Washington's dog and pony show

[Michelle In Ga]

Here's another great find by Stanb and 54321 of LATOC.
It's an interview of T. Boone Pickens by Glen Beck.

Link here

Peek about the peak interview here:

Beck:


T. Boone Pickens is the CEO of BP Capital and author of upcoming -- the upcoming book, "The First Billion is the Hardest: How Believing it`s Still Early in the Game Can Lead to Life`s Greatest Comebacks."

OK. I`m -- I stay away from Congress as much as I possibly can. I can`t even watch these guys. But I`ve seen the clips. And Boone, I have to tell you -- are they this stupid? Are they reckless? Are they intentionally trying to destroy us? What is going on in Washington?

T. BOONE PICKENS, CEO, BP CAPITAL: I don`t know, but surely they`ve got something more substantive to do than what they`re doing, as far as the oil companies are concerned.

BECK: Give me -- tell me -- let people know. Out of all of the oil produced, how much of a role does Exxon play? Out of all of the oil produced every day?

PICKENS: Eighty-five million barrels is the number that`s produced globally.

BECK: OK.

PICKENS: Exxon`s part of that is a little over 2 percent.

BECK: So, we`re sitting here, we`re screaming over 2 percent, like they can control the price of oil, when really, they`re such a small player in the world global game. Where is -- who is -- who is really controlling it?

PICKENS: Well, the state-owned oil companies own in the world today, 85 million barrels. Seventy percent of it is owned by Saudi or Amco, P- Mex, Pertevesa (ph), the state-owned oil companies.

BECK: Congress said -- one of the congressmen said, none of you people are to leave here until you give us an answer on what is going on, why is gas so high? I had a lot of answers.

PICKENS: The answer is very easy.

BECK: Yes.

PICKENS: Yes, OK. It`s 85 million barrels of oil produced every day, and the demand in this quarter is 86.4.

BECK: Right.

PICKENS: OK. So, the demand is greater than the supply.

BECK: Right.

PICKENS: That`s easy to see. That`s why I said, well, you can`t cover 86.4 with 85. So, you come out of inventories. All right, so, inventories are going down, the price is going up. And it`s that simple.

BECK: Can -- because they say, oh, if we drill offshore, which they won`t do; if we drill in ANWR, which we won`t do; if we go for shale, which we won`t do; if we convert coal to oil, which we won`t do; that`s not enough to make a difference.

Could we -- could we be a lot more energy independent if we aggressively went after all of the resources that we have here in America?

PICKENS: Glenn, let me tell you: a fool with a plan can beat a genius with no plan. I promise you that`s the case. We have no plan. We have no plan.



Michelle: This stuff is delicious, light, sweet and not too crude.
(Pardon the pun.) There you have it, straight from the hip, the truth
by a captain of industry. We're sunk, we have no plan, and our officials
are going after a company that produces 2% of the world oil supply, and
trying to blame and vilify them for the whole shebang. That's their
answer, find a scapegoat and put out a dog and pony show for the
hard working folks at home. We're sliding down Hubbert's peak and
and it's business as usual in Washington. Can you say, "Fiddling
while Rome burns?"

By the way, Mr. Pickens also points out that our economy is based
on cheap oil. So when oil gets too costly, the economy is sunk,
hello Second Greater Depression. I've been studying this stuff for
over two years, and even I am a little frightened by how fast
things are unfolding.

To add insult to injury, many of our power plants are run on fossil
fuels and natural gas and coal. The latter two are also peaking.
There are no easy answers, technology won't save us . . . in time
to make much of a difference. Electricity will be more costly
to produce, lines harder to maintain. Some parts of Maine are
experiencing nearly 50% turn off rate for customers' failure
to pay their bills (this from another LATOCer). Things are
bound to get very interesting, don't rely on that light switch
or thermostat to keep you comfy.

So what can you do, if you're just now discovering this harsh
new reality?

1.) Look at passive ways to stay warm and cool. Even if electricity
is available, you may not be able to afford it. Our family has
invested in 0F rated sleeping bags for each member of the family.
We have a wood stove that may get installed this summer.

2.) Food and oil go hand in hand. Our modern, industrial agriculture
is heavily dependent on fossil fuels for mechanisation, fertilizers
and transport of the final product. Stock up on non perishables,
shortages and price increases are on the way.

Learn to become somewhat food independent. Yes, grow some of your
own. Keep chickens for an easy source of protein. Plant some fruit
and berry bushes and trees. The front of my home is quickly
becoming an edible landscape. Heck, I can't afford raspberries
or blue berries now, I have to grow my own.

3.) Look at alternate transportation. Get a horse, a bike, and or
live closer to your work. Make one trip out instead of 2-3. Drive
slower and you can increase your fuel efficiency by 10%. Ditch
the SUV if you can, metros, aspires and civics are the new cool.
Yes, I've hauled plants, feed, chickens and fence posts in mine.
I tried to haul livestock (a baby lamb) just for bragging rights,
but hubby declined.

4.) Consider security measures. A few good dogs and a weapon are
highly recommended in the times ahead. Think I'm kidding? Research
this guy who's living through economic collapse in Argentina right
now.

5.) Keep some money at home. Have a bit of gold or silver if you
can afford it stashed away safely. (2nd Great Depression).

6.) Get a few tools. We've acquired axes, scythes, gardening tools
and outdoor cooking implements since finding out about Peak Oil.

7.) Get some sturdy shoes, coats and clothing. Buy socks and
knickers. Your dollars may be worthless or hard to come by in
the tough times ahead.

Good luck.

~Michelle

[emordnilap]

Go for it, Michelle! Good post (even though you didn't post the link!).

[Michelle In Ga]

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/ ... gb.01.html

The transcript of the interview (CNN dude). An LATOCer
first found it.

Cheers, Michelle

[RenewableCandy]

Isn't T Boone P the chap who's invested in a huge Texan wind farm??

[Michelle In Ga]

Sounds like it, after reading the transcripts. Most
folks don't understand how vulnerable the electric
is tied in to fossil fuels. They think, "Hey, I'll just
get an electric car and that will solve everything!"