[hal ogen]

Is it possible to dislike so many people? These LIB/DIM asshats are very, very tiresome.

[mgist]

This will reassure you. Who knew our country was so corrupt. Now I understand a lot of things, like Carter for example. He wasn't as dumb as a doorknob, he was bought and paid for, just like Obama.

The 50 years under OPEC have been eventful

Sep 14th 2010

OPEC, the cartel of oil producers, celebrates its 50th anniversary on September 14th. The organisation was founded in 1960 with the explicit purpose of manipulating oil prices by controlling supplies. It has generally proved successful. OPEC controls around 80% of the world's proven reserves and over 40% of the world's production among its 12 member states. The Gulf states that dominate OPEC have the biggest reserves and lowest costs, so can most easily turn the taps on and off when required to keep prices high. Despite the slow return to health of a sickly world economy, oil fetches a lofty $75 a barrel, which Saudi Arabia, OPEC's most influential member reckons is "ideal".