[billethkid]

It was reported on Fox this morning that 10 oil rigs in the path of IKE were destroyed.
They also commented that post Katrina there were over 100 destroyed.
The gasoline PANIC is supposedly due to the rig fright presented plus the refineries in and around Bay City, TX that cannot get back on line until the electricity is restored. That is supposed to be off set by the more than 2 weeks gasoline reserves in the system at any point in time.
Gas shortage? The picture on the front page of out Happy Paper this morning says it all....hording! A young lady filling multiple containers. Add to that way too many people rushing out to top off their tanks, creates an abnormal demand cycle the system does not anticipate.
Conclusion(s):
Hording.....should be banned...fill your gas tank only.

Refinery vulnerability (for any reason)....easy!!!...there is no doubt this country needs to build more refineries...there has not been a new one in the last 20 years! Now I wonder why that is????

Oil rig vulnerability (for any reason)....even easier....start drilling in lower risk area than the gulf.....24% of the USA source is there.

If one ONLY lets the normal population increases be the driver....new capacities are a must....why do you think we have gone from 40% foreign oil to 70%????? Now to the population increases add the vulnerability factors...age of current systems....vulnerable locations....lack of capacity...it does not take an economic genius to KNOW we are speeding down a slippery slope, pretending it is fun!!!

What the law makers are not doing is as criminal to the life style of Americans as is the threat of terrorism. One (terrorism) is chronic....doing nothing has been and continues to be ongoing.

The American people deserve better....but fail to demand it....so get used to the panic and the shortages, etc.

BTK