NationStates Jolt Archive

I don't know if this has been posted yet.. but here:

Hugo Chavez blames U.S. for high oil prices
Venezuelan president says hard line on Iran driving prices to record highs

The Associated Press
Updated: 6:46 p.m. ET April 20, 2006


CURITIBA, Brazil - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez blamed the United States for the high cost of oil Thursday, saying the American hard line on Iran was driving prices to record levels.

Chavez predicted that the cost of oil would soar far higher if the standoff over Iran's nuclear program led to a U.S. attack on the Islamic republic.

Oil prices fell slightly Thursday after reaching a record high above $72 a barrel.

"It could reach $100 ... It is up to the United States," Chavez told reporters as he arrived in southern Brazil on a trade mission. He attributed the already-high price to American "bellicose statements and the American president's threats against Iran."

"They must abandon the option for war against Iran," Chavez said. "Iran has the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes."

The U.N. nuclear watchdog agency is preparing to release a report next week on Iran's nuclear program, which the Iran says is for peaceful energy generation. The U.S. and its allies believe Iran is seeking nuclear weapons.

President Bush has dismissed media reports that the U.S. has made plans to attack Iran if its nuclear program is not halted.


Chavez, a constant critic of U.S. policy, warned Wednesday that his government would blow up its own oil fields if the United States ever were to attack Venezuela, the world's fifth-largest oil exporter.

Chavez said his country would continue exporting petroleum to U.S. ports, "unless they attack us, in which case there will be no oil."

The U.S. ambassador to Venezuela, William Brownfield, told reporters in Caracas on Thursday that he hoped oil exports to the U.S. would continue, saying the two countries were "natural partners for geographic reasons."

Chavez is looking to diversify Venezuela's all-important petroleum markets away from the United States as he seeks to increase oil exports to Latin America, the Caribbean and energy-hungry China.

Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina have been studying a proposed transcontinental pipeline linking their countries to Venezuelan natural gas fields.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12411785/from/RL.1/
What do you think?

I think he’s right, and I think it doesn’t matter. No one can stop the neo-cons.

I think he’s right, and I think it doesn’t matter. No one can stop the neo-cons.

Not even spiderman?

Or it could be the massive speculative inflows combined with growing demand in India and China and the lagging restoration of US refining capacity which is creating massive drawdowns of gasoline supplies, and those drawdowns are leading the entire complex higher.

Or we could just blame the US's "warmongering" (regardless of the fact that we're not alone in opposing a nuclear Iran), that's fun and easy too. Too bad high prices are going to destroy the oil industry rather than preserve it, because every day of high prices is another day of faster alternative energy pursuit.

Or it could be the massive speculative inflows combined with growing demand in India and China and the lagging restoration of US refining capacity which is creating massive drawdowns of gasoline supplies, and those drawdowns are leading the entire complex higher.

Or we could just blame the US's "warmongering" (regardless of the fact that we're not alone in opposing a nuclear Iran), that's fun and easy too. Too bad high prices are going to destroy the oil industry rather than preserve it, because every day of high prices is another day of faster alternative energy pursuit.
That's all true, but he is right. No matter how you look at it, it's us that drive the Hummers, it's us that is at war in Iraq, it's us that is in the war of words with Iran and it's us who's money is flowing into the commodities market.

That's all true, but he is right. No matter how you look at it, it's us that drive the Hummers, it's us that is at war in Iraq, it's us that is in the war of words with Iran and it's us who's money is flowing into the commodities market.

Touché. But still, a lot of the demand growth is coming from other places so it's not totally our fault. We're only part of the problem, but a big one. Still, higher prices motivate change so it's by no means a bad thing if prices don't spike too much.

Not even spiderman?


Only SuperMan can.

I think it's China's fault.

Damn those communists, teaming up against us like this!

We need Captain America, dammit.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/04/21/markets/oil/oil_guzzling_restyled.gif


I guess the US will just have to make do with less.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/04/21/markets/oil/oil_guzzling_restyled.gif


I guess the US will just have to make do with less.
To be fair, country by country comparisons on total consumption aren't really what we should look at. For example, Canada's way down that list but their per capita oil use is every bit as high as the US's. The difference in total use is the difference between about 30 million and about 350 million people. I think it's better to compare regions on a per capita basis. North America vs. Europe, for example. NA still uses much more, I just think its a fairer comparison.

To be fair, country by country comparisons on total consumption aren't really what we should look at. For example, Canada's way down that list but their per capita oil use is every bit as high as the US's. The difference in total use is the difference between about 30 million and about 350 million people. I think it's better to compare regions on a per capita basis. North America vs. Europe, for example. NA still uses much more, I just think its a fairer comparison.
I guess so. But for some purposes one must consider comparisons of national consumption, as per capita measures are not relevant to geopolitics.

Hugo Chavez is a fool. He's following the crowd in blaming America. Hey! I'll jump on the band waggon!

American pigs! Die you scumbags!

...I miss the days when you could watch riots and laugh. Now it's all Anti-American protests, save for the Paris riots. I tell you one thing. If America doesn't shape up, it's going to tear it self apart.

Our conviction is failing. Our President can't lead us fully. We're sending all our jobs overseas.

It's very hard to see the American Spirit anymore, it's been corrupted by an unchecked captiolist system, what really makes me sad is that America is a great country, dispite our gobal watchdogging, we enjoy many freedoms not given to other people, now, I'm not saying we should pity them, but I am saying that we have to stop handing out so much and work on the homeless and the like in America. Stop adopting kids from fuggin' Asia!

Adopt a hobo! Train him to fight in the hobo fights!

Anyway, we where talking about oil, right? Eh, what is there to say? Someday it will be gone, but I tell you one thing, I'll be damned before I pay more then 4 dollars a gallon. I'll walk if need be.

I guess so. But for some purposes one must consider comparisons of national consumption, as per capita measures are not relevant to geopolitics.
True. That's why we have a house and senate.

Hugo Chavez is a fool. He's following the crowd in blaming America. Hey! I'll jump on the band waggon!

American pigs! Die you scumbags!

...I miss the days when you could watch riots and laugh. Now it's all Anti-American protests, save for the Paris riots. I tell you one thing. If America doesn't shape up, it's going to tear it self apart.

Our conviction is failing. Our President can't lead us fully. We're sending all our jobs overseas.

It's very hard to see the American Spirit anymore, it's been corrupted by an unchecked captiolist system, what really makes me sad is that America is a great country, dispite our gobal watchdogging, we enjoy many freedoms not given to other people, now, I'm not saying we should pity them, but I am saying that we have to stop handing out so much and work on the homeless and the like in America. Stop adopting kids from fuggin' Asia!

Adopt a hobo! Train him to fight in the hobo fights!

Anyway, we where talking about oil, right? Eh, what is there to say? Someday it will be gone, but I tell you one thing, I'll be damned before I pay more then 4 dollars a gallon. I'll walk if need be.
You may have to talk to your shrink about upping your meds.

I blame immigrants. They use their powers to absorb the oil and sell it for top secret information...it's just so un-American.

You may have to talk to your shrink about upping your meds.

Why? I take anti-depressents. Not anti-psychotics, if I took those, it wouldn't have a point, I'm not a psychopath. I'm a sociopath. (I forget if that's the correct spelling)

Why? I take anti-depressents. Not anti-psychotics, if I took those, it wouldn't have a point, I'm not a psychopath. I'm a sociopath. (I forget if that's the correct spelling)
I think so, but specifically I was referring to your lack of focus. :)

He's absolutely right...US capitalism and pressure on Iran. I love the high prices though...people here are complaining, but they pay $8 in Germany.

I think so, but specifically I was referring to your lack of focus. :)

Oh, that. Yeah, I get lost in thought. I can focus, I just choose not to. If we can't lack focus at some points in our lives, we become robots. I mean, I'm an eight teen year old, I'm not a 60 year old monk.

Anyway, Chavez, I say we should take him out. He's a bastard.

To be fair, country by country comparisons on total consumption aren't really what we should look at. For example, Canada's way down that list but their per capita oil use is every bit as high as the US's.
You mean instead of looking at relevant things like "total oil consumed," we should look at ambiguous, pointless numbers like "per capita consumption."

Oh, that. Yeah, I get lost in thought. I can focus, I just choose not to. If we can't lack focus at some points in our lives, we become robots. I mean, I'm an eight teen year old, I'm not a 60 year old monk.
Sure, but the thread title is, "Hugo Chavez blames U.S. for high oil prices," and you were saying we should stop adopting Asian babies and teach the homeless to fight. :)

I just thought you should know that. :)

Anyway, Chavez, I say we should take him out. He's a bastard.
Where have I heard that before? :confused:

Oh, yeah. I remember.
http://datelinehollywood.com/wp-content/PatRobertsonimage.jpg

You mean instead of looking at relevant things like "total oil consumed," we should look at ambiguous, pointless numbers like "per capita consumption."
It's not pointless or ambiguous at all. Let's say we do ration oil on a wordlwide basis. Are you saying Jamaica should get the same allotment as China?

You couldn't hope to ration oil on a per capita basis. It would mean giving current inequalities official endorsement, and halting the economic ambitions of most of the world. Irrespective of the physical realities on the ground, no-one could ever sign up to that. People will prefer to fight shooting and bidding wars as they have done in the past.

You couldn't hope to ration oil on a per capita basis. It would mean giving current inequalities official endorsement, and halting the economic ambitions of most of the world. Irrespective of the physical realities on the ground, no-one could ever sign up to that. People will prefer to fight shooting and bidding wars as they have done in the past.
I understand and I think you know I do, I was just making the point that per capita oil use is not a pointless or ambiguous data set. It is a critical number if you wish to understand the issue.

It's not pointless or ambiguous at all. Let's say we do ration oil on a wordlwide basis. Are you saying Jamaica should get the same allotment as China?
How is that relevant? It isn't.
Let's say some one wants to measure how much oil a country uses.
I, like an intelligent human beging, use the "total oil the country fucking used" number, where you, like a politician trying to say your country is greet, uses the "per capita number of imaginary, political bullshit" measurement.

Where have I heard that before? :confused:

Oh, yeah. I remember.
http://datelinehollywood.com/wp-content/PatRobertsonimage.jpg


I less than three Pat Robertson, for the fact the man is so old, he has to be god.

Also, I'll crack a joke about rape, I don't take life seriously, if I did, I'd die.

How is that relevant? It isn't.
Let's say some one wants to measure how much oil a country uses.
I, like an intelligent human beging, use the "total oil the country fucking used" number, where you, like a politician trying to say your country is greet, uses the "per capita number of imaginary, political bullshit" measurement.
So you would give Jamaica the same total allotment of oil as China.

That's just brilliant :rolleyes:

Maybe you just don't understand the concept of per capita? As in looking at the consumption that each individual person used. Wouldn't that make more sense?

If each individual American used more oil than each German, then American society would have a problem that should be addressed.
If each individual Cuban used more oil than each individual Canadian, then Cuban society would have a problem that should be addressed.

But no, you would rather punish a country for having a large population. Now that is what sounds like "bullshit" to me.

How is that relevant? It isn't.
Let's say some one wants to measure how much oil a country uses.
I, like an intelligent human beging, use the "total oil the country fucking used" number, where you, like a politician trying to say your country is greet, uses the "per capita number of imaginary, political bullshit" measurement.
If you want to know how much oil a country uses you look at how much oil they use. If you want to understand how and why they use as much as they use, the first thing you'll need to know is per capita use. If you want to see how much you can reduce use our how you can decrease consumptiuon you also need to know per capita use. I think you need to start at the beginning of this thread and reread my posts. I was not cheerleading for the US. On the contrary, I put the blame for high prices, in large part because of our per capita use, squarely at our feet.

I less than three Pat Robertson, for the fact the man is so old, he has to be god.

Also, I'll crack a joke about rape, I don't take life seriously, if I did, I'd die.
You better call the doctor. You may be having a stroke. :confused:

"Hugo Chavez blames U.S. for high oil prices"

Of course he does. Who easier to blame for all the troubles he's about to cause his people?

He's "about to cause." Is Eutrusca going to explain how Chavez is going to go Stalin and kill 20 million people now?

I think it's China's fault.

Damn those communists, teaming up against us like this!

We need Captain America, dammit.

Wait, Captain America never fought the commies! He was frozen for the Cold War...

He's "about to cause." Is Eutrusca going to explain how Chavez is going to go Stalin and kill 20 million people now?
Again, don't have arguments, go to the illogical extreme.
Who said anything about Stalin?

Again, don't have arguments, go to the illogical extreme.
Who said anything about Stalin?
It's another thread, keep up.

It's another thread, keep up.This thread is about Chavez blaming US for high oil prices... keep up.

This thread is about Chavez blaming US for high oil prices... keep up.
Good job, you know something.

While uncertainty in the middle east, espescially regarding Iran, is having on impact on the price of oil, it's clearly not the level of impact that would result in the gigantic jump in prices that we've seen of late. Instead, the factors causing the rise in the prices of oil deal with more classical economic behaviors. Supply is clearly not increasing, and at the same time, demand in East and South Asia is skyrocketing daily. An obvious causal factor for the rise of prices.

Beyond that, Hugo Chavez blames the US for everything. Including overabundances of crickets in certain regions of Venezuela, the smell that comes out of his shoes when he takes them off at the end of the day, and the fact that he has to empty his cat's litter box every week.