I don't buy from Exxon, Mobil Or LUKOIL. I am not going to let any of my money or their profits go to Russia!

The $400 million retirement package for that over-fed ba$tard from Exxon says it all.

NOBODY (present company excluded) is worth that--especially considering fat-a$$ was only there for four (4) years.

This was publishied this morning on a marketing and westher advisory service I subscribe to.:
"For the first time in recorded history, the price of crude oil broke $72-
a-barrel. Gasoline is now expected to top $3-a-gallon, probably within a week
or two. Before the summer is over, many forecasters say we could see prices
close to $4-a-gallon, and that's assuming we don't see any major hurricanes.
Prices are going crazy because of the fears of an interrupted supply of oil
from the Middle East, especially from Iran. With much higher energy prices and
rising interest rates, the American economy may suffer a horrific blow as many
people will no longer be able to afford the extra ammenities.
It's hard to believe, but the CEO of Exxon got $756 million. We should
probably change our Constitution to "We The Corporations"....not "We The
People", because this is the new reality.
It's no secret that our President and Vice President favor the CORN-USERS
over the corn-producers as well as BIG OIL and cattle. (Crude oil has been
called "Texas Tea." Remember the Beverly Hillbillies?)
But, according to the editorial director of the Delta Farm Press, Hembree
Brandon, in an article sent to me by Sherland Hamilton of Arkansas earlier
this year;
"Most people who own these vehicles don't even know that they can easily
burn ethanol, because the information is buried in an inconspicuous spot in
their owner's manual. Even if they did know, however, there are very few
places to buy the stuff, except in the Midwest where most of the ethanol is
produced."
Brandon went on to say;
"Most states with major metropolitan centers of 50,000 or more people do
not even have a single station selling E-85 ethanol. In the entire country
less than 500 out of 176,000 stations sell ethanol." (Some "mandate", huh?)
We need to earmark at least 30% of this year's corn crop to ethanol. Yes, I
certainly do see $4-plus corn if we do this. But, my farmers actually need $5
to $6 corn and $10 soybeans in order to really make a profit and survive.
Once again, in quoting Mr. Brandon;
"What's WRONG with this picture? The United States has the capability to
produce many millions more gallons of ethanol than the 4 billion currently
being manufactured. And, all auto makers, domestic and foreign, can crank out
flex-fuel vehicles with no sweat (and usually at no additional cost)."
Mr. Brandon went on to add;
"In Brazil, where gasoline prices are in the neighborhood of $4-per-gallon,
owners of flex-fuel cars can fill their tanks for about half that amount.
Brazil, brought to its knees by the Arab Oil Embargo of the mid-1970s, did
what no other country in the world has done so dramatically --- It MANDATED
development of an ethanol industry and all types of vehicles that would run on
biofuels."
Today, Brazil has nearly 30,000 flex-fuel stations. More than 40 percent of
all the fuel used by Brazilian motorists is now ethanol or even PURE ALCOHOL,
no gasoline at all! Within just a few short years, Brazil expects to be self-
sufficient in fuel production, including BIODIESEL.
I should mention that SUGAR and SOYBEAN producers, particularly the sugar
people, have greatly benefitted from soaring Brazilian biofuel production.
Sugar has TRIPLED in price and still the cost of ethanol is only about 60
percent of gasoline in the country.
In this hemisphere, the U.S. sales of biodiesel TRIPLED last year, but
still account for less than 1 percent of the total diesel fuel sold
nationwide.
This past January, country singer Willie Nelson introduced California to
his "BIO-WILLIE B-20". It's an extremely clean-burning fuel made from soybeans
as we know.
Biodiesel has become America's fastest growing alternative fuel. There are
now more than 600 filling stations nationwide selling it to the public. We
need 6,000 to 10,000 such stations by 2008. It will happen, if Mr. Bush
finally climbs on board the "BIODLESEL TRAIN." Cliff Harris "

I also read the articles about Brazil. Now thats what I'm talking about! Even here in the northeast we have so much tillable land that is just growing up to brush. (former dairy farms) We could grow enough product to produce more E85 than you could shake a stick (or sugar cane) at. There are many plants that can be used to make E85. There are just so many up sides to this i can't believe we are not pushing it!

There was a show on TV recently that talked about Brazil and there progress. There was a guy.. CEO of SunMicrosoft? I believe that is investing heavly in E85. He was taken aside and told that if he continues, they (oil companies) would lower thier prices to stop his progress.

It was announced recently in our area the the Meijer stores are going to start selling E85 at all their stations. Made an aggreement with GMAC I believe.. Hoping that it heads in that direction. The new fuel injection I am playing with will sense the content of ethanol and adjust the fuel map accordingly. I am a ways from it, but corn ethanol in the boat.. It will be interesting to see how long it takes before people cant afford to go boating.. ouch!!

Dick

Dick, I'd like to hear more about that injection system you are messing with.
I was reading today that IRL ( Indy Racing League) is going to be running E10 this year and next year E100! They are seeing increased power running a 10% blend and have set track records at the first two races of the season.

Using biodiesel in my f-250, seems to run fine. Haven't towed the boat with it yet. Should get around to it on friday. Anyone know how a 502 will run on biodiesel?

I get 2mpg better milage on Biodiesel with my 2002 F350.
Hey, bump the compression a little and try it in the 502. In boats we could run B20.

Gas prices are PRIMARLY driven by speculation in the futures markets. Inventories are up to near all time highs, that means we have had excess production. At some point it mathematically must turn around, or refineries must produce less, or they must keep operating at near capacity and dump fuel down the drain, mathematically there is no other option.

Each year we find more oil accessible than we are using, meaning actually the world's oil supply is INCREASING...

I am definitely no "big oil" apologist, but Exxon really has little control over the price of oil (if they could control fuel prices they would not have let them drop in the 90's, no one screamed when they lost their shirts then). Over time Exxon will return a 12% to 14% profit, they took a beating in the past, now they are getting a windfall.

That does not make it easier on you and I, but it is reality.

Much of the fear in the futures markers comes from the idea that the left may be successful in getting the US off track in Iraq, or we may end up with a war in Iran. So if you want to point a finger, point it at that nut in Iran and the left in America. I know, it seems like they could be unrelated parties, but THAT is where about $1.00 per gallon of gas price increase is coming from.


To reduce oil prices we need to win the war in Iraq, let the world know that we are serious about stopping Iran from developing (everyone is convinced, as soon as they have some weapons they will use them) and if that means turning them so a glass parking lot so be it.


Bush and company better get a handle on this fast, presidential poll numbers are more closely tied to gas prices than anything, it is what is hurting Bush, and what saved Clinton. I have wondered if there is not a major push coming by Bush and company to change the opinion of future traders later this year so fuel prices start turning back nearer election time....

Dean, you are right about it being driven by commodity traders. The last couple of years the has been a large increase in Commodity Funds. The are very similar to Mutual Funds except the trade commoditities ( gas, oil, cotton, sugar, O.J., corn, soybeans.......). Since they started trading, they have help the markets make very exagerated moves. They move much higher than they should and they move much lower than they should. And, it always seems to turn around before most people think it should. I sure hope Crude oil futers follow that same pattern soon. Would I bet on it? Hmmmmm.......