[JPJones]

Many investors believe the dollar's protracted decline over the past year has been the most significant factor behind oil's rise from about $66 a barrel a year ago to today's highs.

The dollar's decline IS the biggest factor in the price of oil.

Unlike the '70s, I have seen NO SIGNS of any shortages.

The Senate is pointing fingers at big oil to distract from their mismanagement of our currency.

[RightWhale]

I have seen NO SIGNS of any shortages

That's because the pipeline holds a fair amount, perhaps a month or two of buffer. Down 1.5 hours world supply wouldn't show up at the spigot end.