First Iran know Saudi Arabia?

Interesting, amusing, conflicting, and perhaps a bit disturbing are the words that first come to mind when attempting to articulate the current stance Saudi Arabia has taken in demonstrating its unwillingness to increase oil production, even for its “friend” and “ally” the United States.

In his second visit this year to the Saudi Monarchy, US President George Bush pressed for an increase in oil production as a means of lessening the unyielding costs American drivers are frequently incurring. While the demand clearly exists, many high ranking Saudi officials see no need for such an increase, claiming that until customer demand exemplifies such a need, amplification of the current production system will remain idle.

“Supply and demand are in balance today” said Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi. As if to suggest to the international consumer that the rising price of gasoline has no direct link to the desert kingdoms lack luster desire for additional distribution. Even though at the present rate of 9.45 million barrels a day, the Saudi Kingdom continues to fall short roughly 2 million barrels of production capacity every day.

Despite the obvious need and overwhelming desire expressed by countries like the United States, China, and India, Saudi Arabia and other resource rich countries continue to turn a blind eye. Not only does this demonstrate their true colors - that of exploitation and unregulated greed - toward both friend and foe alike, but at the same time serves to highlight the unfortunate reality we are now required to deal with. You see, we've already sold ourselves short. Rather than enforcing the need to internally build upon the assets and natural wealth this country already possesses, we’ve instead chosen to play cards with the black-jack dealers of: Iran, Iraq, and Venezuela. Where once we held the keys to levy the terms and conditions by which the international game would be dealt, we know find ourselves playing with anything but house money. Leaving us not only indebted to the demands and un-American interests of foreign based havens of totalitarian control and terrorist intent, but we now too must meet head-on the many challenging aspects of a historically overdue road, sure to be plagued by complicated decision making, the risk of economic recessional downturn, and an environment that has already proven to be anything but conducive to the needs of a struggling superpower.

In a world whereby friends can overnight morph into enemies, it becomes hard to argue the relevancy of realist theory. But for those whose hope isn’t built upon constant chaos and self-interest I ask you this…..what world are you living on?

Iranian Dependance?

“Oil prices shot to a new record near $127 a barrel Tuesday on concerns that Iran may consider cutting crude oil production”.

I’m not sure what is worse. The American people paying on average $3.73 a gallon for gasoline or the fact that this recent upsurge in gas driven energy cost is due in large part to the whimsical antics of Iran.

According to the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude oil set to ship in June increased to a record high, reaching as much as $126.98 a barrel, before eventually settling late Tuesday afternoon to an abysmal $125.80. On average, this recent increase in regular gasoline, amounted to only a 1.4 cent increase according to a recent AAA and Oil Price Information Service recent report.

While a 1.4 cent increase may not from the onset appear to be all that daunting, some analysts have suggested that with Memorial Day just around the corner, the worst is yet to come. Which leaves many, like myself, concerned about not only the financial ramifications often associated with increased energy demand, but also, how will those already consumed by a slumping economy and the dwindling dollar stay psychologically firm when confronted by the paralyzing grasp of every day necessity?

With gas quickly approaching $4 a gallon in some parts of the country, many like myself are growing deeply concerned about the what the future will hold, given the fact that its successful longevity has already be auctioned off to the the highest bidder....Iran!

While some energy pundits like James Cordier, president of Liberty Trading Group and OptionSellers.com, expressed rampant attention to the prospects of an Iranian “reduction” in oil production, Cordier, in recognizing the current state of Iranian economic hardship suggests that even the most minimal of reductions would greatly impact Iran’s economic dependence to the “petrodollar”.

So lets see if I've got this right. Currently the world's lone super power, the United States of America, is experiencing both a drastic increase financially and psychologically, all because some codependent – petrodollar – seeking nation-state, Iran, has allegedly embarked on the future prospects of reducing the only source of legitimate capital flooding into that inhospitable terrorist safe haven. Am I really to believe that my country, along with its many gas dependant technologies, has fallen hostage to those in position of a single earthly compound? Have we truly reached a point in our nations history, whereby the need to satisfy our graving for the pump, has superseded our foreign policy outlook of not exchanging with or growing dependant on, those of whom threaten our country, way of life, and tangible existence?

The time has come to reject this gas based savagery! No longer should the people of the United States be subjected to the demands of an unstable country lead by an even more dysfunctional dictator. If America and her global stance on terrorism and diplomatic relations is ever to be taken seriously as an international democratic trend setter, we need to begin to exhibit a more profound willingness to rid ourselves from ruthless tyrants and totalitarian regimes, even if that comes at the expense of economic dilapidation and incremental stagnation!

In other less startling news, the United States Senate voted on Tuesday 97-1 in favor of impeding the daily shipment of 70,000 barrels of oil to the Unites States strategic petroleum reserve. While this recent attack by the legislature has been viewed by the Bush Administration as nothing more than political pandering, some legislatures apparently believe that in reducing America’s tactical energy objectives, they will serve to assist in alleviating American consumer pressure at the pump. As if to suggest that the only way of altering American dependence on foreign oil is to simply legislatively reduce the amount of emergency fuel storage our country should be allowed to have.

A Must Read!!

My thanks to Reasononline and author Gene Healy for both their efforts and opinions on the current dilapidated state of America’s once honored Executive Branch. This brilliant outlook on the demise of Presidential leadership demonstrates how the motives of both “Imperial President’s” and the “Progressive Movement” helped guide a once modest position of constitutional restraint to that of a hemorrhaging - multifaceted public guardian!

With that being said I encourage each of my readers to devote a few moments of their time so as to better understand your unique role within The Cult of the Presidency.

A More Perfected Preamble!!

Recently I was introduced to the following remarks. I hope you learn to appreciate and enjoy them as much as I have.

“What is interesting is that American history has also begun to repeat itself. The problem is that we are nearing the point of Bacon's Rebellion, which means that we still have another hundred years before any real change will begin to take place. Yes, I'm sorry, Mr. Obama. You will not bring the type of change that this country needs. Higher taxes, more welfare, anti-gun laws, and a host of other socialist, totalitarian initiatives are not what the people want, regardless of what you tell them.

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

has been supplanted by

We the Oligarchs & Politicians of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Oligarchical Plutocracy, promote greed and injustice, insure domestic unrest, provide for our own defense from the people, promote favoritism and socialist welfare, and delete the blessings of liberty for those not of our class and their posterity, do ordain to destroy the Constitution of the United States of America.”

Honestly, could this have been stated any better? Cooper, your outlook upon the crumbling nature of our modern political system is spot on! While I still hold out hope for my Country and its Constitution, I too feel as though a spirit of sweeping rejuvenation is necessary, if this country is ever going to reaffirm itself as the championing voice of honest self government, proper democratic representation, and constitutional clarity.

Is Kobe Really an MVP?

In a world whereby sports and other less meaningful sources of overpriced entertainment reign supreme, the NBA officially stooped to a new all-time low! Instead of honoring one of its better, more suitable representatives with the distinguished honor of – player of the year- the NBA chose instead to promote and further uplift perhaps it’s most misleading example of true class and dedication. Leading many like myself to wonder if the MVP, which at one point meant Most Valuable Player, had now been reinvented to mean something more along the lines of Most Villainous Persona!!

Yes, Kobe Bryant has in many ways had a wonderful statistical season, and by that account has been found worthy of dawning the NBA’s most prestigious award, it’s MVP. But should achieving high levels of categorical success really be all that matters when looking to determine MVP status? Or should we as fans and members of the media take into account other less numerically inclined factors when attempting to decide on who best exemplifies a league and its given fan base?

It is my belief that all too often we, as a sports enthused culture, fail to accurately address these and other pressing issues because of our own disillusioned logic. Somewhere down the line we seem to have bought into this ridiculous notion that just because someone is more athletically inclined or has exhibited the ability to run faster, jump higher, or react quicker, he or she is somehow excluded from the bounds of normalcy. And in achieving such, they have been granted an unlimited pass when it comes to civil responsibility and social dignity. And such is the case with Kobe Bryant.

Stemming from his adulterous behavior in Eagle Colorado and continuing through to this past summer’s list of personal demands, Kobe Bryant has exhibited domineering characteristics alright, but not ones often depicted on the backs of collectable trading cards or Sports Center highlight reels. Instead Mr. Bryant has routinely subjected his team, teammates, front office, and devoted fan base, to a list of demands the likes of which include: (1) insisting to be traded numerous times, (2) calling out Lakers’ General Manager Mitch Kupchak for failing to adequately surround him with championship like talent, (3) openly criticized upper management and Lakers’ owner Jerry Bust, and (4) eagerly ripped into current teammate Andrew Bynum, for not living up to expected levels of professional performance.

Funny isn’t it, all this from a “man” who had just recently verified his willingness to compromise his own legacy and that of the entire Lakers’ organization, largely at the expense of one lonely night in Colorado. It’s just a shame that in today’s world, what one does off the court, is in large part overshadowed by what one’s honest talent will allow him to do on it!

While magnificent talent and a flair for the dynamic can prove financially worthwhile, it does fall short of one’s own ability to be known on and off the court as a worthy - Most Valuable Player. Granted, Kobe Bryant along with his illustrious career will go down in the history books as being one of the games greatest legends, but in a world where pure athleticism has shown the ability to downplay real-life tragedy as a means of achieving real-world accolades, will any of us really care?

The Unlucky 436!!

Isn’t it a shame State Legislatures can’t hold “General Sessions” more often? But then again what type of elected body needs multiple opportunities when looking to “over-kill” the legislative minds of a given constituency? But when have you ever heard of, let alone experienced, a State or Federal legislature that was really all that genuinely interested, let alone concerned, about the impending short and long term needs of a given population? And the Utah State Legislature is no exception.

Having just recently passed a total of 436 “new” legislative measures, the Utah State Legislature has officially made its annual contribution to of all things….decreased political inclusion. By not catering to a society already plagued by the overwhelming forces of political division and economic hardship, the Utah State Legislature, instead chose to focus on the concept of never-ending expansion, and with it the unremitting realization often associated with government generated and enforced regulatory intrusion.

This tax based means of state enablement becomes even more tragic when you consider it takes even more time, money, and yes regulation in order to sufficiently put into practice the regulatory controls deemed necessary when looking to properly attain expected outcomes and/or results. But then again, in a country whereby the merits of one’s political aspirations have come to outweigh the validity of one’s realistic scope of proper implementation, who’s to concern themselves with cyclical antics and unequivocal disregard? Umm, something tells me this isn’t exactly what the founders had in mind when they instituted a federalist system of localized problem solving, which when paired with the US constitution, produced a unifying force of constitutionally infused collectivism.

So what are we to make of this political craftiness? And how are those affected by its confining grasp supposed to interpret this blatant abuse of legislative authority? Well for starters I believe it:

· Greatly Reduces political interest and involvement. The sheer size and complexity associated with most if not all of our governmental entities is simply too much. Now days those responsible to act and participate within the confines of American democracy too often find themselves either overwhelmed or fundamentally misinformed by a system they see as being any thing but responsive and practical. Thus, it is largely believed that in order for one to demonstrate sensible political inclusion one must either be a full-time member of the systems exclusive class, or an over engaged, politically enthused, self proclaimed pundit.

· Severely Increases governmental dependence at the expense of personal duty. Upon returning from his studious adventure into the very fabric of American Democracy, the famed political theorist Alexis de Tocqueville, observed in 1840 this aboriginal flaw inherently woven into its very political make-up.

“The American future is an innumerable multitude of men, all equal and alike, incessantly endeavoring to procure the petty and paltry pleasures with which they glut their lives. Government becomes the parent, as “it provides for their security, foresees and supplies their necessities, facilitates their pleasures, manages their principal concerns, directs their industry, regulates the descent of property, and subdivides their inheritances: what remains, but to spare them all the care of thinking and all the trouble of living? Such a power does not destroy, but it prevents existence; it does not tyrannize, but it compresses, enervates, extinguishes, and stupefies a people, till each nation is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid and industrious animals, of which the government is the shepherd.”

Enough said!!

· Overextends the original intent of democratic self-governance. By continuously enlarging the scope of state and/or federal authority, modern day politicians find themselves at the helm of today’s political control tower. In doing so, and for reasons of sustained elect-ability, they have willingly risked the founding principles of self-governance, personal freedom, collective independence, and individual happiness. And looked to replace them with an institutionalized, largely dysfunctional system, based upon dwindling levels of personal action, accountability, responsibility, and above all sovereignty. Which leads me to recall the day’s of Henry Thoreau’s poignant charge of how “people should not permit government to overrule”. Because it is widely believed that efficiency and effectiveness are not marked by government overextension, but rather in the esteemed belief that a government governs best when it governs least.

While it remains to be seen what affect if any the latest Utah “general session” will have upon the everyday lives of those living under its reign, one thing is all but certain. The American political landscape, built upon the founding principles of democratic - republicanism is in series jeopardy. By enacting another 436 law-binding measures, Utah state lawmakers like other local, state, or federally elected officials, find themselves on the wrong side of constitutionally established precedents. And in doing so, wound up being victimized by the very master in whom President Washington foresaw when he stated that a “Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.”

A Little Political Humor for the Weekend!!

In yet another moment of shocking revelation, the young Senator from Illinois must now discover a way of downplaying Reverend Wright's devotion to of all things "water-boarding"!!


Will you be paying today with cash, credit, or first born?

Are We Sure She's Qualified?

Now I know much has already been said and written regarding the sad state of affairs surrounding America’s current list of potential Presidential contenders. While each candidate has in more than one way demonstrated the credentials deemed necessary for such an electoral calling i.e. lying, distancing, undercutting, overlooking, and my personal favorite pretending just to name a few, the 2008 Presidential race in many respects has boiled down to nothing more than coffee and cream.

Coffee and cream you ask? What does that have to do with the current state of Americas highly charged –over amplified – pretentious run to the White House? In truth, coffee and cream have very little too do with would be Presidential Politics. But it does have a little something to do with hopeful Presidential Politicians. After all wouldn’t you want someone responsible for answering those 3:00 A.M. phone calls at the White House at least capable of functionally using an automated coffee maker?