It has finally occurred to the Saudis that the world knows that they and their friends in OPEC are the cause of high oil prices.They like the money too much.
There have been theories that hedging and a weak dollar should take some of the blame for crude prices. But, the hedge people are being investigated by the federal authorities. That keeps them out of the market. And, the dollar is going up.
But, the price of oil is not coming down.
The princes of Saudi Arabia admitted that they are part of the problem without coming right out and saying it. According to The New York Times, the kingdom will export an extra 500,000 barrels a day. "The move was seen as a sign that the Saudis are becoming increasingly nervous about both the political and economic effect of high oil prices," the paper writes.
While their greed may have gotten the better of them, the Saudis would still like to have one or two friends around the world. It would be wise to have the U.S. on that list.
Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-14-2008 @ 8:57AM
Bob Fry said...
The Saudis need all that extra money. How else will they finance all the Wahabbi schools they're building in the U.S. that teach hatred and the various terrorist groups around the world?
6-14-2008 @ 9:01AM
jo said...
This should prove to Boy George the need for us to drill for oil on our own land NOW!But we all know he will do nothing!
6-14-2008 @ 9:15AM
uofmtigerfan said...
Jo - You honestly think that "Boy George" can single-handedly decide that the US is going to drill for oil?? You should have paid attention in 8th grade Civics. Then you'd know that's not how the government works!
6-14-2008 @ 9:22AM
David Peavy said...
Saudia Arabia and the Oil Companies have soaked us good... We need alternatives in terms of new energy sources...and soon. Otherwise these guys will continue to bend us over and have their way with us. Greedy? Oh no....its more than that. It's downright criminal what they've been doing to us.......
6-14-2008 @ 11:15AM
Tommy said...
Bush tried in 2003 to open up Anwar. This was part of his energy plan. All but 5 dems voted it down. 6 Republicans crossed and voted against. Barbara Boxer was the main opposition. So ...PLEASE quit blaming King George on this one.
6-14-2008 @ 11:15AM
Mr. Nathan said...
gas will cap off at $4.50 per gallon this summer and stay there.
6-14-2008 @ 11:50AM
Kent said...
I have nothing earthshaking to say, other than to say that I am adjusting to the $4+ / gallon gas prices. The Sauds and the U.S. remind me of that primordial relationship between men and women relationships : they can't live with each other but they can't live without each other. It's a no-win situation when they are inter-dependent with each other. It's just the old oil shock we had back in the 70's when we cringed at the thought that we'd be paying a $1.00 a gallon. It was panic stricken thought at that time.
6-14-2008 @ 11:58AM
DAVEROGERS said...
Looks like everyone but Bob & Jo are right on the money. Bob & Jo need to study their civics and study what has happened, or hasn't happened in our wonderful congress since the Dems took over. Both parties are at fault, but Congress has to act before the Pres can do anything.
6-14-2008 @ 12:41PM
OPECSUCKS said...
OPEC - The REAL Axis of Evil!
6-14-2008 @ 12:42PM
John said...
Drilling ANWR would have made little impact.
First, the oil companies would be obligated to their shareholders to sell their ANWR oil at market prices. That means the Chinese and Indians would be free to outbid Americans. Second, the amount of oil up there is being insanely puffed so as to fool Americans into believing it's an answer. That place does not have 200 billion barrels.
Just for grins, divide 200 billion by an ever growing 83 million X 365.
Saudi Arabia is a dictatorship. Its people have been horribly served by their royal family, and this is just another example.
Without a profound change in American consumption habits, the moment the economy picks up, oil prices will move up aggressively. Nobody can stop that, and that includes the Saudis. This is either or. Either you want low oil prices and a recession-ridden future, or you want to outbid the world and have a growth economy.
The era of cheap oil is dead. Forever more, expensive oil will be sold to the highest bidder. That is the new paradigm.
There are morons who think cheap energy made our economy. Follow them at your own risk for they are severely confused individuals
6-14-2008 @ 1:14PM
TIM said...
The price of oil is just about to break the back of economies all across the Western Hemisphere, not just the USA. The Saudis also realize that the longer oil prices stay too high the more that alternative sources are cost competitive. If America starts switching to solar, wind and becomes energy independent as a result of this, the Saudis and the rest of the Mid East will starve.
6-14-2008 @ 8:11PM
John said...
Americans were having no problems with increasing energy prices until they became aware of the magnitude of the subprime problem. That is what is killing the economy.
The oil prices are not killing the economy. China is growing. India is growing. What, are we less competent than they are? Less aggressive? Less innovative?
6-14-2008 @ 10:44PM
GoBoilers said...
Do Speculators Cause Oil Price Inflation??? Or is it the Saudi's hoarding oil supplies???
http://www.beyondthemargin.net/2008/06/do-speculators-cause-oil-price.html
6-24-2008 @ 1:34AM
OTIS said...
Well folks i just swiched to 100% windtricity (cps energy), it's a small step but it's in the right direction. Try an just make one small change at a time, each one of us, an before you know it you'll have a big change in your pocket book an in the world you an i live in!
6-27-2008 @ 1:54PM
ssnake1952 said...
One of the most powerful Countrys in the world and we let them do this... Cut off the snakes head the rest will follow... We keep feeding them money and they just keep taking..I'm not the smartest guy in the world or on here but as a Country we can't do anything but let the people watch the prices go up and American Dollar go down...I served this Country and would do it again, but you guys in the White house ,earn your money...Now we may get a person in white House that didn't serve it at all..
6-27-2008 @ 1:48PM
ssnake1952 said...
One of the most powerful Countrys in the world and we let them do this... Cut off the snakes head the rest will follow... We keep feeding them money and they just keep taking..I'm not the smartest guy in the world or on here but as a Country we can't do anything but let the people watch the prices go up and American Dollar go down...I served this Country and would do it again, but you guys in the White house ,earn your money...Now we may get a person in white House that didn't serve it at all..