[Gondring]

But if we lose refining capacity, what would be the point? It's still crude oil.

Oh, but it's symbolic, and that's what counts! </sarc>

[Chesterbelloc]

I was suprised to hear on the news yesterday that the Strategic Reserve could completely replace Gulf area production for over a year. President Bush has been buidling up the reserves since 9-11. They then went on to explain that the real problem, as you point out, is lost refinery capacity.