Thinking Right

By BFKaJ

June 12, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

Good morning all. Every time I persuade myself that Captain Queeg might be ok, he says something really stupid, like a democrat. I note that Queeg sounds like Hussein on the energy issues. No drilling in ANWR, somehow adding new taxes will produce more energy, burning food in cars makes sense. Inmates running the Washington asylum.

The leftists and wishy-washy moderates have blocked any increases in energy development for 30 years now. The one time we were able to beat the idiots in Congress and pass a bill to open ANWR, the horndog vetoed it. There is no question that the deranged have sufficient votes to filibuster additional energy development. If the morons had any economic background, they would realize that even a slight increase in the oil supply would have a massive effect on the price, due to the comparatively inelastic demand. Wasting my time trying to teach the leftists anything like common sense.

The democrats latest “defense” is that they authorize exploration in some highly unpromising areas in the Caribbean. So they want to drive down oil profits with wasteful expenditures – sounds like typical democrats.

It’s a shame the American public tolerates an entity that makes a 15% profit on every gallon of gasoline – no, not the oil companies, who make only 8%, but the government. When we talk about corruption in Washington, why do we ignore intellectual corruption?

By David

June 12, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

Good morning, Jim:

Even though I am a liberal, I do not believe that I’ve heard any answers from Washington that are close to being logical. I don’t think taking profits from the oil companies is the answer; however, I do think that they should be investing heavily in alternate technologies. If they don’t, they will be witnessing their own demise in the near future.

Right now, I think it is a good thing that gas prices have gone up, since the price of gas has been kept artificially low for years. This will force people to invest more in the public transportation infrastructure and rethink their need of an over-sized vehicle that gets crappy mileage. Metro Atlanta has one of the worst public transportation systems I’ve seen in all the cities I’ve been to, and I say that as an Atlanta native.

By TW

June 12, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

Lost in the ‘discussion’ surrounding ‘w’s miserable failures, is the fact that, for all intents and purposes, the White House has basically been vacant for eight years.

By BFKaJ

June 12, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

Special for our friend Dusty:

“In a conversation recently, I mentioned as an aside what a great president George Bush has been and my friend was surprised. I was surprised that he was surprised.

“I generally don’t write columns about the manifestly obvious, but, yes, the man responsible for keeping Americans safe from another terrorist attack on American soil for nearly seven years now will go down in history as one of America’s greatest presidents.

“Produce one person who believed, on Sept. 12, 2001, that there would not be another attack for seven years, and I’ll consider downgrading Bush from “Great” to “Really Good.”

“Merely taking out Saddam Hussein and his winsome sons Uday and Qusay (Hussein family slogan: “We’re the Rape Room People!”) constitutes a greater humanitarian accomplishment than anything Bill Clinton ever did — and I’m including remembering Monica’s name on the sixth sexual encounter.

“But unlike liberals, who are so anxious to send American troops to Rwanda or Darfur, Republicans oppose deploying U.S. troops for purely humanitarian purposes. We invaded Iraq to protect America.

“It is unquestionable that Bush has made this country safe by keeping Islamic lunatics pinned down fighting our troops in Iraq. In the past few years, our brave troops have killed more than 20,000 al-Qaida and other Islamic militants in Iraq alone. That’s 20,000 terrorists who will never board a plane headed for JFK — or a landmark building, for that matter.

“We are, in fact, fighting them over there so we don’t have to fight them at, say, the corner of 72nd and Columbus in Manhattan — the mere mention of which never fails to enrage liberals, which is why you should say it as often as possible.

By BFKaJ

June 12, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this

“The Iraq war has been a stunning success. The Iraqi army is “standing up” (as they say), fat Muqtada al-Sadr —the Dr. Phil of Islamofascist radicalism — has waddled off in retreat to Iran, and Sadr City and Basra are no longer war zones. Our servicemen must be baffled by the constant nay-saying coming from their own country.

“The Iraqis have a democracy — a miracle on the order of flush toilets in that godforsaken region of the world. Despite its newness, Iraq’s democracy appears to be no more dysfunctional than one that would condemn a man who has kept the nation safe for seven years while deifying a man who has accomplished absolutely nothing in his entire life except to give speeches about “change.”

“(Guess what Bill Clinton’s campaign theme was in 1992? You are wrong if you guessed: “bringing dignity back to the White House.” It was “change.” In January 1992, James Carville told Steve Daley of The Chicago Tribune that it had gotten to the point that the press was complaining about Clinton’s “constant talk of change.”)

“Monthly casualties in Iraq now come in slightly lower than a weekend with Anna Nicole Smith. According to a CNN report last week, for the entire month of May, there were only 19 troop deaths in Iraq. (Last year, five people on average were shot every day in Chicago.) With Iraqi deaths at an all-time low, Iraq is safer than Detroit — although the Middle Eastern food is still better in Detroit.

“Al-Qaida is virtually destroyed, surprising even the CIA. Two weeks ago, The Washington Post reported: “Less than a year after his agency warned of new threats from a resurgent al-Qaida, CIA Director Michael V. Hayden now portrays the terrorist movement as essentially defeated in Iraq and Saudi Arabia and on the defensive throughout much of the rest of the world, including in its presumed haven along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.”

“It’s almost as if there’s been some sort of “surge” going on, as strange as that sounds.

By BFKaJ

June 12, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

“Just this week, The New York Times reported that al-Qaida and other terrorist groups in Southeast Asia have all but disappeared, starved of money and support. The U.S. and Australia have been working closely with the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, sending them counterterrorism equipment and personnel.

“But no one notices when 9/11 doesn’t happen. Indeed, if we had somehow stopped the 9/11 attack, we’d all be watching Mohammed Atta being interviewed on MSNBC, explaining his lawsuit against the Bush administration. Maureen Dowd would be writing columns describing Khalid Sheik Mohammed as a “wannabe” terrorist being treated like Genghis Khan by an excitable Bush administration.

“We begin to forget what it was like to turn on the TV, see a tornado, a car chase or another Pamela Anderson marriage and think: Good — another day without a terrorist attack.

“But liberals have only blind hatred for Bush — and for those brute American interrogators who do not supply extra helpings of béarnaise sauce to the little darlings at Guantanamo with sufficient alacrity.

“The sheer repetition of lies about Bush is wearing people down. There is not a liberal in this country worthy of kissing Bush’s rear end, but the weakest members of the herd run from Bush. Compared to the lickspittles denying and attacking him, Bush is a moral giant — if that’s not damning with faint praise. John McCain should be so lucky as to be running for Bush’s third term. Then he might have a chance.”

COPYRIGHT 2008 ANN COULTER

By Shar

June 12, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

At the very least, the oil and gas companies should lose their favored tax treatments and low cost leases for exploration that were supposed to be tied to ’90s prices and weren’t. The oil cartel is not the only group reaping jaw-dropping profits - the market speculators are responsible for the price run ups, and they represent capitalism at its bare knuckled best. Congress could exert some pressure on American speculators, I suppose, but the world market will laugh and go its own way at our continuing expense.

Four-five-six dollar gasoline (and even more ruinous heating oil)is a permanent fixture on our economic landscape, and will require Americans to make the same kind of adjustments as have Europeans. Small cars, fewer and more planned trips to increase efficiency, a closer circle of destinations, more car pooling and most especially more public transportation, of which the Lovejoy/Atlanta line may or may not be a feature. Ridership has climbed on the commuter busses into the city, a change that is being noted not just in Atlanta but nationally, and demand will drive multiple public transit options.

This is more difficult in the US than in more compact Europe, but it is still achievable once Americans have been pried from their beloved individual cars by the crowbar of high priced gasoline. We will be forced to become more deliberate and concious of our transit needs, whether that entails living closer to where we work, joining a nearer but perhaps less competitive soccer team or parking the car at a train station and riding to work with employers providing van service from the terminus. These are all choices but the landscape in which they are made is permanently colored by the world price of energy, and there’s no going back to $20 fill-ups with a free glass thrown in.

By hopeful

June 12, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Believe it or not, trains ARE an alternative to the automobile and high gas prices. Most notably, they get you from point A to point B without having to get in an automobile or pay high gas prices.

The problem in Georgia is that we have stubbornly invested in roads and highways almost to the exclusion of everything else, leaving us short on options. We need alternatives other than roads to get us from point A to point B.

It’s quite simple: the more we rely on domestic energy sources and modes of transportation other than the gasoline-powered automobile, the less reliant we’ll be on Middle Eastern oil. Any candidate placing a high priority on US energy independence goes a long way toward earning my vote, regardless of which side of the aisle they call home.

By fairy god mother

June 12, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this

By BFKaJ

June 12, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

BFKaJ…Give it a rest OK?

If you think this war is so great, I’m sure there is an army recruiter interested in talking to you!

By Maniac is accurate

June 12, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this

If commuter rail is a good alternative, it should be developed by private industry with a profit motive. That motive should not be a government subsidy, but a real profit built on ridership.

What the government could do, and right now, is encourage consumers to switch to the currently available hybrid auto. If drivers switched by the millions to these cars, a dent could be put in oil demand. I think consumers may get there on their own, but it couldn’t hurt for a President on his way out to encourage moving that way.

And I don’t think it’s improper for McCain to use his now-less-than-bully-pulpit to nudge big oil toward using much of its windfall on alternative energy development. It’s smart business for them, but they are human and are surely tempted to put as much of that as possible into their and their stockholders pockets.

By CC

June 12, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

it is awful to hear people blame everyone except the oil companies and bush/cheney for these high gas prices and the deteriorating state of our nation. to blame anyone but the oil companies and their backers the republicans is just like blaming the rape victim for the crime that was committed. what sorry, awful, disgraceful, dishonorable behavior.

By Redneck Convert

June 12, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

Well, I can stand the high gas prices awhile longer. What I can’t stand is all the calls I get from painting cos., tree cos., yard mowing cos., people wanting to sell me houses, etc. Some even come knocking at my door. We all voted for My President and now we’re pestering each other to drum up business to pay for the high priced gas.

Anyhow, its all Clintons fault, is what I say. And if it ain’t that then it must be just a reglar downturn in the economy. Its for sure it ain’t the Republicans fault.

I say let the oil cos. alone and stop blaming them. I figure they are the same as the tax cuts of My President. Sooner or later all that money will Trickle Down to us reglar folk. It just takes 10 or 20 years.

Anyhow, I about kicked Jim Earl out of the trailer last night when he started arguing the oil cos. are gouging us. He wanted to know why the oil cos. are making profits hand over fist when they didn’t do it last year. He said if they are selling the same amount of oil and just passing on the higher costs by the towel-heads, then why ain’t they making the same profit as last year? Instead of billions and billions more profit.

Anyhow, he sounded like a librul Democrat whining and I got mad. He finally left but I give him a dirty look when he walked out the door.

Anyway, I got a beer run to make and no time to hang around here. I got to fill up the truck and hand the warehouse mgr. the bill and watch him turn all sour and give me a dirty look. Leastwise it ain’t Friday and I’m not liable to get fired today.

Have a good day everybody and stop calling me to drum up business. Things will get better if we just elect another Republican as President. If Clinton had of kept his pants up in the Oval Office we wouldn’t be in this mess today. The gas prices is just Gods way of punishing us for Clintons evil.

By joan

June 12, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

The best thing that can happen to Atlanta is for gas prices to go to $9 a gallon for several years. That might actually cause this area to think about light rail around town, alternatives like zip car, bike lanes wide enough for a human to feel safe in. Georgians learn slow. Maybe a little more pain is in order.

By Aquagirl

June 12, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this

Okay, this is column # 2 in Jim’s series “Just Drill It, Baby!/Mass Transit Is Communism!” You’re going to see many more as we drag him and his crowd, kicking and screaming, into the 21st century.

By Tyrone

June 12, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

Rage?

This is what gas prices and racist AmeriKKKa has done to the proud, successful black man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL-iBB9jx34

By Maniac is accurate

June 12, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this

And maybe even better, it couldn’t hurt for Obama and McCain to encourage people to switch to hybrids. No, I don’t sell them, but they’re here, they save tons of gas, so why not use them?

By hopeful

June 12, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

Maniac, I understand your point of view. I, too would like to see commuter rail designed to turn a profit, thereby reducing reliance on tax dollars.

However, corporate ownership of any part of our transportation infrastructure — be it toll roads, rail, ports, or what have you — always leaves open the possibility of foreign investment, ownership and control.

Ideally, I believe the public should remain in control of all modes of transportation. However, more of the costs of construction and maintenance of our transportation infrastructure should be borne by USERS via fares, fees, or tolls, rather than taxes. But ownership should remain in the hands of the people, not some unregulated foreign hedge fund.

By Sandman

June 12, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

Aquagirl, I agree with Jim on developing domestic oil supplies (for the short term) and getting more power from nuclear plants. But like, you, I don’t understand his stonewall opposition to mass transit and his “pave everything,” mentality.

What I see happening, and others have mentioned it, is that U.S. consumers and transportation providers will move like much of the rest of the world to much more fuel efficient vehicles, more mass transportation and I optimistically believe our nation will lead the world in development and bringing to market of clean, renewable energies.

By Do the Math

June 12, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

The gas tax is really a user fee that pays for road maintance. Less user fees means more pot holes and higher maintenance on your car. Eliminating, reducing it, even temporarily without an alternative solution is retarded.

Drilling in ANWAR to solve the American energy crisis is Nicorete to the smoking problem. It will solve nothing.

Reducing consumption is the only alternative. It reduces demand on foreign oil. Lowers the tax levied on the public. Improves air quality and the imense social cost of our public health. The list goes on and on.

Stop complaining and do something yourself!

By Shar

June 12, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

BFKaJ, I would regard it as a personal favor if you would attribute any extended cut-and-paste quotes from Ann Coulter at the beginning of the rant rather than the end. If I must start off my day with the fact-free partisan self promotion of America’s First Harridan, I’d appreciate the chance to brace myself first.

I promise to return the favor if I’m ever tempted to quote, say, the Aryan Brotherhood in this space.

By Forrest

June 12, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

McCain is part of the problem, and has been. He has consistently opposed drilling in ANWR and only supports offshore drilling if the states involved consent. We beg the Saudis to increase their production by 1 million barrels a day and thereby help drop the price of oil, yet we refuse to increase our own production. Why should they do us any favors? Clinton vetoed an ANWR bill in 1995. The oil from ANWR would be online now and there is where your extra million barrels a day could be coming from. What other country refuses to exploit fully its own natural resources? It is your government, not the oil companies that have sold you down the river on this one.

By T

June 12, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

Having I 75 repaved is awesome. However, think instead of doing that we could start working on mass transit that works. Then maybe less people would be on the roads using less fuel. Just a thought.

By Taxpayer

June 12, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

Isn’t the human brain a great little thing. A chunk of gray matter endowed with something that possibly no other being on earth has — a thought process, or at least that capability. That thought process allows each and every one of us to accept input from various sources, analyze those inputs, and formulate an opinion — a conclusion of sorts — from that analysis. Some of us are arguably better or worse at it than others. That may be a result of insufficient and/or invalid inputs, incomplete analysis, bias, faulty wiring, etc. Still, each of us has that capability and we should use it, nurture it, allow it to explore new avenues, critique it constantly. We should never allow our brains to fall victim to stagnation. For then, our brains become, at best, nothing more than an organic hard drive — a hard drive packed with time-stamped information. Information that is simply stored and mindlessly dumped upon demand. Then again, wouldn’t that person make the perfect little soldier — Sir, YES SIR!

By candide

June 12, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this

As an oil company ads reminds us: we all own oil companies through IRA and pension plans. Therefore we benefit from high oil prices!

By Soothsayer

June 12, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

{{{WASHINGTON - Opening an Alaska wildlife refuge to oil development would only slightly reduce America’s dependence on imports and would lower oil prices by less than 50 cents a BARREL, according to an analysis released Tuesday by the Energy Department.

The report, issued by the Energy Information Administration, or EIA, said that if Congress gave the go-ahead to pump oil from Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the crude could begin flowing by 2013 and reach a peak of 876,000 barrels a day by 2025.

But even at peak production, the EIA analysis said, the United States would still have to import two-thirds of its oil, as opposed to an expected 70 percent if the refuge’s oil remained off the market.}}}

The world currently uses all of the +/- 85 millions barrels of daily oil production. The United States alone uses 20+ million barrels/day. World production has held steady at the 85 million barrel/day mark for about 3 years now suggesting a peak in world production. The 876,000 barrels/day from ANWR will not even replace the world decline in production between now and 2013.

Friends, no matter what Lush or Vannity or Bellow or Dorkz tells you, we CANNOT DRILL OUR WAY OUT OF THIS!!!

By ron

June 12, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

Nancy and Harry did their posturing act for the people,going after a windfall profit tax.This only after making sure they didn’t have enough votes to succeed.They know what will happen if they mess up the oil companies profits.Their constituents that have shares in the oil companies will not be forthcoming with campaign dollars.Liberals have shares in oil companies too,you know.

Now someone please explain to me why oil companies should be investing their money in alternate energy sources that are not as profitable as oil.It’s up to someone else to invest in alternate energy sources but why bother when there’s so much money to be made as an Exxon stockholder?

By Jack

June 12, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

*Bush takes Office- Gas is $1.47 a gallon *After 7 years of Bush - Gas is $4.07 a gallon

If the Right is Right… shouldn’t the complete dominance of the Republican Party for the past 7 years have produced LOWER gas prices and Nirvana in America?

After all Jim, you got Bush, Cheney, The Republican Supreme Court and Republican controlled House and Senate!

So why is gas over $4, the mortgage crisis toppling the economy, an unnecessary war draining American lives and money?

Why is the Republican Party in such trouble?

OK Jim… start your ridiculous tap dancing.

By catlady

June 12, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

Off topic, how about ADDING 4 months onto Bill Campbell’s sentence for LYING and GAMING THE SYSTEM? Isn’t PERJURY an offense?

By Forrest

June 12, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

That EIA report also admitted no one knows exactly how much oil is in ANWR. It could be much more or less. There is only one way to find out. That study was based on estimates, and much like the computer models that are the support for global warming, or global cooling in the 70’s they can be wrong.

By BFKaJ

June 12, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

WSJ has a funny editorial today on oil politics, and columnist Dan Henninger approaches the topic from a different angle, but is fully consonant with Jim’s morning essay. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121322872046666269.html?mod=djemEditorialPage

Dear Fairy @ 8:39, my post was a response to our friend TW, who has so much trouble staying on topic. But if you saw anything erroneous in the post, I would gratefully receive your argument. Otherwise I have little tolerance for the half truths, and have decided to redouble my efforts against the inaccuracies that infect leftist thought.

Dear Shar @ 9:09, I would do anything to honor your sensibilities, but I thought I discharged that duty by advising all that that particular post was for benefit of our friend Dusty. Apologies for shattering your morning peace, I do believe you deserve better from me. I would respectfully dispute some of your substantial arguments:

“At the very least, the oil and gas companies should lose their favored tax treatments and low cost leases for exploration that were supposed to be tied to ’90s prices and weren’t.” I don’t understand how that would lower oil prices, and indeed believe it would not, but I don’t have a serious complaint about abolishing “favored tax” treatments. I would abolish corporate taxes entirely, since those are fully borne by the consumer, and thus by abolition would eliminate “favored tax” treatments.

“The oil cartel is not the only group reaping jaw-dropping profits - the market speculators are responsible for the price run ups, and they represent capitalism at its bare knuckled best.” I agree, but I perceive disparagement in your words. The futures market is a relief valve, and for legislators smart enough to interpret, it gives us a picture of the future. I perceive our Washington pols are nor smart enough to understand what the speculators are telling them.

“Congress could exert some pressure on American speculators, I suppose, but the world market will laugh and go its own way at our continuing expense.” Right on.

“Four-five-six dollar gasoline (and even more ruinous heating oil) is a permanent fixture on our economic landscape..” I think that is true only because of legislation that interferes with the market. As Ronaldus Maximus proved in the early 1980s, there is nothing that unleashes price competition as effectively as unleashing the market.

By Peter

June 12, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

I wonder if Jim has ever been to Europe, and had the luxury to travel on the mass transit in say Germany?

It is easy, reliable, and convenient.

It makes zero sense that we don’t have better transportation in our major cities, and a system that folks could use to go from town to town on.

OF course if we continue to spend a Trillion dollars on WAR, there will be zero money for anything.

By Just Nasty and Mean

June 12, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

Mor’nin Jim, et al.

All you people on this blog that want a hybrid and think they are a good idea—please feel free to get one.

All you people that think McCain makes sense by taking oil company profits, I suggest we look at his wife’s beer distributorship (which is notorious for being a VERY lucrative and profitable business) and take some of their profits.

All of you people that think it is not a good idea to drill in ANWR and off the coast, be aware Cuba and China are drilling closer to the Florida coast AS WE SPEAK than our laws allow. Also, what makes you think the Saudis are being more ecological recovering oil than we would? (Oh! That’s OK if they destroy the pristine environment over there so long as I get my Starbucks delivered on-time for me over here).

All you people that think Bush and Cheney and the oil companies are causing the gas cost run-up need to re-read Jim’s 1st paragraph.

All you people that think mass transit is the answer, ask yourself why you and your county/city didn’t participate in MARTA two decades ago (Dekalb and Fulton excepted)? Also, ask why MARTA is the only mass transit system in the country not supported by their state government.

All you people that think it is good that gas prices are up (if will FORCE alternative transportation options), be sure to check with your neighbor if he/she still has their job. And check with your grocery bill on the cost of food and the impact on international food distribution efforts.

All you people that think that the corn-to-ethanol subsidy is a good idea, better check the price of every food source related to corn (pork, chicken, beef, corn supplements, etc.) They are through the ROOF! Also, be aware Brazilians are burning the rain forest as fast as they can to create corn fields to feed the need you demanded.

All you people that think this gas situation is somebody else’s fault—if you support any of the above—you should—BLAME YOURSELF .

By Aquagirl

June 12, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

Even if you speculate wildly and triple the estimates of ANWR production, you’ll lower the price of oil by $1.50 a barrel. In 2025. For a while. Then, it’s back to being saddled and ridden by OPEC.

Drilling in ANWR and offshore is about “let’s show those Al Gore environmentalist wackos.” Pursuing a flawed strategy just to spite political opponents is not being patriotic. It’s just being a jerk.

By Dennis

June 12, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

OOPS!!

Did Jim Wooten really say this bipartisian statement?, “John McCain, who on some days can sound awfully much like the entrenched political cartel that controls Washington, regardless of the party in power….”

“…the entrenched political cartel that controls Washington,

REGARDLESS OF THE PARTY IN POWER….”

Mr. Wooten, are you feeling alright?

Is there a chink in this right-wing Republican’s armor? Is he finally seeing/admitting the light, the truth?

Sounds almost like a liberal.

You don’t have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.

By Dutchman

June 12, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

According to the latest figures from the commodities market as reported on CNNMoney, the price of gasoline before taxes is $3.41.

The rest is taxes in some form or another.

Without further ability to refine the crude oil or to increase production, we will remain locked into “other” oil producing countries. With Canada and Mexico as our major suppliers and the US having the largest untapped reserves in North America, does this not seem a little out of balanced?

With China drill in between Florida and Cuba, for the benefit of the Castro’s, why can’t we?

I guess with Pres. BHO, we will become more and more dependent on foreign suppliers for our fuel. It takes a lot of energy to produce those new hybrid cars and that energy will come from somewhere.

We have massive reserves of low sulfur coal, but it is off limits. We have massive reserves of oil in oil shale, but it is off limits. We have massive reserves of oil in Alaska and off the coasts of America, but it is off limits.

With all this supply, we will need more refineries, but that is not allowed.

Something is wrong here.

Until we build the infrastructure to provide alternatives to abiotic fuels for our cars, trucks and trains, we will need oil to provide that need.

Until we can provide a new fuel source, that the wackos approve of, with as much energy as we have with gas and diesel, we will need oil to bridge that gap.

Of course, it goes without saying that using feed stuff for livestock to power our cars is such a waste of energy and water that it should be banned. Brazil has the better idea, but importing their ethanol is banned by high tariffs.

By Copyleft

June 12, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

Not a word from Wooten about the dreaded ‘conservation,’ I see. Funny how a professed CONSERVATIVE hates and fears the word, isn’t it?

But he does have a lot to say about “drill more, drill more, gotta have more oil.” Reminds me of somebody with a cocaine habit, frankly.

By Carolyn Wilder

June 12, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

Jim , You are officially famous!!! James Taranto mentioned you and your column in Best of the Web Today. BTW, I agree with you on solutions to oil problems. Too bad we aren’t in Congress.

By Soothsayer

June 12, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

The rooster crowed this morning. Then the sun came up. Therefore the rooster crowing must cause the sun to come up.

Bush, Pelosi, Reid, Clinton and anyone else you care to name don’t have anything to do with high oil prices. There are only 2 reasons for high oil prices: a weak dollar and static supply.

Since oil is traded in dollars it costs more when the dollar is weaker. We expect to run a $510 billion deficit this year. That’s 510 billion little pieces of paper with green ink on them that we will print this year. How much is $510 billion? I can tell you how much $315 billion is. Imagine a stack of dollar bills 480 feet tall and 125 long and 250 wide. 480 feet is the equivalent of a 38-tory building.

These little pieces of paper with green ink on them are what we use to buy oil with. Since Ronald Reagan took office we have printed 9.4 trillion of them (our national debt).

The general concensus is that world oil production has peaked at 85 million barrels per day and will start to decline soon. Demand, however, shows no sign of retreating.

Even if you have never had Econ 101, you should know that if demand exceeds supply the price is bid up. We have only two choices, reduce demand or somehow increase supply. Any increase in supply would have to be SIGNIFICANT in relation to the 85 million barrels mentioned above.

By Dutchman

June 12, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

Peter,

I agree, the Europeans have a grand scheme for mass transit. They built their cities around the central train station. They have established centers for travelers and tourists in them.

Nearly their entire infrastructure is built around the rail lines. Germany is a little different, an Austrian wanted to be able to move large masses of people and equipment, therefore the autobahn.

Would you suggest that we redesign out towns and businesses to accommodate having a central rail system in every town? Moving businesses back to downtown? Redesign the landscape(take folks homes and businesses) to provide right of ways for the needed for rail bed?

What would you do for the small towns that would not have access to the rail lines? Let them die out?

There must be a better solution.

By Taxpayer

June 12, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

This rise in price of fossil fuels is long overdue. We need prices to go even higher and to stay there at least long enough to implement non-fossil-fuel-dependent alternatives. In particular, we need real competition in the energy market — not some bogus claim of competition via drilling for more oil. What a joke — at least for those who “get it”. Besides, high prices for a few years can be a win-win for almost everybody — at least, that may be the best way to market it. If they handle their money wisely, the oil companies, refiners, etc., will have enough dollar bills to choke on for the rest of their lives and the rest of us may actually get some semblance of energy independence, in the form of a more affordable lifestyle, eventually.

By ###

June 12, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

Again, why is commuter rail a white elephant? Jim should visit Washington, DC or NYC or Boston. Why is commuter rail a viable transportation solution for others but not for Georgia?

By KnowItAll

June 12, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

To Taxpayer @ 10:25

Oh, I get it! If we jack up the price of fossil fuels now, then everybody will handle their money more wisely, and somebody somewhere will come up with an alternative to the internal combustion engine and everybody will be better off for it.

Do I have your logic straight?

Taxpayer—-You’re an idiot!

By getalife

June 12, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

“Veto my beer?”

Out of my cold, dead hand.

By Wiki

June 12, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

A 1993 United States Geological Survey (USGS) study indicated at least 4.3 billion (95% probability) and possibly as much as 11.8 billion (5% probability) barrels (0.9 to 2.5 km³) of technically recoverable oil exists in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 1002 area, with a mean value of 7.7 billion barrels (1.7 km³). In addition, in the entire assessment area, which covers not only land under Federal jurisdiction, but also Native lands and adjacent State waters within three miles (5 km), technically recoverable oil is estimated to be at least 5.7 billion (95%) and as much as 16.0 billion (5%) barrels (0.7 to 1.9 km³), with a mean value of 10.4 billion barrels (1.2 km³). Economically recoverable oil within the Federal lands assuming a market price of $40/barrel (constant 1996 dollars - the highest price included in the USGS study) is estimated to be between 3.4 billion (95%) and 10.4 billion (5%) barrels (0.5 to 1.7 km³), with a mean value of 6.8 billion barrels (1.1 km³). (current market prices are over $120 and using inflation rate between 1996 to 2007 it comes out to $89 dollars in 1996)

The U.S. consumes about 20 million barrels (3,200,000 m³) daily. If the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil reserves were used to supply 5% of the U.S. daily consumption — most is imported from Canada (19%), Mexico (15%), Saudi Arabia (11.5%), Nigeria (10.5%) and Venezuela (10.5%)[12] — the reserves, using the low figure of 4.3 billion barrels (680,000,000 m³), would last approximately 4300 days, or almost 12 years. Using the high estimate, the reserves would last approximately 11800 days, or 32 years. Using the increasing price of oil this supply (with 10.5 billion barrel mean and crude oil at over $120 a barrel) would be worth $1.26 trillion.

In total, the oil deposits in ANWR contain as much oil to solely support U.S. consumption for 7 months (4.3B estimate) to 19 months (12B estimate). If used to completely replace oil imported from Saudi Arabia, oil from ANWR would last from approximately 8.9 years (4.3B estimate) to 25 years (12B estimate).

By Get Real

June 12, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

Thats not too important. To hell with transit let’s just drill in ANWR that will lower the price of gas by maybe $1, 15 years from now. When gas will be $10 a gallon. Why is old Wootie scared of mass transit. Why can’t someone in Macon get on a commuter train and be in downtown Atlanta in an hour. If they can do that in Chicago, Boston, New York, D.C., why not here? I mean you can’t even get from Marietta to the Capitol without having to get on an interstate. Wooten is an idiot on this one. You can’t just keep drilling for oil and nothing else. Even Hybrids can’t be the only other option. That won’t solve the transportation problem Wooten. Retire please!

By Soothsayer

June 12, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

KnowItAll:

Someone already HAS come up with an alternative to the internal combustion engine—the ELECTRIC CAR! And you know what? Your next car may very well be electric.

“WHERE ON GOD’S GREEN EARTH ARE WE GOING TO GET ELECTRICITY TO RUN ELECTRIC CARS?” I hear you scream! Go outside and look up in the sky. A one square kilometer Concentrated Solar Power plant can produce electricity equivalent to 1.5 millions barrels of oil per year. A square kilometer is 1093 yards on each side. Can you say mall parking lot?

Is Taxpayer an idiot? No, but you ARE ignorant.

By Taxpayer

June 12, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

KnowItAll, Your thought process does not even come close to doing justice to that label you have so unwisely chosen.

By Willie

June 12, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

Whats your point WIKI? I hope in 8-12 years we will be energy independant by what ever means technology brings. But for now its oil and I want it cheap and I want all I need. get it…I am not in Europe…get it… I do not care how much we use….get it…you and others are holding us hostage to these prices because you are stopping the drilling…get it….supply America first and use American resources….get it…now I am sure you have college degree…did you get liberal indoctrinated or did you really learn something….get it..

By KnowItAll

June 12, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

So, I’ll change it to Smarter than you.

By KnowItAll

June 12, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

Soothsayer and Taxpayer @10:51

If your mammoth solar panel is such a viable solution, why doesn’t somebody—anybody DO IT? Better yet, why don’t YOU do it?

Oh! Maybe you have your heads up your butts?

Maybe!

By Dutchman

June 12, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

Wiki,

You need to add in the oil shale(about 1 Trillion barrels) and the off shore reserves. No cherry picking allowed.

Please remember, that not only oil is recovered from these wells, but natural gas - another main supplier of energy for industry and commerce.

By Peter

June 12, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Hey Dutchman, as an answer to a few of your questions here we go..

Would you suggest that we redesign out towns and businesses to accommodate having a central rail system in every town?

Why would that be necessary…… we would still have cars and trucks…. a rail system would only enhance the current situation.

Moving businesses back to downtown?

There are business downtown already, I have a buddy that lives in Sandy Springs, and he can take the Marta to his office if he chooses already. If the Marta was expanded north or in different directions, folks would have alternatives ways to travel.

Redesign the landscape(take folks homes and businesses) to provide right of ways for the needed for rail bed?

They have already done that, I am sure you have been on GA 400. Go to New Orleans where the cable cars work along side cars and trucks.

What would you do for the small towns that would not have access to the rail lines?

People would use cars and trucks like they always do.

Let them die out?

How would the small towns die out?

All your thoughts have very little merit, thus I don’t see any of your arguments making any sense.

By Taxpayer

June 12, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

I can’t wait to test drive that Tesla Roadster. I am also looking forward to installing some cost effective “solar cells” in the near future. It’s all a matter of a decent payback. Of course, solar power is not “the” solution but it sure can be a big part of it one day. With all these companies, especially in China, getting “tons” of investment dollars to put to work on photo-voltaic cells, we may not be too far from seeing a lot of installations. It’s just amazing what a little angst over the “price per gallon”, for example, can do. After all, where would our thoughts be now if gas cost $1/gallon. Then again, that is how capitalism works — isn’t it.

By Soothsayer

June 12, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

KnowItAll:

REALLY! Your IGNORANCE is showing! Someone IS doing it! Please put “concentrated solar power” in your search engine and spend 15 minutes researching the topic. Panels are not a cost-effective choice.

In the interest of civility, I am going to ignore your last sentence.

By the way, oil from oil shale uses more energy to produce than there is energy in the oil that is produced.

By Peter

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

Here is the question…..

“WHERE ON GOD’S GREEN EARTH ARE WE GOING TO GET ELECTRICITY TO RUN ELECTRIC CARS?

My thoughts are perhaps down the road a car will come with a power station you use at home. Perhaps solar collectors on the roof, so you are gathering power when you drive, or as it sits in a parking lot.

That could be a solar collector system, or a small wind generator for creating the power, a person can use at home.

Seems that if the government can spend a Trillion dollars on WAR, then there can be subsidies for Americans who want to set up their own power stations.

Biodiesel is another source of energy, and perhaps can be efficiently used to create power not only in a car, but for the generation of energy.

The real issue I see is the Power companies will want to block that type of action, after all how will the corporate greed factor kick in, if people are self sufficient?

By Copyleft

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

You’ll notice Wiki mentioned “technically recoverable” oil i ANWR. That’s the stuff that will cost more to get out than we’ll get in return.

But we all know the real reason the right-wingers are so fired-up to drill in ANWR: because of what it represents. The Eeeeeevils of Environmental Responsibility, which must be crushed at all costs! Who CARES if it will cost us more than it gives in return—at least it’ll help crush those darn ol’ hippie enviro-nuts who keep talking about getting us off of oil!

And that’s just crazy talk. Ask any Exxon lobbyist.

By MikeB

June 12, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

Yes it’s true drilling in ANWR, or off the Cali & gulf coasts by themselves will not solve the problem.

But every little bit helps. And we need every bit of help we can get.

What would really help the most is 1. increasing refining capabilities in the U.S. 2. Investigating futures trading activities of oil supplies… These are the true bottlenecks to our supply issues. Watch though. If Obama gets elected all of a sudden these things will start happening, and he will get all the credit……..

Credit for solving the problem is what its all about folks. Bush never gets any credit, because he’s not a salesman. He just goes and does what he thinks is in the best interest of our country. Clinton did nothing, and marketed himself with the support of the liberal media to look like a president who accomplished much.

The Democratic congress is waiting and hoping Obama gets elected so they can prop him up with what they have been saving for him. Truly a shame that our elected officials play politics like this. This is costing American families so much right now. When you look at the tax increases Obama proposes on top of the present burden, who the hell is he fooling?? When you look at the Supreme Court Justices that will be retiring during the next presedential term, it should scare the pants of anyone who works hard for what they make, and wants to keep it for their families vs. donating to the government to support someone else leaching off the system.

By Taxpayer

June 12, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

KnowItAll,

Why do you persist with displaying your ignorance as though it were some accomplishment worth boasting of. You obviously are not posting here because you thought you had something of value to add, are you. After all, even the stupidest creature on this planet knows that the head does not “see” its first light of day by poking out the buttocks. Didn’t your mama teach you about the “facts of life” yet? Now, do us all a favor and grow up, won’t you, PLEEEEZE, PRETTY PLEEZE. I’ll see that you get an extra gold star on your next grade report.

By Dutchman

June 12, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Peter,

They were just thoughts on your ideas carried out to an end.

I use to have to drive from Snellville to Alpharetta everyday. There were bus lines, marta and taxis’ for that, but it would have been to long and expensive. To increase the efficiency of rail lines, business’ would have to be relocated to make use of them.

Getting Federal approval to co-locate rail lines on Interstate right of ways might be an idea. Same with state highways(if Federal funds were used).

We would still be dependent on cars and trucks, but the trade off would be less infrastructure for them, and more spent on the rail lines.

As when the interstates by-passed small towns, if a small town was by-passed by the new rail lines, commerce in that town would suffer. It would be too expensive to rely on ground traffic instead of the rail lines for supplies and raw materials.

This also happened in the late 19th century with the exploding railroads. Small town and cities that were by-passed suffered.

By hopeful

June 12, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Can it be? Is it possible that our governor is finally be ready to talk seriously about a comprehensive, MILTI-MODAL statewide transportation system for Georgia?

Or is it all just more lip service? Will all the bubba boys in our legislature support it?

Read more here about Sonny’s big transportation announcement.

By KnowItAll

June 12, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

To Taxpayer and Soothsayer

Why attack me when I had the audacity to point out what a lame and laughably shallow position you took that high gas prices are good.

What’s more, Soothsayer discounts his own posting of suggesting using massive concentrated solar power by concluding: “Panels are not a cost-effective choice” but still offers no explanation of why they are not being used.

Now, who is displaying ignorance?

Everyone here can tell you are a geek with too much time. It’s like trying to carrying on a conversation at the level of the lowest common denominator.

Please, just crawl back into your keyboard and look at some porn or something and quit insulting the intelligence of those of us trying to make intellectually contributing remarks.

By Curious Observer

June 12, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

When you look at the Supreme Court Justices that will be retiring during the next presedential term, it should scare the pants of[f] anyone who works hard for what they make, and wants to keep it for their families vs. donating to the government to support someone else leaching off the system.

The ones about to retire are all regarded as liberal by conservative standards—Stevens and Ginsberg. The ones who support the Bush doctrine are all younger.

Try reading, dimwit. Maybe then you’ll know what you’re talking about.

By Dutchman

June 12, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

hopeful,

Two thoughts - how would it be funded - at the state level and if it would be profitable why hasn’t a private company tried it?

By AmVet

June 12, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Four-dollar gas may be bad for you and me…

MAY?

Don’t you just love delusional pundits?

All of this inane partisan hand-wringing and finger pointing is senseless.

Face it fellow Americans.

This nation is founded upon and flourishes at sticking it’s collective head in the sand.

Take Pearl Harbor.

Tons of warning signs? Ignore them.

Take 9/11.

Put a document in front of George’s face detailing the EXACT and IMMINENT danger. Ignore it.

Take gas prices.

Warnings thirty or more years ago to start weaning ourselves. Ignore them.

Throw in the multinationals who are almost completely invested in ensuring that this dependence doesn’t ever change. (Company first, share holders second, nation somewhere down the line).

Then add in the fact that they have bought and paid for the politicians who can ensure this status quo.

And presto.

And the average schmoe talks about change in Washington every time we elect a new President.

Dream on, dreamers…

By Big Dandy

June 12, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

Well know it all should know all about the California project.

In California the electric companies have a deadline that forces them to use renewable sources of energy in addition to the fossil fuels they use.

One electric company announced plans to lease the roofs of industrial buildings so they can put solar cells on the tops of them. Brilliant idea, American ingenuity at its best.

Oh, and because the company has put in such a large order for the solar cells, it has caused the cost of those panels to drop, almost by half! In fact a large neighboring electric company decided it made so much sense they would do it too.

Of course, know it all already knew this.

By Peter

June 12, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Hey Dutchman, my thoughts would be towns might have to come up with creative ways to get the rail line to come their way.

Also if business had to relocate, then so be it. Business will always move to areas they need to be in.

If you add the rail lines, then I am sure the business would come. New business are being started every day in America.

By MikeB

June 12, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

Curious Observer If ya can’t be constructive without the insults, ya need to shut up. Ok? Now…What I mean by that, is if Obama is in power, look at the opportunity he has to effect this country for a very long time. Its not the justices who are retiring Curious….Its the ones who will come to power if he is elected. Why don’t you go read about that………..

By Me

June 12, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

How many people travel from Lovejoy to Atlanta on a given day?

By Soothsayer

June 12, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

KnowItAll:

Calm down! I really didn’t mean to anger you.

“The man who angers you controls you.” —Confucious

First of all solar “panels” are photovoltaic cells that produce DC at relatively low efficiency and high cost.

Concentrated solar uses, for instance, a reflective trough which focuses the sun’s light on a receiver tube in the center of the trough. In the receiver tube is a liquid that gets VERY hot (900 deg F). This liquid (molten salt, oil, water) is then used to boil water which powers a conventional steam turbine.

This type of solar plant produces AC which can go directly into the grid. The heated liquid is also stored and can be used to generate power 24 hours a day. Not just when the sun is shining.

A concentrated solar power plant with steam recovery can reach efficiency levels approacing 90%.

At present CSP costs about $1 million per MW while nuclear costs $1.5 per MW. Recent estimates are that CSP will be able to produce electricity for less than coal plants in the very near future.

By BFKaJ

June 12, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

Dear Soothsayer @ 10:09, well argued. I disagree with a couple of your arguments. I do not think oil production will necessarily fall. I know everyone has been telling me, since the middle 1960s when the propagandists compelled us to sit through “Our Mr. Sun” year after year, that we have only a 15-year supply of oil remaining. I think those estimates are untrustworthy, but I have to concede I know no more than you. Your closing sentence: “Any increase in supply would have to be SIGNIFICANT in relation to the 85 million barrels mentioned above.” Because the demand for oil is comparatively inelastic, I think even a small increase in supply would have a profound effect on prices. However, the general direction of your post is precise and meritorious.

I take exception to a significant portion of your 10:46 post. Do you know the cost of covering a shopping mall with toilet paper (much less something sensitive and expensive like solar batteries?) Fortunately we never have any hail storms or tornados in this area which would affect energy generation. (I agree with that portion of your post urging electric cars; I suppose my ultimate choice energy source would be dirty, old nuclear plants.)

By Ex-Georgian

June 12, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

I work in midtown Manhattan. 30-mile, 35-minute train ride. In 10 years, late twice: once on 9/11, once on day of East Coast blackout. I’ve always been warm in winter, AC-cooled in summer. I drive 1 mile each way to my town’s covered garage, where I have an annual parking pass.

Last time I commuted in Atlanta was in summer of 1968, Buckhead to downtown. Those 6 or so miles, even 40 years ago, took longer than my 30-mile commute today.

Me move back to Gawjuh? Not damned likely!

By Abomi Nation

June 12, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

hopeful, don’t get too excited about any plan Perdue talks about.

He had a great plan that he was talking about during his first campaign for Governor.

That plan was to computerize the metro area traffic lights. This plan that has worked very well in other areas would have helped reduce traffic jams which would have the added affect of reducing energy costs.

Talk about something that should have been done years ago! This is just another example why we don’t have to drill ourselves out of this situation.

Had Perdue implemented this plan it would be up and running by now. The metro area would have less traffic and would be using 10% less gas!

Here is something that could have produced immediate results, for just about every motorist in the metro area.

Its always metro Atlantans getting drilled.

By SlickWatts

June 12, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

I know that many americans are mad about paying $4 a gallon for gas, but think about how Americans would feel if they lived in Sierre Lione, where gas is purportedly $18 per gallon. That would literally drain any wallet or pocketbook instantly. The oil company executives are some of the greediest human beings to ever live. I heard recently that most of the pension plans for oil company executives (the retirement compensation packages) for CEOs of oil companies such as Shell, Mobil or Exxon are somewhere in the neighborhood of $200 million dollars. That is a mind boggling amount of money for one person to retire on. Its ridiculous and they are getting away with murder by continuing to raise the gas prices on a daily basis. I dread to think where the price of gas will be 10 years from now. Maybe gas will be sitting at about $100 a gallon by then if this madness continues. With a comment, I had to get this off my chest.

By Big Dandy

June 12, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

Do you people just make this stuff up?

Hail damage is not a problem with solar panels, in areas where these conditions exist they use a stronger tempered glass to protect the panels. One company shoots rocks at their panels to prove their strength.

By Dutchman

June 12, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

As usual, the lefties and environmental wackos only see the solution as one side - no oil. Period, end of story.

With a multi pronged approach, all options should be pursued. Drilling, refineries, nuclear, shale oil, extracting from coal, electric, solar, wind of Martha’s Vineyard, use of tidal power - all options, and let it be done by the private industries.

No subsidies, pure capitalist driven abilities to make a profit.

By getalife

June 12, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

And now for some really great news;

Weed Potency Hits 30-Year High

Awesome.

By ron

June 12, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

Perhaps,gentlemen,the only problem with any of your arguments for energy independence is that OPEC isn’t going to kill the goose,it’s only gong to squeeze it hard enough to get a few more golden eggs.They’re not going to push this oil issue to the point where the U.S. is actually going to have to do anything serious about energy.They’ll only squeeze til it hurts a little.

By Peter

June 12, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Hey Soothsayer,

The newer solar panels are getting better, I have been told the solar panels today are light years ahead of the panels made just 5 years ago.

I have a friend who actually put older solar panels on his business roof, and used the energy to power allot of his business.

He actually took and old APC battery back up unit, and used it to convert the energy, and run it directly into his current electric system.

He got old batteries and tied them together, and had a back up as well.

There are many ways to skin a cat, and if this guys home made system worked, then I am more than sure it can be done much more efficiently.

By AmVet

June 12, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Computerize the metro area traffic lights?

You have got to be shiite-ing me!

How in hades does is that important?

Especially when compared with the job of getting the secessionists their flag back?

Priorities, man. Priorities.

By Soothsayer

June 12, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

BFKaJ:

First of all I appreciate your civility.

The 15 year supply you mention was in all likelihood before the discovery of the giant Ghuwar field in Saudi Arabia in the 60s. But even the mighty Ghuwar is declining about 7% a year. Barring a major find on the order of Ghuwar, supply can only go down.

I read that a 1% increase in demand for oil results in a 20% increase in price. Is the reverse true? I don’t know.

As for your second point. How much is 1.5 million barrels of crude worth? $202.5 million! EACH YEAR!!! The reflectors are aluminized mylar. Easily and cheaply replaced. The biggest cost is the generator and thermal storage.

Imagine if the entire southern U.S. was peppered with these installations.

By Big Dandy

June 12, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

Who are these environmental wackos Dutchman? Gov Jeb Bush from Florida for years blocked drilling that would be producing right now. The current Florida Governor has done the same.

Your no subsidies, is that some sort of a joke? Ask the oil companies about subsidies and sweetheart leases.

About subsidies, are you saying its better to invest in a trillion dollar meaningless war then to develop alternative energy sources?

And applying your reasoning, should we shut down all the government universities that provide industries of all types the technology that enables them to advance? Like, medicine/pharmaceuticals and agriculture?

HOGWASH

By Maniac is accurate

June 12, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

Soothsayer, I think I may have seen one of these facilities in the Mojave between Barstow and the Tehachapi Pass. Having no idea what I was looking at, I was bumfuzzled. Have you read of any problems of the reflection affecting air travel, or is the focus so tight it’s not an issue?

By Peter

June 12, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Hey Dutchman….why this comment?

“By Dutchman

June 12, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

As usual, the lefties and environmental wackos only see the solution as one side - no oil. Period, end of story.”

That is such a wrong comment, and anti American. Oil is here and will be for a while.

But alternatives are really going have to take place.

It makes me think once you have pulled all your hair out trying to get someone to see JUST YOUR point of view, your next resort is name calling.

What is the point in that?

By hillbilly ragger

June 12, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Seriously, he’s one of a weird subset of guys—they’re almost always guys—who are terrified of sharing a ride with someone. Buses, trains, even carpooling is BAD. Driving alone is GOOD. Because it promotes FREEDOM.

Freedom to sit in traffic. Freedom to pollute. Freedom to squander energy resources. Freedom to sit and listen to right-wing blowhards on the radio, telling you how tough it is to be a white man in America, where the white man just can’t get a break.

Absolute nucking futs, these guys.

By BFKaJ

June 12, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Dear Dandy @ 12:40, you are whistling past the graveyard. What, exactly, do we do on cloudy days?

By Abomi Nation

June 12, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Yea your right AmVet sorry, I keep forgetting where I’m at!

I guess we should just do what we always do. It kind of fits in with the plans that Perdue has implemented as Governor….

Sit at the long lights and pray for them to change.

By Southern Democrat

June 12, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

To my friend Jbmlaw,

Quoting Ann Coulter praising Bush in any intellectual debate is like bringing a butter knife to a gun fight.

Please consider the above space filled by Michael Moore or another from the loony far left, the extremist arguments neutralized, and we are now free to continue with normal conversation.

By MikeB

June 12, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

All this talk about “alternative sources”.

Take the money that would be invested in that, and build more oil refining capacity. Watch how quickly the price of gas drops then…

The last thing we need is to be pulled in 50 different directions about what to burn in our vehicles. Until an alternative is ready for prime time, we still have to deal with the issue that faces consumers now. The price of gas.

Besides it will be years before enough people trade in fossil fuel vehicles for a vehicle that burns something else in enough quantity to make a fraction of the impact that increasing refining capacity will make…

By h

June 12, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

I haven’t seen Dusty on here today. I have a theory. Based on the Right-wing nut-job rantings of Ann Coulter that BFKaJ graced us with today, I conclude that Dusty is Ann Coulter in disguise!! What do ya’ll think??

By GMAN

June 12, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

Ol’ Jim and Furman Bisher, longing for the days of the Model T. Why in the world would anyone seriously consider anything this dinosaur has to say!

By Disgusted

June 12, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Unless Ann Coulter is using a picture of a 100-lb. colleague, you can be assured that she and Dusty are altogether different people.

Besides, Ann Coulter writes much, much better, and she frequently has original thoughts.

By Stumped Conservative

June 12, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

Wanna know how France has “free” healthcare? I imagine the $10/gallon gas helps pay for it. Elect Obama and we will likely be paying $15/gallon to pay for his “universal” plan.

By GMAN

June 12, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

By Stumped Conservative, Rather than speculating based upon no factual data, why not examine what is now and realize that to continue along this road is futile.

By ncgreybr

June 12, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

I live up in western NC and had to drive down to Atlanta Monday morning for a meeting. I have a 2003 Nissan Altima that gets about 33 miles to the gallon on the open road DOING 55MPH. Doing 75 it drops to about 28 mpg.

I went 55 most of the way down IN THE RIGHT LANE and giant Cheevy Subdivisions and Ford Exasperations were whipping by me doing 75-85 MPH and each with ONE person in it. I was even honked at and one guy shook his fist at me. Doing 55 took me about 15 minutes longer by my calculations BUT, you know what, I left 15 minutes early and it was worth it.

Here at home I go 55 and have found I can get 2 extra trips to work on a tank of gas each fillup!

We hear all about drilling and OPEC but don’t you, JUST ONCE, want to hear the word “conserve” come out of Bush’s or even Wooten’s mouth?

Wooten quotes prices in Europe. Are we not supposed to complain until our prices reach Europe’s prices? Why doesn’t he quote the price in Saudi Arabia: 26 cents a gallon! What he doesn’t tell you is that most Eurpean countries have EXTREMELY high taxes on gasoline DELIBERATELY to force manufacturers to produce efficient cars and to force drivers to use public transit. I have a millionaire friend in Poland who doesn’t even own a car. Their family strictly uses the bus.

Why is it against the grain of some Americans to conserve? Why do they feel they HAVE to waste everything? You want some immediate relief? SLOW DOWN! CAR POOL! DON’T DRIVE ALL THE WAY ACROSS TOWN FOR THAT CUP OF COFFEE! TELL YOUR CHILD “NO”. YOU’RE NOT GOING TO DRIVE TO THE MALL JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE A NEW SHIPMENT OF WEBKINZ!

Also, ask the oil companies why they are reducing production at the refineries to keep the flow of gas restricted!

By h

June 12, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

I think many of you on here today have made valid points. I have to day I disagree with a few of you though regarding ANWR. I disagree whole heartedly with drilling in theis area. For starters, I do think it would be devastating to the already endangered wildlife in that area (go ahead, I am waiting for the “granola-eating, tree-hugger” insults). I believe we have a responsibility to the next generation to leave some nature for them to see, touch and live in. But beyond that, increasing the supply of raw oil would not solve the problem. The problem is not supply of crude, but rather production. The oil companies have capped production, and this increases price. We need to increase PRODUCTION, not drill every damn area of the planet. But like many of you said, it is simple economics. If we can decrease demand (somehow) prices will fall. It’s the “somehow” that scares most people.

I agree that it is true that the American way of life is endangered. Someone earlier said “I am not in Europe” How true. We have built our communities so large and paved everything that it is impossible to survive (except for NY City) without a car. I love my car. I frequently am guilty of driving down our many interstates by myself while my husband takes his car to work even though we work 3 minutes from each other. However, I do believe it is time to examine our transportation options, especially in Atlanta. Otherwise, as our economy goes down the drain, the “American Way” will be for sale. Cheap. Just ask Anheiser - Busch.

BTW - in response to the question about the small towns with no access to the railway dying out, what small towns are left in the Atlanta Metro area? I can’t think of any!!

By Soothsayer

June 12, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

ncgreybr:

I LOVE IT!!! Cheevy Subdivision and Ford Exasperation. I nearly fell out of my chair laughing. I’m still laughing. You should ask Jay Leno for a job. Great contribution to this blog!

By R_U_KIDDING

June 12, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

When you go 12 miles off of the shore isn’t that international waters? So who cares what congress says, go drill, nobody else in the world will complain.

By Peter

June 12, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

Hey we have polluted the ocean around New Orleans so much it has become a dead zone for living things…..

Perhaps that is where we should drill.

By Hasell Brown

June 12, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

What people have forgotten are these:

1) In the 60’s, both GM and Chrysler developed cars that ran on alcohol-based fuels, powered by gas-turbine engines. The oil companies bought and destroyed the plans for these vehicles.

2) In the 70’s two engineers designed a carburetor for 4-cyl. engines that gave us 100-mpg vehicles. Ford bought the designs and destroyed them.

3) In the 80’s, the Reagan Administration cancelled the consumer tax breaks on alternative energy sources, i.e., home windmills and home-based fuels.

So don’t just blame the oil companies….spread the blame to the auto industry and government.

By Cruzin

June 12, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

Only in America can a bunch of goofy liberal politicians attack the energy companies that provide us with energy while they - the politicians - haven’t given us an energy policy in over thirty years? Taking profits from the oil companies will force them to pass the costs on to the public. The liberals have stopped drilling off the coast of Florida, but the Chinese are there doing lateral drilling and taking oil that we rightfully should have. Everyone is screaming Obama, and he is against drilling for oil that would reduce our costs. I swear our population has been dumbed down to a bunch of idiots with their thinking caps on backwards!

By BFKaJ

June 12, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

Dear Southern @ 1:39, while I value your opinion, please appreciate that my use of Ms. Coulter’s words was a calculation. I acknowledge that my side has loonies also, but my loonies rarely divert the daily discussion into derangementland. Our moonbat friends do so on a daily basis. I have determined to answer t**-for-tat (I love how the auto-censor sticks the stars in there like that), as we did this morning. Ok maybe a little more tat on my part, but I also sought to preclude subsequent nutty posts. Actually worked pretty well, don’t you think, not too much of the junk on here after my nuclear launch. As to the Michael Moore analogy, please feel free to post – I lack no confidence in my capacity to cut it to ribbons.

While I cannot agree with all of the Couterisms I posted here – I still have grave doubts about the domestic spending – I agree with her assessment of the one big issue.

By R_U_KIDDING

June 12, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

Hasell Brown, where did you get your information? The National Enquirer?

By Willie

June 12, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

By h: You sound reasonable except for the drilling. Last week a trip was made by the White House to Saudi Arabia and low and behold the pumps some how began pumping 300,000 barrels more. Please COPYLEFT explain that to me? Why is it supply and demand? Conserving is bullcrap because the oil companies turn off the valves and speculators raise prices on a whim using flimsy excuses. Why do not you blog about that? Drilling in ANWR is one place but Florida and California are holding us hostage to high oil prices too. Whats up with that COPYLEFT! Trees are a renewable source. I have never seen a calibou and the American government has already changed cultures and ways of life starting 1492 and and again 1861.

By Lee

June 12, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

The right wingers and corrupt conservatives have successfully avoided any push for alternate energy, CAFE standards, synthetic oil production, etc., etc., etc. Now we are seeing the pinch of thier support of the big oil companies at the country’s expense. Time for some change. -Increase CAFE standards. -All government buildings to mount alternate energy sources (solar, wind, photovoltic). -All government and military craft (cars, trucks, tanks, destroyers) modified to work with synthetic oil products. -Encourage cars to run 85% ethanol, 15% gasoline like they already do in Brazil. We can be green, and econimical and independent, all at the same time, if conservative politicians would only work for the country, rather than big business. Or we can elect some new people to work for us for once. Throw the “no new thought conservative” bums out!

By h

June 12, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

to Willie @ 3:35

I am sure you have never seen a calibou. That’s because it’s a Caribou.

And you are right, trees are renewable, but someone has got to plant them, or leave them alone so they can spread seeds and grow baby trees. If you tear them all down, it’s not spontaneaous regeneration, new trees won’t just grow out of oil fields!

You say you don’t agree with my drilling statements, but you turn around on that by saying “the Saudi’s produced 300,000 more barrels” and that “oil companies turn off the pumps.” My point exactly. Problem is PRODUCTION of oil, not SUPPLY of CRUDE oil.

I also agree with you about the American way of life changing in 1861. you are absolutely correct. And why? Because the way of life HAD to change or the great experiment we call the USA would forever die. I am saying that while we are not at such a crossroads now, we need to change and grow to preserve the US. Because if our economy keeps spiraling downward, the USA will have a huge price tag on it, and we will be know as “The former USA, presented to you by …” you fill in the blank.

however, um, 1492, there was no government over here and the “American” way of life was even invented yet, as there was no “America.” The first colony on our soil was not unitl the 1500’s and that was a Spanish one! Just thought you’d like to know.

By Maniac is accurate

June 12, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Off topic, but I just ran across this really cool Harry Crews quote:

“The world that circumscribed the people I come from had so little margin for error, for bad luck, that when something went wrong, it almost always brought something else down with it. It was a world in which survival depended on raw courage, a courage born out of desperation and sustained by a lack of alternatives.”

By Touche

June 12, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

From the dish it out and take it department …

caribou is not a proper noun and therefore not capitalized.

Thank you for your kind attention.

By Wiki

June 12, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

Dutchman @ 11:03am, natural gas is often a by product of oil extraction, as you said, however, as you probably know that gas is often not economically viable for introduction to the fuel market because of costs related to piping it to end users. That natural gas is normally burned off at the wellhead or injected back into the reservoir.

By Willie

June 12, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

By h: You sound reasonable except for the drilling. Last week a trip was made by the White House to Saudi Arabia and low and behold the pumps some how began pumping 300,000 barrels more. Please COPYLEFT explain that to me? Why is it supply and demand? Conserving is bullcrap because the oil companies turn off the valves and speculators raise prices on a whim using flimsy excuses. Why do not you blog about that? Drilling in ANWR is one place but Florida and California are holding us hostage to high oil prices too. Whats up with that COPYLEFT! Trees are a renewable source. I have never seen a calibou and the American government has already changed cultures and ways of life starting 1492 and and again 1861.

By willie

June 12, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

pleBy h: You sound reasonable except for the drilling. Last week a trip was made by the White House to Saudi Arabia and low and behold the pumps some how began pumping 300,000 barrels more. Please COPYLEFT explain that to me? Why is it supply and demand? Conserving is bullcrap because the oil companies turn off the valves and speculators raise prices on a whim using flimsy excuses. Why do not you blog about that? Drilling in ANWR is one place but Florida and California are holding us hostage to high oil prices too. Whats up with that COPYLEFT! Trees are a renewable source. I have never seen a calibou and the American has already changed cultures and ways of life starting 1492 and and again 1861. ase omit government out

By willie

June 12, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

pleBy h: You sound reasonable except for the drilling. Last week a trip was made by the White House to Saudi Arabia and low and behold the pumps some how began pumping 300,000 barrels more. Please COPYLEFT explain that to me? Why is it supply and demand? Conserving is bullcrap because the oil companies turn off the valves and speculators raise prices on a whim using flimsy excuses. Why do not you blog about that? Drilling in ANWR is one place but Florida and California are holding us hostage to high oil prices too. Whats up with that COPYLEFT! Trees are a renewable source. I have never seen a calibou and the American has already changed cultures and ways of life starting 1492 and and again 1861.

By willie

June 12, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

pleBy h: You sound reasonable except for the drilling. Last week a trip was made by the White House to Saudi Arabia and low and behold the pumps some how began pumping 300,000 barrels more. Please COPYLEFT explain that to me? Why is it supply and demand? Conserving is bullcrap because the oil companies turn off the valves and speculators raise prices on a whim using flimsy excuses. Why do not you blog about that? Drilling in ANWR is one place but Florida and California are holding us hostage to high oil prices too. Whats up with that COPYLEFT! Trees are a renewable source. I have never seen a calibou and America has already changed cultures and ways of life starting 1492 and and again 1861.

By h

June 12, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Thank you Touche. But what if the caribou’s name was Caribou? Then it would apply, correct?

And technically “dish it out and take it department” should be “dish-it-out-and-take-it department” as the first 6 words work as one adjective of the noun “department”.

See, wasn’t that fun??

Just having fun with you Touche.

By Fred

June 12, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

If we know where there is oil and don’t drill for it, that makes no sense. If we get that oil and use it wastefully, that makes no sense. If we have other forms of transportation and aren’t using them, that makes no sense. If we have alternative energies and aren’t developing them, that makes no sense.

And if we dismiss any of those options because our political affiliations say we shouldn’t, that REALLY makes no sense. Think outside your box, we can’t keep arguing about this forever.

By Kitty

June 12, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

When did advocacy groups become the enemy?

By Touche

June 12, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

You got me on that one. Use of double questions marks is incorrect.

By Touche

June 12, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

You got me on that one. Use of double question marks is incorrect.

By Cat

June 12, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

When they started plotting against us.

By Maniac is accurate

June 12, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

There are so many clever one-liners flying around here today, you’d think HIDT was here.

Wouldn’t you?

By Dusty

June 12, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

Well, whoopee!!! and all that stuff!!! I am so pleased!

I just got home a short time ago and jbmlaw has made my day better than dinner with fried chicken and butterbeans. OH Ann Coulter!! No need for me to mention her super intelligence as it is already known. And now she grades George W. Bush as GREAT!!

At last!!! A notable and very”sharp”journalist has written the truth about a man who has given America so much with so little appreciation. How wise she is to recognize that George W. Bush has governed with resolve right through the terrible problems that have hit us during the last eight years. Not only has he “carried” us, he has done it with the best of common sense and intelligence, good character, ethical behavior and love of country. He has been a man who did not use or need “pomp & circumstance” to embellish his work. I am proud of our President and so pleased to read his praise.

THANK YOU jbmlaw for reprinting that essay. I might have missed it otherwise. And thank you also for knowing how much I would enjoy reading such a a fine piece of journalism.

By Taxpayer

June 12, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

Oh yes I can, Oh no you can’t, Oh yes I can, Oh no you can’t, Oh yes I can, Oh no you can’t, Oh yes I can…

Fred, never underestimate the will to argue. It can go on and on… Just look at the Hatfields and McCoys or Democrats and Republicans or the Yankees and Cubs (you thought I was gonna say Confederates, didn’t you?). Some people even forget what they were arguing about and still keep on arguing as though it were a natural part of their existence.

By jbmlaw

June 12, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

Dear Maniac @ 4:43 Yes. Yes, I would. That noble American is a real card.

By Change NOW

June 12, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

the thing w/alaska oil is the same as the Iraq war; you don’t have to see it or experience the effects of it, for 99% of Americans; the same reason a place w/ideal resources for wind is blocked by NIMBYs; it is also a place w/few people where wealthy have summer cottages and mountaintop villas…this cuts across the political spectrum; at least some on this thread realize that you cannot just cut gas tax and that reducing consumption is the ultimate goal……

By h

June 12, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

Dang, Just when I thought it was safe…Hi Dusty!

By Redneck Convert's mama

June 12, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Son, when you get that beer truck parked, come on over h’yar an’ unstop my commode. Oh, and brang me a 6-pack.

By Kitty

June 12, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

American auto manufactures were ‘required’ to meet certain MPG minimums years ago. They failed miserably, and are now ‘for the most part’ bankrupt. The government watched/listened year after year to the American automakers excuses. We now suffer for our governments inability to bite, they certainly can bark, but that does get old.

By bfkaj or whatever I call myself now

June 12, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

Dear Maniac @ 4:00, I intended to write praise for the great quote, but I think I already did? Or should that be ??

By Dusty

June 12, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

Dear h,

I know you missed me, little one. Fess up! You’ve been watchin’ ‘n’ waitin’ in a dither all day. Well…..

Hi h!

There. You feel better? I’d stick around but I have to throw a pot roast in a pot or eat it raw for dinner. The family gets a bit grumpy over “rare”. So caribou to you and tootle loo!!

By Cruzin

June 12, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

Only in America can a bunch of goofy liberal politicians attack the energy companies that provide us with energy while they - the politicians - haven’t given us an energy policy in over thirty years? Taking profits from the oil companies will force them to pass the costs on to the public. The liberals have stopped drilling off the coast of Florida, but the Chinese are there doing lateral drilling and taking oil that we rightfully should have. Everyone is screaming Obama, and he is against drilling for oil that would reduce our costs. I swear our population has been dumbed down to a bunch of idiots with their thinking caps on backwards!

By bfkaj or whatever I call myself now

June 12, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

Dear Kitty @ 4:58, I respectfully disagree, I believe the Federal government bites. That’s the great thing about a big spending Congress, they can find an unlimited number of ways to bankrupt families and the employers that keep them alive.

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

June 12, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

The answer is not getting more oil, it’s getting off oil Bumpkins! it can be done and should have been done long ago. Dusty, you left something out-George W. Bush is a great criminal! Moron!

By bfkaj or whatever I call myself now

June 12, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

Have any other conservatives here been reading the unusually bright notes written by Dutchman? Consistently the best on the blog since Glenn left.

By justwonderin

June 12, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

What if the government seized all the oil companies profits? Can somebody calculate how much impact that would have per gallon of gas. (As in nationalize) I’m guessing that even if all profits were applied, the cost per gallon would not be significantly lowered.

By Southern Democrat

June 12, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

‘Twould appear that no matter how many times Ms. Coulter’s hero attempts to run roughshod over the Constitution, the conservative Supreme Court will give him the same answer: NO.

A great victory today for those of us who still believe in the blessed document and become queasy at the thought of an absolute executive.

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