Why "It's All Good" for the Oil Companies

A friend of mine (who has very different political views than my own) and I had a rather profound and lengthy discussion recently about the price of oil, it's relation to the economy, and why neither good nor bad economic news seems to slow its ascent. For example, my friend was rather baffled why higher unemployment and a weaker dollar would cause the USO (Oil Exchange Traded Fund) to climb even higher. After all, he reasoned, wouldn't that mean that people would be buying less and that despite the declining purchasing power, companies would have a difficult lowering prices until the price of oil (needed to produce and transport goods) came down? Hmmm.... it would seem so, would it not? However, despite the facts that my friend stated, there are other facts still pushing oil higher. Although higher unemployment would seemingly push oil prices lower, 5.5% unemployment is not enough to frighten oil companies into believing that consumption will slow dramatically. In addition, China's economy continues to boom spurring an increasing demand for more oil causing even more hardship on the average American by pushing gasoline and heating oil prices ever higher while their wages are able to purchase less than they did last year or last month. These hardships do not matter to the oil companies. Consumption has not dropped enough to make a difference to their bottom line, and they have not found the breaking point at which the consumer will rebel. Therefore, their profits continue to grow. So, until things get "bad enough" to cause the U.S. consumer to stop purchasing, oil companies will continue to push prices higher, soaking the consumer for every penny possible.

And, if the U.S. economy were to turn around and begin booming... well, it's like I said in the title. It's all good for the oil companies.

War in Iraq - Clock

1904 Days since the start of the War in Iraq

U.S. Military Casualties since the start of the War in Iraq

(Includes casualties from fighting in Afghanistan)

Deaths - 4611

Wounded - 30333

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Carrey & McCarthy on Autism

Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy are doing a great service to the cause of preventing autism. I am sure that they will be slandered by many in the Medical-Industrial Complex for things they have said and done to increase awareness about the possibility of a connection between vaccinations and autism. However, the questions that they and the host of other families affected by autism raise about the link between vaccines and autism are completely valid. Some of the questions being asked are:

• Why are children being vaccinated even when they are ill? And, why is there no research being done comparing children who have been vaccinated when healthy versus children who were vaccinated when ill?
• Why are doctors continuing to give children multiple vaccinations during one visit when there has been no research into possible adverse interactions between the vaccinations being given?
• Why are the CDC, FDA and the rest of the medical community so reluctant to demand that more testing be done and that more precautions be taken until questions like those listed above are answered?

These are just a few of the questions that parents and other family members are asking when it comes to the pharmaceutical companies and children's health and safety. They are not unreasonable questions. They are not "radical" ideas. The pharmaceutical companies have a responsibility to their consumers to answer questions like those above and many others being asked by families who are trying to deal with physical and mental health problems like autism. Even more, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FDA have been charged with the responsibility to hold doctors and pharmaceutical companies accountable to the public whom they serve. If you know someone with autism (most likely you do), please contact the CDC, the FDA, and the Surgeon General's office to request that they demand further vaccination testing and to implement more stringent rules concerning how vaccines are administered at least until further research has been completed. Thank you.

War in Iraq - Clock

1902 Days since the start of the War in Iraq

U.S. Military Casualties since the start of the War in Iraq

(Includes casualties from fighting in Afghanistan)

Deaths - 4606

Wounded - 30333

Rev. Ralph Parsley - "We Get Off On Warfare"

Really Mr. Parsley? Sorry, I have difficulty calling anyone "Reverend" who claims that followers of Jesus "get off on warfare." Firstly, "get off" - as anyone who has lived in American society for more than a year would know - refers to experiencing a sexual climax, usually by masturbation. So, Mr. Parsley, you masturbate over warfare? Over the idea of people being murdered? Over the thought of innocent children being maimed and killed? And this is in your mind, "Christ-like"? You're a sick individual, Mr. Parsley, and need psychological help.

War in Iraq - Clock

1901 Days since the start of the War in Iraq

U.S. Military Casualties since the start of the War in Iraq

(Includes casualties from fighting in Afghanistan)

Deaths - 4605

Wounded - 30333

War in Iraq - Clock

1895 Days since the start of the War in Iraq

U.S. Military Casualties since the start of the War in Iraq

(Includes casualties from fighting in Afghanistan)

Deaths - 4594

Wounded - 30331

War in Iraq - Clock

1894 Days since the start of the War in Iraq

U.S. Military Casualties since the start of the War in Iraq

(Includes casualties from fighting in Afghanistan)

Deaths - 4594

Wounded - 30329

War in Iraq - Clock

1892 Days since the start of the War in Iraq

U.S. Military Casualties since the start of the War in Iraq

(Includes casualties from fighting in Afghanistan)

Deaths - 4591

Wounded - 30329

CNN Analysis of D.C. Madam Death Completely Flawed

CNN did a supposed analysis of theories on the death of D.C. Madam, Deborah Jeane Palfrey. However, the said analysis was severely flawed. Here are some of the gaping holes in their "analysis."

1. CNN used C.D.C. statistics for suicide by "suffocation" to show that men and women use "hanging" as the method of suicide at almost the same rate. This is completely inaccurate. Although death by hanging does certainly cause suffocation, there are many other methods of suffocation used to commit suicide other than hanging. In fact, women choose the hanging method at a much lower rate than men.

2. CNN said that there is no dependable way to analyze handwriting. This is absolutely false and in fact, the FBI uses handwriting analysis when investigating crimes.

3. CNN uses hearsay from a supposed reporter who says that Ms. Palfrey told him that she would rather die than go to prison despite the fact that there are recordings of her stating that she would definitely not commit suicide so that she could defend herself in court and expose the government.

CNN has not done its job in uncovering the facts in this case. They have only parroted the information provided to them by the authorities.