Tony Petroski

For Your Perusal: The Glory of Free Market Oil Supply

I'm not sure what the proper response is. We are all doomed?

58robbo: You made some good points, but English writers, even those pressed for time, use "I" instead of an "i." Small matter i know, and i know you are busy.

Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds

Solid article Mr. Schaefer. It's particularly useful to have some real stock picks included. Thanks.

Climate Change: How to Invest for the Possibility

Solid article Mr. Schaefer.

A few nits to pick.

The author: "Fact 1: The earth is getting warmer. Or at least it has been. Climatologists disagree on whether it is still warming or whether (as the data now suggest) that it has been warming but may have reached a zenith and is now declining. Let’s say it is still warming."

Why should we say "it's still warming?" Because the establishment media portrays anybody saying otherwise as an idiot? It's either a fact or it isn't. The thrust of your article is that it is not a fact and that the climate fluctuates much like the stock market does. That is a fact. I agree however with your investment advice.

You end with: "Avoiding overpopulation, illiteracy, disease, and hunger never go out of fashion. Global cooling did. I imagine global warming will, as well."

Global cooling went out of fashion. I imagine global warming will as well. I recall global cooling and nuclear winter scares along with the killer bees, and you are right on the mark. "Global warming" is already giving way to "climate change." That way you are hedged whether the trend is cooling or warming.

Your "avoiding overpopulation" is a new one. I doubt there have been but a few nations in the history of mankind that have been devoted to that one. Still, avoiding overpopulation looks to be a soluble problem. The Japanese are experimenting with the benefits of a declining population, so far not so successfully, and the Europeans are following in their footsteps.

Your general thrust is correct. People will want to eat, global warming or not. They'll want to be healthy and clothed (except if they appear on TV or the movies). I would add that they want to have a house to live in, and despite the current woes in the real estate sector, only so many people will be willing to live in the basement of their in-laws or in caves.

BP: Beyond Petroleum and Back

I'm shocked. An oil company returning to a focus on oil? Next we'll be hearing about car companies wanting to build cars.