Something You Should Know

Bill Phillips spent nearly 50 years in the US oil and gas industry; most of his career was with the Phillips Petroleum Company. Bill is a descendant of Frank Phillips. Frank Phillips, along with his brother Lee Eldas (L.E.) Phillips, Sr., founded the original Phillips Petroleum Company in 1917 in Bartlesville , OK .

Do you remember Phillips 66 gas stations? Phillips Petroleum Company merged with Conoco, Inc. in 2002 to form the current ConocoPhillips oil company.

So, when Bill talks about oil and gas issues, I tend to listen - very closely. I think that you will find Bill's thoughts and facts very revealing, very compelling and very difficult to argue with.

As you prepare to cast your crucial ballots this Fall, please think long and hard about the far-reaching, cumulative effects of the US political philosophies, policies and legislation that have contributed to the current and future US oil supply situation.


Big Oil

By Bill Philips, May 28, 2008

Did you know that the United States does NOT have any big oil companies?

It's true: the largest American oil company, Exxon Mobil, is only the 14th largest in the world, and is dwarfed by the really big oil companies--all owned by foreign governments or government-sponsored monopolies--that dominate the world's oil supply.

This graph below tells the story; you can barely see the American oil companies as minor players on the right side of the chart in gray.

For more detail go here.

The chart was presented to the House committee last week by Chevron. (unfortunately not included in my email)With 94% of the world's oil supply locked up by foreign governments, most of which are hostile to the United States , the relatively puny American oil companies do not have access to enough crude oil to significantly affect the market and help bring prices down. Thus, ExxonMobil, a 'small' oil company, buys 90% of the crude oil that it refines for the U.S. market from the big players, i.e, mostly-hostile foreign governments. The price at the U.S. pump is rising because the price the big oil companies charge ExxonMobil and the other small American companies for crude oil is going up as the value of the American dollar goes down. They will eventually bleed this country into printing even more money and we will go into runway inflation once again as we did under the Carter Democratic reign.

This is obviously a tough situation for the American consumer. The irony is that it doesn't have to be that way. The United States --unlike, say, France --actually has vast petroleum reserves. It would be possible for American oil companies to develop those reserves, play a far bigger role in international markets, and deliver gas at the pump to American consumers at a much lower price, while creating many thousands of jobs for Americans. This would be infinitely preferable to shipping endless billions of dollars to Saudi Arabia , Russia and Venezuela to be used in propping up their economies.

So, why doesn't it happen? Because the Democrat Party--aided, sadly, by a handful of Republicans--deliberately keeps gas prices high and our domestic oil companies small by putting most of our reserves off limits to development. China is now drilling in the Caribbean, off Cuba but our own companies are barred by law from developing large oil fields off the coasts of Florida and California. Enormous oil-shale deposits in the Rocky Mountain states could go a long way toward supplying American consumers' needs, but the Democratic Congress won't allow those resources to be developed. ANWR contains vast petroleum reserves, but we don't know how vast, because Congress, not wanting the American people to know how badly its policies are hurting our economy, has made it illegal to explore and map those reserves, let alone develop them.

In short, all Americans are paying a terrible price for the Democratic Party's perverse energy policies. I own some small interests in tiny, 4 barrel-per-day oil wells in Wyoming. We have 14 agencies that have iron-hand jurisdiction over us. If we drop any oil on the ground when the refinery truck comes to pick up oil from our holding tanks, we are fined. Yet down the road the state will spray thousands of gallons of used oil on a dirt road to control dirt. When it rains, that oil runs into rivers and creeks. Yet a cup of oil on the ground at our wellhead is a $50,000 EPA fine plus additional fines from state regulating agencies. They treat oil as if it were plutonium that has the potential to leak into the environment. We are fined if our dirt burms are not high enough around a holding tank, yet the truck that picks up our oil runs down the road at 60 mph with no burm around it. People wonder why there is no more exploration in this country. It's because of the regulators; people who have lived their whole lives doing nothing but imposing fines on small operators like us for doing mostly nothing.

So, America enjoy your $4.00 per gallon gasoline. Your dollar is now worth 0.62 Euro-Cents. The lack of American production of GNP, the massive trade deficit (as labor markets have moved overseas to fight insanely high union imposed labor costs in America ) and the runaway printing of money (backed by nothing of value here in America ) has caused the dollar to become more worthless on the international market. And that's where our oil comes from. It's paid for with dollars that become more worthless everyday. If we had just kept par with the Euro we'd be paying $62 dollars per barrel for oil (42 gallons) or about $1.50 instead of $2.50 a gallon for crude oil.

What the US government also does not tell you is that it is the leaseholder and royalty recipient of most oil production and receives 25% of the gross oil sales before we pay for electricity to lift the oil, propane to keep the oil-water separators from freezing in the winters. We pay a pumper to visit each well everyday plus we have equipment failures all the time. We pay for that out of our 75% of gross sales. The government does not share in any expenses to run any production well. So, if the Big Oil Companies are making record profits, then so is the federal government from it's 25% tax on every molecule of oil sold to a refinery in this country. Why isn't the government on the stand for 'Record' profits? What you don't see is this 25% of the sales price of crude oil being siphoned away by the government. That money plus the road taxes, state taxes, etc. amounts to over $1 per gallon of gasoline you are buying while the governments only admit to about 50 cents per gallon.

To all you Democrats, when you go vote for your candidate, a blazing liberal like Barrack Hussein Obama or Hillary Clinton, just keep in mind that their liberal spending habits will further decrease the value of the American dollar on the world market and your gasoline costs will hike even higher. As they introduce more give-away programs, raise taxes on everyone to pay people not to produce or work, your dollar will continue to dwindle on the world market and you will be paying $10.00 per gallon at the next election. Cheap hydrocarbon fuel is all over.

Enjoy! Enjoy the fruits of your decision to elect these folks when you are there in that voting booth and you stab your pin through a Democrat's name.

William 'Bill' Phillips

Sphere: Related Content

Let's Really Look at 'Unused Oil Leases'

This was sent to me by e-mail and is an interesting read.

From American Anachronism,
by Mark Ward

In response to public and, mainly Conservative, political leaders clamor literally beseeching Pharoah to "Let the people (or at least the oil companies) go" when it comes to expanding our own oil resources, the past week or so Democrats have been railing against 'Big Oil' for not exploiting the vast majority of already granted oil drilling leases. The Democrat's justification for raising the unused lease issue was thus: "Why should we open more areas (see "The No Zone" Map here) for drilling when you ('Big Oil') are not using the ones you already secured?" Now that, at first, sounded like a compelling argument; but as I began to think just a little something just didn't fit.

So as a contributing member of The Heritage Foundation and as a retired military resident of Oklahoma (one of our largest oil producing states) and Tulsa (which used to be called "The Oil Capitol"), I decided to write a former Oklahoma Congressman who either rotely knew or could quickly research and address my misgivings concerning the new Democrat mantra against 'Big Oil'. So below is my request for help to former Oklahoma Congressman Ernest Ishtook, Heritage fellow, and his reply.

Continue reading here.

Sphere: Related Content

I am a M**tha F*****!

By now, you all know the story of Lt Col Jeffrey Chessani facing serious charges based on a Time story in which Congressman John Murtha made unfounded allegations against eight Marines, one of whom was Lt Col. Chessani. Lt. Col Chessani had his honour and reputation called into question because Murtha said that in a town called Haditha in Iraq, civilians were killed by US Marines "in cold blood". This event was in November 2005, and it has been a long and sad road to June 17, 2008 when a military judge, Col. Steven Folsom dismissed charges against Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani after defense attorneys raised concerns that a four-star general overseeing the prosecution was improperly influenced by an investigator probing the November 2005 shootings by a Marine unit in Haditha.

"...The charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning they can be refiled, but Folsom barred Marine Forces Central Command from future involvement in the case. The judge gave the prosecution 72 hours to file a notice of intent to appeal. The prosecutors did not make themselves available for comment... [here]

Like everyone else I have been so outraged at the cavalier treatment these brave Marines have all faced. Of the eight charged, seven have already had all charges dismissed.

_____________________________

(pictures courtesy of Defend Our Marines)

This case is not in the headlines right now, but I am still outraged. I have thought what positive action we can take. And I have come up with a plan. No, it is not a novel idea, and certainly not unique. But, I am now officially a "M***tha F*****. So far, Congressman Murtha STILL has offered no apology to ANY of these Marines. All over YouTube are videos of his declaring over and over again what criminals these servicemen were.

As time has proved, sufficiently for military judges and for the rest of us believing in truth and justice, Murtha was way out of line. He owes these Marines way more than an apology. I figure it is long overdue that all of us do at least these three things:

One, we can contact Congressman Murtha and tell him - politely I suppose - what we feel about his actions, and demand he do the right thing; the right thing in this instance begins with a public apology.

The contact information for this 'public servant' is:

via email on the government website here:

https://forms.house.gov/murtha/IMA/issue_subscribe.htm

Call him at his office (the one paid for by YOU, the taxpayer)

800-289-2642 from Western PA (or) 814-535-2642 (or) 202-225-2065

You think a fax would help? Here's that number:

814-539-6229 -- District

202-225-5709 -- Washington

And if you feel the urge to write him an actual letter? Something he can hold in his dirty hands?

647 Main St, Suite 401
Johnstown, PA 15901

Two, you can contribute to Lt Col Chessani's legal defence funds. He is represented by the Thomas Moore Law Centre.

Chessani’s civilian attorney, Brian Rooney, said later that the case was far from over:

It’s almost as if you’re looking into the abyss,” he said. “We don’t know what is going to happen [here]

Lt Col Chessani is considering suing Murtha - and he should. Also, in my opinion, Time Magazine and the "reporter" should be held accountable. 'Accountable' in this case means they must pay BIG money for all they have put the Lt. Col. - and his other Marines - through. That takes money. The Thomas Moore Law Centre site is here.

In this war, more than ever, we have witnessed the lack of integrity from the mainstream media. They seemingly "can't handle the truth." What has become really evident in this whole debacle, specifically, is the fact that Time and the 'reporter' rushed to print with lies, with total disregard for not only the truth of the matter, but also what borders on treason for printing such propoganda fed to them by disreputable sources in a time when the country IS at war. They MUST pay, even though we all know that no amount of money will ever compensate any of these Marines and their families for what they have endured by domestic enemies!

The Haditha Marines' familes have been dragged through hell, because of the despicable, irresponsible behaviour of Murtha, and Time and their employee. The families have created many sites detailing their journeys, and to read any of them is to feel their pain.

Here's a couple to check out:

http://murthamustgo.blogspot.com/2008/06/haditha-prosecutions-we-lived-it.html

http://warchronicle.com/TheyAreNotKillers/DefendOurMarines.html

Both well worth reading, if you have a strong stomach.

Last, but by no means least, we need to get political. Murtha has proved he is nothing but the lowest form of political animal, so it is time to enter that area too. Murtha has proved in the past he is severely lacking in integrity but this time he has gone waaaaaaaaay too far. THIS time, even former Marines disgustedly disown this "ex-Marine".

"[Chessani's] Attorney Brian Rooney believes that Murtha made his "cold blood" statement for political gain:

"In my opinion, it's clear it was done during the election cycle, it was done to bolster himself in the party," the attorney said. "He was vying for a leadership position, and if he had to throw some Marines under the bus to do so, that was the cost of power for him."[here]

Lt. Colonel William Russell is a decorated combat veteran who has served in Desert Storm, the Iraq War, and the Pentagon on 9/11. He's a Republican, and he came home to run against Jack Murtha in November but they kicked him off the ballot [here]

That William Russell is on the ballot at all is a miracle. I think it would be poetic justice at its finest for this Lt. Col to whoop Murtha in the upcoming elections. And he can do it, if Americans help him, vote for him. Check out his site and see what YOU can do. Murtha MUST go!

So, what are you waiting for? Join me as a "M***tha F***** and let's get rid of Murtha.

Semper Fi, Marines!

Brat

Cross posted at Assoluta Tranquillita and Tanker Bros.

Sphere: Related Content

Myth Fact

Myth	Fact
Islam: Religion of peace.	Sahih MuslimBook 001, Number 0029: It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) breathed his last and Abu Bakr was appointed as his successor (Caliph), those amongst the Arabs who wanted to become apostates became apostates. 'Umar b. Khattab said to Abu Bakr: Why would you fight against the people, when the Messenger of Allah declared: I have been directed to fight against people so long as they do not say: There is no god but Allah, and he who professed it was granted full protection of his property and life on my behalf except for a right? His (other) affairs rest with Allah.By Allah, I would definitely fight against him who severed prayer from Zakat, for it is the obligation upon the rich. By Allah, I would fight against them even to secure the cord (used for hobbling the feet of a camel) which they used to give to the Messenger of Allah (as zakat) but now they have withheld it. Umar b. Upon this Abu Bakr said: Khattab remarked: By Allah, I found nothing but the fact that Allah had opened the heart of Abu Bakr for (perceiving the justification of) fighting (against those who refused to pay Zakat) and I fully recognized that the (stand of Abu Bakr) was right.
Tafsir

Sphere: Related Content

Why Snooper Will Vote Against Obama Or Clinton

~Snooper~

I will not sit on my ass and let the world slide by to a Marxist.

I will not abandon The Troops.

Those that have fought for it, Freedom has a taste the "PROTECTED" will NEVER know.

I don't give a damn about the Republican Party. Nor do I desire to "teach them a lesson". We see how that lame attitude worked in 2006, did we not?

"McCain", in the words of many a familiar blogger, "MIGHT secure the border. Obama will not. McCain MIGHT continue the Bush tax cuts. Obama will not. McCain DOES support The Troops and their Mission. Obama does not. McCain might emplace conservative judges. Obama will not". That right there is a no brainer.

It is McCain for many reasons which goes against the grain of a feigned and ill-conceived principle based on emotion and disappointment and frustration.

The silliness and folly of "teaching the GOP a lesson" by "staying home" and thereby and by default casting a vote for a known Marxist and Troop Hater, does not and cannot pass muster, no matter the alleged reasoning. Such folly is a direct groin kick from behind to the crotch of every veteran of every war we have ever fought. It is pissing on the graves of every Fallen Hero from every war we have ever fought. This is unacceptable. Recent SCOTUS decisions should be a clear indicator even to the casual observer.

I am a Troop. My son is a Troop. My wife is a Troop. My brother (KIA VN '68) is a Troop. My father is a Troop and all my uncles are Troops. Our family has served this Nation since the Revolutionary War and before. We know what sacrifice is and what it means. Most Americans don't know what it means.

The C'est la Guerre post still stands as it is written and is even more applicable today than it was when I wrote it as does Go Ahead: Allow Obama To Win...I find it chillingly eerie that a Pfc has more common sense than those of "principle" no matter who that person may or may not be. Once again, someone with Boots On The Ground trumps those that have no earthly concept what that would be like. And, more's the pity.

No. Snooper will not roll over in frustration and weariness of The Good Fight to teach anyone a lesson about anything because I don't have the time to play that game of hysterics. I will lead by example. I am a fighter. When a Flag falls, I will pick it up and charge forward, not sit down and let someone else do it. If not me, who?

The Battle Field lies in the House and Senate, not in the Presidency. That much is obvious even to the oblivious. Over the next 2 to 6 years, that is where the conflict lies- in the House and Senate - and bears merit. All other argument(s) fall flat because they carry no merit or worth. The Good Fight has yet to be realized and that which we have accomplished in the last 8 years will all be for naught should we sit back and let the country fall to a Marxist.

I didn't serve this nation to allow the silliness and folly of "teaching the GOP/RNC/RINO/MORON class of sycophant a lesson" about anything to become some demonstrative chant of see-I-told-ya-so. That attitude causes me to practically hurl. Our Troops' blood is worth so much more than that. You want to "teach someone" a lesson? Get off of your ass, turn off the idiotic boob tube - the device of complacency, indoctrination, and escapism - and begin to write letters, send faxes and emails and phone calls to every CONgressman and every Senator. Be a pest. That is what the enemy does and is good at it. Your basic Conservative is about as lazy as a hog in mud by design and it hurts to work and fight.

If I can take power naps on a rocky crag while observing enemy movements to keep you safe at night; if our Troops can sleep in mud holes in the rain to keep you safe at night; if my son could sleep in an environment that would make an outdoorsman cringe to keep you safe at night; the least you can do is turn your goddamn TV off and commence to fight and at least try to repay them what they are so deserving of...your support. And, turning the country over to a known Marxist is not the support we Troops will except. EVER.

We got Reagan because of several events: the aftermath of Vietnam, Nixon, Agnew, Ford, Carter and the economy. And, we are STILL digging out of the Carter Quagmire on many levels. We will never see another Reagan. Period. Get over it. Step away from the 'shrooms. We got McCain because of lazy Silent Majority Conservatives too damned lazy to act until it is too late and then they whine and complain and bitch when the going gets tough.

The "lesson" to be taught and learned right here and now is this: when the going gets toughest, that is when you lay the pressure on, without mercy and without remorse. We beat Shamnesty thrice. We have exposed the Leftinistra for what they are and we are gaining. Why surrender now to teach the unteachable a lesson? What will they learn and who will teach them? There are men and women poised to snag seats away from RINOs and socialists and we are going to let Obama defeat them?

Vanity. All is vanity. And, there is nothing new under the sun.

No. It is McCain because the alternative is not only unthinkable, it is unacceptable.

Snooper speaks.

Vote it up at: Digital Journal & RCP

Sphere: Related Content