Final Tanker From Middle East Arrives In CA

 

From the LA Times on the effect the Malignant Fascist's war on Iran is having here in the U.S.:

"Gas prices are at a four-year high and experts are warning they could climb even higher.

The final oil tanker from the Middle East has docked in Long Beach, putting the region's supply chain under pressure. According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, it's the last shipment from the Strait of Hormuz to reach California.

After that tanker leaves, it could be weeks or potentially months before the next one arrives from the Middle East.

'The war in Iran and the closing of the Strait of Hormuz has actually been buffered by the fact that all of these tankers were at sea at the time that the Strait of Hormuz closed,' said UCLA Professor Michael Ross. 'So all of that supply has still been making its way to consumers. This is the last shipment of that supply that was keeping prices relatively stable. So that should worry us.'" (our emphasis)

The article goes on to note the MF's "Project Freedom" purports to provide security for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz without U.S. Navy vessels involved in the operation.   Iranian military forces are already targeting the ships that are presumably under the protection of the U.S. Navy.  WINNING!!

(image: Getty Images)

 

Dumbya Lifts Offshore Drilling Ban

In a transparent political stunt, Dumbya announced today that he's lifting the executive order banning offshore oil drilling, a ban in effect since the days of former president George H.W. "Poppy" Bush. Of course, this does nothing to relieve gas prices (it would take 7 years or more for any oil found today to reach consumers). It would do nothing but add to the already huge, un-drilled undersea plots (68 million acres) already leased by Big Oil. It obviously does nothing to decrease our dependence on oil. It's only a partisan gimmick intended to "pressure" Congress to enact legislation to allow offshore drilling, put some money in Big Oil's pockets, and hopefully score some points for St. John McBush and beleaguered Rethugs in Congress who are trying to find anything that will distract voters from connecting the dots with the failed Rethug policies of the last 7 years.

In other words, it's the domestic policy equivalent of invading Iraq to fight al-Qaeda. Let's sit back now and watch the main stream media pronounce this a bold, decisive move.

Quote of the Day

"Anyone who tells you this will lower our gas prices anytime soon is blowing smoke." California Governor Schwarznegger, on John "Smokey" McBush's proposal for increased off-shore drilling.

One Duke University scholar said that the small amount of oil to be recovered off-shore wouldn't be seen at the gas pumps for at least 5 years, and that it was like expecting to lose weight by walking an extra 20 feet a day.