[MHJ]

Let me get this straight: speculators are evil when they predict prices going up (and are the reason for it) yet they have no role when it goes down?

[DianaR]

Originally Posted by atto »

Politics aside, I wish we could get someone who understands economics in the White House. This isn't the first time a basic Economics 101 lesson would help a lot. What's he want to do? Limit/Regulate the US oil futures market? All that would do is shift volume to other (international) exchanges.

Speaking of economically minded politicans, check out Ross Perot's new site. There's some really good information there about the current US economic condition.

I just bet that other, international exchanges wouldn't allow that shift, since it has started a nice little cascade that none of them have enjoyed either.

Just because economics 101 paints one picture, doesn't mean there are no worthy alternatives to the status quo.

Things will change if deemed necessary, and I bet the international community, outside of the Middle East, won't balk as much as many hope they will.

[MHJ]

All that will do is drive people away from investing in oil futures. That would, in essence, cause a great deal of harm to the market

[dementyia]

Don't people realize that investing, above nearly all else, is what makes our economy strong?

[Liza]

That's true, but if people don't feel a sense of security in what they are investing, then they won't, they will opt for something more secure.

[firewalker]

talk of the week again...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/op...bert.html?_r=2

[xracer]

According to this video Morgan Stanley is one of the biggest energy speculators.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4713382n


And the last paragraph of this article basically points to that claim.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=azM1UG4fWBsU