The Daily Punk

March 21, 2008

(I’m a Slacker Who Neglected to Post An Update Yesteday And It Won’t Happen Again Edition)

1.  Gas Profits

There is a story in the Huffington Post today about how Exxon refuses to raise production of gasoline despite the limited supply.  I am not qualified to opine on the fuel industry or supply demand issues (I am barely qualified to operate a motor vehicle), but I find it strange that the oil companies can be making “record” profits on the sale of a product despite the constituent price going up.  Generally if a price input increases, profits will fall.  Kelloggs, for example, is harmed when corn prices rise and is benefited when they fall.  Oil prices have gone up about 400% in the past five years yet Exxon continues to post record profits. Obviously part of this comes from the fact that they own oil fields but that can’t be the whole answer. The rise in prices should be harming the gas companies.

Making this even worse is the fact that we are technically at war.  In any other war companies that extort record profits from shortages and supplies are considered criminals.  This is the very definition of “war profiteering” — improperly benefitting from the limitations of supplies imposed by warfare.  I have never heard any allegations showing the companies are doing anything illegal (that would take an investigation which isn’t going to happen) but the Right’s refusal to at least consider the possibility is perplexing.  It is bad enough that we will have to pay the costs of this war to come and that thousands of Americans have lost their lives, but why should companies — American companies — profit? Should we Nationalize the oil companies?  No.  Should we impose some price controls?  Yes.

But then again, war profiteering is hardly a new idea.  The following is an excerpt written by former U.S. Marine Major General Smedley Butler.  His words express the feelings of many:

War is a racket. It always has been.

It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.

A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small “inside” group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make huge fortunes.

In case you care, that was written in 1935.  Nothing changes.

2.  Reverend “Right”

I heard a local radio host compare Reverend Wright’s claims to the statements made by Don Imus.  This is the height of speciousness so I refuse to address the question.  (Although if I were to address it I would say there is no viable comparison between a nationally broadcast radio host making a punchline out of a group of young women merely because they were black and the emotional outburst of a war veteran who has committed his life to bettering his community despite suffering vast prejudice, but I digress).  What it did make me do, however, is go watch the actual Wright speech rather than listen to the overplayed excerpts.

It is shocking.  Unfortunately for Limbaugh and crowd what is shocking is how benign his comments are.  Frankly, it is hard to see it as a real critique of America.  Even the “Chickens coming home to roost” bit is merely a quote from another person; Ambassador Peck.  A white dude.

Watch it for yourself:

3.  Facebook Sucks

It’s about time somebody said it: Facebook blows.  Every “App” makes you invite fifty friends before you can use it and most pages are overloaded with crap and pointless shit like “Super Pokes.”  Fuck it.  I give it two years.

4.  Paris Hilton Goes to “Colege”

Okay, yeah, I photoshopped this and, yes, it’s admittedly a poor job but, you know what, I think it’s funny.

5.  Beatle Mania Continues

Jesus, I am in a coffee shop and what should come on?  “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away.”  I am literally surrounded by these guys lately.  This is a phenomena.  (BTW, in honor of the Beatles please pronounce the word “mania” as “mah-nia.”)

Well once again I carried away on a topic and don’t have the time to do ten.  I’ll poke around a little more and add some stuff later.

Peace out nerds.