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Re: Re: Re:
Always good to know . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on July 4, 2014 at 8:59 AM
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Re: Re:
We really are on the same page with this!!
posted by
Kabu
on July 3, 2014 at 6:25 PM
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Re:
They may be important factors, shamasehar, but that doesn't necessarily make them right or acceptable for the rest of us! And you're right . . . it is like a game. But the problem with this particular game is, the big oil companies ( and a few politicians, of course ) are unfairly monopolizing the dice, and not giving anyone else a chance to play or get involved! They call it "It's my way or the highway!" machinations, a game that almost everyone else loses at! I'm sure it's affecting your fellow citizens as well . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on July 3, 2014 at 6:58 AM
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Re: jimmy
Point taken, jean, and I agree! Regardless of the source, the big oil companies will continue to do whatever fills their coffers the most, and to hell with the 'average American!' Greed and political favors aren't 'strange bedfellows.' They seem very compatible, wouldn't you say . . . ? 
posted by
JimmyA
on July 3, 2014 at 6:52 AM
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Re:
At least, Kabu, you understand my analogy. I simply see no reason why the U.S. ( and anyone else with their own oil fields and reserves ) would continue to pay these Middle Eastern countries these exorbitant prices, which we all feel at the gas pumps! I, too, would prefer to eat my own homegrown tomatoes, but apparently, the powers-that-be just don't see it that way! It's all about money, money, money . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on July 3, 2014 at 6:49 AM
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Re:
And I'd have to agree with you, Justi. Anyone who truly believes that any elected official has their best interests at heart is incredibly naive! Politics has become a 'members only' club, regardless of the party, who vote themselves pay raises, overfill their pension plans, and take taxpayer-funded junkets whenever they please! Who wouldn't want to jump on that bandwagon? So, as far as this oil debate is concerned, like FSI, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for something 'positive' to happen, that might actually benefit the rest of us . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on July 3, 2014 at 6:45 AM
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Re: JimmyA
I'm sure they do, Bill, as do many industries. I know everyone needs to make a profit, but when I hear that Exxon was upset because their profits one year dropped from $15 billion to $13 billion, I was livid! People struggle from day to day making $20,000 a year ( or less ), and these jack-offs are screaming poverty with $13 billion? Outrageous . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on July 3, 2014 at 6:41 AM
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Re: Canada is in much the same boat, Jimmy....
It does seem like that, doesn't it, Rumor? I saw a news program a year or so ago that said that, for the most part, gasoline is gasoline, with the only differences being the octane content. So, hunting for the best bargains on gas prices is no big deal! And that's what many people are forced to do. Here in New Jersey, some of the prices can fluctuate from station to station by as much as 25¢ a gallon! Hey, a quarter is a quarter, and it all adds up . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on July 3, 2014 at 6:38 AM
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Re:
Good idea, FSI. As we all know, holding your breath never solves anything, and the bureaucrats in Washington would only laugh at your protest anyway! I don't know what it would actually take to make the necessary changes, but I hope someone looks into it soon . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on July 3, 2014 at 6:34 AM
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Re:
Thanks, lovelylady. I was hoping people would see and understand my point of view, and see the 'lack of logic' behind this whole situation. I have a feeling that not many people are even aware of this situation. Maybe one day we'll actually be paying a dollar a gallon at the pumps again . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on July 3, 2014 at 6:32 AM
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Re: Jimmy
Careful with those buttons, Naut! 
And Canada has a larger oil reserve than the U.S.? That's news to me as well! Where are you hiding it all, or is that a special Canadian sub rosa? 
Oh, and I'm glad you understood where my verbal attack on the term African-American was coming from. The Politically-Correct Nazi Police still argue with me on that one, but my logic and rationale are sound, and I will never deviate away from that disputation!
This is fun, huh?
posted by
JimmyA
on July 3, 2014 at 6:30 AM
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Re: Jimmy
Well, Naut, I said I was looking forward to your response, and as always, you didn't disappoint!
First, you're right. I inadvertently used gallons instead of barrels ( an honest mistake ), but the concept was basically the same, as was the point. And yes, I do understand how slowly the 'political machine' works, as well as the industrial one, in making the necessary changes to bring such projects to fruition. I was also aware that, for the most part, almost every refinery and oil field in the world has at least some American connections and influences, if not out-right ownership. And that just makes the issues even more complex! However, regardless of the 'red tape,' political issues and industry limitations involved, I still say we're growing and selling our own tomatoes, and then buying them from others for ourselves! A somewhat ridiculous cycle that I hope can be amended sometime in my lifetime . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on July 3, 2014 at 6:23 AM
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After reading your post and Nautikos's reply a larger picture comes to fore and the complexity of the situation reveals itself.Greed,politics,vested interests are all important factors in this game.
posted by
shamasehar
on July 2, 2014 at 10:04 PM
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jimmy
wisely i read nauts comment first. makes sense. but i could go off about greed, that i think is the major why here, but favors and politics are also mixed into the greed. and most of all who cares about the average american?
posted by
jeansaw
on July 2, 2014 at 7:17 PM
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I know that Australia used to import cheaper oil and sell our expensive off shore to our smaller neighbors in a pretty shoddy way...these days I don't know. All multinational transactions are BS...especially when one Vice President assured everyone that no one ever went to Iraq for the oil which as it turned out became true...myself I would prefer to eat my own home grown cheaper tomatoes but ???
posted by
Kabu
on July 2, 2014 at 5:35 PM
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There are so many ways to make money and put people to work in this country but there are so many crooked quirky laws that ties up those who are not great lobbist with a check book and friends on all corners of the world. We truly have no honest politicians anymore. This is just my opinion.
posted by
Justi
on July 2, 2014 at 4:54 PM
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JimmyA
IThe oil companies in the U.S. speak in the language of dollars Jimmy. BC-A, Bill’s R®st
posted by
BC-A
on July 2, 2014 at 1:46 PM
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Canada is in much the same boat, Jimmy....
There is no excuse for all the price hikes in oil, at least one per week....
posted by
Rumor
on July 2, 2014 at 12:22 PM
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What you write makes a lot of sense to me, Jimmy...Unfortunately, I am not holding my breath for the powers that be to the do the right thing...
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on July 2, 2014 at 11:53 AM
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I have to agree with you both.
posted by
lovelyladymonk
on July 2, 2014 at 9:51 AM
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Jimmy
Sorry, pressed the wrong button...
Having said all that, I need to mention all kinds of political factors, both foreign and domestic...
Finally: According to current estimates, we here in Canada have the third highest oil reserves in the world, though some experts suggest that we actually have more than anybody else, and certainly far more than you guys in the States...
Lastly, and in reply to your comment to my piece in 'Thoughts': I agree with you - and that's why I had 'African American' in inverted commas, LOL...
posted by
Nautikos
on July 2, 2014 at 9:15 AM
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Jimmy
An interesting observation! And I hope I won't disappoint you too much by giving you onle a very brief reply!
First, one minor correction: when you speak of 'gallons' in your post, you should have said 'barrels', which is the unit for counting oil as it is 'produced'.
That said, the whole issue is very complex indeed! It hinges on the fact that the 'unconventional' oil now available (shale oil, oil sands) at least in 'in principle', represents a fairly new development, made possible only by relatively recent advances in science and technology. Most of the industry is still geared towardes the conventionally available oil (pumped straight out of the ground), as it was pretty well throughout the 20th century. And it simply takes a lot of time and cost to change a huge system like that - it's not merely a matter of 'Big Oil' being 'greedy'. 'Greed' is just one of many factors, LOL...
Also: what's 'imported' is conventional oil that, though coming out of the ground in Saudi or other such places, is partly owned by American companies (ESSO, Aramco, etc.), so it's actually already American in part, benefitting the American economy...
Having said all that,
posted by
Nautikos
on July 2, 2014 at 9:10 AM
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