Oil hit $128 a barrel.  Recall very recently it broke the $100
"impossible" barrier.  Now it is almost a third higher still.
One investment bank predicted it will soon hit $141.

There is a vicious circle.  Speculators expecting prices to rise, by
their hoarding cause it to rise.

At the start of the Bush era, it was $22 a barrel.

Who benefits by higher oil prices?

1. Exxon and friends. They made the highest profit of any corporation
in world history.

2. Everyone.  Energy pigs refuse to cut back emissions unless whacked
very hard with high prices.  High prices are a symptom the bastards
still have not had enough pain. They are just beginning to cut back.

3. sellers of devices to use energy more efficiently, including home
insulation, double pane windows, contractors, heat pump makers,
hybrid cars, electric cars, electric bikes ...

4. OPEC countries. They are siphoning money out of the USA.

5. Canada, a net oil producer.  It needs high prices to cost justify
extracting the oil sands.

6. alternative energy. Solar, wind, tide, geothermal...

Who is hurt by higher oil prices?

1. manufacturers. They need energy for manufacturing and transport.
Customers have less disposable income since it is going for energy and
food. There is less left over for manufactured goods.

2. Joe Average. His gas bills, heating bills, food bills, consumer
goods are all more expensive.

3. SUV sellers and owners.  They cost too much to run, and the resale
value has plummeted.  New SUV sales are dropping.

4. farmers.  They have higher costs for tractor fuel and fertilisers
(made for petrochemicals), and energy to pump water.

5. the poor.  Food prices for basics like rice and wheat have doubled
around the world. This means starvation for many.  People starve so
rich fucks can bomb around in SUVs and yachts that take $1000 of fuel
at a filling.

6. Tourism industry.  The costs of travel by air or car mean more
folks will stay home or close to home.
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Roedy Green Canadian Mind Products
The Java Glossary
http://mindprod.com