Exxon posts second highest profit ever

farfromglorified

polaris wrote:

exactly ... and those conditions would not have happened without this war ...

Sure. But that fact does not mean "those conditions" are the reason for the war. Look, just because 9/11 led to the highest ever donations to the Red Cross doesn't mean that Osama Bin Laden was getting Red Cross payola. Just because the adjusted price of crude oil hit its highest peak in 1980 following the Iranian Revolution doesn't mean that BP/Amoco was behind the Iranian Revolution.

we can say it's a fine coincidence for the oil barrons but the legitimacy of this war is beyone debate ... manufactured war ... for this reason amongst others ...

The "legitimacy" of this war is not "beyond debatable" -- it's debated here pretty much everyday and numerous sides promote valid viewpoints. Furthermore, all wars are "manufactured" in that they are done for reasons specific to the people who start them. Those reasons are not as simple as oil blood money. Oil blood money probably had very little, if anything, to do with it. Blind fear was the driving motivation of this war.

polaris

farfromglorified wrote:

Sure. But that fact does not mean "those conditions" are the reason for the war. Look, just because 9/11 led to the highest ever donations to the Red Cross doesn't mean that Osama Bin Laden was getting Red Cross payola. Just because the adjusted price of crude oil hit its highest peak in 1980 following the Iranian Revolution doesn't mean that BP/Amoco was behind the Iranian Revolution.

how much influence does the red cross have over gov't decisions?? ... now, how much influence do ex oil barrons have?? ... this is the big difference ...

farfromglorified wrote:

The "legitimacy" of this war is not "beyond debatable" -- it's debated here pretty much everyday and numerous sides promote valid viewpoints. Furthermore, all wars are "manufactured" in that they are done for reasons specific to the people who start them. Those reasons are not as simple as oil blood money. Oil blood money probably had very little, if anything, to do with it. Blind fear was the driving motivation of this war.

i am not saying it was just oil ... there are defence contractors that need to be paid off too ... look at the ties this administration has - and it is just a coincidence that those ties are all benefiting by misguided decisions by these folks?

there is no moral legitimacy for this war ... manufactured for the benefit of those this administration acts on behalf of ...

ajedigecko

don't gimme no wrote:

Yet just more proof that Americans are really fucking stupid. I for one am excited for gas prices to sky-rocket even more. Then maybe we'll wise up and focus on renewable energy. I mean really focus on it. Or even in the short term just be more efficient and energy conscious.

i agree....but do not limit my label of "stupidity" to just Americans. My only concern with rising gas prices is the effect it has on many people with a fixed income.
i look forward to the day when another bike rider flips me off for riding my bike too slow in the fast lane.:)

RockinInCanada

ajedigecko wrote:

i agree....but do not limit my label of "stupidity" to just Americans. My only concern with rising gas prices is the effect it has on many people with a fixed income.
i look forward to the day when another bike rider flips me off for riding my bike too slow in the fast lane.:)

Yeah I agree Americans are not the only people guzzling the gasoline.....

surferdude

ajedigecko wrote:

i agree....but do not limit my label of "stupidity" to just Americans. My only concern with rising gas prices is the effect it has on many people with a fixed income.
i look forward to the day when another bike rider flips me off for riding my bike too slow in the fast lane.:)

Then people on fixed incomes should make themselves as independent from oil as they can. Sell the gas guzzling car, switch to alternative energy sources where possible.

ajedigecko

surferdude wrote:

Then people on fixed incomes should make themselves as independent from oil as they can. Sell the gas guzzling car, switch to alternative energy sources where possible.

i agree. all people should make themselves independent. but, you said it, "...make themselves as independent from oil as they can..." many of the elderly people i know made themselves as independent as they can when gas hit $2.00 per gallon. and have forgone specific medications to offset the cost. i understand people need to set their priorites and live with a decision.
a parrallel could be drawn that people on fixed incomes who can not afford their medications for their health ailments should make themselves as independent from prescriptions as they can.
regardless, specific populations need to use certain resources more than other populations. i am thankful that i am at an age and health currently that allows me to be independent of both.

surferdude

ajedigecko wrote:

i agree. all people should make themselves independent. but, you said it, "...make themselves as independent from oil as they can..." many of the elderly people i know made themselves as independent as they can when gas hit $2.00 per gallon. and have forgone specific medications to offset the cost. i understand people need to set their priorites and live with a decision.
a parrallel could be drawn that people on fixed incomes who can not afford their medications for their health ailments should make themselves as independent from prescriptions as they can.
regardless, specific populations need to use certain resources more than other populations. i am thankful that i am at an age and health currently that allows me to be independent of both.

A lot of people on fixed incomes dont' like to face the facts. I see some living in the suburbs where a care is pretty much a requirement. I see people on arthritis medication for bad knees who do nothing about their weight. This is the type dependence that I'm tired of paying for or feeling soory for.

ajedigecko

surferdude wrote:

A lot of people on fixed incomes dont' like to face the facts. I see some living in the suburbs where a care is pretty much a requirement. I see people on arthritis medication for bad knees who do nothing about their weight. This is the type dependence that I'm tired of paying for or feeling soory for.

gotta go.....i have enjoyed the conversation.

ajedigecko

surferdude wrote:

A lot of people on fixed incomes dont' like to face the facts. I see some living in the suburbs where a care is pretty much a requirement. I see people on arthritis medication for bad knees who do nothing about their weight. This is the type dependence that I'm tired of paying for or feeling soory for.

again.....i agree with you on those who complain about gas or medication prices and could make a change to end their complaining.
the focus of the statement is on those who are unable to make a change. the people that i am talking about are....

1. Meals on Wheels. this organization is struggling to find volunteers in order to get basic needs to people in need......due to gas prices.

2. Hospice. this organization assists people who have a terminal diagnosis, usually a cancer patient that has exhausted all other forms of treatment. many of these patients have made a choice to die at home with some dignity, rather than in a hospital. these patients do live within reasonable walking distances. still...the disease has taken over and created a situation where many simply can not leave their bed. do we forget about them?

an over weight person on arthritis medication....easy to say that if they would just loose the weight they would not need the medication. the same arthritis could strike a person whose weight is ideal and cause debilitating pain leading to the person becoming over weight.

SundaySilence

surferdude wrote:

And for those of you not happy with paying $3.00 a gallon, buy your own oil fields, refineries and distribution system and start selling it for cheaper. Why would you ever want the government to step in and do what you are just too lazy and risk averse to do for yourself?

This will not happen as long as there remains a trust. Those who perform the simple tasks you recommend will maximise their profit by joining the oligopoly so they won't have to sell it for cheaper. There is no competition in this industry. The government needs to examine the anti-trust reviews of oil companies. And certain markets with atypical supply demand relations, of which energy markets are included, probably need tighter regulation because of the manipulation on the supply side.

SundaySilence

farfromglorified wrote:

By selling a product that is the lifeblood of the world economy, of course. By selling a product whose price is skyrocketing because of threats to supply and a massive growth in demand in emerging markets like China and India. The price of oil is not just based on supply and it's not just based on demand. It's based on the interaction between those two forces.

When the elasticity of demand is low and the supply is under control of a few players working together, its based on a few players working together. Those few players can also influence demand via the speculative markets that were deregulated in 2000 at Enron's call.

SundaySilence

Uncle Leo wrote:

I am going to say something that I suspect will be with most of the "other side". In fact, it is very similar to a Know1 thread.

So what? As Know1 said, if it were just about any other company, it would be applauded.

Gasoline is a product. We have allowed ourselves to become dependant on it. "Gas is different because it is so important." Well the only reason that is is because we have allowed ourselves to develop based on what's convenient--i.e. the automobile. And now gasoline is still in high demand (thanks to our development that completely lacked vision) and it is their right to charge for it. The price is a function of supply and demand (as well as a number of other things going on in the middle east).

If we did not demand it so much, it would be less precious and therefore, cheaper.

But we need leadership on this issue and our leaders are in the oil business. Our government is being bought with this wealth concentration.

Earthgirl

ajedigecko wrote:

i agree....but do not limit my label of "stupidity" to just Americans. My only concern with rising gas prices is the effect it has on many people with a fixed income.
i look forward to the day when another bike rider flips me off for riding my bike too slow in the fast lane.:)

Earthgirl

ajedigecko wrote:

ride a bicycle.

do you still drive your big SUV that you had in Denver just a couple of weeks ago?

rightondude

EXXON...a proud company brought to you by you friendly neighborhod Satan...

ajedigecko

Earthgirl wrote:

do you still drive your big SUV that you had in Denver just a couple of weeks ago?

no....i traded it in on an 18 wheeler with a covered trailer. i can put more bikes in it.

Pearl Jam and toast

ajedigecko wrote:

no....i traded it in on an 18 wheeler with a covered trailer. i can put more bikes in it.

hahahhah