May 12, 2006

• THese are good. But a lot of them seem to suggest everybody thinks, "Oh the prices are up because the oil companies are forcing the price up". Surely the war (& other political issues), and coming peak oil are causing that?
• "Surely the war (& other political issues), and coming peak oil are causing that?" Not for people who get their information from American media.
• Reading a bunch of comics on the same topic in a row really shows how some just nail it, funny-wise. Usually, I think I like comics by the subject/joke, but really it isn't that - these share subject and basic points. The best aren't always the most politically biting or even pointful, just that they have the right timing and juxtaposition. I like the one at the top of this page - there just something about the little hybrids hanging off like lifeboats that's just so whimsicle. (Which is like whimsical, only frozen and sweet.)
• Another funny cartoon has a nice twist - "Quick, let's use up this tank so we can fill up again while the prices are lower!" But other just seem to have one very obvious point. I guess it's just really hard to come up with funny cartoons, day after day after day.
• It always makes me laugh to see people whinging and complaining about oil prices, blaiming evil price-gauging oil companies -- like a good chunk of those cartoons. Sorry guys, that's capitalism for you. Supply and demand. Oil prices are driven by how much investors and speculators are willing to pay for a barrel of oil on the open market, not set by oil companies.
• fimbulvetr's right - no one has a right to dolla-a-gallon gas. I hate to say it, but these gas prices might be just the thing to jumpstart conservation and alternative fuel research in the US. You can see it beginning already. And personally, I would *love* to see (a) some super efficient vehicles on the road, esp. non-gasoline based, and (b) America significantly (and I mean SIGNIFICANTLY) reduce it's imports of middle eastern oil in favor of South American, Russian and Canandian (and American, of course). The middle east, in my opinion, enjoys a world influence FAR beyond it's right due overwhelmingly to the world's need for oil. Yeah, I know, India and China will just buy whatever we don't. And I don't know that we've hit peak oil, but evidence seems to suggest (and people in the know act as if, which gives me more pause than the various henny-penny's gleefully predicting world upheaval and the impending death of bazillions when the taps run out) that oil is indeed becoming scarcer. Why not look ahead and get our ducks in a row, power wise, before real trouble starts brewing?
• And there's a very easy way for you to take a piece of the oil companies' profits back for yourself: buy a share of their stock!
• Right now I can't help but being irritatingly smug about my VW TDI Golf. And the fact that I live close enough walk to work. Heh. Sooner or later one of my friends is going to punch me in the mouth for it. It is interesting to see that Russia and Iran are pushing for oil to be sold in Euros instead of Greenbacks. I don't the the US will stand idly by and let that happen. But yeah, doesn't really matter if we cut back on usage, total world demand will make up for it. Anyways, Canada sends 99% of its oil exports to the US, and is currently the No. 1 supplier of oil to the US, followed by Mexico. And Russia has Europe over the barrel (heh) as they basically control oil and gas supplies there now. Interesting times.
• Also, if you check that link out, less than 25% of oil imported to the US comes from the Persian Gulf, and less than 10% comes from a Persian Guld country other than Saudia Arabia . . . makes you wonder why the heck they are messing around down there. One would think it would be much easier and cheaper to reduce consumption by 10% than maintain an expensive war. Oh well, as has been said by the Great Leader Bush, "The American Way of Life is not negotiable."
• The right to cheap gas is in the Constitution, dammit! At least, the Founders' intent that gas be cheap is in there; I'm certain of it!
• these gas prices might be just the thing to jumpstart conservation and alternative fuel research in the US *jaw drops in amazement at the normally cynical Fes Good Gahd--Next you'll be posting kitty pictures!
• As long as we're being irritatingly smug (and really, aren't we always?) I just bought a 2006 Smart ForTwo Grandstyle about three weeks ago. Not filling up is fun.
• Nice! I wish there was a photo gallery tho.
• Nice! I wanted a Smart, but they took too long in getting them into Canada, and my '82 Mercedes 300D was developing alarmingly large holes in the floor. In hindsight, however, it might have been a bit inconvenient cartopping my canoe on a Smart . . .
• You'd have better luck carrying a Smart on the canoe.
• Hey, then it would be amphibious! Just flip over when changing from land to water, water to land!
• I cannot find any decent pictures of Mr. Canoehead.
• And there's a very easy way for you to take a piece of the oil companies' profits back for yourself: buy a share of their stock! *stares at screen for a long time; shrugs, goes to bar*
• Pete, I found it hurtful when I asked Google for a list of "smartfortwo pictures" and it asked "Did you mean: smartfart pictures"? Bah. My car is NOT a smart fart. (weeps and feels awful)
• Take the bus! And buy a mac!
• I wouldn't pigeonhole Fes any time soon. Independent thinker.
• I knew there was something wrong with him.