Scroll down a ways if you want to skip my rant (PART I), and get to the current U.S. politics and hypocrisy stuff, including video (PART II). I didn't intend for this post to turn in to something this long, but since it did, I've separated it in to two sections, the second of which is most important to our current situation.

PART I: HISTORY, OIL THEORIES, MY THEORIES

It's no secret that oil prices have skyrocketed in recent years, and particularly recent weeks. We hear politicians, and commentators like Fox News' Bill O'Reilly screaming "gouging" day in and day out, but never provide a shred of evidence. The only thing these people have to support their reckless usage of "the g word" is record profits by the oil companies like Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips. Now admittedly I'm not an economist and won't pretend to know how all of these things work, but from all the analysis I've heard from people who do know what they're talking about, there isn't a shred of evidence supporting "gouging", and that this "commodity market" is operating on the up and up.

If you read articles or watch news reports on the surging oil prices you generally hear that the cause is speculation on supply shortages due to a possible future conflict with Iran or that greater demand caused by booming economies in China and India is outpacing supply, thus the old "supply and demand" comes in to play, meaning the less there is of something the more people have to pay to get it. Sometimes you hear that both of these factors combined are driving the price, but you never hear any actual evidence that the oil companies are "gouging" or doing anything illegal in any way.

Now, I believe that probably both of the commonly used explanations for rising prices are playing a part, but I'm also certain it's tied in to the common belief in "peak oil". If you aren't familiar, "peak oil" is basically the theory that the planet has a limited amount of oil that is running out and that we are going to, or may have already passed the "peak" and are now using up the leftovers of Earth's oil. This theory is based on the belief that oil is a "fossil fuel", and essentially created by dead organisms buried underground under intense pressure for millions of years. Of course this is the belief of the establishment science community that also pushes "evolution" and "global warming". I think we can all agree these too are ridiculous, but that's for another day. I mention them for a couple reasons though. Do you ever notice how these are treated like Gods of the scientific/materialist communities. We've barely learned to walk before they start ramming this crap down our throats, and there are a lot of theories what drives all of this, but again that's for another day.

Back to "fossil fuels"... As long as people try to tell us that oil comes from dead ancient organisms, and push evolution as a fact we're lead to believe that it takes millions of years to create more oil and that we're using up all the dead dinosaurs right now. In turn oil becomes the most valuable and sacred thing to human kind. Like global warming, this gives the wannabe New World Order UN more ground for their agenda to govern the planet by telling us that daddy knows best.

The problem with "fossil fuels" is that evidence continues to roll in showing that oil may not be from "fossils" at all, but a resource that the planet constantly creates on it's own. I feel, and hope, that the idea of abiotic oil gains popularity and is eventually proven, despite the fact that the mainstrea media all but completely ignores it. Note also that proponents of "global warming" hate the idea of abiotic oil, because they blame the use of oil for their bogus theory, and if there is an unending supply.... well, you can connect the dots here I think.

Another factor commonly believed to be a contributor is the fact that we haven't built an oil refinery in 30 years in this country. Like the other two believed main factors I mentioned earlier, this probably does play a role, but even if we were able to overcome all three of these components, they can always still tell us "we're running out". Don't you think that if we had an unending supply it would be dirt cheap? Why aren't we exploring the possibility that this is the case, considering the evidence that seems to support it? Can you imagine how things would change if we could be confident that we don't have to worry about running out of oil?

Here's a little from the Citizen-Times on previous misconceptions about the planet's supply of oil, that sound remarkably similar to what we continue to hear today:

• 1885; U.S. Geologic Survey — “Little or no chance of oil in California.”

• 1991; U.S. Geologic Survey — Same prophesy for Kansas and Texas.

• 1914; U.S. Bureau of Mines — Total future production limit of 5.7 billion barrels of oil; at most a 10-year supply remaining.

• 1939; Dept. of Interior — Oil reserves in the United States exhausted in 13 years.

• 1951; Oil and Gas Division — Oil reserves to be exhausted in 13 years.

• 2005; Energy Information Administration — proven worldwide reserves of oil at 1.28 trillion barrels.

Consider some good indicators. Russia’s giant Samotlor Field reached peak production in 1983. After BP spent 18 billion on “hydraulic fracturing,” production went from 30 tons per day per well in 2000, to 117 tons in 2004.

Brazilian oil giant Petrobras has seen surprising results by drilling ultra-deep offshore wells in Brazil’s Barracuda and Caratingua oil fields. Brazil’s oil production has grown at 9 percent per year since 1980.

Saudi Oil Minister Al-Naimi told a conference in Washington, D.C., that Saudi oil reserves have been drastically underestimated. Energy Information Administration estimated them at 262 billion barrels in 2004 — only 20 percent of Al-Naimi’s estimate. Ghawar oil has been dated with Precambrian rock produced 570 million years ago, but dinosaurs did not roam the earth until 250 million years ago.

Pemex’s Cantarell field formed 65 million years ago when the Chicxulub meteor impacted the Gulf of Mexico. Abiotic proponents argue that the deep fracturing of bedrock by the meteor’s impact was responsible for oil formed in the mantle to seep into the sedimentary rock.

Thunder Horse, 125 miles southeast of New Orleans, promises to produce 1 million barrels per day by next year. Thunder Horse is truly an ultra-deep project, and only part of BP’s 2.5 billion barrels of proven reserves in the Gulf. From the floor, BP has drilled down another six miles to hit oil.

There is no evidence that any ancient dinosaur walked on land that is now eight miles down. Thunder Horse illuminates the current technology that makes it possible to tap into reserves thought inaccessible.

A study by Integrated Geophysics Corp. emphasizes that almost 90 percent of the Gulf’s discovery prospects lie in 3,000-5,000 foot of water. However, radical environmentalists are currently blocking oil production almost globally. In actuality, oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would require 5,000-7,000 acres, or about 0.004 percent of Alaska’s total land mass. Even with Prudhoe Bay, the total area represents the size of a postage stamp on a football field.

Even a limited area for ANWR drilling would offer the option of producing 40 percent of the oil consumed in America from Alaska. But now, with oil at $60 per barrel, we are sending overseas nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars each year.

more...

This is not meant to be any type of smoking gun, but I'm certain it's totally new information for most of you. There is plenty more on this and abiotic oil out there, I suggest doing your own research on it if you are interested, as I admittedly didn't link to a lot as I just sort of rattled off that little rant without stopping. Do check out the wikipedia article on abiotic oil though. You may also want to take a look at this article on natural gas being abiotic, research Eugene Island a bit, and just do some googling on things like "peak oil myth".

I'm sorry to say that of all people to agree with, 9/11 conspirator and probably the most famed conspiracy theorist nut, Alex Jones shares the same view as I do on much of this. Of course I think Jones is a nut when it comes to most of his paranoid conspiracy theories, but you can't be wrong all of the time, and this happens to be something that has growing scientific support and not just a conspiracy theory. Don't get me wrong, many people truly believe in the whole "fossil fuel" thing and aren't involved in some plot, but that ties in again with old Earth/evolution brainwashing. So while this may just be another conspiracy theory notch on the belt of Alex Jones, it is certainly more than that. Obviously I hate to agree with such a disgusting human being, but I can't disagree simply because he agrees, and I should mention that on this issue he places a villain label on a lot of people I don't believe deserve it. Of course he also believes that everyone in the U.S. government are "illuminati" who are involved in all sorts of satanic rituals.

PART II: CURRENT OIL NEWS, POLITICS, AND WASHINGTON HYPOCRISY

What have you heard from Washington about oil in the past few weeks? I've heard President Bush, as I have for a number of months now, speaking about alternative fuels, America needing to lose it's addiction to oil, and reducing our foreign dependence. Of course a lot of this is just talk, but getting things done in Washington is a group effort and getting these discussions going is a necessary start.

What else have you heard? I've heard every Democrat who could find a microphone and/or a video camera rant and rave about how this is all the President's fault, and how he won't do anything because he's in bed with "big oil". They've used gas stations for these perfect photo ops, knowing that these are the clips that we'll see on the evening news, not President Bush's lengthy speeches on developing more energy efficient vehicles, alternative fuels, where new technology is at and where it's going. We won't see much about the President's speeches, but shouting and pointing fingers will get your face on the evening news for a few seconds.

But through all of the whining, I didn't hear the Democrats say what they proposed we do about the problem, did you? I heard a number of calls for "investigations" (you know how Democrats love those, instead of actually getting anything done) in to gouging, even though we've seen no evidence of it. I can't recall hearing any other ideas though. Big surprise.

In addition, I've heard a handful of Republicans call for opening ANWR for drilling ASAP. Of course we know it would probably take 10 years for this to make a difference, but if Democrats hadn't been blocking it for so long, and Clinton hadn't vetoed a 1995 bill allowing it, we'd already be reaping the benefits. What good will it do to continue to put it off, along with other domestic exploration opportunities?

As with every issue in America, the Democrats do nothing but point fingers at Senate and House Republicans and the President, whine and never put forth a single idea of their own. Liberals we debate with on the internet are in denial about this, no matter how many times we prove it, but this oil situation provides us another perfect example of the "no plan" Democrats. This time it's such a clear cut example that it's infuriating beyond all comprehension. I don't think anything short of tossing the Democratic leadership out of office is good enough here.

You may think that me saying that we should toss these Dems out of office is hypocritical because we Republicans accuse those of you who want to impeach the President of wanting to simply because you disagree with his policies, but it's not. Your basis for impeachment is based on opposition to administration policies, my basis for getting rid of these Senators and Representatives is the fact that they aren't doing anything. It would be one thing if they were proposing stupid ideas that I disagreed with, but they are just doing nothing but obstructing and complaining and we're paying for it!!! We're paying for our government to be stalled on issue after issue, and instead of getting any results on anything, we just listen to bickering.

In case you wish to challenge what I'm saying about the no plan Democrats by saying that the Republicans don't have a plan either, let's take a look. Bill Frist and the Senate Republicans have laid out a 10 point plan called the The Gas Price Relief and Rebate Act of 2006. This isn't meant to be final solution by any means, but it is decisive action. Despite the fact that all you'll hear from the media is "$100 rebate, so what?", it's much more than that:

Gas Tax Holiday Rebate for Consumers Gives $100 gas tax holiday rebate check to taxpayers to help ease the burden of high gasoline costs. Consumer Anti-Price Gouging Protection Gives the Federal Trade Commission, as well as the Justice Department and state attorneys general, the authority to bring enforcement actions against any supplier unlawfully inflating the price of gas to protect consumers from abuse. Tax Incentives Repeals tax incentives for oil companies while expanding tax incentives to promote the use of hybrid vehicles and increase refinery capacity to secure our gasoline supply. Fuel Economy Standards Gives the Secretary of Transportation the authority to issue a rule governing fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles. Authorizes Advanced Energy Initiative Encourages research and development into alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles to diversify our domestic energy supply and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Strategic Petroleum Reserve Urges the Administration to suspend deposits into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for six months to make more oil available for consumer use. Expanding Domestic Supply in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Opens a portion of the Coastal Plain of ANWR to environmentally sensitive oil exploration to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. If President Clinton had not vetoed ANWR legislation a decade ago, it would now be producing 1 million barrels of oil a day, which would mean lower gas prices. Refinery Capacity Includes incentives to encourage additional refinery capacity to enhance our energy infrastructure and lower prices at the pump.

Thank you for doing SOMETHING. We shouldn't have to thank you though, because taking action on these issues is your job, but we've gotten so used to the behavior of the Democrats it looks like you're really steppin' up here.

As for the Democrats, do you need proof that they aren't offering a plan? Let's see what the leadership and top Dems are up to, shall we?

Barbara Boxer
Boxer has no plan. Oh wait, she wants to improve fuel economy standards for federal vehicles. What the hell is that going to do!? I don't know how many vehicles constitute the "federal fleet", but it's obviously not even a fraction of a percent of the vehicles on the road, and this would have NO impact. Boxer's plan is to "lead by example". What an idiot.

Chuck Schumer
Schumer has no plan. Oh wait, he wants to baselessly whine about gouging and call for investigations. The other day Michelle Malkin noted that Neil Cavuto blasted Schumer on this, wondering why Schumer didn't also want an investigation in to "tax gouging" at the pump.

Harry Reid
Press releases on Reid's site are more of the same whining about gouging and blaming Republicans. He does want to repeal tax incentives for the oil companies, but that's already in the Frist plan, and I believe the President supports this as well.

Nancy Pelosi
Pelosi's plan: Complain about Republicans.

Even when these wastes of space have "plans" it's more like a goal rather than the means to achieve it. Remember their "plan" a few months ago: We promise to get Bin Laden!

Probably the most important thing I've learned out of all of this is the fact that if anyone is gouging, it's the government. All this ranting and raving about record profits during this oil crisis fails to mention that the oil companies are making about $0.09 (that's right, nine cents) profit on a gallon of gas, while the government is making about $0.40-$0.50 (forty to fifty cents) on each gallon. In some states the amount is closer to $0.60. Again, not being an economist or expert I had no idea, and I wish I had the ability to take a poll because my gut tells me that 90-95% of the public has no idea that this is going on. The public has simply heard the soundbytes, bought in to the emotionally appealing rhetoric, and has directed their anger on the oil companies.

Neil Cavuto raises this issue in a segment that turns in to one of the most sickening displays by do nothing Democrat Dick Durbin who only knows how to appeal to the uninformed masses. Check out the video of this Your World segment captured by Expose the Left, and have your barf bag ready a.

If you aren't familiar with appearances by Democrats on Fox News channel, this segment is a perfect example of what has become the norm. A Democrat, clearly used to going on CNN, MSNBC, etc. and getting to give stump speeches instead of answering real questions, gets confused and annoyed when the host insists that they just answer the questions. Durbin does that throughout this entire segment, but that's only the tip of the iceberg.

Durbin dodges question after question and tries to go in to long winded Bush blaming rants, and Cavuto continually has to cut him off and bring it back to the actual discussion. Durbin bashes the idea of drilling in ANWR because it would take 10 years to be operational. Well we'd already be online if you guys hadn't blocked it in the 90s!!! Then Durbin complains about "why we aren't talking about" alternative energies, increasing fuel efficiency when asked specifically about ANWR. I guess Durbin hasn't been paying attention, because the President has constantly talked about all of these things.

The best part (or worst, depending on how you look at it) is after Durbin gets done one of his rants about "big oil's" record profits, when Cavuto slaps him with the facts on "tax gouging" costing us a lot more than oil profits. Durbin is clearly unprepared for such a line of questioning, looks rather scared, and seemingly regrets having gone on Fox News instead of the friendly (to Democrats) networks. In desperation Durbin begins to repeat himself and rant about oil profits. Cavuto gives him the facts, that show that tax revenue is roughly 5 times that of oil profit per gallon, and Durbin just keeps saying "how do you explain the oil profits then?" The explanation is that a lot of oil was bought, now answer Neil's question about your misplaced outrage Senator! Or are you too busy coming up with a new way to call our troops Nazis?

Needless to say, the interview accomplishes nothing, unless you count revealing to anyone who watched it, what a shameful party the Democrats have become. Yes Durbin is just one man, but he's basically reciting the same talking points we've been hearing from all of them. Did you come away with any idea what Durbin or the Dems plan to do other than call for investigations and bash oil companies, Republicans, and the President?

Now we come to the hypocrisy part of our program. You'd have to have been living in a cave to be unaware that in today's Democratic party, hypocrisy is a way of life, but they really wanted to show it during "hate oil week".

This Washington Post article gives us the dirt on who's driving what on Capitol Hill, and neither party comes out smelling like roses. But the big difference is that the Democrats are doing nothing but playing the blame game and saying that the President is opposed to more fuel efficient vehicles and alternative fuels (even though he's been consistently talking about them). The Republicans are calling for much of what the President is calling for, while the Democrats can't form a sentence without it containing something negative including the words "this president". So they all jumped in to their huge luxury vehicles and SUVs, but hey, it's a long drive..... ACROSS THE STREET! And again, the Dems are worse villains here, because they also drove the one block back from their photo op by the gas price signs at a nearby gas station! Just think about how insane that is.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) used a Hyundai Elantra to take the one-block journey to and from the gas-station news conference. He posed in front of the fuel prices and gave them a thumbs-down. "Get tough on big oil!" he demanded of the Bush administration.

These Democrats go a block down the road to point fingers at the President and stand in front of a gas price sign, and then drive the block back to their offices!? This is just disgusting, there's no other way to put it.

Brit Hume and Tucker Carlson each did brief reports on this same story, Expose the Left has the video. Carlson really nails it.

In conclusion, let's just actually get something done, shall we folks? I'm really tired of the Democrats sitting around whining, pointing fingers, and obstructing. Technology is working towards alternative fuels and better fuel efficiency, so let's give them more tax incentives and push them harder but in the mean time we need oil. Lets fastrack the building of refineries. At least there is one plan to expand a working refinery and make it the largest in the country. Let's push for domestic drilling. Let's do all of these things we're talking about, instead of just saying they need to be done, and assuming that making a little speech will get you off the hook with your constituents and put it all on the President.

In the mean time, see my earlier post with details on using the internet to locate the cheapest gas in your area. You may also want to try this revolutionary product that can vastly increase your fuel efficiency. (click "store" link on main page)

I think I'm about done, but I've kind of lost my train of thought as I've almost fallen asleep a few times now.