Newsy stuff

The above scanned pic is courtesy of Munchkin #2.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/24/business/24gas.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rssyahoo&emc=rss

In reference to the above article, I don't think 'big oil' is to blame for rising gas prices in the States. It is simply supply and demand. And, why would oil producing countries open the valves to pump more oil when they benefit from high prices? Only a decrease in oil consumption will bring the prices down. But, as the article states, Europe has paid high prices for gas for years.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7414093.stm To quote from this article: "Opec has so far blamed price rises on speculators and says there is no shortage of oil.
All but three of Opec's members are already at their maximum daily limits for oil output and pressure has grown on Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE, which do have spare capacity."

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/05/23/dumping.suvs/index.html?eref=rss_topstories Again, supply and demand.

And, on to other topics:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7379272.stm Race is obviously an issue in other countries. Many people think of this kind of stuff as a U.S. problem, but various forms of it are seen everywhere. Truly, this is a global kind of issue.

And.....

http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/08/05/20/10214471.html I received an email this week begging people to boycott this newspaper stating that this article was false and that this organization does nothing but work to help women. So, what's the truth? And if the article is false, why was it published? It can be very hard to tell what's true and what's not.

And.....last but not least......

I heard about two days ago that the large hotel being built on the Palm Jumeirah Island, the Atlantis?, has two whale sharks. Hmmmm....rumor or truth? If truth, then they are really building a massive aquarium. I know they had a large collection of dolphins already. So, my question is - do aquariums and zoos in the mid-east have to maintain a certain level of safe and healthy habitat for their animals? Obviously, it would be bad for business to have dead animals, but is there oversight from either an international organization or government body in how these animals are treated? Not a critique, but I am curious. And, when I was in the city where this hotel is, I was able to see it from afar. Truly, a huge structure.

Peace.