Why is Gasoline *still* really expensive?

OUR OIL SUPPLY IS ROCKIN'.
Right now, the world is pumping & transporting more oil out of the Earth than ever before. Extra sumpin' special from Saudi Arabia, fresh spickets in Iraq, offshore American, Venezualan and Indonesian rigs doing their part -- we're talking about A LOT of oil, folks. A lot more than ever before in like -- all of history?

Therefore "supply" in supply and demand is in check.

MY PERSONAL OIL DEMAND FALLING.
As a creature of habit, I've always tanked up $20 since 1989. For years, it'd fillerup. These days -- the same $20 yeilds less than a quarter of a tank in my SUV.

No more quick joyrides to the beach for the weekend or a spontaneous evening trip to Atlanta's Starlight Drive-In for a double-feature. I simply drive a whole lot less.

My "demand" for gallons is down. As it is for millions of others around the world.


Then, why is gasoline still so fricken expensive? Have we forgotten how to transport or refine it? Nope, profits are up. So what is it?

I'm no "Caribou Barbie" or "energy specialist"... but could it be that our friendly American gasoline peddlers are acting a bit greedy and self-important at our expense? Or is it time to live a simpler life? Imagine how we might treat our own neighborhoods if we spend less time speeding to the edge of it...

?seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

Crash & Bail: Resist the Treasonist Temptation

The liberal economics and integrity of Wall Street have imploded. Yes, I said liberal.

The "Live and Let Die" billionaire attitude of under-regulated capitalism has sunk without a responsible adult at the helm and now Wall Street begs for a trillion dollars from consumers American tax payers who may lose their own modest homes in the sinister shell game.

NEWS FLASH: In American Capitalism, all of us have the "Freedom to Fail."

If a bail-out is in order for Wall Street failures, we need complete transparency. CEOs, CFOs and investors involved with belly-up banks should 'turn their pockets inside-out' and go on trial for treason in contempt of the security of United States of America.

Is this rough treatment for white collar issues? No. We, the people of America will not be extorted by irresponsible billionaires.

Then, perhaps, the moral compass will realign to a better direction.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

Sometimes There Are Sore Winners

I disagree with Libs that appose the concept of W's administration's successful legacy. Actually, everything has gone as planned. *sigh*

There have been millions of loyal beneficiaries. Many believe winning wealth is essential for winning freedom. Unfortunately, they also share a tendency to blame the poor for the existence of poverty.

Sore winners can't fathom inalienable rights.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

Every Man Develops a Doctrine. And Mine is Best, of Course.

Recently, political interviews recently revealed political doctrines. Who defines one's doctrine? Someone else? Or do you get a shot at it first?

I suppose if we get a chance at defining your own personal doctrine, we should take the time to think it through. Is it bullet-proof? Could you humble your mojo? Inflate said mojo?

IMHO, my personal doctrine simply sets a direction and defines the nature my own action, rather than limit others. It is the doctrine smiled upon by the all-pervasive CPU, the big kahuna, the alpha and omega, the almighty zero and one:

The Creative Doctrine
: We are Born Creators

In *his* own image, when we create, we live... while our destructive behavior leads to decaying and fraying of our spirits -- especially those around us.

peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

And Now We Know Obama & McCain (with bit o' help from Rev. Rick Warren)

First, Rev. Rick Warren is probably one of the most awesome people I've seen. Secondly, he has a certain even-handedness which is admirable.

After a one-on-one interview with each Presidential candidate at Saddleback, America -- and the world, received an opportunity to see all that is good in both candidates. I do not believe that any further campaigning would help you know them any better.

It's been a long time, but we finally have two decent, independent-thinking people running for President.

From this point forward, it will be partisan semantics and platform-building.


peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

VIDEO: "The Last Lecture" is Brillance.

Being the video clip junkie I am, I've seen some fantastic lectures by some of the most brilliant professors, thinkers and artists. Today, "Abe" from the new Columbus, Georgia social network, IntownColumbus.com shared the video below.

Sit back and watch one hour and 16 minutes of Randy Pausch, professor at Carnegie Mellon University give his last lecture 6 months before his anticipated passing. It may just inspire you...




peace-
seanrox

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© seanrox.com.

Peggy Noonan's View: Brilliance in Journalism

In this week's article in the Wall Street Journal, Peggy slides America's tiredly-complex sentiment into context with The View from Gate 14.

During my slow motion read, the world may have stopped, and I believe they have awards for such craftsmanship.

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© seanrox.com.

SoZen Understanding for Cocker Spaniels

Coming to terms with a cocker spaniel is to know they probably don't have a "stay function."

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© seanrox.com.

Polygamy, Prejudice and Cronyism: Things Real People Are Into and How We Learn About It.

Even Twain speaketh: "Truth is stranger than fiction."

Gasp-Tastic 'Gonzo' Media.
Seems in these modern times of communication, the spirits of Mr. Ripley and Hunter S. Thompson have embodied themselves in the form of gasp-tastic 'gonzo' media. Hour after hour of analysis of the freaks living next door. It's the news. Believe it... or not.

Death of the Sitcom
TV analysts express melodramatic outrage and spew blind psychiatric prognosis at the drop of a sensational headline, these modern lurid American stories are stated, re-stated and debated. We are drawn into the minute-by-minute coverage, leaving little interest for our once-revered family sitcom.

Yes, fading are the moaning evenings of half-hour, prime time, cutesy, half-laughs and vanilla spiritual sludge. Today, more and more Americans are discussing current events and sharing their unique perspective on the perverse facets of our very odd world.

Via 24/7 coverage of American Polygamy, Prejudice and Cronyism, exposing our "reality" has possibly changed the theatre of media forever.


CASE #1 : PolygamyFLDS in Eldorado, Texas.

I KNEW IT!
I've driven by that mini-tabernacle hundreds of times heading south from San Angelo where my parents still reside. I always suspected the property could operate some shady operations going on in such a self-righteous structure.

THE FIX?
I hear the authorities have in custody hundreds of girls and children with tales of arranged "spiritual" marriages with grown, married men. How will these people integrate into society after all this out-of-time abuse?

Best case scenario -- I hope modern Mormons step in, take a leadership role and make a difference. America's most popular LDS members, Mitt Romney and Glenn Beck could take the lead in helping these 400+ children. They share many cultural and religious norms with the abused, but I expect both Romney and Beck will most likely distance themselves from these Fundamentals and their problems.

CASE #2 : Obama vs. Prejudice

There are places in America where men feel strongly that an elected black president will give black people in America a fresh advantage over all others. Fortunately for them, it appears to me that Obama lives and thinks on the far side of this ignorance.

It's my take, that this candidate would make key decisions with both The People and Our Constitution in mind which is quite possibly the fairest of all positions. But, of course, what does a graphic designer know?

CASE #3 : Political Cronyism

Presidents make millionaires and wars, but war-time presidents make millionaires into billionaires. EVERYTIME.

Keeping this in mind can help you make your own choice on election day. More on this topic as the election nears.

But... it's important to note Twain also said, "History does not repeat itself. It rhymes."
Whew.

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© seanrox.com.

Third Blog of Three

Blog three of three... After publishing business and music blogs for many clients, in 2000, I launched my first personal blog, simply titled "Me."

#1 The "Me" Blog.
This weekend, for the first time, unencumbered by subjectivity, I reviewed the thoughts of my dark, younger mind and found that writing my thoughts down changed me... for the better

I went from riches to one singular rag... from a broken heart to a better understanding of worth.

After reading those 172 private posts, I suppose found a sense of self and my "objectivism" was hatched.

#2 The "Life" Blog.
301 posts total, I grew as a designer and a friend. Super-ego aside, I saw the war machine gearing up, corruption at the hands of leaders, but began to see people begin to love each other again. Interesting how we need chaos to bring us closer.

#3 "SouthernZen" Blog.
Therapeutic analog writing filled in the years between the last blog and this one. Volumes of classic composition books line the bookcase of my future home. An amazing girl entered my life. All the simple things I've always thought "could be" are. And now, we nest and await another volume -- "The Gospel of Saint Kai". ** Due in January 2008. My how I love the girl.

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© seanrox.com.