connoisseur series500

Sad news. I was unaware of the fire.

I see people dying and in some cases just dead in the hospital. You get used to it and do your job.

Speculators trade whatever is moving good. The more "action" in an investment, the more speculators get attracted to it. Speculators are therefore exaggerating the price on oil right now. I don't see what this has to do with the oil companies. Nobody likes overvolatile prices. I doubt the oil companies do either. It makes it harder to budget and come up with reasonable quarterly goals. Screws up planning, basically. There is a role that speculators play, btw. They help create a more efficient pricing mechanism and provide market liquidity. Nevertheless, prices overshoot, and that's what has been happening.

No wonder he'$ pi$$ed about ga$ price$! Plus, you still sail a boat, Goodie?

Agg's fault!

Nobel prize winner, actually.

Speculators sell futures over the commodities exchange. There is no connection between the oil companies and individuals who go long on oil futures. They don't take physical delivery of the oil, but they help set the price of oil on the market. If there is a connection between the oil companies and the speculators, or if they are working together as you suggest, then it would be a violation of Federal laws. It would be called market manipulation. People have to be very careful about that. Speculators aren't completely to blame for rising oil prices but they have definitely contributed to the quick runup of prices. BTW, commodities are notoriously fickle, and oil companies went through their hard times too. I imagine they feel that their windfall profits help to offset the slow times, of which they experienced several before this spike up on oil. I'm not necessarily defending them but I don't see a point in singling them out for abuse. I hope they will be using some of these windfall profits to increase exploration.

Huh? Speculators in league with the oil companies? Paranoia at its finest. Speculators are out for themselves: they hope to gain a profit. I don't see how it behooves oil companies to buy up oil futures other than as hedge strategies. They also likely short oil also as a hedge strategy. Oil companies can affect the price of oil by slowing down their refineries. Other than that, I don't think they are involved. OPEC affects oil prices via public statements and production. But it is the speculators who move the oil price the most.

Yes, great stuff. It is live material so it doesn't fall under Rooster's criteria. But I'm just happy that these music was captured.

I would have to agree with this statement. Speculators have completely taken over the price of oil as they feel little fear of losing any money in the near future. They feel that the oil price can only go up in the near future. I believe they are wrong and they will be soon punished. I think oil has basically topped out. There is greater downside in current pricing than there is an upside. This is usually a sign to stay away. We'll see a drop soon. As far as oil companies gouging the American public, I don't know enough about the subject to comment; but I'd imagine that the oil companies also make money on increased prices as they are involved in drilling as well, aren't they? In general, it's hard to place so much blame on oil companies when the price of oil has gone from $20/barrel to $141/barrel in the course of approx 2-3 years time. The decline of the dollar has also played a huge role in the oil runup. I would primarily blame American stupidity (as far as shortsightedness in conservation and seeking alternative fuels), lower dollar, supply/demand, speculators, and OPEC. It seems unfair to aim a single-shot gun on the oil companies. I am not enamoured with these companies either, but there are bigger culprits out there.

Happy Birthday Robeeeer!

I've never smoked but my heart and admiration goes out to all of you who do/did, and who have the desire to quit. Can't be easy.

Usual tea for me tonight. Might have a few beers with some buddies tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Stefan!

Happy Birthday Philly-Q!

Happy Birthday Pete!

Happy Birthday Scott!

Oh boy, he looks like a fun guy to hang out with.

Ok, maybe not as handsome as I originally thought as the camera panned on them during the game, but good enough. Who gave Belichick a bath?

I didn't see him, but that would explain why there were so many close-up shots of Phil Jackson & the Lakers bench during timeouts. I think his attention was more likely focused on the handsome woman who had accompanied him to the game.

I say, "fuck em!"

I'm a New England Patriots fan but couldn't care less about Boston teams. I guess I'm not a big NBA fan at all. Seems like the best team won the championship this year. Noticed Bill Belichick was at the game.

Competition is competition, whether you are throwing a ball, hitting it, trying to outbox your opponent or outmaneuver him on a chessboard. What difference does it make it it involves athletics?

Donald Crowhurst was crazy. I would have returned to face the music.

All prices include shipping to US. Conditions are noted. Jewel cases my be smudged or have cracks or punch holes or whatever. Keith Jarrett, "Tokyo 96" Clean cd. $6 Keith Jarrett, "Death and the Flower" clean cd. $9 Keith Jarrett, Changes" clean cd. $12 Keith Jarrett, "The Koln Concert" some smudges not affecting play. $6 Keith Jarrett, "My Song" clean cd $10 Keith Jarrett, "Standards Vol 1." light markings not affecting play. $10 Keith Jarrett, "Standards Vol 2." light markings not affecting play. $11 paypal preferred.