who is charge here?

oddmanin · Associate Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Posts: 55 votes: 1

if opec controls the pursestrings on flow/constriction/cost of oil, why is not more pressure being brought to bear on opec to do more? we're so concerned with tiptoeing around governments because it is in our 'pragmatic' interests to do so----i say what goes around comes around-----if you deny us, well then, say goodbye to widgets and food and technology--while it is absolutely a short term solution to the energy problem, the long term answer is to be, of course, self sufficient---that is ostensibly why the oil companies are getting multi billion dollar government kickbacks for 'research' (tho why they cant research on their own dime, when they clearly have MANY of them is beyond me...40 billion$ profit PER QUARTER!!?!?!?)----i'd like to know what alternatives they have been coming up with from the utilization of those monies ( BESIDES rippin the shit out of alaska, the arctic, or the HUGE impact corn production and diversion for fuel is having on not only our food supplies, but also on global food sources)------i certainly have not seen much progress, and we are still politically and practically held by the balls by a small but deadly contingent of those who would be happy to see us wiped from the earth---ifn you ask me, the oil companies are as much at fault for the destabilization of governments and global resources as any politician or party----and we're paying them to do it...

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Rupchuk · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:28 pm Post subject:

The higher the prices the more the masses will scream for a change. If the prices go back to the levels we saw in the 90s people would stop caring about alternative fuels as much. Honestly most people do not care about the pollution to the environment as much as they care about being able to travel to their jobs and to the store.

I'd like to see engines that run off of ethyl alcohol available to civilians at low prices. That way every person could make their own fuel with a home distillery. Make a little moonshine and you can not only have a party but you can also fuel your car. You can use just about any plant to make it too, not just corn.

I think I'm going to work to make an ethanol engine and then make my own fuel production station. I like the idea of being almost completely independent of not only the global but also the national economy.
_________________
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."

oddmanin · Associate Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Posts: 55 votes: 1

the thing is, we absolutely should not be held economically or philosophically captive by either option---we have it within our power to make sure a child does not starve to death, to make sure clean potable water is available to all, to make sure a populace has a shot at making a living without having to decide between utilities and food, or medicine or gasoline-----i wouldnt be surprised (in a seriously paranoid kinda scenario) if these price spikes arent a response by the companies to the publics refusal to wipe out our national wild heritage-----like----we cant rape the wilderness, so we'll just rape YOU-----there are the "french fry" biofuel energy kits available now, but its not very practical for every household to have one, and again, we are back to the problem of land use for fuel vs food-----both appetites are ravenous, but i'm afraid commerce will out over humanity---which ultimately means there are "expendable" parts of humanity---so---who will it be---you, me---i can guarandamntee it wont be them.....

oddmanin · Associate Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Posts: 55 votes: 1

Published on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 by The Guardian/UK
Food Price Rises Threaten Global Security - UN
by David Adam

Rising food prices could spark worldwide unrest and threaten political stability, the UN’s top humanitarian official warned yesterday after two days of rioting in Egypt over the doubling of prices of basic foods in a year and protests in other parts of the world.0409 12

Sir John Holmes, undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs and the UN’s emergency relief coordinator, told a conference in Dubai that escalating prices would trigger protests and riots in vulnerable nations. He said food scarcity and soaring fuel prices would compound the damaging effects of global warming. Prices have risen 40% on average globally since last summer.

“The security implications [of the food crisis] should also not be underestimated as food riots are already being reported across the globe,” Holmes said. “Current food price trends are likely to increase sharply both the incidence and depth of food insecurity.”

He added that the biggest challenge to humanitarian work is climate change, which has doubled the number of disasters from an average of 200 a year to 400 a year in the past two decades.

As well as this week’s violence in Egypt, the rising cost and scarcity of food has been blamed for:

· Riots in Haiti last week that killed four people

· Violent protests in Ivory Coast

· Price riots in Cameroon in February that left 40 people dead

· Heated demonstrations in Mauritania, Mozambique and Senegal

· Protests in Uzbekistan, Yemen, Bolivia and Indonesia

UN staff in Jordan also went on strike for a day this week to demand a pay rise in the face of a 50% hike in prices, while Asian countries such as Cambodia, China, Vietnam, India and Pakistan have curbed rice exports to ensure supplies for their own residents.

Officials in the Philippines have warned that people hoarding rice could face economic sabotage charges. A moratorium is being considered on converting agricultural land for housing or golf courses, while fast-food outlets are being pressed to offer half-portions of rice.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation says rice production should rise by 12m tonnes, or 1.8%, this year, which would help ease the pressure. It expects “sizable” increases in all the major Asian rice producing countries, especially Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Burma, the Philippines and Thailand.

Holmes is the latest senior figure to warn the world is facing a worsening food crisis. Josette Sheeran, director of the UN World Food Programme, said last month: “We are seeing a new face of hunger. We are seeing more urban hunger than ever before. We are seeing food on the shelves but people being unable to afford it.”

The programme has launched an appeal to boost its aid budget from $2.9bn to $3.4bn (£1.5bn to £1.7bn) to meet higher prices, which officials say are jeopardising the programme’s ability to continue feeding 73 million people worldwide.

Robert Zoellick, president of the World Bank, said “many more people will suffer and starve” unless the US, Europe, Japan and other rich countries provide funds. He said prices of all staple food had risen 80% in three years, and that 33 countries faced unrest because of the price rises.

In the UK, Professor John Beddington, the new chief scientific adviser to the government, used his first speech last month to warn the effects of the food crisis would bite more quickly than climate change. He said the agriculture industry needed to double its food production, using less water than today.

He said the prospect of food shortages over the next 20 years was so acute it had to be tackled immediately: “Climate change is a real issue and is rightly being dealt with by major global investment. However, I am concerned there
is another major issue along a similar time-scale - that of food and energy security.”

Rupchuk · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:03 am Post subject:

Hmmm. Seems that what goes around comes around. The rise in oil prices has caused the US to research into ethanol, which has caused us to turn a good chunk of our corn crop into fuel instead of food.

Once I get my own place I'm going to start working on a distillery and a human powered generator. Why wait on the government or big corporations for change in the status quo?
_________________
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."

oddmanin · Associate Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Posts: 55 votes: 1

Wal-Mart's Sam's Club chain limits rice purchase
By Andria Cheng, MarketWatch
Last update: 4:17 p.m. EDT April 23, 2008
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NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said its Sam's Club wholesale club chain is limiting the sale of some rice to four bags per member visit because of what it described as "supply and demand trends."
Jasmine, basmati and long-grain white rices will be subject to those purchase restrictions, as long as they are allowed by law, in the 594 clubs across the U.S., said Sam's Club spokeswoman Kristy Reed. New Mexico and Idaho are the only two states that forbid such practice, she said.
Reed declined to comment specifically on whether the restriction stemmed from a shortage in imports or a rush among consumers to hoard these commodities. Wal-Mart said at this point, it's not limiting purchases of flour or oil.
"We are working with our suppliers to address this matter to ensure we are in stock," Wal-Mart (WMT:
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc
COST 69.60, +1.52, +2.2%) , the largest U.S. wholesale club, is limiting sales of items such as rice and flour.
A call to Costco wasn't immediately returned.
Both warehouse clubs have seen their sales outperform the rest of the industry, as budget-conscious shoppers make bulk purchases in consolidated trips to save money as oil prices remain near record highs and the U.S. is mired in concerns about declining housing and credit markets.
The global food inflation has led to riots in some developing countries as well as to cutbacks on rice exports from Asia, the world's largest exporter of rice.
Wal-Mart shares rose 0.65% Wednesday to close at $56.92. Costco shares climbed 2.2% to end the day at $69.60. End of Story
Andria Cheng is a MarketWatch reporter based in New York.

oddmanin · Associate Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Posts: 55 votes: 1

it seems bushy pretty much confirmed my "well, we cant rape our wilderness, so we'll rape YOU" theory of gas pricing dickotry in his latest news conference---he seemed a bit put out congress wont let his oil buddies have at in ANWR----here are a few facts/opinions that prove his theory of ANWR miraculously pulling us out of this mess to be just so much silliness http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...043001821_pf.html a bit of preamble laced with hyperbole, but some good facts down in the body... http://www.cosmicparadigm.com/Newslet...al_Report_Oil.htm , http://www.salon.com/politics/war_roo...h_anwr/index.html , and here is some of JRs thoughts on his own policies to be... http://www.nytimes.com/library/politi...62800wh-bush.html --- "...Mr. Bush said: "The fundamental question is, 'Will I be a successful president when it comes to foreign policy?' "
He went on to suggest, as he did in answer to other questions, that voters should simply trust him. " So, hows that trust thing workin?