Gas Prices: Who's to Blame?

HungLikeJesus · 06-16-2008, 11:17 AM

Who do you blame for the recent increase in the price of oil and of gasoline?

As part of my job, I read a lot of articles on the cost of energy. Everyone is blaming someone, but no one is taking the blame.

Who do you think is responsible? I've listed all those that I've seen pointed at in recent weeks, though very few seem to be looking in the mirror.

Some of the categories overlap.

classicman · 06-16-2008, 11:31 AM

I also blame tw, but thats just me :P

lumberjim · 06-16-2008, 11:44 AM

A friend of mine was out on his boat last weekend. A friend of his who was further out on another boat called him and told him to come to where he was, there was something he had to see. When he got there, it was about 40-50 oil barges sitting waiting for the price of oil to go up. apparently, the price is set when they hit the dock, not when they leave the home port. how fucked up is that?

footfootfoot · 06-16-2008, 11:47 AM

"How much will this cost?"
"How much have you got?"

Pie · 06-16-2008, 11:49 AM

I voted 'other'. It's all consumers, not just US. Humanity is seeing the tip of the iceberg w.r.t. our dependence on fossil fuels.

SteveDallas · 06-16-2008, 11:57 AM

I blame everybody who was in a position to do something about US dependence on oil in the late 1970s and didn't.

Clodfobble · 06-16-2008, 12:17 PM

I voted, but I have reservations about the negative connotations of the word "blame." Sure, it hurts in the short term, but the price of oil going up is inevitable and necessary. The price spiking is the only thing that's ever going to push alternative fuels beyond a curiosity.

glatt · 06-16-2008, 12:24 PM

I think (but don't actually know) that market speculators, the weak dollar, and increased demand from China caused the recent spike.

But I voted for consumers because we are a bunch of gluttons with oil, especially in the US, and our waste of oil is going to bite us back.

Undertoad · 06-16-2008, 12:26 PM

30% Greater demand ie China, India and others
15% Dollar weakness
15% Iranian asshattery
15% Hesitation over ANWR, oceanic, shale drilling
10% Refinery capacity
5% Failure of Iraq to come online at greater capacity
5% General inflationary pressure
5% Failure of ethanol as a moderating factor
3% Conservation failures
2% Oil company profiteering

Pie · 06-16-2008, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

I voted, but I have reservations about the negative connotations of the word "blame." Sure, it hurts in the short term, but the price of oil going up is inevitable and necessary. The price spiking is the only thing that's ever going to push alternative fuels beyond a curiosity.

DING DING DING DING!

Spexxvet · 06-16-2008, 03:06 PM

Dutch

HungLikeJesus · 06-16-2008, 03:52 PM

Spexx, I haven't heard from you in a while. How are things?

Clodfobble, I used the word "blame" because that's what everyone seems to be doing - blaming everyone but themselves.

I'd blame me, except that I know it was that other guy's fault.

Sundae · 06-16-2008, 07:00 PM

Gordon Brown.
Well the media in this country reckon he is personally responsible for everything from knife crime to obesity to the teenage pregnancy rate (he must have a hell of a Saturday night!)

Then again, Ken Livingstone was responsible for London's crime rate, pollution, the overspend on the 2012 Olympics and Wagon Wheels getting smaller, so it might have been his fault too.

I like this new blame game. I'm going to start blaming Boris Johnson for the recent spate of acid reflux attacks occurring in my oesophagus. And for the noise pollution that stops me sleeping every Sunday night (also known as HM bringing people home from Open Mike Night). I demand action!

jinx · 06-16-2008, 07:06 PM

Wow, lots of choices.... since I drive an suv I just assumed it was my fault...

spudcon · 06-16-2008, 10:28 PM

If it's blame you're looking for, why not blame George W Bush? Everyone seems to blame him for everything else.

View Poll Results: Who is to blame for recent gas price increases?
Market speculators	14	40.00%
Oil companies	13	37.14%
Oil producing countries	8	22.86%
China	10	28.57%
US Automakers	9	25.71%
Lack of refining capacity	10	28.57%
US government/lawmakers	11	31.43%
The Federal Reserve	7	20.00%
Dark Markets	4	11.43%
TheMercenary	7	20.00%
US Consumers	12	34.29%
Other	13	37.14%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 35. You may not vote on this poll

06-16-2008, 11:17 AM	#1
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	Gas Prices: Who's to Blame? Who do you blame for the recent increase in the price of oil and of gasoline? As part of my job, I read a lot of articles on the cost of energy. Everyone is blaming someone, but no one is taking the blame. Who do you think is responsible? I've listed all those that I've seen pointed at in recent weeks, though very few seem to be looking in the mirror. Some of the categories overlap. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

06-16-2008, 11:31 AM	#2
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	I also blame tw, but thats just me :P __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

06-16-2008, 11:44 AM	#3
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	A friend of mine was out on his boat last weekend. A friend of his who was further out on another boat called him and told him to come to where he was, there was something he had to see. When he got there, it was about 40-50 oil barges sitting waiting for the price of oil to go up. apparently, the price is set when they hit the dock, not when they leave the home port. how fucked up is that? __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

06-16-2008, 11:47 AM	#4
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	"How much will this cost?" "How much have you got?" __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

06-16-2008, 11:49 AM	#5
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	I voted 'other'. It's all consumers, not just US. Humanity is seeing the tip of the iceberg w.r.t. our dependence on fossil fuels. __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

06-16-2008, 11:57 AM	#6
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	I blame everybody who was in a position to do something about US dependence on oil in the late 1970s and didn't.

06-16-2008, 12:17 PM	#7
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	I voted, but I have reservations about the negative connotations of the word "blame." Sure, it hurts in the short term, but the price of oil going up is inevitable and necessary. The price spiking is the only thing that's ever going to push alternative fuels beyond a curiosity.

06-16-2008, 12:24 PM	#8
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I think (but don't actually know) that market speculators, the weak dollar, and increased demand from China caused the recent spike. But I voted for consumers because we are a bunch of gluttons with oil, especially in the US, and our waste of oil is going to bite us back.

06-16-2008, 12:26 PM	#9
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	30% Greater demand ie China, India and others 15% Dollar weakness 15% Iranian asshattery 15% Hesitation over ANWR, oceanic, shale drilling 10% Refinery capacity 5% Failure of Iraq to come online at greater capacity 5% General inflationary pressure 5% Failure of ethanol as a moderating factor 3% Conservation failures 2% Oil company profiteering

06-16-2008, 03:06 PM	#11
Spexxvet Makes some feel uncomfortable Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,346	Dutch __________________ "I'm certainly free, nay compelled, to spread the gospel of Spex. " - xoxoxoBruce

06-16-2008, 03:52 PM	#12
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	Spexx, I haven't heard from you in a while. How are things? Clodfobble, I used the word "blame" because that's what everyone seems to be doing - blaming everyone but themselves. I'd blame me, except that I know it was that other guy's fault. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

06-16-2008, 07:00 PM	#13
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Gordon Brown. Well the media in this country reckon he is personally responsible for everything from knife crime to obesity to the teenage pregnancy rate (he must have a hell of a Saturday night!) Then again, Ken Livingstone was responsible for London's crime rate, pollution, the overspend on the 2012 Olympics and Wagon Wheels getting smaller, so it might have been his fault too. I like this new blame game. I'm going to start blaming Boris Johnson for the recent spate of acid reflux attacks occurring in my oesophagus. And for the noise pollution that stops me sleeping every Sunday night (also known as HM bringing people home from Open Mike Night). I demand action! __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

06-16-2008, 07:06 PM	#14
jinx Come on, cat. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: general vicinity of Philadelphia area Posts: 7,013	Wow, lots of choices.... since I drive an suv I just assumed it was my fault... __________________ Crying won't help you, praying won't do you no good.

06-16-2008, 10:28 PM	#15
spudcon Beware of potatoes Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY, USA Posts: 2,078	If it's blame you're looking for, why not blame George W Bush? Everyone seems to blame him for everything else. __________________ "I believe that being despised by the despicable is as good as being admired by the admirable."

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