U.S. Crude Oil Imports from All Countries (Thousand Barrels) Decade /Year 1967 411,649 1977 1,935,012 1987 1,705,922 1997 3,002,299 2007 3,656,170 The chart indicates a doubling of imported oil in twenty years. Population has doubled since the sixties. How is the US going to maintain per capita consumption at these levels? How can a market […]

Part of a staff report from reports from EIA and others mentioned. It occurs to me also, is there a difference between a ban and a moratorium? In a Nutshell _ On the Outer Continental Shelf, 82% of federal natural gas and 79% offederal oil is located in areas that are currently open for leasing._ […]

Although a lot of people are aware that ‘Low Cost is Out There’ it is difficult to impossible to find anyone who takes it seriously. Some experts simply dismiss it out of hand (Samwick), others point to the Stochastic Projections and simply deem it unlikely (Biggs), then again others reject it on grounds that run […]

by rdan An article in Forbes states: Brilliant doctors often work closely with big drug companies, and they seem to like their corporate partners just fine. Too fine, say their vocal critics–no doctor can have objective views about Lipitor when he takes Pfizer’s money to develop or test it. But when the critics are doctors […]

Hat tip to coberly for pulling this off the internet…how much is tongue in cheek?Just enough. Do not forget to also tip the pilot for a safe journey. Attendant: Welcome aboard Ala Carte Air, sir. May I see your ticket? Passenger: Sure. Attendant: You’re in seat 12B. That will be $5, please! Passenger: What for? […]

by spencer For all the worries about the Fed having to raise rates this fall to fight inflation I suggest you look at this relationship. It suggests there is little or no reason to worry about either higher inflation or higher fed funds.

by rdan In an attempt to keep history accurate about sensible policies, this post points out the obvious source of the ban on drilling for oil off coast. So much for blame your favorite partisan in comments. The NYT mentions that Mr. Bush has long advocated opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska […]

by rdan The Shrinking of Treehorn by Florence Parry Heide is a wonderful story of a child’s experience of reality as the adults ignore his shrinking. Which brings me to the following item (have you noticed?) But as packaged goods makers’ costs rise, they eventually have just two choices: raise prices or put less stuff […]

The New York Times reports: The Army official who managed the Pentagon’s largest contract in Iraq says he was ousted from his job when he refused to approve paying more than $1 billion in questionable charges to KBR, the Houston-based company that has provided food, housing and other services to American troops. The official, Charles […]

by reader ilsm GAO is describing personal services in this quote “”Contractors are generally not subject to the same ethics rules as government employees even when they are collocated and work side by side with federal employees and perform similar functions.” From GAO 08-572T Testimony pg 11. The following is cut from Federal Acquisition Regulation […]