[SoldierDad]

I’m not talking about an action by the U.S. which will result in the price hike. I’m talking about how the U.S. oil companies will use this incident as another excuse to raise the price of crude due to the “threat” being posed here (threat being anything they can use as a reason for padding their pockets).

[neutronsgalore]

“I’m talking about how the U.S. oil companies will use this incident as another excuse to raise the price of crude....”

They most certainly will. They’re professionals when it comes to exaggerating the need to “compensate” for the “dangers” to the crude supply.

There could also be considerable danger for Chavez if he gets in a tangle with the Colombian military and loses a battle or two badly. His credibility and leadership would be severely damaged.

[Darnright]

>I’m not talking about an action by the U.S. which will result in the price hike. I’m talking about how the U.S. oil companies will use this incident as another excuse to raise the price of crude due to the “threat” being posed here (threat being anything they can use as a reason for padding their pockets).<

I think you’re right. Everything Chavez does has to be examined in relation to what it will do to damage the US, in this instance its economy. The oil traders are going to look on this as their Mega Millions jackpot.

[xjcsa]

I’m not talking about an action by the U.S. which will result in the price hike. I’m talking about how the U.S. oil companies will use this incident as another excuse to raise the price of crude due to the “threat” being posed here (threat being anything they can use as a reason for padding their pockets).

That only works when buyers are willing to pay it. If oil companies have unilateral control over the price of oil, why isn't it already $300/barrel? And why was it ever $15/barrel, with oil companies going bankrupt?

[Octar]

I’m talking about how the U.S. oil companies will use this incident as another excuse to raise the price of crude....

The US oil companies do not sell crude that they do not produce, nor do they control the price of it.

They buy crude and refine it and sell the products.

When the price of the products, gasoline, heating oil, diesel, etc. increases, it is because the refiners had to pay more for the raw material.

[farlander]

Give me a break. If you actually believe the ‘oil companies’ control the price of crude oil then I have a bridge to sell you. Just as well as ‘big corn’ controls the price of corn, and big ethanol controls the price of ethanol, and etc etc.

Might wanna try and understand how commodities markets work first before making completely assinine statements.

[demshateGod]

“(threat being anything they can use as a reason for padding their pockets)”

Hey, don’t bad mouth corporations, this is a Republican website and as such, we know corporations can do no wrong.