On fuel pricing in Number 6, you forgot to mention several additional factors. One of these is boutique fuels, where a particular formulation is required in an area. This creates a micro-economy in that area, as you cannot bring it in from another area. Another is government taxes. Every time, a Democrat(generally), Al Gore or some other eco-type opens their mouth, they talk about "newly" taxing gasoline to subsidize alternative energies. As it is, the government makes more of a profit on a gallon of gas than the oil companies. They also make 50-percent of the so-called windfall profits. These high profits mentioned on television by talking-heads are pre-tax. The US government (read Pelosi and Reid) won't allow drilling in the US or offshore, thereby making us beholden to terrorists for our oil. Finally, the Eco-types (and Democrats) haven't allowed us to build a new refinery in this country in 35-years, thereby artificially restricting the market. You have to have noticed with just the idea of opening US oil-drilling the price has dropped precipitously. It cannot be completely equated to conservation.

In number 7, it is my understanding that prior to this current run-up, when you add-in inflation, we were paying less than 1970's.

In number 8, I don't see how their revenues and profits equate to $130/bbl price to $2/bbl cost. If what the oil minister said is true, then it is all the more reason why we need to drill here, drill now. We can also use our coal reserves and nuclear. bio-fuel from algae makes more sense than using a food commodity, which creates shortages in other areas of the economy.