Oil Is Here To Stay

Well, of course it is. But our dependence on foreign sources doesn't need to suck the lifeblood out of our economy!

Touché, Jeff!

Great article!

apparently Don decided to ignore the "here to stay" qualifier--- Don't kid yourself-- oil is here to stay, when measured against the life span of human beings.

Oil will still be going strong after you and I die. Even silly "hybrids" need gas. They are making silly "hybrids" BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO REAL ALTERNATIVE---- they still need gas.

b4 u blast some1 ???? *ROFL*

Buddy, the very name "hybrid" requires mixed energy sources. Gas is in fact, the the "default" source of vehiles, even hybrids and flex fuel.

deal with it goober.......

Yep.

I'm with you on this one! On the other hand, any sensible conservative could tell you that we definitely need to diversify our energy sources -- in the free market of course. "Peak oil" is indeed just a way to extract more money from us. If we could just stop or reduce all the market distortions (taxes, subsidies, regulations) -- we'd be in much better shape. Everyone should also check out what Lindsay Williams has to say on this subject -- I think he was a chaplain for the oil drillers up in Alaska, and really knows his stuff. Also read anything by George Reisman -- a free market economist from Pepperdine. Crony capitalism (a la Bush) has given real free-market capitalism a bad name -- so let's separate government from business, and let freedom ring!

I think he was a chaplain for the oil drillers up in Alaska, and really knows his stuff

I've seen the ridiculous videos-- every chapter, and it's a pathetic, anecdotal collection of stories without a shred of evidence to back him up. Just his word, that's all he offers to "validate" his ludicrous tales.

hybrid means to u gas and something else right?

Of course--- that is, any car ready for mass production. Some idiots out there run their cars on nothing but vegetable oil too. So what ??? Such cars aren't even being considered for mass production.

Dipshit.

There's plenty of oil in the world for many years. The only problem it that the other countries that have oil will hoard it and sell it at a higher price, and it will be much more costly to obtain in many other areas of this Earth.

Hybrids or gas electric is a good alternative for the diesel trucks I feel and the short distance plug in would be fine for folks like me as I rarely need to go more that twenty miles for any trip.

There's a lot of oil in the ocean off Florida and I feel that we should drill for it before the Cubans, and there is a lot of oil up in Alaska, as well as in the shale in the over-thrust area east of the Rockies.

I was most impressed by the huge wind farms I saw throughout Europe. The electricity produced is one viable alternative ready to replace this conventional energy source. But - I agree - oil will always be around. I just think that we should be putting it to better uses than burning it.

There isn't enough wind in the world to supplant oil as the dominate form of energy for buildings, and certainly cannot power the vehicles of the world.

But why is it. . . that we were able to convert all our car factories into building planes seemingly overnight in WWII but they can't frigging convert over to smaller cars and hybrid technology which does exist? We are being taken to the cleaners, lock-stock-and OIL BARRELS!

We need to sever our relationship with foreign oil, we need to tap into the reserves we do have that are plentiful, we need to conserve, and we need to stop blaming everyone else but ourselves. The basis of every economy is supply and demand. We Americans not only demand every drop of oil, we'll figure out every possible way to use it up as fast as we can. We are all guilty people, I don't care if you sport a pair of Birkenstocks or an Armani suit, it doesn't matter if we are liberal or conservative. We are all in this boat together and it's time we start bailing this ship out.

Jack, a short piece that actually says quite a lot and does get one thinking. Your observations should serve as a very positive starting point for people to realize that there are no quick fixes to our dependency on oil. We didn't become dependant overnight - and we cannot break our addiction overnight either. Politicians, like you say, all pitch their "solutions", but there's really no such thing.

P.S. Just noticed your new Icon. Which one are you in the group?!

jJack,
Lets say your right. Even if the Solar/Hydrogen era were to come to happen or Nuclear/Hydrogen we would still need huge amounts of Petroleum. Think of everything that is made of plastic or rubber. Think of just the Tire industry, Condoms, Medical, Automotive, Computers. Just look around where your setting and look at how many things are made of plastic. I though I would throw in Condoms because I figured some smartass would try to get funny so I beat them to it.
Now as far as Foreign Oil goes, who in here knows that we in the Continental USA have more natural resource in Petroleum than the Middle East. Who in here knows that our own Congress is blocking our companies from tapping into these resoures. Its time for US as Americans that Voted These Politicians into office to start asking them why they are so against drilling here in the USA.

But why is it. . . that we were able to convert all our car factories into building planes seemingly overnight in WWII but they can't frigging convert over to smaller cars and hybrid technology which does exist?

Because we knew how to make planes that could fly long distances-- auto engines became airplane engines. There was no "new technology" to incorporated into the airplanes to be built.

Not so with silly hybrids.

The reason they MUST create hybrids, is because they do not have another "alternative" that is able to fully replace oil. Batteries cannot go far enough and take too much time to recharge, hence, gasoline is REQUIRED to bridge the gap. Electric cars therefore, fully electric cars, are not practical and are not ready for prime time mass consumption. Same goes for any other "alternative" fuel available for "hybrid" cars.

There is no shortage of oil, but yes we should be drilling our own.

Thanks Mario, and since there is only one male in the picture, the answer to your question should be self apparent.

The reason that oil is used like this is BECAUSE the conservative lawmakers are allowing this. Bush has made it easier than ever to manipulate the markets, and republicans have fought to make the ICE market unregulated, and legal. You say that oil is here to stay, we have alternatives to oil, but many republicans don't want to hear about this because they are addicted to Big oil money. If you listen to the experts, and the manipulators China's demand will grow to the size of our in 50 or so years, that would increase oil demand by 21 times. That would eliminate all of the oil on earth, even if we drilled everywhere. Look at the facts, and you will see the truth.

jJack,

I agree with much of what you say but the Flying Fortesses were not powered by an auto engine, ok? It took grit and determination to create what we did, when we needed it most, in such short of an amount time.

We are America. We are and I hope we remain (yet it dwindles rapidly by outsourcing) the geographic and innovative technological core that this planet has to offer. We have clean SAFE nuclear energy (this doesn't decrease bat populations counts whereas wind mills slay), we have coal, we have vast oil fields, and we have the technology to drill with minimal environmental impact. We do need to conserve and promote rapid transit. We need to thumb our noses at larger cars and SUVs and I'm guilty, I own at least one but I do commute in a carpool; yeah for me, right? I bike or use a moped to the nearest store and I do buy locally. I recycle. Sheesh, I'm a goddamned saint! No, I'm not. I just listened to my parents who weathered out WWII and the Great Depression, and through osmosis and/or genetic predistribution garnered the belief that yes, we are the best and we should be the best. We have a hand of bad cards going for us right now in this game of possibility but we're folding right now, that shouldn't be. I think it's time to step back and look at the situation, and decide which card we're going to discard.

Many of the offshore drilling firms have stated that they can begin extracting oil in as little as 1-5 years depending on location. There is no estimate as to when the oil-free alternatives will be available. We Should Start NOW!!!

Mark S-- your blather proves you listen to idiots.

Francesca, your input seemed rather rant like this time around as well.

We should have "started" long ago poliwonk.

Good article, jJack....and if the prices are here to stay, there will be some major shifts in the world as we know it...

Oil is on it's way back down, as the dollar rises.

stay on article content, or remain ignored

I don't think I'll leave a comment on the content. If I disagree with the author, I'll be slammed up against the wall. If I do agree with the author, I'll be an idiot.

Thus, no comment.

"Since the 70s the prophets of doom and goom have been selling their fear, to a fear filled public." Yup, and they had a point, based on our current situation. At the same time, the prophets of smugness, comfort, and denial have sold their product, and most of us have bought a hefty helping of it.

"I can't imagine why anyone would consider the liberal path, when the conservative agenda is much less expensive and far more expedient." Less expensive short term, maybe, but unworkable long term.

"Fossil fuels in general, and oil/gasoline aren't going away anytime soon." In one sense, no they are not going away any time soon, agreed. Retooling the entire american economy is like steering the titanic. But hey, there's an iceberg out there. In another sense, actually oil/gasoline is indeed "going away". When you burn it, it turns into heat, carbon dioxide, etc. You can't change it back into gasoline. It is a finite resource.

"Oil/gasoline are used for stationary, and mobil needs, fueling our vehicles and buildings alike. Few of the suggested alternatives are able to offer the same low cost, duel use this fossil fuel delivers." Good job of describing the status quo, which for reasons of supply and demand as well as climate change is unsustainable. I note that you left climate change out of the equation, which is because you do not believe that it exists.

Auntie, I don't mind disagreement *chuckle*

but unworkable long term

Hardly, we have enough fossil fuels in this country for hundreds of years to come.

It is a finite resource.

That certainly isn't a proven fact, and highly debateable.

for reasons of supply and demand as well as climate change is unsustainable

So says you, though many scientists disagree.

I note that you left climate change out of the equation, which is because you do not believe that it exists.

Of course it exists. It existed long before mankind showed up on the planet. Just because it exists doesn't mean we are to "blame" or that we could do anything about such natural cycles occuring.

I also agree with richard that petroleum is vital in the chemical industry. The more burned, the less is available for that use.

petro is vital, PERIOD.

we are thirty years closer to running out of oil than we were in 1978. nature aint making any more of it, because we have either paved or converted into farmland much of our planet's swampland. Of course we dont have millions of years to wait until the swamp would be converted by massive pressure into oil deposits anyway.
There are seven billion of us, and we all want a car. Makes me nervous even if it does not make you.

Every once in a while jJack manages to slur out something coherant.

Oil is NOT the problem. How it is manipulated is the problem. How it is considered as a commodity. The price levels of oil are not sustainable economically or politically which is evident in the state of the economy and soon to be manifest in the polling booth. And when all those deflated dollars held by oil moguls domestically and internationally are suddenly spiked in value because the regulatory climate is changed, we shall see a far greater consolidation of world weath, (and political/militiary power) in fewer and fewer hands. Which has been the intention all along.

thanks mister conspiracy theory boy *chuckle*

"It took grit and determination to create what we did, when we needed it most, in such short of an amount time. "

And yet there are those that will tell you that there is no way that we could see a drop for ten years. Well half of those years would be spent dealing with the 6 million miles of political/bureaucratic red tape. I don't think that the putting a hole in the ground or building a pipeline would take ten years. Not if we are capable of turning our whole country around to produce weapons to defend this country in a short amount of time.

I tried to read the comments but so many have been deleted that I can't adequately determine the line of discussion

Then you're an idiot, because the commments that were deleted were nothing but insults directed at me, and did not comment upon the content of the article at all.

I inspire vitriol from morons all the time, I don't know about you.

Charles M--- I agree.

I inspired idiots to be idiots because I won't let them simply insult me without commenting on the article ??? *chuckle* okay, so what ???

I don't mind being insulted, as long as you comment on the article itself. Two people could not do that-- now you've done it two comments in a row. By rights I should just delete your whining too.

Oh, we'll be using oil some years after those of us here have died. That's pretty certain, like there are houses that burn wood for heat. Imagine the entire world burning wood, as we did over 100 years ago. 100 years from now, there might be the odd historical house or car that gets a dispensation... but oil will not be driving the economy. In fact, yesterday afternoon, even Bush finally agreed to halve the greenhouse gases pollution by 2050.

But let us stroll down memory lane.

You wrote >>Since the 70s the prophets of doom and gloom have been selling their fear<<

I'm not sure who these prophets are?

But let us take that small walk intro history:

In the late 60's ands early 70's, when I studied environmental science, there was a lot of similar divisive discussion about acid rain and certain heavy metals as we now have about global warming, the sulfur components in car and industry exhaust, the destruction of our old hardwood forests, trout stream deaths and priceless outdoor archaeological antiquities in Rome crumbling from the ph of the rain, for example. Eventually, there was enough of a human impact to force politicians to enact legislation cleaning many of the responsible particulates through better fuels, catalytic converters and more efficient smokestacks. A decade and half later, we had the same debate about eliminating chlorofluorocarbons from air conditioners, refrigeration systems etc. when NASA discovered we were generating these ozone-layer holes at the poles that were broadening out to the middle latitudes. But the science to our self-destruction of the ozone layer had already been discussed in 1973, in of all places, Kyoto, Japan, when international scientists began sharing their results, including University of Michigan and Harvard researchers who had linked the destruction of our very fragile ozone layer (O3, which absorbs a critical-for-survival wavelength of the sun's UV radiation) to man's use of oxides of chlorine, such as the bi-product of a rocket launch or chlorofluorocarbon usage. Well, it took some decades, but if we remember the mid-1980's... when everyone was decrying the science that was forcing the auto and refrigeration industry to re-tool... and then slowly, the ozone layer replenished itself to an extent.

Bent- yes. To summarize, the prophets of doom and gloom have been repeatedly correct, and prospects for human survival exist because we have actually acted on the suggestions of some of those prophets of doom and gloom.

the prophets of doom and gloom have been repeatedly correct

*chuckle*

Jack, as you know all options that are available should be perused, such as using Natural Gas for cars, diesel electric hybrids for trucks, wind farm and solar to add electricity to the grid, and to drill for more oil, as it's there, and easy to get.

We in the US have enough to be self sufficient, however, I feel that we should still turn towards our neighbors Canada and Mexico, as they also have quite a lot of resources, and we would be a benefit for them.

However, we in the US have no energy plan and need one that will get us there.

great article

Richard, no I don't believe "all options" should be pursued. Most of them aren't viable sources of energy for our needs, and there is no shortage of oil.

Thanks Diane

Been saying it for month's...every machine that builds every machine that builds every machine uses lubrication, and not merely gas...

lube me *chuckle* another good point

...LUBE-IT-UP!

jJack,

Excellent post! The price of oil has been manipulated. And it will continue to be manipulated as I doubt three is a force capable of changing that fact. However, I do believe we should free ourselves, and this includes drilling off shore of in the ANWR, of the need for petroleum from the Mideast. That has never been a stable part fo this planet and to have our economy, defense and transportation so dependent on them is unacceptable.

Regardless of the argument over renewable resources or fossil fuel, any drilling we do her will not go to waste as there will be, after all transportation is changed to something else, a need for oil to make the tires we use, many of the plastics, medical equipment and many other things which will continue into the unforeseeable future.

By allowing the oil companies their drilling in these locations and holding them to tight environmental standards in the process, we are removing all excuses they can come up with as being the abused, wholesome and civic minded corporations they'd like to think of themselves. Perhaps then they could actually start drilling right away on some of the many permits they hold for drilling in this country, already.

While alternative energy sources may well play a major role down the line, oil is still our short term mainstay for energy in this nation and the world. And we do need to develop our existing resources.

Jack - re: "There isn't enough wind in the world to supplant oil as the dominate form of energy for buildings, and certainly cannot power the vehicles of the world."

Contradicting you is none other than T. Boone Pickens, one of the original bigtime wildcat oilmen:
"The United States is the Saudi Arabia of wind power."
Check out his blog if you want to hear what oil men say about the future of oil:
www.tboonepickens.com
(thank you Chris W!)

And just yesterday economical solar panels were unveiled along with plans to cover deserts in the SW with them. One such installation already in place generates enough electricity to run Albuquerque (pop 1/2 million) So wind is just one aspect of the solution.

I agree with you that oil isn't going away, but it's like corn - too valuable to burn. I'm sure both are (or could be) used in the construction of the equipment used to generate all that electricity.

Richard, I mentioned the silly "saudi arabia of wind" comment in the article. Big deal.

Even T. Boone admits you can't put a wind farm just anywhere, there MUST BE WIND, and there are lots of places it just isn't windy enough to make wind power viable.

Solar is better than wind, but only on an individualized basis, not for entire city grids. Albuquerque isn't NYC or LA, and the "sun farms" that would be required to power such cities would cover the landscape of remaining land.

Far better uses will be found. Wind, or solar, neither is ready for prime time mass consumption.

Jack - of course there "MUST BE WIND" as there must be oil to drill, and there are a lot of places where there is no oil -

And, as far as "cover the landscape" goes - they are covering it in 4.5 sq mile grids now.

It's happening and working - you speak in absolutes that are not - it is the gray area where the changes will come. Years from now we will look back at this current technology and smile at the humble beginnings. Oil will always be a part of our lives - even as an energy producer. But it really is way too valuable to burn.

must be wind ?? *chuckle* Tell that to Christopher Columbus *double chuckle*

Oil can be transported, not so with wind generated energy. It is an ABSOLUTE FACT wind cannot replace oil as the dominate energy source for our buldings, much less our vehicles.

Oil is the energy of choice for a reason, it is cheap, it is readily available, and it is flexible in the ways it can be used.

Nothing is too valuable to burn, when the entire world needs something to burn.

You remain stuck in your absolutes - nice trying to talk to you, anyway.

That's all there is, absolutes. Only people without convictions see gray/grey areas. If you don't see absolutes, you aren't seeing the world properly.

Wow jack what a narrow view.

wow kevin what an insipid comment *chuckle*

good article and a very valid point!

Thanks Charles.....

Hey, jJack, still for Obama. Just wanted to check and see if the world was going to end soon. lol

is meeeeeeeeeCain still running ????

boy you are a dummy if you have to keep asking *chuckle*

Oil is here to stay

You mean until it's gone right?

Without disputing what you are saying, which is absolutely true (oil here to stay), I have to look at our "need" for oil as the way a heroin addict "needs" heroin. So I ask this: When the availabilty of opium decreases (no thanks to our efforts in Afghanistan) for whatever reasons and the dealer starts price-gouging the addicts, should the addicts' solution be to grow their own poppy fields and creating more jobs in the refinement of opium for heroin? Or would it be best for the addict to adopt a healthier lifestyle and not create additional industry in the problem field?

'' is meeeeeeeeeCain still running ????

boy you are a dummy if you have to keep asking *chuckle*''

Well, he keeps ''trying'' to run, when he remembers that he ''is'' running. I just still find it hard to believe me and you agree on something. I would have thought that since Barr entered the race, you would have jumped ship for him?

BTW, I disagree with you one the oil is here to stay thing, too. Oil is only here to stay as long as it exists. Someday that finite resource, ''will'' disappear. We, of the 20 - 21 century have used up a vast majority of a resource that was meant for the future too. I wouldn't want to be here in 100 years, after peak oil is just a memory. Our selfishness will be the ruin of the planet.

Oh, also. bu$h is the pusher. First he tells us that we are addicted, then he says, we need to drill for more.

''GOD DAMN, THE PUSHER MAN. I SAY GODDDDDDDD DAMN, THE PUSHER MAN''.

"...LUBE-IT-UP!"

Yes MJ! You took the words out of err...my mouth!

(call me)

(rrring-rrriing)!

Frances---- damn good question about the poppy fields. Of course getting off the drugs would be the sensible thing, but do addicts do the sensible thing ???

dummy, I doubt if we agree at all, for the reasons I would vote for obammie would probably be very different than the reasons you would vote for him.

lois, mark-john, get a room *chuckle*

jJack, I believe Lois has already taken care of that... *snicker*

Nope, addicts do not normally do the sensible thing and niether will us Americans.

''dummy, I doubt if we agree at all, for the reasons I would vote for obammie would probably be very different than the reasons you would vote for him.''

So enlighten us.

Jjack, I listen to oil experts, not republican talking heads. Lets see how much you know about oil:

What is the ICE Market?

Who is T Boone Pickens, and why did he buy 3 Billion dollars worth of turbine from GE?

How much oil does China use person in comparison to the United States? And, what is the expected usage for China 50 years from now?

How much does the Saudi's feel the price of oil should be?

Why don't you answer some of these questions, and think about what you are writting, you should change your mind real quick. But, I won't hold my breathe

please, hold your breath until you're blue *chuckle*

what makes you think I would act on your stupid command ??? *ROFL*

I don't "listen" to anyone--- I read, and I can read between the lines of your comments. You seem to be a very insecure person trying to prove your mettle by attacking the biggest brain on the block *ROFL*

''by attacking the biggest brain on the block *ROFL*''

I knew it, you're really Pinky the Brain, aren't you?

So who here will give a damn when oil goes back to $60-75 per barrel, gas goes back down to $2.25 (or less) and new refineries are started? I find it interesting that Chrystler is not abandoning their gas sucking line. There is nothing but policy supporting oil price and when the policy makers go back to the private sector and reap what they've sown and true representitive governing returns oil will drop and this debate will only happen in context of global warming.

MARK MY WORDS

"OIL PICES WILL COME DOWN IN TIME FO THE ELECTION OF JOHN MCCAIN'

because you can fool too many of the people too much of the time.

The points you made can not be debated. I agree one hundred percent. Time for the moonbats to get off the stick and start drilling.

Shut it boo boo, the only one who will be drilling around here is me, so bend over, shut your yap and smile, this will only hurt for a minute.