I was reading a few articles on BBC website in relation to the ongoing furore surrounding rising petrol prices. The comments at the end of this article demonstrate that the British penchant for unconstructive criticism, blaming everything on the Government and avoiding any modicum of personal responsibility for past or future actions whatsoever, is alive and well.
The price of crude oil has increased by over 100% in one year. UK duty on petrol has not risen in this time. The UK public would do well to look at the state of world oil production and start planning for the future.
However all the signs are that the collective cranium will be held firmly in the sand for the foreseeable future. This is not particularly surprising from a general public who have been cosntantly told not to worry as there is plenty of oil. What would be alarming; is if Gordon Brown thinks that an increase in production in the North Sea [from which production has been in steady decline for 8 years now] of 70,000 barrels per day is going to have any effect on world prices when global consumption is currently 80million+ barrels. Hopefully this 'policy' is just a sop to the public and the UK Government has a more realistic energy strategy waiting in the wings.
I have copied the two best [in comedy terms] replies to this article in relation to the petrol/oil price situation.
The first is typical ostrich mentality, or more likely someone who has never looked beyond mainstream media explanations of the sustained rise in oil price i.e. the weak dollar, OPEC "refusing" to raise output.
The second has to be the all-time most moronic statement I have seen in print that was not made by David Edgar.
Added: Thursday, 29 May, 2008, 18:43 GMT 19:43 UK
There is no oil shortage - in 1907 they predicted that oil would run in out less than 20 years. At this price there will be new reserves found all over the place. This is nothing at all to do with supply & demand. This is all to do with what the US and UK did in the Middle East, and the Arabs taking revenge. If they wanted to they could bring the price of oil down to $10 a barrel tomorrow.
So, OPEC are extracting revenge, and New Labour has hijacked the green wagon to rape the motorist!
Prof Davis, Oldham
Ostrich logic 1 - In the past people have predicted that oil supplies will deplete and this has not come to pass [yet - current price suggests otherwise] therefore oil will never run out.
Now, maybe the war in Iraq was just a wee bit about the oil right enough...
Added: Friday, 30 May, 2008, 06:53 GMT 07:53 UK
Given the fact that we are currently spending billions trying to help Iraq become democratic , would it not be fair if Iraq gave us special terms on the price of their oil/gas ? We could even demand some for free! Because, if Iraq falls into the hands of anti- western factions , then what we are payng for petrol now will seem cheap ! All those who moaned about "The War" might just have to eat their words if the worlds 3rd largest producer shows its gratitude in this way !!!!
keith ridgers, cobham, United Kingdom
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