BloggeRhythms

Global oil prices surged yesterday, U.S. crude settling up $3.23 (12.3%) at $29.44 per barrel, after a report once again suggested OPEC might finally agree to cut production to reduce the world glut. According to a Wall Street Journal report on Thursday: “The United Arab Emirates' energy minister said the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries was willing to cooperate on an output cut."

Therefore, what this situation portends is the possibility of increases in the currently low cost of fuel, which has yet to stimulate consumer spending as it has in the past. The major suspicion for lack of spending stimulation is fear that the administration will either seek additional taxes, or find other ways to reap government benefit from the oil price reduction windfall. Thus, consumers are keeping their savings in some manner, rather than increasing spending as they have in the past. 

What this all means is that the POTUS now has a chance to actually be presidential for once, by opening Keystone, increasing U.S. drilling in spite of the glut, and perhaps even subsidizing the oil industry if needed to allow exportation to help Europe. In that way, it would offset Saudi Arabia and OPEC, while certainly weakening Russia and Iran, changing free-world opinion in the US favor. However, if nothing else the POTUS is entirely predictably, indicating he’ll play politics as usual and do absolutely nothing instead. 

On another recurring issue, on October 16, 2009, according huffingtonpost.com, John Kerry, then U.S. Senator from Massachusetts said: “Scientists tell us we have a 10-year window -- if even that -- before catastrophic climate change becomes inevitable and irreversible. The threat is real, and time is not on our side. 

“Facts, as John Adams said, are stubborn things. Here are a few you need to know: Atmospheric carbon-dioxide levels have risen 38% in the industrial era, from 280 to 385 parts per million (ppm). Scientists have warned that anything above 450 ppm -- a warming of 2 degrees Celsius -- will result in an unacceptable risk of catastrophic climate change."

Kerry continued: “The truth is that the threat we face is not an abstract concern for the future. It is already upon us and its effects are being felt worldwide, right now. Scientists project that the Arctic will be ice-free in the summer of 2013. Not in 2050, but four years from now. 

“Make no mistake: catastrophic climate change represents a threat to human security, global stability, and -- yes -- even to American national security.” 

And then, today, Jon Erdman @weather.com, via Drudge reports: “The coldest air of the season is poised to plunge into the Northeast this Valentine's Day weekend. This Arctic blast will not only flirt with some daily records, but will also bring subzero cold to parts of the Midwest and reinforce the cold in the Southeast. 

“In addition to the bitterly cold temperatures, wind chills are expected to plummet into the 20s and 30s below zero from parts of the Midwest into the Northeast. Portions of Upstate New York may see wind chills as low as 50 below zero. This has prompted the National Weather Service to issue wind chill warnings for a large portion of the Northeast and New England, where "life-threatening" cold conditions will be possible.”

However, Kerry’s mistaken theorizing about climate change shouldn’t be surprising, because he’s proven quite gullible frequently during his career. The most recent example being the fleecing he’s taken from the nuclear power being built in Iran.    

And then, regarding some of the tirades foisted on others by Trump, it’s been difficult to find comparisons to others, no one readily springing to mind. And then, watching a re-run of Cheers last evening, similarities to a character became glaringly obvious. He’s almost exactly like Carla, the weasly waitress. 

Carla has difficulty maintaining relationships, married several times, seeking only personal pleasure at whoever’s expense. Much like Trump, who changes positions, political party’s and wives whenever suitable to his needs at the time. Both rarely have rational discussions, relying instead on threats, abusive language and shrillness whereas their positions rarely have sustainable substance. And, most importantly to the pair, always put their own needs and objectives above all others, regardless of who any of the others might be.  

In that regard, and offering confirmation of the preceding, last week the following appeared on FoxNews.com: “I will be changing very rapidly. I’m very capable of changing to anything I want to change to.” –That’s what Trump told “On the Record’s” Greta van Susteren when she asked him about his use of profanity at rallies.” And in his answer, he described himself perfectly. 

Bringing us to today’s update on Bill Clinton’s wife. 

Last week, Madeleine Albright, Bill Clinton’s Secretary of State,  speaking in support of Bill’s wife delivered a line which is apparently not only coming back to haunt her, it’s spurred her to write an article in self-defense @nytimes.com. 

Ms Albright wrote: “But last Saturday, in the excitement of a campaign event for Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire, that is essentially what I did, when I delivered a line I have uttered a thousand times to applause, nodding heads and laughter: “There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help each other.” It is a phrase I first used almost 25 years ago, when I was the United States ambassador to the United Nations and worked closely with the six other female U.N. ambassadors. But this time, to my surprise, it went viral. 

“I absolutely believe what I said, that women should help one another, but this was the wrong context and the wrong time to use that line. I did not mean to argue that women should support a particular candidate based solely on gender. But I understand that I came across as condemning those who disagree with my political preferences. If heaven were open only to those who agreed on politics, I imagine it would be largely unoccupied.” 

Which means, that aside from pending FBI charges, an investigation of the family foundation by the Inspector General, and a surging Bernie Sanders in the presidential race, Bill’s wife can’t even get a simple, straightforward endorsement from a former political associate. There’s always something questionable about herself and those around her, no matter the situation or issue.

Up to and including, a former Secretary of State having to apologize in print nationwide for being unable to find any other reason for supporting Bill’s wife other than her gender. 

Bringing up the recurring question: Joe Biden, Mayor Bloomberg, Jerry Brown, and Starbuck’s chairman and CEO, Howard Schultz, are you guys reading this?    

That’s it for today folks.   

Adios