Got Gas?

If you don’t, prices at the pump should give it to you soon. I drive a Toyota Prius hybrid, so I’m good. The suckers driving SUVs (big, bigger, biggest) are the ones to pity. When SUVs hit the road, blocking out the sun (if you had the misfortune of driving in the next lane), you must wonder: Do Americans know of an unlimited oil supply? A secret cache? A cache hidden til the price is right? Til the oil barons can really rake it in (or us over)? Did the oil gods patiently wait for summer, knowing that traditionally American families pack the kids into the SUV and hit the road for Disney World, Sea World, Knott's Berry Farm--indeed, anywhere that promises good food, lots of fun, and great adventure for one and all? Our insatiable thirst for oil is like a toilet overflowing: it can’t be controlled; it can’t be stopped.

Discussion on Democracy Now!

America imports about 70% of its oil. The available oil is about 3-1/2 trillion barrels. The recoverable oil (in the ground) does not increase, according to most geologists. Less oil is reported. Shell has been forced to admit this. At the moment, we’re not running out; we’re merely running down. The price of getting oil out of the ground is increasing with north Canadian and Russian oil becoming more difficult to recover.

China, as a major oil producer, is reaching peak. Iran is a large factor impacting foreign policy. Global oil consumption has been rising steadily across the globe. Iran wants to sell oil in Euros, which will have a negative effect on the U.S. Iraq wanted to deal in euros, too; however, they were stopped once the U.S. invaded. Apparently, OPEC hasn’t thought about going to euros yet. As supplies of oil shrink, oil wars can worsen, causing universal instability. Don’t wait for this administration to announce a conservation plan any time soon. They are oil men, after all.