We are "under their thumb" because, being the supplier of raw
materials, they set the prices (and *availability*) of our energy
supply.

wrote:
The marketplace sets the price, not the arabs.


Well, that's true... I guess those OPEC meetings where they
make agreements about how much they'll pump, and what
they'll charge... it's part of "the marketplace." And if a
group of oil producing countries decide not to sell to the
U.S. for some political reason, then we can always buy from
somebody else... probably at a higher price of course, with
the laws of supply & demand being what they are... but
that's all part of "the marketplace" too.

Isn't it nice to dismiss somebody else's statements, and go
on as if you've proved something!

DSK

wrote in message
...
On Thu, 06 Apr 2006 14:12:53 -0400, DSK wrote:

Well, that's true... I guess those OPEC meetings where they
make agreements about how much they'll pump, and what
they'll charge... it's part of "the marketplace."
OPECs efforts to change the real price of oil is about as effective as
the oil boycotts you see on the net. They need to sell it as bad as we
need to buy oit. The price spikes are more closely related to demand
and (US) refinery problems than any OPEC action.
The reality is the whole world is using more oil than they ever did
before so the price is up.

The biofuel boondoggle is only going to replace Exxon/Mobile with
Archer Danierls Midland and third world farmers who clear more rain
forests to grow sugars for the still..
That is not any solution to saving the planet.

I believe the favored solution of prominent ecologists is airborn ebola.
Preferably preceded by vaccinations for prominent ecologists.

In article ,
says...

On Sat, 08 Apr 2006 11:48:11 GMT, Fred Dehl penned the following well
considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:

This is giving Fred way the heck too much credit.

Made me laugh tho'

jps