Oil – Gas Prices and Gas Pricing Around the World – Ouch!

I thought I would do a short follow up to my previous rant on gas/fuel. Here are a couple of interesting links for the angry, the confused and the curious.

Think four buck a gallon here in the QC sucks? How about paying $8.06 in France, $8.44 in Belgium, $8.90 in Finland or even $9.31 in Denmark. —> try checking out this link to Wikipedia talking about gasoline and diesel usage that also has fairly recently updated Prices of Gasoline around the World! Spooky!

Curious about pricing? Try this link from How Stuff Works that talks about How Gas Price Work.

Curious to know what actually is born out of a barrel of oil. Evidently just over 51% of a barrel of oil is made in to gasoline. The rest is used to make several other commodities. Try this link from the California Energy Commission to find out “What’s In a Barrel of Oil?” Interesting reading!

If I run across anymore links on pricing I will post them here. Anyone else know of any links that provide pricing information? If so post them, after all misery loves company!

High Gas and Fuel Prices Crippling the World Not Just the US

Listening to many here in the US you would think that the only people suffering from high fuel prices is the USA. The US is not the only place complaining about high prices at the pump! We are around $4 dollars a gallon here in the Quad Cities. Some places over in Europe are paying around $8 dollars a gallon for the same product due to their higher fuel taxes. People are protesting and others are threatening to go out on strike. They, like us, also have many businesses that are facing hard times due to the fuel price escalation. They are also like US citizens in their clamoring for their governments to do something about the prices. But just like in the US the only opening for governments to have much effect on the prices is through reducing taxes. They could do this, just like we could, which would offer a small and temporary relief. Of course when the things like roads and other infrastructures that are government supported by those taxes start to deteriorate, you can expect the same screaming of what are you going to do about it aimed at the government. The people and governments around the World have truly reaped what they have sown. Everyone turned their eyes and ears away from the lesson taught us in the 70′s that we need to pursue alternative energy sources. The late 1970′s were just a small harbinger of things to come if Governments and People do not get off their lazy asses and fix the problem. Of course the solution/s are still in the infancy stages due to all the foot shuffling for the last thirty plus years. In all probability there will be many wrong turns faced before a real viable solution is set in place. Nor are you going to fix this problem by forcing the auto companies to squeeze another mile or two per gallon on the vehicles gas usage. If you got billions of people sucking milk from the same teat, it just means some will go hungry. Here in the US we could be kicking the oil market speculators – driving the price up – in the groin if politicians from the left and right would start pumping some of the oil out of the ground that we have available and then start refining it. Then the speculators could go make some money elsewhere for a change. But as long as we continue to do nothing the intelligent speculators are going to make money off the misery we feel at the pump. Plus if we started pumping and refining oil, that should also drive the oil price down in the world markets while creating a temporary umbrella allowing us time to solve the current conundrum of what energy source/s will replace oil. But the politicians prefer to play politics and do nothing and the people just keep voting in the same losers from the left and the right that sit on their haunches and “play hear no evil – see no evil – know no evil”. Perhaps after we are facing lines similar to the 70′s where you waited in line for hours to overpay for a few gallons of gas only to find out that the car ten spaces ahead of you got the last few drops available that day; someone – somewhere might actually move faster than sloth mode. The choices are simple. Find energy independence through whatever means necessary or become enslaved to terror states sitting on the oil deposits around the world.

Restaurant Eating For Less $$$ In the Quad Cities

The contraption the wizards entrapped my foot in makes it difficult to stand long periods plus standing for extended periods still causes the foot to swell. I still have another week to go before my foots freedom. So most of my cooking has been limited to microwaving and frozen pizzas. Which has also meant that I have grabbed takeout meals and eaten out at restaurants way too much. That also means finding a driver and meals can get expensive. So today I am listing my favorite Quad City value restaurants I visited most over the last couple of months.

Number 1 was —> Yen Ching Express located on Avenue of the Cities, in East Moline. I think it is one of the best-kept secrets in the Quad Cities restaurant scene. You can get takeout or eat in and it does not cost a fortune, even if you are also feeding your hungry chauffeur. They make it fresh , they make to your degree of fire and they are quick. Add some eggrolls and crab rangoon and I love this place even when I am not counting my pennies.

Number 2 was—> Grinders and Spaghetti House also on Avenue of the Cities, in Moline. If it is just I, their $5 meatball sandwich is good food and a tummy filler! If you got more mouths to feed – you go for one of their family feasts to go. With the feast (takeout only) you get your choice of a half-gallon of either spaghetti, mostaccioli (I can’t spell it without spell checker, but I dang sure can eat without any help at all), ravioli, tortellini or fettuccine along with your choice of bread ( I love all their breads) and a 16″ gondola sandwich. It is enough to feed four and the cost is under $20. It is another good place to eat without breaking the piggy bank.

Number 3 was —> Golden Corral Buffet on Elmore Avenue in Davenport. A little more expensive than the first two but it is an all you can eat establishment. The best part of this place for me is that it is one of the few places that I can mix, match and choose raw vegetables to eat. Except greens (collard, spinach, mustard etc.), grilled peppers, onions and corn I am not a big eater of cooked vegetables other than in soups. I usually tried to schedule the foot-wizard appointments on Thursdays because on that day at the Corral is also shish kabob day. Their beef kabobs are a little chewy but I like prefer their sausage kabobs with a little grilled pineapple anyway.

Number 4 was—> Harlans, also over in Davenport. Harlans is on all my lists of restaurants. I have mentioned before, I like their food and the atmosphere of the restaurant. They not a fancy place but I think they prepare some of the best fried-chicken in the area. Plus they also prepare my favorite Onion Rings in the area. Over the last couple of years it has become my favorite Quad City restaurant. (I also am a fan of the fast food joint Culvers when craving takeout fried-chicken.)

Number 5 was —> Mr. Pandas on 1^st Avenue in Silvis. I have been pleasantly surprised ever since the place opened. The restaurant is very small but I usually get takeout even when my foot is not on strike. They have a good-sized menu. Any food I have ordered has been tasty yet inexpensive for eating out. Price and selection make this a great value for eating takeout. Even better it is close to the home of volunteer chauffeurs willing to make a food run for me.

Does anyone else have any less-expensive local restaurants they frequent? I have to admit I also ordered from all my favorite pizza joints previously mentioned, several times. I also grabbed takeout from Rudys Tacos more than once. I even grabbed a ½ lb burrito or some chalupas from Taco Bell a few times. (The burritos and chalupas really aren’t too bad for fast food.) Still I am glad the foot will soon be freed from its prison and the cook-stove and I can strike up a relationship again. Sigh, of course it will soon be hot and that will limit cooking. On the bright side, by then the garden should be producing tomatoes and cucumbers, if this cold streak ever ends. On a down note I tried the new KFC Smoky Chipotle Crispy chicken and was greatly disappointed. My fault really – because I was hoping for something more along the lines of Popeyes spicy hot chicken. The KFC product was edible but it was not what I wanted.

On a side thought am I the only person that does not understand why KFC chooses to sell beef gravy instead of chicken gravy to accompany their chicken. !!!!!!YUCK!!!!!!

Opening Pandora’s Box An Eternity of Perpetual Fear – No Extra Charge!

According to Greek Myth the insatiable curiosity of the first woman on Earth, Pandora, spurred her to open a magic jar/box that loosed all of mankind’s evils and troubles. Once liberated they were able to freely traverse the Earth and torment mankind for eternity. I wasn’t there for Planet Earth’s early grand opening celebrations, so I cannot attest to the actual content of the spirits that were freed. Heck I cannot even tell you if the Greek Gods were offering free financing and your choice of home hand-appliances or Chia pet as enticement to attend the grand opening. What I can say, is that during my lifetime, my personal observations have been that many of civilizations’ most frightful trials and tribulations are self-made. Which brings me to todays theScoundrel musing. (Those preferring the short story should now skip to the last paragraph!)

The results of ills loosed from a Pandora’s jar are that they are lifetime opportunities occupied at creating worry and suffering throughout civilization. The last few days I witnessed a couple of Pandora based omens addressed in two different mediums. The first was a remake of an old 70′s move called The Andromeda Strain. The original version as well as the remake deal with biological infections that turn into plague-style events. The remake is actually a TV mini-series (I only made it through part 1) but also delves more into government conspiracy angles than the first movie. Though these are fictional accounts, the worry of plague events are real and based on past history. What really makes these conceptions more unique are the X-factors surrounding terrestrial and possible extra-terrestrial microbiological foes and the more modern knowledge that several someones, somewhere, right now are probably using various governments’ funds to play with these stealthy microorganism foes, in order to create some new and improved strains of superbugs. While these movies were not the first or even the best to address a growing problem the world faces, they manage to point out the problems when dealing with organisms that are parasitic and have as strong an ability to survive as humans. The other Pandora event was actually addressed by John McCain in his run for the POTUS speech. McCain like most wizened individuals evidently understands the problems associated with the current world-wide epidemic infecting so many nations around the world that has created a need for nuclear arms fervor. He wants to address the problems created by the wide spread nations entering the nuclear arms race and help stop the epidemic. As a twenty-nine + year old man that does not have fond memories of the USA/USSR nuclear Cold War – I applaud his desire and wish him luck!!!

Here is the rub! These two doomsday worries are like the trials and tribulations that fled from Pandora’s Jar, they are not going away. They are here to stay. The citizens of the world will get to see puppet shows of prancing, preening and smiling as world leaders gather at barely competent organizations such as the UN, while assuring each other they will endeavor to persevere over these scourges towards mankind. And in secret scientific rooms around the world new generations of Mengeles, Tesslas, Curies, Edisons and Einsteins will create the next evolution of Frankensteins to jump from Pandora’s Jar. Some will do it out of curiosity. Some will do it for money. Some will do it for fame and glory. Some will do it out of patriotism. Some will do it because some mullah has informed them it is gods will. Some will do it out of fear because they know the the other guy is hard at work doing the same thing. Some will do it just because they can. But do it they will, and all the rest of us can do is hold on to hope that things do not get too far out of hand. And though the governments around the world will use our taxes to pay for all the fun there is no extra charge for the perpetual fear endured from these races for extinction.

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Scales of Justice Should Be Blind not Oblivious

When you read trial results you often have to shake your head about the often seemingly imbalanced judicial sentencing for crimes. I am not thinking Bell Curve high sentencing cases where you might possibly get life in Folsom for stealing a donut or the Bell Curve lows, where unless you are stupid enough to have murdered some notable figure, the judge and jury will probably just pat you on the head – say bad boy don’t do it again – then hand you a Starbucks Latte Grande – a double scoop of your favorite Ben & Jerrys ice cream – a winning lottery ticket trip to Florida, a list of fashionable golf courses and point you towards the door that leads to freedom. Those are headscratchers but they are also anomalies. No the cases I am thinking of are a little closer to home and more centrally located in the crime and punishment curve.

Case one in Davenport Iowa. A still young twenty-nine year old man that has a long criminal history (I have read as high as 60 counts) including a murder in 1993 -at the age of 14 – where he was sentenced to fifteen years in prison gets sentenced recently to a now infamous sentence of getting churched-up for what is just one of several more violent criminal events he has been embroiled in since his release.

Case number two in Sioux City. In what is a case of four teenagers calling in a phony pizza order then assaulting the pizza delivery driver, stealing the pizza and attempting to make away with the drivers money: two of the teens involved have been sentenced to ten years in prison for the event. My searches for information on the story have yielded little crucial information. So it is difficult to weigh the balance of justice served in this case, as the most informative of the stories I could find did not elaborate on past criminal activity by those involved, the severity of the attack on the driver, if there were weapons involved or even the total amount of the goods and cash stolen. I think ten years might be a little harsh, though not too awfully harsh, since the action was clearly premeditated.

I am not claiming that I know what the proper amount of punishment any of the individuals deserve. What I am saying is that there should be a balance in sentencing that is fair, justifiable and understandable. If you compare the two cases you have to wonder how someone, such as the individual in case one, with a clear violent history could walk away with basically a series of continuous slaps on the hands while the other two teens involved in case number two are looking at serious time. I am not saying that the individuals in case two are being overly punished. No, it is hard to say just how harshly they should have been punished. But the facts that they planned and executed a plan to accost and rob an individual points that they need more than a hand slap. Sadly the punishment is not likely to teach them any real lesson as our penal systems are designed to make master criminals out of petty criminals. I am saying I do not understand the leniency being shown towards the individual in case number one. When you consider the breaks the individual in case one has been receiving after being involved in a long series of violent criminal activities and compare them to the second case it makes you wonder – why the difference in treatment? In comparing these two cases I do not see any balance of justice. I also understand that the scales of justice are supposed to be blind, but that does not mean she is supposed to be oblivious to the evil that surrounds her.

Boston Children’s Hospital Creates Medical Program to Chemically Butcher Children

In what has to be one of the more bizarre articles I have read about the medical industry, a Boston Children’s Hospital has setup a sex change program to chemically delay puberty in preteen kids. The chemicals are designed block the normal hormonal changes that happen during childhood that generates gender development. The whole foundation of the process is built on “if and maybe and feeling out of place” during a time when a kid is just starting to become aware of his or her sexuality and place in the world. It is a time when “if and maybe and feeling out of place” is the norm. But this is not some hair do that can be changed but a process that will alter their physiology for the rest of their lives. Worse yet, consider the domineering parents that would push such an agenda because they were originally dissatisfied with the sex of their child. I cannot believe that any adult in their right mind would chemically butcher preteen children in such a manner. This is one procedure that needs to be banned in Boston and everywhere else. In fact the procedure should be criminal for a hospital or doctor to perform. This is nothing less than chemical butchery of young children and it is inappropriate beyond any explanation!!!

Ron Paul – Political Maverick and Revolutionist – Opening Republican and Democrat Locked Doors

Ron Paul created a loud political stir in his recent attempt to secure the 2008 Republican nomination for POTUS. He has even managed to write a successful selling book called “The Revolution: A Manifesto”, based on his campaign and political philosophy. I am not a Ron Paul advocate. In fact Paul and I have very opposite opinions on several subjects. But even though in the short-term, Paul’s campaign failed it was not an unsuccessful endeavor. Ron Paul brings something to the political dinner table that both the Republican and Democrat Parties are badly in need of, a maverick challenge to their closed-door policy of promotion. A weakness in our two-party system has been evident for some time. The only way to climb within the rank and file is too kiss-ass and sell your soul to party leadership. The Ron Paul campaign was an aberration that both parties have went out of their way to avoid. In previous years a Ron Paul candidacy would have been squashed internally by party insiders, rarely – if ever- seeing the light of day. The Democrats have even went so far as to put about 40% of the Party POTUS selection in to the hands of Super-Delegate party confederates that owe their political existence by maintaining the status quo of the existing power structure. This limits the effects that rogue candidates like Paul can actually have should they have considerable popular support among the voting public. Ron Paul has proven with his candidacy that despite one of the major parties having a secluded entrance designed to keep a candidate on the outside looking in on the process, there are still ways past the locked doors that the two-party systems have erected. In what was a revolution more than a campaign, and included a method contrary to past campaign ideology, Paul took his maverick message and ideas to the Internet, where he was able to avoid many of the normal political party hoops to jump through, which are required of a potential candidate. So even though Paul has lost this fight, he has shown a path available for future candidates, who have been obstructed by the Republican and Democrat Parties, wishing to reach the voting public. There is an old saying, “You can take a horse to water but you cannot make him drink”. The Internet can open doors that allow new and often corralled ideas out of their pens. But it is up to the public to search for, listen to and evaluate a candidate’s message. Perhaps the eventual biggest and most telling approach will be a candidate getting the voters to take off the Republican and Democrat political blinders that they have all became accustomed to wearing inside the voting booths that they actually kick in the locked gate. If and when that actually happens, USAmericans will get their country’s government out of the dirty hands of politicians scheming in smoke filled back rooms. In that way, even though Ron Paul lost an election, he has won a victory for us all – because he has helped show USAmericans the way around the current political party system blockades. And even though I am not a Ron Paul follower, for that he has earned what is rare political applause from this blogger.

Ladies Lingerie To Go Eco-Friendly Green

According to a Reuters article, environmentally conscious ladies will eventually be able to purchase a new solar powered green “green” bra. According to the manufacturers the bra should produce enough power to charge your iPod or mobile phone. It is designed with a solar panel that will be worn around the stomach. An added advantage is that the solar panel displays messages and the product will come with a pad designed to hold bottle/cans of your favorite beverages. The ultimate boy toy – a place where their boyfriends will probably store beer?

The design does have some obstacles to overcome. The solar panel cannot be covered or it will not generate electricity. I suppose that is not all that big of a deal, the lingerie is not really any more provocative than other items that are worn as outer layers. It looks like the perfect outfit for a day spent in the Wrigley Field bleachers. But the biggest drawbacks I see are – one -> that you are not supposed to wear it in the rain or you risk damaging the solar panel. (You definitely would not want to leave the house with out a raincoat it seems.) Second, and maybe the biggest obstacle in my opinion -> you can’t wash the product without risking damage to it. Yew!!

Also ladies, before you ask, sorry but it did not say if will it come with a battery replacement adapter for your Jack Rabbit Pearl.

Arkansas Woman to Birth 18th Child!

Last August I blogged about an Arkansas couple, Michelle and Jim Duggar, whom had just celebrated the birth of their 17^th child. I was amazed at their sacrifice and family commitment in this day and age of passing-ship marriages and families. The wife/mother has spent eleven of her forty-one years of existence in the stages of pregnancy. WOW, that has to take commitment. And after reading last week that the couple had announced an 18^th child is due January of 2009, I am even more amazed. I salute their fortitude and family devotion. Although I do think they are probably taking the bible verse “be fruitful and multiply” a little to serious. Still more power to them, for as much as I like children, I am not sure I could have the same enthusiasm for their abundant wealth.

Though I actually like children, I could never have visualized raising as many children as the Duggars. In fact I don’t have any of my own. Maybe that is why I like children I have never had to take care of them in a 24/7 365.2425 days a year setting. Perhaps it is true, maybe absence does make the heart grow fonder. I have helped take care and baby-sit children short-term and long-term over my lifetime. But at the end of the day they usually get sent home with mom. Of course I am not what you call an ideal or first choice babysitter. I am more of an – Oh My God!!! – is that the only choice I have babysitter! Yup, when junior or missy are left with theScoundrel for any extended length of time, mom is usually ready to scratch my eyes out at the very least. Hmm, perhaps another in a very long list of rejection reasons that theScoundrel is still single. By the time children have left the care of theScoundrel they are well schooled in the important lessons of life. First and foremost during training it is required of my young padawans to be capable of swilling and guzzling Mt. Dew. Even though any visitation is on a temp basis, they must learn to eat all the proper and nutritious food required to reside at my place. Moms can proudly know that their children will learn to healthily eat and properly including the various ways to toss peanuts towards the ceiling and snap them out of the air with their mouth. The children will learn all the basic food groups like tacos, egg rolls, bacon-cheeseburgers, onion rings, Freedom Fries, also snacks like salty–> peanuts, tostadas, tater chips – sweet–> chocolate in all forms, moon pies, Little Debbie nutty bars and snack cakes, brownies, chocolate chip cookies – plus calcium enriched products good for their growing bones like Ice Cream, Chocolate Milk, Sour Cream Onion Dip and Sharp Cheddar Cheese. Another important eating technique is learning how to have fun while eating your food like learning how to take your straw and blow bubbles in your soda, milk or tea. I teach them how eating in or even wearing shoes in general, is hazardous to the health of your feet except when in construction zones. Your toes cannot not properly breathe inside shoes. Not only do I teach them the importance of eating properly I teach the the importance of exercise afterwards, like going outside with the dogs running along the fence barking at neighbors, passersby and though no immediate family has been has been in the family business for decades, we still are not partial to revenuers err., I mean government employees coming to near the property, so it is equally important to bark at them until they leave also. I display to them how if mom has plastic or paper plates in the cupboard, you can still play Frisbee even when you cannot find your real one. I show them how the mailman delivers paper that can be used to make great paper airplanes to fly around the yard and house. I also teach them how to entertain themselves when they are tired of playing with toys. I show them how blowing up paper bags and exploding them behind unsuspecting individuals can be great fun and often times useful when someone is sitting in your favorite chair. We learn the importance of expelling bodily gases. Your body tells you to sneeze, belch (real theScoundrels belch, wussies burp) and fart for a reason, it does not want that gas inside anymore! We also practice our obnoxious noises like fake farting and how to belch on demand. And I also teach them proper sharing techniques of television viewing and how Cubs baseball and Bears football programing take precedence over all other programing or events. It is important to teach them how to share family television time at this young age!! I also teach them the impertinence of bad manners like it is not an intelligent move to throw a temper tantrum on someone that is four to five times your size and that is highly capable of holding his breathe longer, jumping higher, screaming and whining louder than some little tyke. But in general kids and I have a great time together and keep asking mom when they get to come back! Mom’s on the other hand usually mumble something like we’ll see and Uncle Buck? You would think they would be ecstatic about their kid finding a place they like to visit and especially after that someone has just spent the whole day watching and teaching their kid/s important life lessons! Sheesh!

Former OJ Simpson Pal Claims – OJ Admitted Killing Nicole Brown Simpson

Another book about OJ “The Juice” Simpson is set to be released this week. According to an article by AP special correspondent, Linda Deutsch, another telltale book about Simpson by a former memorabilia dealer that previously worked with OJ selling collectibles, Mike Gilbert, is ready to reveal to the world in his book that they can purchase for $27.95, that Simpson during a drug and booze induced incident a few weeks after the trial, admitted to Gilbert that he killed his wife Nicole Brown Simpson. In the article Gilbert spins a story about how OJ’s close friends, Gilbert included, were caught up in Simpson’s world of overindulgent lifestyle and tended to ignore OJ’s previous domestic violence problems. According to Gilbert, the “Juice” also claimed that if his wife had not come to the door with a knife in her hand to greet him the night of the murder, she would still be alive today. Maybe, maybe not, when dealing with Darth Juice, his dark-side clouds the past, present, and future thus making any event impossible to see. Poor-Poor-Poor OJ, always the victim never the antagonist!!! Gilbert also manages to take claim for the bloody glove test-fit failure during Simpson’s trial. He claims during the trial he explained to Darth Juice that if he would stop taking his arthritis medicine his hands would swell and the gloves would be hard to get on. Yikes! Who can forget Johnny Cochran’s “If it (the gloves) does not fit, you must acquit” mantra from the OJ trial! Team OJ has shot back claiming Gilbert is a broke, drug-addicted big time liar out to make another buck off his ex-friend and business partner. Probably true, but that does not make the book false or true. According to Gilbert the reason he is releasing this information now is to clear his guilty conscience. Right – and I bet the considerable cash Gilbert will make from the book deal might also have more than a little to do with his deciding to clear his conscience this many years after the set of events.

Hear is the rub, the book may or may not be all true, partially true or one big fat lie! The Darth Juice confession topic actually sounds plausible. It comes across as a conceivable part of a violent series of events, fueled by OJ’s macho-guy ego and temper. Much of the subjects covered in the AP article sound probable. However Gilbert’s glove component of his story sounds contrived and implausible, especially since all the lawyers I listened to that were following the trial were surprised that the prosecution had Simpson try on the gloves. It was not an expected trial event. When announced many law experts were predicting the idea would be a failure since the leather gloves had been soaked in blood, and it turned out to be a huge failure. Wet gloves considerably shrink when they dry! His glove scenario sounds like overkill by someone looking to add credence to a story. I will pass on the purchase of the book. It does not sound like he has anything to say that will affect my evaluation of the previous events surrounding the murder and/or trial. The book sounds like another seedy greedy individual trying to continue to capitalize from his association with what is probably an even sleazier OJ.

More on Poor-Poor-Poor Misunderstood OJ the Victim!!