Oil Storm the moive On FX channel

[coveredbridge]

I watched it, but I didn't find it very entertaining. It seemed to me to be a poorly conceived effort to exploit the recent surge in oil prices.

The premise wasn't even close to believable, and some of the plot lines didn't make any sense to me. For example, with all the Federal programs that could be cut, why would farm subsidies be at the top of the list? Also, how were the farmers, whose mantra was "food, not oil" going run those big JD's, on biodiesel?

Still, for those of us that lived through the 70's, it raised some ominous memories of some pretty dark days, literally and figuratively. I remember gas lines, 5 or 10 gal limits, if you could find gas at all, odd/even days based on your license plate number, waiting lists and rationing of heating oil, etc. The oil crises of the 70's had a crippling and long lasting impact on our economy, and I see no reason why a similar disruption couldn't happen again.

What I find ironic is that now the issue is not crude oil supply as it was in the 70's, but domestic refining capacity; a very different problem, but no less serious, IMHO. Everybody wants to drive a pickup or SUV, but no one wants a refinery or power plant in their back yard. The status quo is simply not sustainable in the long run.

 

[frank_f15]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( It was another prime entry in the "blame America first" crowd's resume )</font>
wonder how many of these emerging nations, would sell thier products if the great american evil consumers were not around?

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> It seemed to me to be a poorly conceived effort to exploit the recent surge in oil prices.</font>
Given how long it takes to make a movie (from script creation to broadcast), this is highly unlikely.

<font color="blue"> wonder how many of these emerging nations, would sell thier products if the great american evil consumers were not around? </font>
Once a billion Chinese consumers enter the market, we wont matter as much. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[RoyJackson]

"Given how long it takes to make a movie (from script creation to broadcast), this is highly unlikely. "

These made for TV flicks can be knocked out in a couple weeks.

"Once a billion Chinese consumers enter the market, we wont matter as much."

Yeah..you got that right! It's tough to believe...or want to believe, but we as a nation have probaly seen our best years.
As a guy in my 50's, I find it really depressing...

 

[EastTexFrank]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> profit is king </font> )</font>

That's what makes the system work.

I must admit, I watched the movie last night just to see what it was all about. It was OK if you like "end of the world as we know it" type of disaster movies but the basic premises were all wrong. Apart from the "food not oil" business that has already been mentioned, it was based on the idea that America IS the world. How they jumped from the US's inability to physically import 2 million barrels a day to $125/barrel oil is beyond me. In fact, it would have the exact opposite effect since the US couldn't offload the oil, it would lead to a 2 million barrel a day surplus/glut in the world market which would drive spot market oil prices down, at least until production could be readjusted. Now, if the chain of events that were depicted were to occur, there could well be shortages and rationing as well as blackmarketing and gouging in the US but $8 a gallon gas and the end of our way of life ... I don't think so. Still it was entertaining in a way and it did show how vulnerable world oil supplies really are and how dependent we are on it and that was the message it hoped to convey.

 

[EastTexFrank]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> "Once a billion Chinese consumers enter the market, we wont matter as much." </font> )</font>

Hey Roy, don't get too depressed just yet. It's not the thought of a billion Chinese consumers that's worrying it's the idea of a billion Chinese consumers WITH MONEY TO SPEND that's worrying. Now while the Chinese economy may be booming, I don't know just how much of that is actually filtering down as disposable income to the poor working slobs and peasants. With their form of government, that may still be quite a ways off. Hey, I'm just trying to cheer you up. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[slowrev]

Yeah..you got that right! It's tough to believe...or want to believe, but we as a nation have probaly seen our best years.
As a guy in my 50's, I find it really depressing...
//

Yep it is. Same boat as you and it seems that the golden age is over. It is a big rock that takes a lot of time to spin down though. Hope I am wrong for the Grand Childrens sake though.
Ben

 

[Jagmandave]

I also found the psuedo documentary style offputting, and changed the channel after a few minutes - I've had enough bad news lately that I don't to watch fake bad news!

On a lighter note, while in the same boat as a lot of other late 50's boomers, I figure that even tho things change they don't always change for the worse, so I still have hopes for my grandkids...............

 

[Unclebuck257]

Sure are a bunch of us "Old Fart Boomers" in here, aren't there!!??? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Grandkids are our worry too, but remember they'll have grown up in this high oil/gas price situation so to them, it'll be as normal as 17 cents a gallon gas was when we were teens!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Cityboyfarmer]

I didn't watch it. No cable or satellite TV in my house. Spend enough time (too much) on the computer as it is.

Anyway, I can't help but be positive about the future. A billion Chinese consumers? Good ole American entreprenuers will figure out a way to sell 'em all kinds of American stuff. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
There's just no getting around this global economy. Might as well join in and make some coin with 'em.

As to the $8.00 a gallon gas...well, necessity is the mother of invention. Its only a matter of time before gas prices drive the alternative fuel market into high gear.

Like the 80's song said:

"The Future's So Bright....I Gotta Wear Shades! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif