Matt Lauer interview with Exxon this morning

[LorieR]

Accidently posted twice

 

[LorieR]

I have heard that oil companies make approx 8-9 cents profits on a gallon of gasoline. Here is one link: http://www.conocophillips.com/newsroom/other_resources/energyanswers/oil_profits.htm

Here is where you can find out the taxes you are paying per gallon: http://api-ec.api.org/filelibrary/StateMotorFuelTax42806.pdf In New York we are paying, as of 4/26/06, 67.9 cents per gallon.

Seems like quite a big difference, wouldn't you say, between what the oil companies are making and the government??

No new refineries have been built in over 30 years. The environmentalists have made sure that we have not been able to drill in ANWR and off the coast of the U.S. even though other countries (Cuba, China) are planning on drilling off the Florida coast. We really should not be surprised at what is going on....it was inevitable. I sure am not happy about the way the prices are going, but we have to face facts. Cotact your senators and congressmen and tell them we want answers, not fingerpointing!

Just my opinion

Lorie

 

[bicker]

No new refineries have been built in over 30 years.

BINGO! Everyone who objects to have a refinery built in their town, please raise your hands. Now, everyone who's hands are up, you're at least partially responsible for gasoline prices being high.

 

[holcomb-mania]

People who believe oil companies are restricting supply are not thinking. At $70/barrel, oil companies will pump out every drop possible.

Where were the kind-hearted folks when oil was at $10/barrel in 1998? Did anyone offer to help XOM then? And when oil was at that price, gas was about $1/gallon. So the price of oil has increased 600% while gas has gone up just 200%. Maybe we should be thanking oil companies for innovating and reducing the cost of getting gas to the station.
http://www.oilnergy.com/1onymex.htm#since20

At $10/barrel, the oil companies WERE restricting supply, because they couldn't afford to find it and pump it out of the ground for that price.

The ones restricting supply are the same ones in Washington saying we should tag "big oil" with windfall profits taxes. They are restricting the discovery, development, and refining of oil.

Those in favor of "windfall" profits penalties seem to be unaware of what causes profits. All you have to do to avoid profits is to increase expenses. So the oil companies could double each employees salary to limit the effect of this "necessary" tax. And who gets to decide how much is too much? Pretty soon they may come after you, too.

 

[LorieR]

People who believe oil companies are restricting supply are not thinking. At $70/barrel, oil companies will pump out every drop possible.

Where were the kind-hearted folks when oil was at $10/barrel in 1998? Did anyone offer to help XOM then? And when oil was at that price, gas was about $1/gallon. So the price of oil has increased 600% while gas has gone up just 200%. Maybe we should be thanking oil companies for innovating and reducing the cost of getting gas to the station.
http://www.oilnergy.com/1onymex.htm#since20

At $10/barrel, the oil companies WERE restricting supply, because they couldn't afford to find it and pump it out of the ground for that price.

The ones restricting supply are the same ones in Washington saying we should tag "big oil" with windfall profits taxes. They are restricting the discovery, development, and refining of oil.

Those in favor of "windfall" profits penalties seem to be unaware of what causes profits. All you have to do to avoid profits is to increase expenses. So the oil companies could double each employees salary to limit the effect of this "necessary" tax. And who gets to decide how much is too much? Pretty soon they may come after you, too.

Bravo!! Well said...

Lorie

 

[sewer]

You can't blame the government for all the problems of the country. Just think of the things that came out of the gas shortage in the 70's. Almost everyone was PO'd about driving 55 MPH. Do we really need an SUV to drive to the store, or could a smaller vehicle be used? You can't blame the government for that, it's a personal choice. So, if ya can't afford to fuel it don't buy it!

 

[bicker]

What power is not reserved to the government is reserved to the people. Similarly, what responsibility is not reserved to the government is reserved to the people.

 

[DISUNC]

..... Ten years ago I could buy gas for less than a dollar a gallon and now it's over three times that in some places. Over history, I don't believe an increase such as this has happened so fast. I don't really care that other countries pay more for things than we do. I don't care if people think Americans are spoiled. The bottom line here is that prices for everything we buy are going up because of the price of fuel increasing and wages aren't.

I agree with Everything you say! Just remind you that 1n 2001 Gasoline was .95 cents a gallon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (much closer than 10 years ago)

And ONE vote DONT COUNT!!!!!!!!

 

[bicker]

In 2001, the average price for gasoline in the United States ranged from a low $1.19 at the end of the year, to a high of $1.92 in late April. The average price of gasoline was actually below $1.50 per gallon for only four months since the beginning of 2000.

 

[DISUNC]

However, we can take responsibility for our failure to convince others that they should agree with us. Barring that, we should at least be conscientious enough not to try to shift blame onto others.
.

Trust me when I tell you...IT AINT MY FAULT! Yes I do blame others. Sorry but I am way tooooo busy living my RESPONSIBLE life to go down to DC everyday & sit in on the morning meetings! Nor have I been invited to any Political cocktail parties, where I am sure most of the action takes place.

...However, just because things are bad doesn't mean there has to be blame. Sometimes "stuff" happens. In the absence of evidence of wrong-doing, we can either figure out a way to change it, or accept it.

There is just way tooooooo much "STUFF" happening, so much so that it has spinned completely out of control! The only way I could change besides voting ANYTHING but Republican is HOW???? Give some suggestions here.
Quite honestly, Most Americans are all at a loss on what to do.

And on a personal note...HOW any hardworking American can DEFEND the actions of the OIL companies...Is very disturbing to me. It is the same line of thought as if you said to a rape victim..."Did you dress sexy?"

 

[DISUNC]

In 2001, the average price for gasoline in the United States ranged from a low $1.19 at the end of the year, to a high of $1.92 in late April. The average price of gasoline was actually below $1.50 per gallon for only four months since the beginning of 2000.

NOT in NJ, where Gas is really cheap!

And they were the happiest 4 months of my life!

 

[bicker]

Trust me when I tell you...IT AINT MY FAULT! Yes I do blame others.

I believe it isn't your fault. You seem to be blaming others solely to have someone to blame, which doesn't make sense to me.

There is just way tooooooo much "STUFF" happening

That still doesn't justify casting aspersions on any available party, just because they're not likely to defend themselves.

HOW any hardworking American can DEFEND the actions of the OIL companies...Is very disturbing to me.

There's nothing to defend. You haven't made a case that they've done anything wrong. You just want to blame them seemingly without good cause.

It is the same line of thought as if you said to a rape victim..."Did you dress sexy?"

I find your analogy completely offensive. Is your intent to be offensive?

 

[deltachi8]

I don't really care that other countries pay more for things than we do. I don't care if people think Americans are spoiled.

Welcome to a global economy...the real world.

 

[erikthewise]

bicker, are you interested in this topic?
For once I agree with much of what you say.

I didn't hear much complaining about the current administration's* complete failure to have a viable energy policy, much less actually doing anything about it, until gasoline prices went up. Just about everyone seemed happy to burn all the oil and gas they could buy. Everyone except those freakin' hippy environmentalists. The truth is gasoline prices should have been in the $3.00 range ten years ago.

As for the interview, I heard some of it in passing, but didn't see any point to listening much. Matt Lauer asked the hard questions, and the smooth talking publicity flack dodged them. Yawn. Why should I or anyone care what the oil companies say? We should judge them by their actions, not their meaningless words. (Same goes for politicians and so-called "leaders".) The oil companies are perfectly happy to accumulate profits so that they will be financially better positioned for the economic collapse that follows, should they live that long.

*When I say "current administration", I mean it in the same way as when someone talks about their "current spouse".

 

[DISUNC]

I believe it isn't your fault. You seem to be blaming others solely to have someone to blame, which doesn't make sense to me.?

I do blame others...OIL execs & the current Administration. The Bush family has made their fortunes in OIL!

That still doesn't justify casting aspersions on any available party, just because they're not likely to defend themselves. .

You lost me there. I dont know what you really mean. As far as "casting aspersions"...If it looks like a rat, and it smells like a rat..and it walks like a rat...IT'S A RAT!!! Can I myself do DNA testing to make sure the molecule structure is indeed that of a rat...NO! But hey, I know its a RAT. You are 'splitting hairs" here.

There's nothing to defend. You haven't made a case that they've done anything wrong. You just want to blame them seemingly without good cause.:.

WHAT CASE???? The price of OIL in this country is 'through the roof" and Oil companies are reporting RECORD profits. There are NO alternatives as of today. There may be different companies, but there is a huge Corporate MONOPOLY at play here (see "rat" statement above). CAN I PROVE THIS, on this board, today?...NO! I am not privy to the Oil companies documents! For some reason they just wont let me in! How can you say they are innocent and righteous?

I find your analogy completely offensive. Is your intent to be offensive?

For this I apologise profusely. It was not meant to be offensive in any way to you or anybody else... at all.

I meant it in such a way as ...We, US citizens, are totally being taken advantage of by the Oil companies, because they CAN! We are pretty much defenseless to their actions. Yet some of the post here are strongly defending the oil companies actions. The reasons being.. it is OUR fault!

I am using that as a analogy, albeit a strong analogy, but as I percieved 'to the point!'

The whole 'well the oil companies have the right to screw you, cause they need to make money...and its own your fault" ideology..is so dysfunctional on so many levels. It reminds me of court cases where the innocent victim is often used by the defense as the instigator of the crime. This kind of 'logic' is what I think is so wrong. And that is why I used that analogy.

 

[manning]

And I thought it was getting boring around here. Wait long enough and things pick up!!

 

[bicker]

I dont know what you really mean.

Yes, I could tell, that.

As far as "casting aspersions"...If it looks like a rat, and it smells like a rat..and it walks like a rat...IT'S A RAT!!!

I thought you might come up with a foundation for what you're trying to say. I guess not.

You are 'splitting hairs" here.

No, I'm trying to establish the level of validity of what you're saying. You're entitled, however, to hold fast to an indefensible position, if you wish.

The price of OIL in this country is 'through the roof" and Oil companies are reporting RECORD profits.

So you're saying because things are bad for you and good for them, they have to be doing something wrong. Sorry, but again, that makes no sense.

There may be different companies, but there is a huge Corporate MONOPOLY at play here

You are wrong.

I meant it in such a way as ...We, US citizens, are totally being taken advantage of by the Oil companies, because they CAN!

This is just another rationalization for our own poor conduct, with our utilization of oil, and with regard to who we put in office. You can try to duck and dodge responsibility all you want, but in the end you want to blame the people who are easy to blame instead of the people who are really at fault -- the American people.

 

[goofy4tink]

Once again, bicker is pretty much on target. Yes, the oil company execs are making a ton of money....it's their 'business' so I guess their purpose is to make money for themselves and their shareholders.
I still feel that a lot of the 'blame' (if there is blame to put) lies in our habits. Why is it that all of a sudden, families of 4 need a 'vehicle' large enough for a small country to live in??? Kids were going to soccer practice, dance practice and scouts decades ago. If we stopped buying these gas guzzlers (and we do because these cars 'say' something about us in today's society), and we bought 'green' cars, and demanded that our govt start looking seriously into alternative energies, then maybe we wouldn't be so dependent on oil. But, we have to have our cars that fit a small country and get about 15 mpg, and we have to keep our houses heated at 73 degrees all winter.
I drive differently now....I don't fly down the highway at 75-80 mph anymore...boring, but cheaper at 55-60. We turn the thermostat down to 68 during the winter. We drive less...fewer short trips, more planning involved.

It's time to stop laying blame and start digging ourselves out...once the oil companies see we aren't as dependent, things will change. I almost think that they can see the handwriting on the wall.....'gather ye rosebuds while ye may' mentality....they know this country has to do something about energy issues, so they'll make all the money they can now, while they can. Of course, I don't know the 'ins and outs' of the economy, just me yapping.

 

[DISUNC]

Yes, I could tell, that..

Now you are just being nasty!

I thought you might come up with a foundation for what you're trying to say. I guess not...

I did right here, where is your foundation?....You just keep bickering the opposite.

No, I'm trying to establish the level of validity of what you're saying. You're entitled, however, to hold fast to an indefensible position, if you wish....

Gee Thanks! My position is very defensible! I dont see your one single redderick "OIL COMPANIES GOOD - AMERICAN PEOPLE BAD" being back up by anything significant other than you said so.

So you're saying because things are bad for you and good for them, they have to be doing something wrong. Sorry, but again, that makes no sense..

No I am saying they are irresponsible! But you seem to want to think it is just me and only me having some sort of psycho grudge!

You are wrong..

I hope I am, But I doubt it!

This is just another rationalization for our own poor conduct, with our utilization of oil, and with regard to who we put in office. You can try to duck and dodge responsibility all you want, but in the end you want to blame the people who are easy to blame instead of the people who are really at fault -- the American people.

Again, personal attack on someone you dont even know! What 'poor conduct" do I do? I have NEVER ducked or dodged ANY responsibility in MY life. And you have some pair to even ignorantly even suggest this! Quite frankly...Who do you think you are?
As far as the American people to blame...PHOOEY! A whole country full of people did this to themselves! Don't buy it, Never will..that is just a silly little notion rolling around your brain! Since you do a awful lot of fingerpointing at Americans.......and I see by your address you live in American, I am assuming you are one too. Is that correct?

Today is Friday May 5, 2006.

 

[bicker]

Now you are just being nasty!

No, just honest. You keep saying they're making so much money, without proving they did anything wrong. I know you're frustrated. I'm sorry you're upset. I don't agree that that justifies anything.

No I am saying they are irresponsible!

Saying they're irrepsonsible doesn't make them irresponsible.

Again, personal attack on someone you dont even know!

What are you talking about. Read what I wrote again:

This is just another rationalization for our own poor conduct, with our utilization of oil, and with regard to who we put in office. You can try to duck and dodge responsibility all you want, but in the end you want to blame the people who are easy to blame instead of the people who are really at fault -- the American people.

Don't immediately assume that anything written in reply to what you write is directed at you specifically. (And watch your language. Some of what you wrote was vulgar.)

We are all responsible, together. I'm sorry you refuse to acknowledge that, but that's not even the point. The key fact here is that the oil companies are not responsible for giving you cheap fuel.