Now that we're seeing more record oil prices (read $109 per barrel), what seems to be driving this? There are those who claim that the oil companies are intentionally keeping reserves low to keep prices (and profits) up. Admittedly, oil companies are raking it in. Exxon-Mobil, Chevron and Conoco-Phillips just earned, last quarter, $10 million an hour. No, you didn't read that wrong. I don't buy the conspiracy theory and just think it's been a perfect storm of sorts for the oil companies - a weak dollar, increased demand and reduced refining capacity. So, beyond moving well beyond crude oil and into obscene (thanks Fark.com!), what can really be done about this?
Honestly, I think people have to consider one major thing. Oil is priced on dollars per barrel. And who's currency is currently in the crapper? Let me see - what could it be? The Dollar! Right. The dollar is the weakest it's been (against the British Pound) since 1981. At the end of the Carter administration. Right after a major recession. Even during Reagan's "bust" cycle it hasn't been this weak. In fact, you have to go back to before 1975 to see a more consistently weak dollar.
So what's the one thing we can do to reduce the price of oil, increase worker's buying power (at least on fuel if nothing else) and get back to some good economic fundamentals? Well, we could try solidifying the dollar. And yes, we'd end up increasing our trade deficits a bit, but you know what? That can't be any worse than the $1 trillion we're sending overseas to fight Iraq and Afghanistan.
If we can bolster the 'value' of the dollar against other currencies, we'll see more buying power for Americans and less expensive oil (comparatively). A weak dollar can, for short durations, have a good impact, but the administration (read Bush/Cheney and Secretary of the Treasury Paulson) have seemed determined to undermine the dollar's value.
Not that bolstering the dollar makes that $10 million an hour any less obscene. Just less.

What is it with people? I mean, seriously. Humanity needs a freakin' wake up call on how to behave.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=528694&in_page_id=1766&ito=1490
Grr. And in a non-Austin Powers way.

I've often been a softy for animals and when I heard recently about the U.S. Marine in Iraq who is "alleged" to have thrown a puppy off a cliff to its death, I pretty much went ballistic. (Click here for info). While the incident is under investigation (the Marines have called it "shocking and deplorable"), the likelihood that it happened just boils my blood.
Regardless of the "righteousness" of the liberation/occupation of Iraq, our service men and women are in an extremely hostile and stressful environment. Yet, the fact remains that many people who torture and kill animals end up doing the same with higher forms of life (read, humans). Many serial killers started small and worked their way up. And I don't mean hunters - that's a separate situation entirely.
Let's assume for an moment that the Marine in question did commit this heinous act. Not only should his squadmates be concerned about his callousness, but I think it's likely that he's going to have some serious issues when he gets home. He may even have some issues while he's there (Haditha, anyone?). Callousness, in any form, is something to be condemned. It endangers him and his squad. And, in a purely political sense, it damages our reputation around the world (not that we haven't already fucked that up so badly already). He and I both are lucky I wasn't in that squad. I'll leave it at that.
I'm certain that some people will likely have an issue with my hostility on the matter. I welcome the conversation. I'll just say that I have the greatest respect for our service men and women and hope they all return home safely. Well, almost all.
[Update] One thing I am very happy about, though, is that the Marines are taking it seriously and decrying the whole thing. More information can be seen here: http://www.khon2.com/news/local/16204097.html.