings going to 27% from a low of 18%. This will help our economy and all of those people who have 401K plans, IRAs and other retirement plans to live a better life.

I will make a difference in race relations in this country.

My “experience” will help to make America’s image to the other people in the world much better.

I have some misbegotten notion that 143 days in the Senate with ample time on the campaign trail qualifies me to defend this country against it’s enemies.

I will talk with our military leadership with great credibility and be an effective commander in chief.

The American public can be assured that I have the knowledge and ability to lead this nation against the Islamofacist radicals who threaten our way of life.

My wife loves this country.

The liberals love me and anything, even me, is better than another 4 years of the Bushie people.

I will preach a doctrine to the primary people that they want to hear and I will preach a doctrine to the general public as soon as I have won the primaries that is more centric so I can get more votes, mostly from the non committed and the Hillary bunch.

I will gather with Katie, Brian and Charlie on the European leg of my “good will tour” (pandering to non-Americans) to pander again to the liberal media and look more like a president.

I love white people and my wife does too.

Wake up Trash and smell the roses. Are you duped too or is this way beyond you? He is good, no one doubts this, but is a “good politician” really what you want? “Good Politicians” have been f** up this country for a long time and he fits the mold very well. Do you really think, in your heart of hearts, that he is any different?

By RW-(the original)

July 21, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Were you a third grade teacher? That’s the same question that made give them up.

Trash,

You finally have something of a point. McBushie should have completed that sentence thusly.

When you win wars, troops come home. They also come home when you surrender and leave your allies to be slaughtered and highlight that his position is the former while Obambi’s is the latter.

By getalife "whiners"

July 21, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this

Lets just call him the Joker Jay:

Alex Witt: Peter, I want you to take a listen to what John McCain said this weekend in his radio address and get you to react. Peter, listen up. [Video of the Joker from “The Dark Knight”] Alex Witt: Well actually that was The Joker. So we’re not gonna go there. There’s no parallel there that we want to, uh, make any sort of, uhh… you know where I’m going with this. That was bad.

This cycle should not even be close but the American electorate will let us down again.

By AJC/DNC Management

July 21, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this

McCain thinks Americans are stupid By Jay Bookman | Monday, July 21, 2008, 05:28 PM No, this is cynical, manipulative nonsense.

Funny, but I don’t remember McCain saying that the oil would be sold only to Americans at a cheaper price.

Why are you putting words into the mouth of his campaign, Jay?

Nothing honest and factual to discuss?

The truth is, last week Bush lifted the offshore ban on drilling and oil prices plummeted.

Even the thought of drilling has a positive impact.

And something that very few mention or even know, drilling will create jobs for Americans instead of Lord High Dimwit loving foreigners, and mineral rights royalties for the local Americans have also been proposed.

On top of that, billions upon billions of dollars will be coming back to America, who’s own people will be selling the oil to whoever, again, instead of giving that money to the terrorist sponsoring foreigners that adore Obambi.

Are you unaware of these obvious facts, Jay?

By Midori

July 21, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this

for Getalife

By AJC/DNC Management

July 21, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, the reputed “Constitutional scholar,” just today said on CBS’s Face the Nation that he went to Iraq to talk to important leader that he expects to be “dealing with over the next eight to 10 years.” So, does this “Constitutional scholar” not realize that there is this little thing called the 22nd Amendment that holds a president to only two, four year terms? Um, that would be a grand total of only 8 years, Barack, not 8 to 10. Of course, the big question is, will we see this idiot gaffe race through the MSM as it would if a Republican had said it?

Did RW not tell you that this guy is a dunce?

By RW-(the original)

July 21, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

How strangely paradoxical it would be if Barack Obama were to sail into the presidency on the strength of his own failures. Crazier things have happened.

I think David is giving this more weight than it warrants. His no drilling for domestic oil while using that ridiculous mantra of getting us off of foreign oil will be his downfall.

By Taxpayer

July 21, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

RW,

If you could just comprehend your own words, that would be a vast improvement. Allow me to refresh that failing memory of yours. Your words:

“I don’t know, Jay, the laws of supply and demand have a pretty good track record. Even when President Bush lifted the Presidential offshore ban which was only symbolic oil dropped $16.00 a barrel over the next few days.”

First of all, you claim to understand supply and demand. Then you claim some absurd cause and effect relationship between a non-lifting of an oil ban for the potential future production in 5 , 10 or more years of a mere fraction of current consumption and a $16.00 per barrel drop. Do you have any idea how utterly ridiculous you sound? As ridiculous as McCain does and he should know better. We’ll excuse you though.

By RW-(the original)

July 21, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this

AJC/DNC-M,

To be fair since Obambi said he had been to 57 states with one to go, then told us he hadn’t campaigned in Alaska and Hawaii, and this came at a time when he was claiming not to have campaigned in Florida and Michigan, he could think there are now 62 states and he needs those extra 2 years to deal with them.

By AJC/DNC Management

July 21, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this

RW: Maybe he thinks he’s running for Lord High Dimwit of Thee World, a term which runs 8 to 10 years?

By RW-(the original)

July 21, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this

Taxpayer,

If you want to have me continue making you look like a fool it’s your choice. President Bush lifted the Presidential side of the ban and prices plummeted. Now what that does tell you is that the speculators have a big impact on this because they gamble on ….guess what….futures!

Are you starting to see the picture just a little there oh simple one? When it looks like the future holds a big increase in supply the speculation market in futures goes down today.

Now quit whining about how you bought a quarter truckload of tomatoes during the salmonella scare that you couldn’t sell and go watch the cartoon channel or something.

By getalife

July 21, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this

Good one Midori. McJoker.

Check out this sick puppy

gop have a weird sense of humor.

By Hillbilly Deluxe

July 21, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

McCain’s campaign has got to be the most poorly run one since Michael (Mr. Competence) Dukakis.

By RW-(the original)

July 21, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

AJC/DNC-M,

I think a trial in The Hague lasts about 8 to 10 years before the defendant dies of old age so maybe he has designs on a spot there and plans to be dealing with all these world leaders, that have all helped in killing off Al Qaeda, as Justice Dunce of the World Court.

By GodHatesTrash

July 21, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

Ray, give my regards to your fellow Klansmen, you stumpbroke hick.

RW, the folks in charge in Nam love Hanoi John.

For the record, you bloodthirsty cretins, we managed to kill 1.1M NVA and VC, plus between 50,000 to 200,000 North Vietnamese civilians (mostly by air bombing) , along with around 200,000 ARVN, and 1M civilians, along with 58,000 Americans KIA and over 300,000 wounded.

Maybe if we stayed another 15 years we could have killed twice as many.

You dittoheads are maniacs. Go cry over your gal pal’s dead hamster.

By getalife

July 21, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

Yeah, they caught the butcher of Bosnia. w and cheney will share a cell with that guy.

I have to say, McJoker’s campaign is the worst I have ever seen.

Wonder what his excuse to stay in Iraq will be now.

Protect the oil?

Obama owned him on foreign policy in Iraq and Afghanistan and that is amazing.

By Midori

July 21, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

Getalife,

I saw that on the Huffington Post.

What’s that in the senator’s cheeks?

Chewing tobacco?

By AJC/DNC Management

July 21, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this

Any idiot knows that Lord High Dimwit’s policy on Iraq would have resulted in there being no Iraq, well, except for al-Gitmo that is.

It’s pretty easy to take credit for what the adults have worked and taken all the risk for.

Typical for any spineless koward.

By RW-(the original)

July 21, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this

getalife,

Are you still planning a coup in Denver or have you settled on Obambi?

By AJC/DNC Management

July 21, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

Yes, let us check out Lord High Dimwit’s foreign “policy:”

The 9-11 attacks were carried out because of a lack of “empathy” for others’ suffering on the part of al-Qaida, whose terrorist ideology “grows out of a climate of poverty and ignorance, helplessness and despair,” Sen. Barack Obama explained in largely unreported comments eight days after the mega-terror attacks that rocked the nation. Obama went on to imply the September 11th attacks were in part a result of U.S. policy, lecturing the American military to minimize civilian casualties in the Middle East and urging action opposing “bigotry or discrimination directed against neighbors and friends of Middle-Eastern descent.”

Do tell us, dimwits, if you agree.

By JAY BOOKMAN

July 21, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this

RW, be serious. The price of oil for September delivery did not drop because of the removal of one hurdle to potentially drilling untested leases that would take a minimum of 10 years to develop.

By Ray

July 21, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this

Trash,

Do you really believe the crap you are giving out? What an absolutely idiotic response to my answer to your question. You just cannot be put in our place by anyone, can you? Even Jay objects to your posts, to the point of disallowing them. No one on this post appreciates your idiocy, Trash, most of all people who think. Whatever you believe in, no one cares. And that’s about as much of an insult as someone as dim as you can understand.

By Midori

July 21, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this

well, Jay Bookman:

that’s their line, and they are sticking to it.

good night, all.

By Taxpayer

July 21, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this

RW,

The only fool here is you to believe that Bush’s statement about lifting part of the oil drilling ban had any impact other than inside that feeble brain of yours. You ignorant little blogger. You pose no challenge. Take your best shot. Come on. After all, you’re the one that admitted that 3rd grade word problems were too much for you.

By RW-(the original)

July 21, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

Jay,

Perhaps you could enlighten us as to why futures prices dropped. Do you really think futures are based on a two month out formula anyway?

Maybe that’s how Hillary gamed the cattle futures market. Oops, my bad, she learned that by reading the WSJ that didn’t even discuss the market.

By Charles

July 21, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this

Personally I find people who would vote for a person who can only utter the word “change” every third word pretty stupid, too.

By "The Corporal"

July 21, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this

To God Hates Trash:

“I” know the false statements that are made on both sides. The AJC needs to be fair in educating the “unwashed masses” and those blinded by party affiliation !

To N-GA : “You” have trouble reading the English language. My clear point was they “ALL” do it so let’s expose BOTH sides when they do - not just McCain but also Obama.

To Mr. Bookman and everyone else: My larger point is that conservatives generally have enough integrity to stand up and say when a conservative candidate is clearly wrong. On the other hand, liberals will seldom expose wrongdoing in one of their own. The main stream media assists in this “one-sided” charade.

By Taxpayer

July 21, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

Your bias is still showing Corporal.

By Taxpayer

July 21, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

As I recall, one piece of information that truly had the potential to “spook” the traders was an unexpected build in inventories. If I were into oil commodities, I’d certainly keep close tabs on this sort of information. For example:

Wed Jul 16, 11:49 AM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell sharply for the second straight session Wednesday, weighed down by weekly government inventory data showing surprise increases in crude and gasoline stocks last week.

By whodat

July 21, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this

“Cynical, manipulative nonsense.”

Seems to describe this blog, and the AJC in general.

By JAY BOOKMAN

July 21, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

Sure, RW, I’d be glad to.

Market analysts say it was because of “demand destruction,” the idea being that the price of oil had gotten so high that it had finally begun to discourage consumption. Consumption in the US, for example, has fallen by about 3 percent.

I’m not an expert, but I do go out and research what the experts have to say. I haven’t seen any that attributed it to lifting the executive order on coastal drilling. That’s a political argument with no backing among those who look for economic explanations for economic phenomenon.

By CJ

July 21, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this

I have yet to read or hear a legitimate explanation as to how moratoriums on drilling in environmentally-sensitive areas could cause high prices, as McCain asserts in his anti-Obama ad, when the major oil companies have deliberately avoided drilling on three-quarters of the viable land they currently lease. What, pray tell, is the point of giving them leases when they won’t use the leases they already have? In fact, the oil companies have been stockpiling these leases specifically to increase profits. It’s working.

The Dems are 100% correct. If an oil company doesn’t drill within a specified time period of acquiring a lease, then the feds should cancel the lease agreement and re-bid it out to somebody else (i.e. “use it or lose it”). No lifting of moratoriums are needed.

In the long-run, however, we need to get off of fossil fuels entirely.

By Taxpayer

July 21, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

For those that think we can drill our way to more and/or cheaper oil, there’s “tons” of information out there from very credible, non-politically-motivated sources to refute that notion. Here is a nice summary story just for openers:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080721/aponbige/oilprofits;_ylt= AlS1nX8wCF6zfdhR3mGO9EGb.HQA

You’ll have to piece the link back together. Anyway, oil companies, you gotta love ‘em. They’re the epitome of capitalism.

By hindsight is 20/20

July 22, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

Taxpayer, I don’t believe anyone thinks we are going to drill our way to energy independence.

McCain thinks Americans are stupid??

You have both Obama and Hillary in a recent debate declare that they will pull troops out of Iraq in a preset time table REGARDLESS of what the commanders on on the ground say? REGARDLESS….

Seems obama has second thoughts now.

Back steps ever so carefully.

I watched an interview this evening on abc where obama stammered and limped into saying that hindsight is 20/20 but he would have still opposed the surge.

Looked kind of painful for him to be forced to say that.

By "The Corporal"

July 22, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this

To Taxpayer:

Let me tell you the difference between you and me.

As a staunch conservative, I have submitted “letters to the editor”, had vents published, and made numerous blog entries articulating instances where I believed this administration (including the President and especially Rumsfield) was wrong on various matters. I usually start out my editorial letter submissions by stating “I am a conservative” ….. and then I let them have it. That said, and with all its faults, in my opinion this administration is still a far cry better than anything Democrats can offer. My point (that no one seems to be able to debate coherently) is that liberals in general “never” have the courage or integrity to stand up and be counted when their side is wrong. If you think that is bias on my part then I truly feel sorry for you and we can never be reconciled as Americans as you have no feel for the truth - only blind party loyalty.

P.S. Here is just one example of an editorial letter I submitted wherein I felt the administration was in error. I would like to see one of yours about a flawed Democrat policy (and if they are so perfect that you can’t write one then you wouldn’t know bias if it hit you in the face):

“AN APOLOGY TO AMERICA’S YOUNG WARRIORS”

“For forty years I have sadly questioned why our brave World War II & Korean War veterans, especially those on the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the 1960’s, allowed the Vietnam War to degenerate into such a debacle. My generation answered the call then but we were very young and naive. Our older and wiser veteran brothers should have looked out for us. Now we, as Vietnam veterans, are the ones to be questioned as we in turn have failed in our duty. We of all people should know better. Instead, we sent this generation’s young warriors into harm’s way without sufficient strength in numbers, with substandard equipment, without the tactical and strategic operational freedom they deserved and without an adequate number of reserves to allow them and their families some needed relief. Worse, we allowed armchair warrior politicians who never served in close combat to play general without a solid, achievable plan for victory - just as happened to us. Now, the American family is once again grievously divided and even seasoned generals are at odds on how to resolve this mess. And while politicians pontificate and prevaricate over the latest status reports, our brave soldiers continue their sacrifice. I honestly believed the tragedy of another “Vietnam” could never happen again - at least in my lifetime. We wouldn’t let it I thought. I was wrong. Normally, I close military discourse with “Semper Fi” - the Marine Corps motto meaning “Always Faithful” but right now that doesn’t seem quite appropriate. We Vietnam veterans have not been very faithful to our younger brothers and for that I am truly sorry.”

By "The Corproal"

July 22, 2008 12:41 AM | Link to this

P.S.S.

I don’t care if he is running for President, for a senator of the United States to go to another country in time of war and undermine a current administration’s foreign policy borders on treason.

By GodHatesTrash

July 22, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this

Ray, you’re an idiot. A lot of idiots in Georgia are Klan. You certainly have a very similar political stance to a Klansman.

By RW-(the original)

July 22, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this

Thanks Jay, but you did nothing to back your claim that futures dealers only speculated on a two month window.

By Simple Simon

July 22, 2008 6:20 AM | Link to this

A poster on Wooten’s blog the other day said, in essence, “Saying you can’t drill your way out of this is like saying you can’t study your way out of high school.” Where is he wrong? If you increase supply to meet or outstrip demand, will you not lower prices?

Sitting on ones hands just keeps them warm.

By Taxpayer

July 22, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this

By hindsight is 20/20

July 22, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

Taxpayer, I don’t believe anyone thinks we are going to drill our way to energy independence.

Hindsight is 20/20,

Based on some of these posts from others, I have to wonder just what some people think. Now, what did Obama say about drilling for oil and who do you believe on that issue.

By Taxpayer

July 22, 2008 7:40 AM | Link to this

“By “The Corporal” July 22, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this To Taxpayer: Let me tell you the difference between you and me…”

Corporal,

You have neither the knowledge or the skill set to determine the difference between the two of us. Further, your bias is showing. It is also quite common for people to not recognize their biases. As for your letter, I’m glad to be able to provide you with another reason to post one of them. Also, not that I expect this to interest you in the least, I have voted for the Republican presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter left office although I almost voted for Perot. Finally, blind party loyalty is bad — REAL BAD.

P.S. Did you have anything to contribute on topic?

By Taxpayer

July 22, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this

Mr. Bookman,

I’m beginning to appreciate some of your difficulties here. However, some of the comments certainly provide some interesting insight into some people’s minds — scary but interesting.

By Kevin

July 22, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

Well Jay, He’s got you pegged!

By Dave

July 22, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

When asked why the oil industry isn’t searching for more oil from leases already in existence they tell us they don’t have the oil equipment. When the oil industry is asked why they don’t pump more oil to reduce oil prices they point to the fact we don’t have enough refinery capacity we meaning the oil companies haven’t built more refineries. Face it the goal is to get cheap leases on federal land so they can put more oil in their vault. Reducing prices at the pump has very little to do with the reason why they want to drill more. We have already seen that the US driving less has very little to do with the price of gasoline at the pump. When the Chinese are now adding 25,000 cars daily or 9 million cars in the last year to reach 30 million cars and are building highways like we were in the 1950s you know drilling all we want can’t stop the price of oil from going up now that China and soon India stick the big straw in oil supplies. The Republican plan is the same as it always has been to keep us dependent on oil.

By jon

July 22, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

Obama Hussein doesn’t think the American people are stupid. He knows that enough of them are to probably elect him. He knows that a majority of Americans have no clue about how the economy works and they will go along with his vote-buying “take from the rich and give to everyone else” scheme.

By "The Corporal"

July 22, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

To Taxpayer:

1) I’m glad you provided your voting record to establish your minimum age but it’s still hard for me to believe you aren’t a teenager.

2) My contribution to this particular blog subject has consistently been (guess you have trouble comprehending) that it’s wrong for a newspaper (or individual) to be so “biased” as to never criticize liberal candidates when they deserve it.

P.S. For anyone who has seen the new Batman movie, do you find it odd that he stabs people with his “Bat-darts”, throws them to their deaths off buidlings, runs over them with the “Bat-mobile”, blows them up with his “Bat-bombs” and even breaks their arms and beats them to death with his “Bat-fists” but he disassembles and destroys every gun he comes across - he must be a “Bat-liberal” …………

By Fix-It

July 22, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

WOW I am surprised at how dumb some Osama, I mean Obama supporters are. Simple economics 101, more supply = cheaper cost. And he is correct that the dimocrats, which Obama is one, are in a big way to blame for oil prices. We are the only country in the world that act like a caribou or clam is more important that a human. RW you hit it on the head, just the threat to drill caused a drop in price, OPEC does not want to lose their monopoly and it is up to the American people to see that they do.

By Taxpayer

July 22, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

Corporal,

My teenage daughter and “twenties” son have apparently long since surpassed your level of comprehension. Let’s put you to the test, shall we:

1) How old am I?

2) When did I retire?

3) Do you have any on-topic comments?

By the way, your bias is showing.

By Speaking of which

July 22, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

In 2003 the U.S. should have had folks following the troops, collecting every gun, RPG and any other weapon found during the conquering of Iraq. Would’ve improved the safety of the troops and populace following “Mission Accomplished.”

What’s that? It wouldn’t?

Oh yeah, you’re right. We didn’t shut down the borders first … or any time since then for that matter.

By Obama? Your Mama!

July 22, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

Geesh, Bookman is just like all these writers from the AJC my pappy warned me about years ago. They don’t serve nothing but to serve up controversy, just like Tucker, Moore, and the rest. Seriously though, some of ya’ll need to to put the pipe down! Crack kills! Morons! Go ahead and vote for higher taxes, weaker national security, so you can all get more government assistance since you’re too lazy to get off your butts and work for it!

Loved the following posts:

By Charles July 21, 2008 10:14 PM Personally I find people who would vote for a person who can only utter the word “change” every third word pretty stupid, too.

By “The Corproal” July 22, 2008 12:41 AM P.S.S. I don’t care if he is running for President, for a senator of the United States to go to another country in time of war and undermine a current administration’s foreign policy borders on treason.

By jon July 22, 2008 8:46 AM Obama Hussein doesn’t think the American people are stupid. He knows that enough of them are to probably elect him. He knows that a majority of Americans have no clue about how the economy works and they will go along with his vote-buying “take from the rich and give to everyone else” scheme.

By Eric1

July 22, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

McCain thinks Americans are stupid? He may be right. “Somebody” put George W. Bush in the Whitehouse….twice. If that ain’t stupid, what is?!!

By "The Corporal"

July 22, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

To Taxpayer:

Well, that clears it up. When I was drinking 2% beer in Nam I bet you were smoking dope.

Some pundits are now saying if Obama is not elected there will be riots in the streets in some of our major cities. I wonder what this says about those who vote for him ?

By CommunistAJC

July 22, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

Jay, the MAJORITY of democrat voters are stupid. Uneducated people vote democrat. So get off your high horse about Mccain. At least he’s smart enough to actually know what’s going on in the world.

Let’s look at Obama Hussein:

Here is what he had to say days after 911.

“The essence of this tragedy … derives from a fundamental absence of empathy on the part of the attackers.”

So there you have it. He thinks that poverty made all those hijackers kill 3000 people. The man is nothing more than an empty suit driven by behind the scenes speech writers.

So Jay and every other left wing person, go ahead and vote for this moron. This “community organizer” of communities. HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING IN HIS SHORT CAREER IN THE SENATE.

By SaveOurRepublic

July 22, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

The Globalist Elite ma$ters of “Juan McAmnasty” and “Bacrock Obummer” continue to ensure that the populace is sheeplized (via mindless fluff on the “boobtube”, iPods, video games & an endless flow of propaganda). In order to enact their Internationalist agenda (North American Union/SPP/open borders, the coming “Amero” currency, an Orwellian dystopia enforced via a police state, etc.), the Elite must have a population of deceived & distracted lemmings.

There are valid arguments on both “sides” (hint - the “Left” vs. “Right” paradigm is a smokescreen) of the aisle regarding the energy situation. One one hand, we do indeed need to fully utilize ANWR, offshore Pacific & Gulf & intercontential oil supplies (asap). We also need to open more U.S. refineries and roll-back many of these frivolous fuel-blend regulations (mandated by the Globalist Elite funded, controlled “Green (= New “Red”) movement). However, we also need to ensure (controlled) Big Oil drills on all leased lands. In addition, we need to fully advocate alternative solutions such as wind, solar, nuclear, hydroelectric, etc. In order to alleviate foreign dependency, we must use all resources at our disposal ASAP. That being said, the Globalist Elite know that suppressing oil supplies (& other energy) sources means better control of the populace, so they will not allow their puppets on “Crapitol sHill” to fully utilize these sources…and We The People will continue to feel the sting!

http://www.jbs.org

By Jen

July 22, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

I suggest you check Factcheck.org for all the lies from BOTH sides of the campaign.

By Randy

July 22, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Oh - and everything Obama says and does is correct as well? You are Naive - one party can state that “these are the steps we need to take” - the other party will take the exact opposing position - regardless of the correct one. We should have been drilling in more locations years ago - and what is wrong w/nuclear? anybody that says “its not safe” knows nothing about - and is touting their favorite party’s line. In lieu of taking action - they will spend years debating this back and forth - these are people who do not have to pay their own fuel bills, utilities etc for 9 mos out of the year…

By Jen

July 22, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

I suggest you check Factcheck.org for all the lies from BOTH campaigns.

By CommunistAJC

July 22, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

Jay, Here is THE very reason newspapers like the AJC are tanking and tanking fast. People now understand that the media is in the tank for Obama Hussein. Here is proof. Since you do love your polls I thought I’d throw one right back in your face.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11912.html

By CS

July 22, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

Apparently Mr. Bookman, you do very little if any research on a topic and you are simply showing your politically motivations in criticizing the candidate that you do not support. You also show your ignorance.

First of all, domestic drilling will without question result in lower prices and a more secure nation, simple supply economics and stable sourcing. Obama and Gore talk about renewable and green energy but fail to mention the cost and time it will take to make it viable, not to mention doing nothing for the chemical supply side of the equation. Drilling domestically is inevitable and is the prudent thing to do to bridge the gap to alternative energy or alternative petroleum sources. It is not about drilling our way out of the mess, it is about sustainability and a realistic approach to positive economic growth. The global petroleum economy goes far beyond just energy, almost everything you use in your day to day existence has a large petroleum component, from drugs to plastics. You talk in generalities with no specifics like most ignorant in petrol science. You simply regurgitate what you hear or read on the surface of the media. Secondly, the phenomenon last week with the dramatic drop in oil was directly correlated to the lift on drilling. The dollar sunk further, there were supply disruptions and oil still dropped. I trade commodities for a living and took massive sale orders as soon as the news broke, everyone ignored the other news. It symbolized action regarding the upswing in oil which has been absent. As far as the 3 percent drop in consumption goes, there is a 2-3 percent margin of error in the reports, so only amateur traders pay a whole lot of attention to those numbers. (and I would hardly call the generators of those numbers experts) Today I am taking buy orders because of the Hurricane. Next week it will be something new. We are all waiting on the bubble to burst, and are trying to make a few more bucks on jitters until it does; and trust me, by November it will, regardless of who is elected.

By KatyWatts

July 22, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

I think both candidates have debased themselves w/flimsy, inaccurate, pandering commercials. I am not a fan of either McCain or Obama. They both have adopted a platform of a no nonsense politician who will change politics in Washington. I don’t believe either. They both think Americans are stupid, period!

By KC

July 22, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

anybody that thinks oil is the answer is stupid or just allowing themselves to be stupid. use what oil we have, but we have to make changes in this country now when it comes to energy! oil is not the answer, if you’ve looked around in the last 40 years, you can easily see that oil is the problem.

By Georgia businessman

July 22, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

It makes litte difference if oil drilled from off shore or in Alaska would be used in other countries. It would help the supply side of the law of supply and demand bring on lower oil and gas prices to all of us. It would also help our trade inbalance and the value of our dollar.

By CommunistAJC

July 22, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Jay, Found this great article that tells the story of how Ted Kennedy was given a high honor from Mexico with helping illegal immigrants. What a wonderful party the democrats and republicans are.

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN1933295620080719?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews

By Shawny

July 22, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

Yeah, that was a stupid commercial.

T. Boone Pickens for president. Is it too late? That guy is pretty savvy. Good piece regarding natural gas. We have it out the arse and need to develop it. No oil spills. It will help tide us over until the oil addiction can be broken and better technologies develop.

By JW

July 22, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

Really? And gas prices went up! Stop drinking the kool aid. Unless they intend to nationlize the oil, the market will control the price. You do not need to be the brightest bulb in the pack to understand that.

By zeke

July 22, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

No, if you elect obama, you deserve him, not me! What can you possibly see in the inexperienced socialist that makes you think he can lead our country? Is it that he feeds class warfare, rob the wealthy, give you health care at my expense, raise taxes and kill the economy, negotiate with President Tom(Iran), Chavez and others, or simply he talks of change and hope! What change? Don’t know, do you? Hope for what? Don’t know that either, do you? You had better find out before you doom me, and, yourself to a bumbling inexperienced socialist who will add untold guaranteed socialist entitlement that will forever doom our country and the lives of our children and grandchildren!!! McCain is no ideal American conservative, but, he is a million times better for the country, the world and you and me that the stench of rotting socialism from obama and the demogogs!

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

July 22, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

Why would anyone expect anything but lies from a Republinazi? Lying is what they do best and that’s because they get so much practice at it. When Clinton was in office abottle of water cost more than a gallon of gas. A gusher could come in every ten minutes and it won’t drop the price at the pump one damn cent as long as Republinazis bring down property values at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

By CommunistAJC

July 22, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

JW, Glad to see someone on here with common sense. These morons think that Bush has a magic button to control prices. Just like the button he uses to create hurricanes. The problem with most people is that they don’t understand the economy and that’s why democrats use them. They want the government to control everything without understanding that government makes everything worse. Just like health care. I for one do not want DMV health care.

By Surgeon

July 22, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

I am now offically offering my services to remove the lips of the press from Obama’s butt. It’s a nasty job but someone has to do it. It’s both sad and funny how the press has known all along that Obama is unfit and unqualified for the job so they created this larger than life image of him to help facilitate his much needed heard start. The irony here is that soooooo many of Obama’s supporters barely make minimum wage yet they will risk their taxes (do they even pay any) going up to have him as The Man. I tried counting his army of talking heads he has on tour with him but I lost count as to how many people it takes for him to look as if he has average intelligence. When McCain wins, and he will, Hollywood as well as the liberal press with hear the resounding Go Intercourse Yourself loud and clear and your positions in the Amercian way of life will be strongly visable, you’re not important to us, we don’t care what you think. Go away.

By CommunistAJC

July 22, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

Algonquin J. Calhoun, You’re exactly the target I was waiting for. Someone who has never taken an economy class. When Clinton was in office China and India were not the powerhouses that they are now. When Clinton was in office he had a republican congress that kept him in check. Check Mate my uneducated comrade.

By Taxpayer

July 22, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

I’d have to agree that Osama supporters are pretty dumb. Of course, most of them don’t live long enough to figure that out on their own.

By Keith

July 22, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

Obama’s wife hates whitey, and people who actually work and pay taxes are crazy stupid (as opposed to stupid crazy)to vote for BHO.

By Chaz

July 22, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

So John McCain thinks we’re stupid? Well, Obama’s already said we are (clinging to our guns, bibles and whatnot), so wheres the debate?

By Lee

July 22, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

Yes, the voters are stupid. They believed the Swift Boat Liars because they said they were speaking truth when they said Kerry was not involved in any action that day in Viet Nam. We found out only later the man who said that got a Bronze Star for the same action Kerry got his. Seems that when he was speaking truth, he lied. These dishonored and dishonorable people are still advising McCain. It rubs off, you know. But then you don’t know, since the voters are stupid, and will believe anything you tell them, if you tell them you’re speaking the truth.

By Taxpayer

July 22, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

Corporal,

I expected nothing more from you. You really do have a case against the government for that agent orange exposure, dontcha know. They can’t replace the lost brain cells but they can make you feel better. Morphine would probably do you wonders. By the way, your bias is still showing. Also, where are the answers to my questions or did you forget them already. Come on, let’s play. I want to have some fun.

By Real Conservatism

July 22, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

Who is John Mccain? Is he running for something?

Seriously, watcing Mccain “campaign” over the past month I know understand how W (with no federal experience and 1 4-year term as a state governor) won the primary in 2000. You would have to be physically dead to be anymore boring than Mccain. The man is so unispiring, he’s like the crazy old granddad except he tells really boring stories, which no one pays any attention to!

He is the republican Al Bore! His will lose teh election based on his inability to capture any type of audience. Remember Gore had 8 years in the white house and the country chose a 1 term governor with no experience over him. hell, Gore couldn’t even hold tennessee and I doubt Mccain will take Arizona!

Karma in action.

By DaveD

July 22, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

the only ones that would believe an ad like that… that drilling will lower the price of oil (and gas)…are those with a GA education.

GA: always last in education and showing it every single day…

supply and demand? yeah…lower the DEMAND!!!! supply has limits…demand does not (not when you change WHAT the supply is)…

AS Forrest Forrest Gump once said: stupid is as stupid does…. that’s the “talibangelical crowd” who is alive and well in the “last in education” state of GA! ;-)

By Fix-It

July 22, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

If you want the real poop on oil read this http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/3952

By Steve

July 22, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Man, the AJC staff keeps posting on these blogs, stop it guys! If the voters are stupid its because they buy into this Obamamania not because of John McCain. Obama will ruin this country and turn us into a socialist state.

By thogwummpy

July 22, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

Ahm…Bookman IS stupid. What he doesn’t factor in (Neo-libs NEVER do…) is market factors. An increase in supply against demand, typically DOES drop prices. And, as the Dims resist domestic production; yes, it is valid to blame them for our high gas prices. Every liberal at some point in it’s life, should be forced to take a course in Economics. OOPS! But if that happened, if people were educated in financial principals….they’d vote Democrat a whole lot less. Therefore, teachers unions would never allow that. Bookman, you’re a clueless buffoon….you’re one of the reasons the AJC is having to lay off so many people—-fewer people want to pay for your paper because it lacks credibility, having given numb-skull Lefty activists too much control. It’s like reading the BS of Creative Loafing; and even THEY know no one will pay for infantile content. There’s some Economics Cox needs to figure out. But then….you’d be out of a job.

By ronniejack

July 22, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

Obama has no clue, he is a post turtle and the folks supporting him are the same. Your article on gas prices is so far left, you deserve working and living in Atlanta, GA. By the way, that use to be a great place until the lites went out.

By Bob

July 22, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

Jay,

Please go back to Baltimore. Your economic and social nonsense spins are more aligned with the misguided liberals that live there, than the majority of paying AJC subscribers, who are Libertarians or Conservatives. I don’t even have to buy Thursday at the store, because I can get all the food grocery store ads on line.

I do understand why you left Balmer’

I’m a 24 year *”Da^^ned Yankee” escapee from the Peoples Republic of Maryland.

By Goldie

July 22, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

McBush’s ad is so stupid because he himself voted against offshore drilling a few years back, and just recently stated that drilling would only bring “psychological” benefits to America:

“Even though it may take some years, the fact that we are exploiting those reserves would have psychological impact that I think is beneficial.”

America doesn’t want a 3rd term of McBush — Americans are not that stupid!

By JAY BOOKMAN

July 22, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

Bob, I have no idea why you think I’m from Baltimore. I’ve spent an evening there, sipping the local brew and having some excellent crab cakes, but that’s about the extent of it.

By SaveOurRepublic

July 22, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

Communist AJC @ 10AM EDT - I expect nothing less from Ted “Kommiedy” & the Globalist Shills (Fox, Calderon, etc.) in Mexico. BTW, Vicente Fox openly admitted on Larry King live (last October) they the ARE planning a common currency between the U.S., Mexico & Canada (the video is on YouTube & Google…just type Vincente Fox Larry King Amero). Also, Globalist puppet “Juan McAmnasty” has also been pandering to the La Raza crowd for years (especially as of late). McManiac has NO intention of giving up his push for amnesty either!

http://www.numbersusa.com

Shawny @ 10:04 - As I’ve said on other AJC blogs/discussion, T.Boone Pickens is a corporate raider who made his billions by greenmailing other companies. The very fact he endorsed “Global Warming” prophet of doom Algore for Energy Czar should set off red-flags. Pickens isn’t in this (or anything) out of the goodness of his heart…he stands to gain more millions from his Pickens Plan. Although we need to utilize alternative energy sources, the first step needs to be opening ANWR, offshore Pacific & Gulf, bringing new U.S. refineries online & rolling back these ridiculous fuel blend regulations across the country.

By kip

July 22, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Jay, you’re wrong again. Voters are stupid. Who put Cynthia McKinney in office (repeatedly)? Who brought Marion Barry back after serving his prison term. Never underestimate the stupidity of the voting populace. And for all you Bush haters and people clinging to the redistribution of wealth plan, I URGE you to read the article from yesterday’s Wall Street Journal titled “Their Fair Share”. It’s amazingly enlightening and facts you won’t see from the liberal media.

By Michael

July 22, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

Why not?? You are an idiot. Pres. Bush lifted the bad on off shore drilling an the price went way down due to speculation. Democrats like to blame speculation for this problem but seemed aghast about using speculation to solve it.

By Ben

July 22, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Oil will power our transportation system for many years to come. We are in a state where our pumping of more oil will take 7 years and even then it will be sold on the world market. What do we do? Wring our hands as we do nothing to produce more oil? I don’t think so..

By Suchates

July 22, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

you know how we know oil is not the answer? because George Bush thinks it is! with all this whining over flip-flopping, just think how much better America would be right now if George ‘the greedy idiot’ Bush had flip-flopped on a few things.

By DaveD

July 22, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

GA: always LAST in education and showing it every single day…it’s why you let a “talibangelical” FREAK like Sonny run this state.

GA: more abortions than most states, ALSO more kids having kids, (could it be a lack of sex education…nah)! worst test scores, fatter than most of the nation, still voting repulsivican, wasting more gas because of lack of a transit system that reaches the suburbs, allows the bible to be teached as a “history book” while kids can’t divide or subtract numbers, tries to force “un-intelligent design” into the classroom, lets people water lawns during a historic drought (for the economy…hehe…landscapers and home owners can’t think to plant native plants and xero-scape their lawns into mulch and rock gardens), allows guns everywhere, and best of all… voted for Bubble Boy twice by majority…

AS Forrest Forrest Gump says: Stupid is as stupid does…

Go read some books and turn off FAUX news!

You just might LEARN something. If you don’t know what a book is… that too explains why you are the way you are…

By Blind Homer

July 22, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

McCain’s energy policy is vastly superior to Obama’s but mainly in terms of nuclear power. McCain can’t push nuclear too much because of the irrational fears created by Jane Fonda from the China Syndrome. Even AlGore talked about all electricity from wind, water, and solar, but didn’t include nuclear. We need a lot more nuclear plants and we need them yesterday.

By Scotus

July 22, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

No Jay, its just you he thinks is stupid.

By Drew

July 22, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

Everyone says it’s rampant speculation driving prices up. Well, here’s today’s lesson in economics: Bush lifted the executive ban on offshore drilling last week (a largely symbolic gesture, since Congress has to follow suit before anything can happen) and the price of oil dropped by $16 a barrel by week’s end. Speculators got cold feet and backed off… that’s how it works. My gas was 6 cents cheaper this morning than it was last week. Imagine what might happen if Congress got into the game…

Obama’s energy policy is nothing but a long litany of tax hikes. Where’s the beef?

By Georgia businessman

July 22, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

I assume everyone is in favor of more alternative forms of energy (not just Democrats), but I can’t run my trucks on wind, solar, or nuclear energy. PLEASE, politicians, let us also drill more where the chances of finding oil are the greatest.

By Beth

July 22, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

Wa Wa Another liberal writing for the AJC!

By the Problem is Oil

July 22, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Oil did not drop because Bush lifted a ban on off shore drilling - which actually did nothing because the ban is not lifted unless Congress does the same. It dropped because Bush’s friends, the Saudi’s released more oil, but then it went right back up again. Let’s see - drill off shore, have big storm or hurricane come in and watch oil prices jump. Same problem, different oil well. Isn’t it hard for all you older voters who hate Carter so bad to admit that had we lsitened to HIM back in the good ole 70’s, we wouldn’t be in this condition would we? So, let’s drill for oil which will take 7 years to even get to the oil pumps OR lets take 7 years to get our vehicles on natural gas as Pickens states and reduce our need for oil down to nil. Which one do you prefer? McCain lovers, do you want to solve the problem or put a bandaid on it for your kids to have to solve or do we start right now with a real solution? Everyone knows oil is NOT like tomoatoes, we cannot grow oil, there is limited supply no matter where you drill for it. This earth is NOT going to produce more oil. So, if we drill, are we not passing the buck to the next generation? Is our generation SO stupid we cannot fix this?

By John Wilson

July 22, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

You are so right Jay,

The people who will actually vote in November are not stupid. like me they have looked at the candidates. I did look at Obama and just what the heck is America thinking about this person with no experience, without the ability to think for himself when asked a question his handlers haven’t prepped him for. This man is an empty suit that the press loves including yourself. What does that say about you? Oh, he gives a great speech. Doesn’t say anything but he does sound good and he does mesmerize the kool-ade drinkers. I seem to have read something about another slick politician in the 20’s and 30’s that did the same thing.

So yes Jay we are not stupid and in Novembers we will vote for the man with the experience and knowledge to lead this the greatest nation on the earth and he wont be the messiah and saint Berry.

Semper Fi

By "The Corporal"

July 22, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Hey Taxpayer:

You need to calm down buddy before you have a stroke and I have to call a corpsman for you.

Yes, as a grunt I crawled through all that agent orange and drank the water from the streams but unlike the Air Force guys in Saigon I never filed a claim …………. :o)

How about this one!! The difference between a conservative military veteran presidential candidate and a liberal one?

McCain - tortured and in a body cast refuses for five years to be sent home as a POW until all the POW’s are released.

Kerry - Hey fellow sailors, after six months I just got my third easy purple heart (one I wrote up myself) and I’m out-a-here ! See ya !

P.S. I don’t “play”.

By Bill

July 22, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

It’s a matter of supply and demand. If we supply more, the international demand for oil will be affected, and the price will come down! McCain is correct! “Stupid” actually describes the Democratic commercial that states, “We can’t drill our way out of this crisis”.

By RealityKing

July 22, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

I do see Jay’s confusion…

I mean, if you couple the high school drop out rate of today’s progressive education system with its latest CCRT scores, it is mighty hard not to think that the majority of Americans are stupid. Not to mention the fact that our actual graduates rank at the bottom of the industrialized barrel. Obviously.., America’s “educated vote” just ain’t what it use to be.

But let me help you clarify.. Horizon, as in keeping you eye on the goal. A goal that has targets to meet, security targets that lead to an honorable withdrawal which requires no military reinsertion.

Not as in.., we’ll be running out as soon as I’m elected and not coming back no matter what happens to the people still wanting and struggling for peace. Something that will most certainly prove itself to be grossly self-centered and stupid for any Commander and Chief to do.

By IceDogg

July 22, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Well, in his defense, most Americans are stupid…

By RenaP

July 22, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

i’ve come to the conclusion that the american people are stupid. afterall they put bush in the white house for 2 terms.

By Hillbilly Deluxe

July 22, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

When you get right down to it most all politicians think we are stupid. Far too many times we prove them right.

By flip wilson

July 22, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

“Remember Gore had 8 years in the white house and the country chose a 1 term governor with no experience over him.” Actually, no - Gore got a half million more votes than Bush. The Supreme Court chose Bush.

By GAME RECOGNIZES GAME

July 22, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

John McLame, what in the world was that latest commercial about. What’s amazing I see several people ON THIS BLOG, who’s intelligence I question because of their support for such a ridiculous premise. Hello, gas prices have been rising steadily for the last 10 years. Remember when it was .75 to the country’s $1.25? Where was Sen. Obama then? Oh, HE WAS IN CHICAGO PRACTICING LAW!!! Who was in office then?? Oh, it was the end of Clinton and the start of BUSH!!! Since he’s been in office and with his wonderful approach to foreign diplomacy, gas has risen some infinite percentage and continues to rise. Then, at the end of his shameful Presidency, he further embarasses himself and our great nation by going to the Saudis, hat in hand, to beg for more gas. INCREDIBLE. He got us into a war, and as a former Army Infantry Colonel, his boneheaded strategy has killed plenty of American troops. Yet, this dimwit has not been charged with high crimes. Two thirds of the writers on this blog have NEVER served, nor have they seen the residual effects of being in combat. Yet they cheer along this imbecile and this other, valiant only because he was a POW in my eyes, dunderhead that he is capable of “winning a war.” Funny, as an officer, one of the first things taught was to have a “Clear Objective.” We’ve had several. The troops are stretched…thin. My fear is what WILL HAPPEN when these kids start snapping. There is only so much of the psyche that can take the pressures of this. But I digress. Drilling for oil is not a solution. T. Boone Pickens offers alternative fuel sources. Obama stated that we need alternative fuel sources. So why don’t we get to it. We’ve wasted almost 35 years. Instead of being a nation of whiners, let’s try being American. That’s White, Black, Hispanic, Asian and anybody else here. This oil problem belongs to all of us. Dammit.

By CommunistAJC

July 22, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

DaveD, You must have been educated in Mississippi. By the way you blabber on and on I can understand why your teacher beat you after class. Stupid is as stupid does. And as GALib always says “and you’re living proof.”

By Tony

July 22, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

Obama thinks we’re stupid…

By Oil is the Problem

July 22, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

Has it ever occured to you guys that when there is more oil, we use more thereby increasing the cost of oil? Supply and Demand works when you have UNLIMITED supply, which we do not. Yes, we can drill for more, but that is temporary isn’t it? Admit it, if we could drill for every drop by tomorrow, what happens in 50, 100, 200 years? Or do you not care? What is wrong with not wasting our time on a solution we know is going to come back to bite us later on? If you know you will incur college expenses for your kids, do you not cut spending now so you will have it later? You give up “things” so your kids can go to college. Let’s find a long term solution NOW so we don’t have to address this issue again. And as for McCain thinks we are stupid. He knows we are stupid. Look who we voted for the last two elections. Look where we put our soldiers without an exit strategy. Look how we are arguing now instead of finding solutions. Yes, we are stupid, but hopefully, we will not be stupid enough to elect a person who voted 95% of the time with the president who has done more harm to this country than ANY before him.

By Oil is the Problem

July 22, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

GAME RECOGNIZES GAME: I’m with you! My son served twice in Iraq, due to go back in April. It is ridiculous what has happened to our troops but I fear the worse is yet to come. Boone Pickens is correct, he has a plan, lets all invest our time to look at it and if we agree this has large potential, lets put our collective heads, wallets, and muscle to back this thing up. If we all pull together, think what this country can do. GO TO: http://www.pickensplan.com/ Come on America - lets do it!!!!

By SaveOurRepublic

July 22, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

“GAME RECOGNIZES GAME” @ 12:10 PM EDT - Skull&Bonesman “Jorge Boosh” isn’t so stupid…that’s largely a facade, spin meant to provide fodder to the controlled “Left” side of the “mainstream” media (which is intended to distract the populace from the true agenda of the Elite). Like his Skull&Bones, Bohemian Grover grandfather & father before him, “Jorge Boosh” fully serves his Globalist Elite ma$ters who wanted this Empire building undertaken in the middle east (for various reasons including control & suppression of the oil supply). The Bush Dynasty has connections to the Nazis (Prescott Bush had several financial connections via Harriman Bank to the Nazi party…it’s all documented). Like the Clintonistas, the Bush Dynasty has a very dark past.

With that, “Juan McAmnasty” fully plans to continue the Trotskyite-spawned, Machiavellian Neocon agenda of foreign entanglements. Beyond that, “McSame” (like “Bacrock Obuma”) is fully beholden to the private Federal Reserve (of the International/Central Banking cartel), all for the North American Union/SPP and amnesty for illegal (as it “Bacrock Obummer”). There’s not a dime’s worth of real difference between these two shills!

http://thenewamerican.com/node/8574

By getalife "whiners"

July 22, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

Saw Pickens on Lou Dobbs. Impressive plan. Russia is in the drivers seat on natural gas but we can compete.

Of course, we are still talking while the world is taking action.

Time to STFU and take action.

By Peter

July 22, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

Yawn…….. the OLD GUY…….. McLost is speaking………

He CLAIMS he knows how to win a WAR?

HA HA HA……….

Does getting shot down, and spending 5 years in prison, mean the guy is Presidential material ?

I don’t think so……

Does getting shot down and going to Prison for 5 years means he knows how to win a war ?

I don’t think so……..

All it means he was a lousy Pilot, and then got caught behind enemy lines PERIOD………

The guy is PAST HIS PRIME……he should be naping and eating cookies…….

He doesn’t even remember what he has stood for all these years……….

McLost is a LIBERAL Republican, who changed his spots, so he can now represent a party he is not in tune with !

By Commodity Trading 101

July 22, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

Oil is unlike other commodities in that it can be stored indefinately for nothing in its natural state underground. This means that expected value is much more improtant for oil than other commodities. If world events make it look like oil will be worth more next month or year or whenever all I have to do it not pump it out of the ground till (ie cut back production) then, which costs me nothing. However if world events make it look like oil will be worth less in the furture it’s to the owners benefit to pump it and sell now. This is why when the President lifted the executive ban on off shore drilling the price dropped about $16 per barrel despite the fact no off shore oil can be drilled. It’s all about the expected price of what the oil in the ground is worth. If we can drill our own, conserve and develope alternative energy sources the price of oil will drop which means OPEC will have to pump more to get the same amount of money. Pumping more means more supply which thereby lowers the price. This is exaclty the opposite of ehat we have now. Expected value is up so everyone pumps less so they can sell later for more per barrel. Pumping less means supply is decreased which drives up the price. This is why oil prices more in viscious cycles.

By Taxpayer

July 22, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

You play corporal even if you cannot realize it. Where are those answers to my questions? Come on. Do you want me to die of old age waiting for you? By the way, your biases are showing. In fact, they just keep piling up.

By Bruce

July 22, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

No Jay YOU ARE STUPID!!Have you ever wrote an unbiased assessment of anything. It’s not the economy causing people to quit buy the AJC rag, it is the continuous dribble that this editorial board continues to spew. What a shame…Watch out the unemployment line is not far away!

By JP

July 22, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

Well Jay, if McCain thinks you’re stupid - he’s dead on. It seems as if you don’t undersatnd the basic economic principle of supply and demand.

On another note - stop pretending to be a journalist. At least those talking heads on talk radio don’t pretend to be unbiased. I consider myself to be independent - I voted for more dems than repubs in the last election. The print and TV media slant so far to the left its a joke.

By Reality

July 22, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

Unfornately Yes, the average American voter is an idiot. All those Bible thumpers vote according to a 2000 year old fairy tale. Popular TV shows are written on a 7th grade level because anything more and you lose the audience because they can’t understand the material. News has to be dumbed down and the public told what to think or your ratings fall because people are too lazy to think for themselves and just change the channel. Huge numbers of people don’t even graduate high school despite extremely low standards. Capitalism works by the rich taking from the poor and the smart taking from the stupid. Unfornately at election time the stupid are in the majority so all elections are about the lowest common dominator.

By Peter

July 22, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

Jay Americans are STUPID in general………

Let’s look at the WAR for instance…..

The Corporate WAR IN IRAQ……is in place so a few get flat out rich, and America gets Bilked by these no bid contracts.

Republicans are wasting sooooooooooooo much of America’s resources, and dragging us down the drain …..time for a change in America……back to American Ideals.

By bobfromcanton

July 22, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Obama was asked by ABC News tonight, and I quote from the text of the interview “If you had it to do it over again, knowing what you know now, would you support the surge?” Obama- “No, because keep in mind that question-“

“You wouldn’t?”

“Keep in mind these type of hypotheticals. It’s very difficult to know. Hindsight is 20/20.” Later, “But I think that what I’m absolutely convinced of is that at that time we had to change the political debate because the view of the Bush administration at that time was one I just disagreed with.”

OK, Jay and all you other water carriers for Obama, what is this statement saying? Are you stupid for not understanding it or is Barrack stupid for saying it?

By Get Real

July 22, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

Americans think Jay Bookman is stupid. More supply = lower price. Economy 101 moron.

By lava

July 22, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

whats up with Mcain’s hands,he seems unable to even raise them above his waist.I wonder if he can zip and unzip and get his dyck out when hes ready to do the dirty with that little doll of his. Want that for a prez? Doubt it…..

By Ruger

July 22, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Wow, could you be any more biased? Drilling domestically is about being less dependent on other nations, and increasing supply to meet demand. Obama and the Democrats want neither of those things.

And you can’t tell me that Obama’s vague calls for “change” and “hope” aren’t manipulative nonsense, as you put it.

By lava

July 22, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

If you had it to do it over again, knowing what you know now, would you support the war??” thats a better question bobfromcanton,so many US$$$ have been spend on this pet Bush war.

By "The Corporal"

July 22, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

To Taxpayer:

Psssst…..I bet you wear sandals with white socks.

To All:

Did anyone hear what Obama said yesterday during a news conference without his teleprompter?

“Israel supports Israel”!

By MilMan

July 22, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

He’s not the only person who’s thinks you guys are idiots!!!!

By rerservoirDAWG

July 22, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

How do you get the state of AL to vote for Obama?

Put a G in front of his name.

By Randy

July 22, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

Uhm, no the add doesn’t imply that at all. It just implies that McCain is for drilling in the US and Obama isn’t.

I would even argue that just saying the US is willing to drill for more oil has caused the price to go down.

But let’s not let those ideas get in the way of your own opinion.

By JackLeg

July 22, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

Incorrect, it is Obama who thinks we are stupid, and he is proving it. Anybody that would vote for Obama is living proof that Obama knows that the sheeple are stupid.

By Taxpayer

July 22, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

There’s no need to whisper, Corporal. Now, where are the answers to my questions. Come on. Go for it. You said that you had my minimum age bracketed. Entertain me. I’ll even go first: I don’t own sandals but I do have an old pair of flip flops that I wore once. I prefer bare-foot on the sand. I wear white socks with my sneakers and even with my boots. Cool, huh. I’ll bet you’re a Hendrix fan — a purple haze kinda guy. Am I right. Huh. Huh. Am I.

By John

July 22, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

The only stupid one here Bookman, is you and liberal left slant AJC.

By JeremiahWright

July 22, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

“McCain think we’re stupid”.

In your case Jay, he’s right.

By Jay

July 22, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

If this country produces more oil, OPEC will simply cut production to keep world prices high… it’s that simple. You think they’re ever going to be satisfied getting $50 for a barrel after what they’re making now?

By BoneHead

July 22, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, ….socialism, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, loss of rights, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, more government power, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, higher taxes, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, high cost of energy

By Red Foreman

July 22, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

If the Obama camp would have thought of it, you would say it was the Greatest campain ad in history…

Obama=Ohcrap!!!

We are all screwed in ‘08!!!!!

By george hussein washington

July 22, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

It is only understandable that McCain thinks all americans are stupid, after all he is stupid, his best pal joe lieberswine is stupid, his wife is stupid, his brats are stupid…and american voters did elect George W (the chimp) Bush president twice….proof positive that American voters are STUPID…..

By george hussein washington

July 22, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

It appears that the Georgia Bar only accepts complaints from members of the bar: I called the Bar and tried to file a complaint against Pam Stevenson, alleging that based on the ajc reports and the Oglethorpe University records, Pam had not earned a Law degree as required to be a member of the bar….they would not take my complaint…said it had to be made by a current member of the bar…will some lawyer out there who is a member of the Georgia State Bar please file a complaint against Pam? Thank you….

By kitty

July 22, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

Has anyone found Czechoslovakia yet? McCain apparently is still looking!

Dont those sort of geopolitical gaffes scare anyone? They sure do scare me considering the man is running on his FP experience and he doesn’t even know that country does NOT exist anymore. Some experience.

By "The Corporal"

July 22, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

To Taxpayer:

PSSSSSST ! No deal. You never answered my first question so I don’t answer yours.

P.S.

Obama is a “Trojan Donkey”.

By Herman

July 22, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

Dear Mr. Bookman, I read you all the time and frequently send a thank you to the heavens for you.

I saw McCain’s commercial on the price of oil and my immediate reaction was: Does this man think we’re all stupid? Herman

By george hussein washington

July 22, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

Czechoslovakia…yes, we drove our panzers due East from Munich thru Austria and into Czechoslovakia then continuing East into Krakow, Poland meeting only weak resistance…Good times…..Lets do it again….

By Poet

July 22, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

Jay - McCain might think Americans are stupid. Obama knows it.

By Hmmmmm

July 22, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this

Somebody WAKE me UP! Jay, HOW long did this article take to write??? Cynical, manipulative nonsense! That’s FUNNY! Tell me what politician is NOT manipulative, and FULL of it! The TRAGEDY lies with BOTH parties! These GUYS/GALS are ALL CROOKS! Good grief, how many intelligent people can sit and watch Madam Pelosi, and not just shake your head! America, and NOT just in the south, are too consumed by who is going to be the NEXT American Idol. We have had it too GOOD for too long! We are a SPOILED AND STUPID NATION. WE DESERVE EVERYTHING WE GET FROM WASHINGTON!

By Kove Bush

July 22, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

I am glad we haveyou Southerners in our back pocket! We can relie on you falling for anything and then going out to support it!

We have you actually believing that the price of oil is falling because Bush signed an executive order to start drilling when we already know that congress will not sign off!

Here some knowledge for all my Southern voters. 1.AMERICANS have dropped usage of oil consumption by 1 million barrells per day!

2.China has stop stock piling oil and raise their gas prices 18 percent.

3.Congress is sponsoring a bill on speculation to reduce their reported 30 to 40 percent price speculation on oil prices.

Thank you Southerners for being so naive to think that Bush has done anything to lower gas prices!

After all the economy is sound!

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

July 22, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

. When Clinton was in office China and India were not the powerhouses that they are now. Commie, India and China have become economic powerhouses because Bush and the Republinazis have presided over the shifting of manufacturing of products from this country to those two nations. Countless Americans were put out of work so the companies involved could prey upon slave labor. You might want to see a documentary movie entitled ‘The High Cost of Low Prices.’ You probably couldn’t comprehend it but you could give it a shot. It’s a Republinazi characteristic to be arrogant, unintelligent and without grace. Commie, you are a Republinazi!

By Taxpayer

July 22, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

Corporal, your biases are still showing.

By gator76

July 22, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

I agree. Its so sad to see such stupidity. This is worse than pandering…its insulting. John McCain would have the oil companies drilling off the coast of Florida near the very beaches we all love to visit and should protect. Say Goodbye to Destin beach During a McCain presidency - and guess what, we won’t see that oil before 2015! That’s how long it would take to produce the oil from these areas! And McCain and all his rich friends will be richer! Wake up Roborepublicans! This is not straight talk.

By McCain

July 22, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

Jay you are stupid but atleast your not stupid AND racist like that loser Cynthia Tucker. McCain 08. I’d never vote for ‘Obama been lying’

By DK

July 22, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

Taxman,

I understand why you illustrate your point by using a farmer’s market example. Because if you used actual facts your comparison would not look so obvious. Here is a link to the CIA’s Fact Book: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2173rank.html It shows the U.S. as being the third largest producer of oil; America produces over 10% of the world’s oil supply. Our production is 75% of the largest country’s production figure, Saudi Arabia. In light of these facts, your comparison of railcar loads of tomatoes to a quarter of a pickup truck load hardly applies. Instead of taking your fellow poster to task for his math studied, you should have spent the time studying social studies. Jay,

A few weeks ago you responded to one of my posts by decrying my criticism of you by declaring that your criticisms of politicians are balanced and that you take Democrats to task as well as Republicans (I of course used your last ten pieces to show that is simply not true). I read today where respected mainstream reporter criticized Obama for staging fake interviews. I’m sure that your next opinion piece will be dedicated to taking Obama for deceiving the American people. I can’t wait to read it.

By Hmmmmm

July 22, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

DK

I wouldn’t HOLD my breath! Liberals will not let the truth or fair get in their way. I would submit that’s why so many libs are upset with FOX news. It’s really the only major media outlet that will at least report BOTH sides, and true libs HATE to hear both sides of the story!

By Kove Bush

July 22, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

Guess what Pudits,

Supply and demand is taking shape!

Demand is weakening and supply is gaining!

New Report their are several oil tankers full of oil waiting on a delivery port.

This run-up on oil prices is bogus!

You will see gas prices reduce down to 100 dollars per barrel or less in the next 6 months.

We have made our billions!

Thanks America

By Blind Homer

July 22, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

Gator76 - There are beaches off the coast of Alabama right now that, except for some oil rigs on the horizon, are just like Destin. Oh and if we really needed it we could have that oil flowing in less than two years. If we really wanted to we could build new nuclear plants and have them operational in five, do you really believe it would take seven years to build new oil rigs? The best solution to the oil shortage is to exterminate morons like you to keep the demand down!

By Tim

July 22, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Thank God I chose to leave Atlanta to get a decent college education. People from Atlanta are idiots.

Only in Atlanta could a guy like Jay Bookman be published in a newspaper. It’s one thing to criticize a policy you don’t like; it’s another thing to criticize a policy you don’t understand because of a lack of basic economic skills and/or basic human reasoning skills.

I could probably write a PhD on the same roll of toilet paper that Jay Bookman wrote his degree on and be the CEO of the AJC.

The parade of “Obama is better than McCain because I like him” comments that followed is about an in-depth as analysis as a 5th grade composition paper (Freshman college-level course in GA).

By KFSH

July 22, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

MCCAIN “THINKS” WE’RE STUPID, BUT HE “KNOWS” YOU ARE

By ran

July 22, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

Corporal, you kill me with that cynical holier than thou attitude. I’m not for either party; it took 8 years for the republicans to put us in this mess, but if you think that McSame is the answer than you’re not as smart as I thought you were.

By Monk

July 22, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

I believe the idea is that expanded world production lowers world prices in the long run, which shortens speculation in the short run.

If McCain thinks you are stupid, apparently he is correct.

By Taxpayer

July 22, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

DK,

I am sure that you think that you were making some sort of meaningful point but you didn’t. The case of the few tomatoes against the many was intended to simplify the topic of supply and demand especially with respect to Mr. Bookman’s topic. It obviously was not simple enough for some or maybe they just don’t want to understand. If you seriously want to talk about oil and oil companies and supply and demand and the impact of a few more rigs such as Thunder Horse in the Gulf of Mexico, then start by reading the little link that I provided in an earlier post. Then, I’ll think about it. For your information, I used to sit down with engineers and others from Amoco, Shell, Union Carbide and other suppliers many times per year for materials related discussions including prices. I know full well how supply and demand influences the prices of commodities — It was a piece of my work for twenty years. Thank you very much. I’m just retired now so I no longer have those face to face meetings but I can assure you that not much has changed since I retired as far as how supply and demand works. Just the names and faces change.

Have a pleasant day.

By BOB

July 22, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

ALL THIS WHINNING ABOUT THE BEACH WON’T LOOK PRETTY IF WE DRILL FOR OIL - DO YOU NEED TO GO TO WORK OR GO TO THE BEACH TO SUPPORT YOURSELF

By george hussein washington

July 22, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

Seeing as how George is well off retired, George chooses the BEACH every time….now git to work and support George in his mid 50’s retirement…

By Doug

July 22, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

Jay, you’re slip is showing. It doesn’t “strongly imply” anything near what you state. The commercial simply recognizes that once The Market understands our willingness to correct our own problems, the price of oil FOR EVERYONE will go down. When that happens, Big Oil will no longer see big profits by spending billions chasing new domestic oil sources, and ANWAR and elsewhere will be safe for you to fawn over.

By Taxpayer

July 22, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

I’m with george on this one. Y’all whiners get to work. I want to be able to collect my social security check when I get old enough so I need y’all out there working for the next ten years and putting money into the trust fund for me. After all, I don’t expect my pension, 401k, and other investments to satisfy my lifestyle forever. I’m going to need that social security check to pay for my gasoline.

By Carl Rove

July 22, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

Tim,

I see the degree did not help you with critical thinking!

A critical thinker would use common sense to make a choice in this presidential election. Oil is a finite resource.

Our oil companies could care less the oil prices are up. They are in to make money for the shareholders so how do you really think drilling for more oil will help the oil companies!

If we are at 50 dollars a barrell the oil companies will not provide their shareholders will a good share price.

So if really believe in a candidate that states I really don’t know much about the economy after serving 24 years in the SENATE then just vote for him and don’t bash the other candidate it shows immaturity and lack of common sense!

By george hussein washington

July 22, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

oh yeah, social security in four more years fer george, 2,000 extra bucks a month for wicked young women, booze, and good food…..I will take it at 62 because I don’t think rich guys like me will be allowed to collect it too much longer, but they would not dare kick me off once I start…Ah kan’t wait fer the Eagle ta s**……oh, is that a bad word Jay? am ah gonna git another whippin?

By Senator McClain

July 22, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

I am do think you Americans are stupid,

That is why I left my first wife and married Cindy.

My wife is worth 6.3 billions! How she owns 1 million shares of Anheuser Busch!

Now if you vote for me I will keep capitol Gains taxes low so my wife will only pay 15 percent or less!

Jack Pot!

I am the man! Who’s your daddy now JAY!

By slim

July 22, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

now traffic deaths have fallen because of high gas prices, ah yes, the glory of trickle down. bush, cheney and their oil buddies get rich and save many lives doing it. they really are christians! how wonderful is this slow economy and recession, thank you republicans you really are patriots, our children love you. now please, if you have time, can you raise the price of gas another 2 dollars a gallon and save 20 more dopes from hurting themselves driving. i never realized just how great a suffering economy can be for our country. i gotta give it to that rascal george bush, he’s not an idiot after all, why he’s a savant!

By John Wilson

July 22, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

Hey Kitty,

I’ll show you Czechoslovakia if you point out those 57 or so states The Messiah thinks we have? Oh wait he hasn’t been to Alaska or Hawaii yet so I guess that would make 59 states.

Gunny J

By "The Corporal"

July 22, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

To Taxpayer:

Your “comebacks” are getting weaker.

By "The Corporal"

July 22, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this

The really scary thing is that inspite of the internet slowing it down for awhile, the American mainstream press now probably has the biased power to decide who will be President of the United States.

By Jeremy

July 22, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this

Jay,

Every time you write you show your ignorance. Correction: ignorant can be fixed lets just call it stupidity. The whole supply and demand stuff must have just gone right over your head in school. Don’t feel too bad. After reading the comments you aren’t the only one that can’t grasp basic economics.

By Tim

July 22, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

Carl Rove,

I’m going to help you out because I see that you’re struggling.

The debate is not about whether drilling in the Gulf would help oil price go down. Any idiot (except for Jay Bookman) understands that if oil supply goes up, prices come down. The debate is about whether we are willing to pay the environmental cost associated with doing so and whether doing so would help prices in the short-term.

No person who has completed a middle school education outside of Georgia (except for Jay Bookman) seriously thinks that more oil would have no impact on prices.

This is a perfect example that also gets to the very heart of the irrational, die-hard Obama supporters: Bush=Bad, 1 Vote for Obama = 1 Vote against Bush. Person who doesn’t vote for Obama = Person who is Pro Bush.

By Taxpayer

July 22, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this

Corporal,

A weak force is more than sufficient. A show of force would inflict more damage upon you than is needed. Besides, I would not want to even temporarily conceal those biases of yours. They’re such red badges, dontcha know.

By Reality Check..

July 22, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this

If we elect McCain or any one who even vaguely resembles a person who would repeat what the BUSH administration dropped on the American people, we deserve what we get. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!…all the way to the bank!

By annoyed

July 22, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

Jay, he’s got you pegged!!

By "The Corporal"

July 22, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this

To Taxpayer:

You’re repeating yourself. Typical liberal ploy.

By Ben

July 22, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

Wow, your interpretation is ridiculous. Nowhere does he say that domestic oil would be sold for less then foreign, at least not in the script you have up. It just says gas prices will go down. Supply and demand, every economics textbook says the same thing. If supply goes up without a change in demand, price goes down. Even if you disagree with this as an economic fact, it’s still the most obvious interpretation of McCain’s commercial. Only someone completely biased against the man would twist the obvious explanation into something that makes no sense, but would make McCain look bad if true.

I’ll give Bookman one thing. You know absolutely where he stands, and he’s not subtle about it, doesn’t bother trying to hide it This way we always know to interpret his every word in the context of his immense and blind liberal bias.

By JAY BOOKMAN

July 22, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

OK, gentlemen, supply and demand.

Supply and demand together create the price. If you increase supply or lower the demand, the price falls. I assume we’re all together on that much?

Good. I will also assume that we all understand that oil produced in the United States is treated as part of the the world supply of oil and is sold at the world price of oil. No special price breaks for Americans.

OK. Those are the ground rules.

Now, if we start drilling today in ANWR and off the coast, etc., those new fields — if we find any — will reach peak production around 2030. That’s the estimate of the experts at the U.S. Energy Information Administration, confirmed by folks in the private oil industry.

OK. We now produce about 8 million barrels of oil a day from US territory. ANWR is projected to produce about a million barrels a day at peak production (and we should all understand that peak production lasts only three or four years for most fields.)

So drilling in ANWR gives us a million barrels. Let’s say we get another million or two barrels from offshore, which is optimistic. So we have added 3 million barrels. However, because oil fields in Texas, the North Shore of Alaska, the Gulf and elsewhere will begin to decline, we’ll probably net an increase of US output of somewhere around 1.5 million barrels by 2030 if we open up everything to production.

Ah, but here’s the problem. Today, total world production of oil is about 81 million barrels a day. By 2030, the U.S. Energy Information Administration projects world production to be 107 million barrels a day.

An increase of 1. 5 million barrels from US sources by 2030 is less than 1 percent of 107 million barrels of world production in 2030. And an increase of less than 1 percent in world supply is not going to be enough to force down the world price of oil.

Period.

Pouring a cup of water into the ocean increases the supply of ocean water. But it is not enough to change anything.

By Kwijibo

July 22, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

Jay, I wonder how many AJC layoffs are a direct result of the crap you write. I stopped subscribing years ago when there wasn’t ever another side to an argument from someone as brilliant as yourself. You and Cynthia Tucker have taken this paper from Covering Dixie Like The Dew to Covering Dixie Like Doo Doo.

Nice work. We’ll see who you can complain about with a liberal House, Senate and White House. What the hell are you going to do with yourself?

By BT fan

July 22, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

Jay, you and Cynthia are the STUPID ONES working for a company who in their VOWS to people believe in diversity and equal rights. Cox Communications has Mr Kennedy as CEO, white, 29 Executive VP, 27 white, 2 African American..Fair and Balance??, I don`t think so, just like ajc GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. Stop the BS Jay, your check comes from company opposite of what you express..

By unclefast

July 22, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

Is cheaper crack the solution to crack addiction? Huh?

By Mr. Anderson

July 22, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

Americans ARE stupid! Get them to recall the first 3 President’s of the US. Get them to name their fed Rep and 2 Senators, their state Rep and Sen. Get them to name the VP of the US.

Sadly, not even 20% can do all of the above. And that means Americans are STUPID! Bookman, I normally like what you write, but this silly piece is pandering to the wanna-feel-good-about-being-stupid Americans.

By Bite me

July 22, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

I don’t know what McCain thinks but I think Jay Bookman is stupid. I am not psychic like Bookman thinks he is. I do know that Bookman consistently embarrasses himself by being a paid DNC shill.

By Dave

July 22, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this

Funny how the wacky left wing nut job Bookman never points out a single thing that Obama has done wrong although there has been ample opportunity.Then again, he is obviously biased. Maybe he should join the NY Times staff, he’d fit in very well!!! Look at most of the comments posted, they disagree with him and the AJC keeps wondering why subscriptions keep going down….Maybe too many left wing nut jobs on the staff, no balance in your stories….

By Bill

July 22, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this

McCain does not think that we are stupid. He does, however, depend on you being stupid.

By Me

July 22, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this

Jay - McCain not only thinks you are stupid - I do too.

If you had a product that most of the world depended on for transportation, don’t tell me for ONE MINUTE that you wouldn’t get every dime you could for it.

Sell stupid somewhere else, the AJC is obviously full of it at the time.

By Jeremy

July 22, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this

Jay,

Just like a liberal to get all their “facts” from a government agency. I’m not going to do your homework for you but why not dig a little. Here’s the quick version. 1. We can be pumping out new oil in 3-4 years once certain areas are opened up. 2. We have more oil reserves in the US than all the middle east reserves put together.

Long story short you are using flawed logic. Your numbers are way off. Not to mention that as soon as we begin to open up new areas for drilling OPEC will immediately increase their output. Oil is currently a “monopoly” with only a few players. They can artificially inflate the price by keeping supply down. The US joining the game will change the rules.

By Me

July 22, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this

Jay - McCain not only thinks you are stupid - I do too.

If you had a product that most of the world depended on for transportation, don’t tell me for ONE MINUTE that you wouldn’t get every dime you could for it.

Sell stupid somewhere else, the AJC is obviously full of it at the time.

By disgusted

July 22, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this

He is correct. This country is stupid. We elected Bust twice. And it looks like Obama may be elected. God help America.

By tater

July 23, 2008 5:13 AM | Link to this

And so does Bookman.

By Bob

July 23, 2008 5:50 AM | Link to this

Jay - You should have to sign up as a paid advertiser for Obama. You going to give McCain equal time in your column to refute your blatant Obama advertising?

By BigdaddyJ

July 23, 2008 6:48 AM | Link to this

Sure, lets stay in a country that wants us the heck out and keep spending 5 billion dollars a month of tax payer money. Gee, not sure why our economy has turned to crap or we can’t afford text books in our schools. Obama is far from perfect but McCain is a flat out idiot. Mr. I am going to keep the race clean is turning out to be the nastiest of all.

By Blind Homer

July 23, 2008 6:56 AM | Link to this

Jay, 1.5 is actually more than 1% of 107, not less. And your ‘facts’show the correct number is 3 million, not the 1.5 net increase, since we’ll either have a net gain of 1.5 or a net loss of 1.5 without drilling. Lastly, we could add another 2 million from shale, and cut consumption at least 25% by using nuclear, wind and solar for electricity, and requiring more high mileage and electric vehicles, reduce the use of diesel trucks by using more electirc trains, etc. Then we would have a sensible, comprehensive energy policy that would significantly reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Unfortunately, Obama is against drilling and is afraid to endorse nuclear plants so we’ll clearly be much more dependent on his Muslim brother’s oil after he gets elected.

By Tom

July 23, 2008 7:14 AM | Link to this

The object is to get votes. Unfortunately, this shows how a fairly large section of the public is generally ignorant. This is how you appeal to them. Go McCain.

By hurricanedog

July 23, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this

Obama….the only change we can believe in is his changing on the issues from what got him nominated

By hurricanedog

July 23, 2008 7:21 AM | Link to this

Obama….the only change we can believe in is his changing on the issues from what got him nominated

By LJ

July 23, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this

From some of these posts, I can see why the south lost the war. Or could you be carpetbaggers? “My Friends” Mc NitWit is a Bonehead. He and His “BS Express.

By Boots

July 23, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this

Both of these candidates are full of horse hockey and will say anything to get elected.

The problem for me is that one’s a doddering ol’ carp and the other one’s a slick eel.

Neither one’s worth keeping and should be thrown back!

By marko

July 23, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this

John remembers the stone age. He should know better than anyone that it did’nt end because we ran out of rocks.

By buzzer

July 23, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this

If you thnk Mccain thinks we are stupid, then Obama thinks we are lambs or helpless children Who is is your daddy ? Obama - I think not :-) - One need to take care of themselves - that is change you can beleive in - Everyone says we cant trust politicans - then why trust anyone of them !

By Buzzer

July 23, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this

With this kind of trash - why is the AJC wondering why they are losing money - Blame it on the lack of real journalism, bais, no news except for PC news - the only being in our house that is sad we stopped our subscription is the parrot. He loved dumping on them.

By Buzzer

July 23, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this

With this kind of trash - why is the AJC wondering why they are losing money - Blame it on the lack of real journalism, bais, no news except for PC news - the only being in our house that is sad we stopped our subscription is the parrot. He loved dumping on them.

By Buzzer

July 23, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this

With this kind of trash - why is the AJC wondering why they are losing money - Blame it on the lack of real journalism, bais, no news except for PC news - the only being in our house that is sad we stopped our subscription is the parrot. He loved dumping on them.

By Buzzer

July 23, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this

With this kind of trash - why is the AJC wondering why they are losing money - Blame it on the lack of real journalism, bais, no news except for PC news - the only being in our house that is sad we stopped our subscription is the parrot. He loved dumping on them.

By Buzzer

July 23, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this

With this kind of trash - why is the AJC wondering why they are losing money - Blame it on the lack of real journalism, bais, no news except for PC news - the only being in our house that is sad we stopped our subscription is the parrot. He loved dumping on them.

By Bravesfan#1

July 23, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this

We are Stupid, 80% of the population has an IQ below 80…enough said. That is why we have these two idiots to choose from. Arguing which one is better is like arguing which midget is taller…it doesn’t matter they are both midgets, replacing another midget. We are lost!

By Jason

July 23, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this

With some of these comments, you would think that the author (including you Mr Bookman) was a newly hatched chick. Lies and exagerations are standard in political talk and advertisements. The choice for president is really down to who is the lesser of too evils.

On a side note though - I love hearing from the Obamaites - you guys have never made brainwashed look so cute.

By sam

July 23, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this

We are stupid.

By Bill

July 23, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

Why shouldn’t McCain think Americans are stupid? Bush was elected by Americans—-TWICE!!

By Joel Hardy

July 23, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

this is politics, moron…Obama and the other socialists in the Democtatic and Reublican parties have stopped America from utilizing its own reserves…this is crazy…we’re paying for it now…

By Gimme a break

July 23, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

I think Jay Bookman is stupid.

By Willie

July 23, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this

Obama is the Anti-Christ; three and a half years of prosperity then world war III. I will insist you liberals sign up for the military first. If there is a recruiting station to be found. We dodged the looney Gore but ran smack into the Anti-Christ.

By Copyleft

July 23, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

Buzzer: So, basically you’re upset because the paper has an Opinion section? And THAT’s the reason they’re losing money—because the entirety of the paper consists of the Opinion section, and it’s too darn liberal (since it has one liberal columnist)?

Riiiggghhhtt….

By John Defalque

July 23, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

I wholeheartedly agree with the banner article.Canada had a National Energy Program under Pierre Trudeau-a far more visionary PM than Harper.Alberta-home to more than 85% of Canada’s oil reserves, was made to sell oil nationally for less than the world price.Our nation benefited.However subsequent conservative backlash probably ensures that this national strategy will never be enacted again. Myth is that Alberta is Canada’s richest province-reality is that it is Canada’s home of disparity.The min. wage is lower than Nfld’s, which has historically always been Canada’s poorest province.Royalties charged to American and multinational oil companies in AB are a joke.It’s all about corporate greed and largesse.

By From Where I Stand

July 23, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

If the Republican electorate considered McCain to be inferior to the product they elected for two terms, how good can this guy be?

By Tim

July 23, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this

Jay Bookman,

Here’s another example of why Jay Bookman is a lazy idiot.

His column completely ignores the concept of supply and demand. Then, he reposted a comment about the net impact of declining US oil production and increasing new drilling.

It’s not about the net supply impact you retard!

Why don’t you do something useful and use those same numbers and substract out incremental increases from new drilling? Your numbers just proved the case for new drilling. I’ll even put it into terms even you can comprehend: if we don’t drill, according to your numbers, we’ll be even worse off than we would’ve been without new drilling.

Small changes in supply have big changes in price when there’s small supply headroom, you idiot. Go look at the DOE inventory numbers, look at the price of WTI crude, and look at the changes.

(Maybe, you could even do this type of basic research before writing this crap… maybe???)

By Eli Jones

July 24, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

I got this very informative video about Barack Obama off the net. Everyone should view it, regardless if they vote for or against Barack Obama. Remember to vote, it is your American right.

http://www.eyeblast.tv/Public/Video.aspx?rsrcID=2036

By NewsFlash

July 25, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

I guess McCain is just trying to talk to his base in a language that he thinks they’ll understand. Maybe he calls it “Stupid Talk”.

By not my name

September 12, 2008 3:00 AM | Link to this

The fact that so many Americans support McCain is proof of the disgusting stupidity and/or ignorance that plagues this country and the world. We so not need to live in the same country with these backwards people. We need to make a new America that does not include Dumf*ckistan. Lets make the division and get on with our lives.