Foot in Mouth

"When they put out that deadline, people realized that we were going to lose," said an aide to an anti-war lawmaker.

One of the most telling revelations of this war era; an illustrative admission by the left that setting deadlines, even in the battle of ideas, is perceived as a prelude to surrender.

(htip: Opinion Journal – James Taranto 5/25/2007)

 

 

 

 

The Left's Inclination?

 

Struggling for a foundational explanation of anti-American, left-wing behaviour, I came across this comprehensive study that puts the root in social rejection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Laymen's Terms

I have been hoping to write a comprehensive treatise (longer than an essay, and I like the word) on the harmonious relationship that scientific discovery and Christian theology historically share. I would set out clearly the divergence that science, or many of the scientific mind, has taken away from the very foundation of scientific inquiry, once firmly rooted in Christianity, and toward an inimical dichotomy that has become permanent lore in this modern age.

I would laud history's greatest scientific minds and the free societies of western civilization which reflected a deep faith in an intelligent creator, and decry erroneous doctrines of relativism, humanism and, particularly, social-Darwinism.

In an effort to clarify the dangerous ideologies of the left in our society today which relate to 'secular scientism'; socialism, radical environmentalism and the attack on free speech, free association, and capitalism, I would employ discouraging statistics which reflect the human toll of its raw power politics, and reveal an ignorance of science as a magnanimous application for the betterment of mankind.

... but alas... it has been done.

Tres Bon !!!

Even the French can no longer afford being... well... French.

 

 

 

Oil Profits Good for America and Americans

People, threatening boycotts and government sanctions to punish oil companies for taking record profits is biting the hand that feeds you.

 

Oil is the biggest industry in our country. It employs hundreds of thousands of Americans directly, and millions more are employed in industries that rely on its profitability. Hundreds of thousands of people are invested in it and they're not all 'fat cats' sitting around at the horse track smoking cigars and drinking Mint Juleps. They are people like you and I. Their trying to feed their families, provide their kids the opportunity for a good education and pay the mortgage.

 

This society has been so corrupted by conspiracy theories and distrust of Business. What other country's people would you put more faith in than in the values and integrity of Americans? This country was built with the capital generated by industries like petroleum.  The application of the Judeo-Christian principles of personal integrity and responsibility, free enterprise and private property, and the humbling commandment "Though Shalt Not Covet",  tell us to respect the rights of individuals (corporations are simply individuals working together for a common goal) to take profits.

 

What has happened in our culture when we no longer champion the achievements of the most successful American businesses and celebrate the blessings they bring to the whole of mankind?

 

Where would 80% of the world be if it weren't for the pioneering efforts of Americans in the Oil and Gas industries?

 

For the last 30 years American refineries have suffered tremendously and have taken nothing in the way of solid profits. Layoffs and plant closings were the norm. There was little complaint from Americans when gas prices were low, even though we couldn't refine petroleum in our own country and thousands lost jobs.

 

'But you have to remember that for most of the last 30 years, Wall Street valued refineries as if they were future hazardous waste sites. It made sense to keep money-losing refineries operating in order to avoid the cleanup costs of shutting one down. Refining industry profits seemed to be perennially stuck at low levels due to excess capacity that wouldn't go away.'

 

'Barring a recession, refining profits look pretty solid -- which is a far cry from the industry's historical profit levels...' 

 

I know that you'll agree that restoring refining capabilities in this country is an important step in becoming energy independent, let alone creating employment opportunities where none have existed for years.

 

Most of the profits we are seeing are coming from this resurgence in the refining industry. This should be viewed as a good thing considering the potential for growth in markets for refined components, considered 'downstream' profits in this citation.

 

'But downstream earnings, from oil refining and petrochemical production, shot up 50% to $1.92 billion. Non-U.S. downstream profit rose 81%, to $1.1 billion. U.S. downstream profit grew 23% to $839 million.'

 

Alternative fuel formulas required in highly regulated states and countries, have spurred refining profits as well.

 

This is good news. It means that other markets are finding American refined oil products and petrochemicals affordable again, fueling a different segment of the economy.

 

Your model is overly simplistic. When oil companies take profits they invest them. This does not count as research and development dollars, but the investments go heavily into companies all over the globe who further the interests of the company in effect extending the capabilities of the company itself. Its called Capital Spending and its not just stuffing profits under a mattress.

 

Even so, the oil companies face credible obstacles. The market will allow them to take profits only so long until such a time as, I suppose the Lord, sees fit. Here is an example of one such.

 

'Oil and gas producers also face the threat of rising prices from within industry ranks. The race to produce while prices are high has driven rates for equipment and expertise to historic levels.

Prices for services and equipment leases continue to squeeze exploration margins. In Western Canada, a region particularly sensitive to cost hikes, producers including Apache APA, Devon DVN and ConocoPhillips have shut down various drilling operations to protest high prices.

"There is no love lost between drillers and operating companies," said analyst Fadel Gheit with Oppenheimer. "They really hate them, they call them parasites."  

 

It all comes back to the skepticism that is the hallmark of the left and the influence they exert through the media and academia. One can observe profit as an overarching benefit to society when wielded by exceptional men with exceptional ideas running exceptional companies, allowing the markets associated to regulate who is getting what when, as do supporters of capitalism, or one can observe profit taking as a bad thing and attribute some kind of dishonorable and crooked practice to it, leaving the whole thing open to the consideration of reparations, represented through regulation and taxation where the power of bigger and bigger government is exerted. I tend to trust markets to self regulate. I figure if a company, or an industry, which has taken it in the shorts for quite a while, is blessed with a profitable season, so be it.

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1