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337 comments on DrumBeat: June 22, 2006

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tstreet on June 22, 2006 - 9:54am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Politicians scapegoat the oil companies because any other course of action would require some imagination and maybe even some sacrifice on the part of the constituents. Maybe the Republicans don't scapegoat as much but then they are in the corporations' pockets.  Instead, Frist comes up with "solutions" like $100 rebates.  And we actually pay these clowns with our tax dollars?  Or, at least Chinese dollars.

The oil companies try to do what all corporations do and that is maximize returns for their shareholders. Big deal.

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Robert Rapier on June 22, 2006 - 10:51am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Maybe the Republicans don't scapegoat as much but then they are in the corporations' pockets.

I agree that the Republicans have their own issues. But in this case, it was the Democratic governors who asked for sad tales about how the high cost of energy has affected us. So, I complied.

I also submitted a question for today's conference call with the governors. I asked when they were going to stop pointing fingers, and get serious about conservation. I also pointed out that claiming ethanol is the answer is incredibly naive.

RR

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xironman on June 22, 2006 - 4:32pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Robert,

  Of all the people on this board I respect you a lot. But "I would say that Democratic politicians are the worst offenders" and then you go on to say "I asked when they were going to stop pointing fingers".  Come on, give me a break, if your statement is to have people "not pointing fingers", it would be best to start at home.

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Robert Rapier on June 22, 2006 - 5:29pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Of all the people on this board I respect you a lot. But "I would say that Democratic politicians are the worst offenders" and then you go on to say "I asked when they were going to stop pointing fingers".  Come on, give me a break, if your statement is to have people "not pointing fingers", it would be best to start at home.

I am not sure I understand your point. Both sides are playing politics with a very important issue by blaming everyone by consumers for high gas prices. Dems are pointing fingers at Republicans and at oil companies for the energy crisis. Likewise, Republicans are pointing fingers at environmentalists and Democrats. This is too serious of an issue to play politics with, and I want to bring attention to these games.

If you are saying that I shouldn't be pointing fingers at their finger-pointing, well, I disagree. If enough people ask them to stop finger-pointing and playing politics, maybe they will get serious about addressing core issues. In that way, perhaps I can accomplish something by my finger-pointing. What exactly are they going to accomplish by pointing fingers at oil companies and blaming them for high gas prices?

RR

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xironman on June 22, 2006 - 6:34pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Damn,

  Sorry to not make my point well.  You say that that it is too serious a game for finger-pointing.  Yet you have no problem pointing fingers at Democrats.  Then you say "If enough people ask them to stop finger-pointing", yet there is no problem with you doing it yourself, as long as it is about Democrats.  Hey I could care less about politics, I hate everybody.  But if you want to know who screwed the pouch on the energy bill, you would have to look at those in power.  Though I am sure it is good for your paycheck, and I don't blame you for that.

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Robert Rapier on June 22, 2006 - 6:53pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Yet you have no problem pointing fingers at Democrats.  Then you say "If enough people ask them to stop finger-pointing", yet there is no problem with you doing it yourself, as long as it is about Democrats.

Well, that's your misinterpretation. I am not doing it just at Democrats. I am doing it at any grandstanding and pandering politicians.

But if you want to know who screwed the pouch on the energy bill, you would have to look at those in power.

The problem is both sides. Those not in power are generally not making suggestions that are truly helpful. They are grandstanding and trying to deflect attention from the real problem. Those in power are not pushing policies that are helpful, and I have directed ire at them. It takes a lot of courage to stand up and tackle the root cause, and I see few politicians willing to do it. So, they waste time, while we drive the truck toward the cliff. It ticks me off.

Though I am sure it is good for your paycheck, and I don't blame you for that.

My paycheck has nothing to do with it, and since that's how you view me, I won't be responding to you any further. I joined Big Oil to work on an alternative energy project. I advocate policies that would encourage conservation. How do you suppose that's good for my paycheck?

RR

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xironman on June 22, 2006 - 8:37pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Hmmm,

  This seems to be getting very negative, I had no intention of it getting that way.  Obviously I completely misinterpreted your opening comments, please forgive me.  I will try to reread it an understand your point of view.  Everyone tends to look out for place where there bread is buttered on, if you take offense, once again I give my regrets.

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Robert Rapier on June 22, 2006 - 8:56pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
This seems to be getting very negative, I had no intention of it getting that way.  Obviously I completely misinterpreted your opening comments, please forgive me.

No harm done. I do think you misunderstood my point. I am not just pointing fingers at Democrats. I am pointing fingers at those I believe are politically pandering. This issue is important. When I hear people say we can make gas cheap again by punishing the oil companies or watering down environmental protections, it makes me angry.

I am in a funny position, working for an oil company and supporting conservation and alternative energy. I am constantly surrounded by people on one side hurling names at me like "conservative", and then I have others snarling "liberal" at me. I have been called both in just the past 30 days. I don't really fit well with either party. I prefer most policies of the Democrats (especially with respect to science policy), but I don't like their constant oil company bashing. I understand that they can score political points, but I see it as a cynical ploy that offers no solutions.

RR    

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xironman on June 22, 2006 - 9:04pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Thanks,

  Please understand the sincerity in which I apologize for any transgression on my part, I guess I am to old and thick skinned to realize what I am saying.  

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Substrate on June 25, 2006 - 10:50am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I am constantly surrounded by people on one side hurling names at me like "conservative", and then I have others snarling "liberal" at me. I have been called both in just the past 30 days. I don't really fit well with either party.

Libservative! :P

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