Obama wants to raise gas pricesFollow

Do you understand the difference between evidence and conjecture, and why one is the stuff conspiracy theories are made of?

What am I saying? Of course the answer is, "only when it's convenient to my argument."

It's what was being talked about. You're just shifting the argument as you go.

For someone who hates the radical brown people with such passion, varus sure seems eager to stay in their thrall.

Considering the inherent instability in the ME and China's and India's exploding infrastructure growths, I would think that any methods of incorporating new energies and weaning off oil would be of prime importance.

Oh, really? That was the point? Because I thought the point was that he had some secret plot to raise gas prices via tax hikes. Wait... let me check...



... yep, yep... lying about intentions.. conspiracy with the energy secretary... "Except the evidence is there"! Found it! I found the point! Yay me!!

Have fun running around with those goal posts, Gbaji! Don't let the truth catch ya!

Really? We're asking whether or not Obama believes it's good policy to raise prices on some energy sources gradually in order to encourage alternatives, right? That's the "grand conspiracy" we're talking about (a label I didn't use btw). What evidence would constitute "strong evidence" that Obama thinks this is good policy? Let's see:

1. Appointing the guy who proposed the idea as your energy secretary.

2. Publicly stating that high prices on those energy sources (gas specifically) wasn't a problem, but the fact that they rose quickly was.

3. Showing an apparent complete lack of concern about gas prices when given an opportunity to raise taxes in some way.


Yeah. I'd say that's "strong evidence". Wouldn't you? I mean, what would indicate that he supports that policy? Should he come out on stage with a goatee and a monocle, holding a white cat, and cackle at the public while proclaiming his evil plan to raise gas prices? Cause I'd think that the above three points are pretty good indicators as to his position on this. Wouldn't you agree?


We could go further and talk about his statements about alternative energy, his support for cap and trade mechanisms, his reaction to the gulf oil spill, and numerous other actions and statements he's made along the way. And while this "plan" is certainly not the entirety of his agenda with regard to energy, I don't think it's a stretch at all to suggest that he has no problem with said plan except the public backlash he'd suffer if it were implemented in an obvious manner.


Let's even toss out the assumption that anyone is "planning" to do this, or taking specific actions to make it happen. Are you saying that Obama wouldn't like gas prices to go up in order to encourage alternatives? The original assertion didn't say that Obama was doing anything actively to make this happen, but just that he would like it to happen. Can you honestly say that this isn't true?


And once we get to that point (and it's not a stretch at all), there are lots of things you can do (or just not do) that can easily facilitate such price increases happening. You don't have to be obvious about it. Just *don't* push for oil producing countries to keep their stocks at reasonable levels so as to keep prices low. Don't push for domestic production of oil. Don't push for more refinery capacity. It's not that hard to do, but there's a clear delta in terms of effect on the public either way.

Edited, Mar 2nd 2011 6:03pm by gbaji

Gbaji really take spains to play it both ways. He acts like he's not a rapist when he's talking to some people but then he goes on about how vague and easily changed the actual lines of "Rape" are and how some things most people would call rape aren't really rape in his opinion. It's almost as though he's trying to appeal to both rapists and non-rapists and let both of them know he's really a (non?)rapist deep in his heart.

Someone want to link details on that monorail for me? I'd like to read up on that but am too lazy to do it myself.

Teehee. That's cute.

If you have to ask...

So, uhm, what's the downside to the monorail Varus? Because what's in Bel's article sounds pretty good for America.

Nothing says you still can't. This offers options and for those who want to drive, they can. and for those who want a cheaper, quicker way, they'll have it.