[Falconoffury]

Or does anyone else feel an icy cold fist closing around them? Is it just me, or are we really almost about hit the biggest economic disaster in our history? It feels like we have only months left. The only thing keeping us going is the extra oil being released by the SPR. Am I right? All the ingredients seem to be present, plus some that aren't even necessary. We have an out of control government budget, serious natural gas shortages for this winter, a major loss in oil production, and oil demand outpacing supply worldwide. As an added bonus, the cases of avian flu seem to be increasing by the day.

It's 3 seconds before noon!

...

Only months left. Is it just me?

[MD]

No, it's not just you. Yes, we are all in deep shit.
But never mind that! Be optimistic! There are good times coming!

[duke3522]

I have been hearing the drums for some time now. Loader and loader all the time. Now I know the beat.

DOOM
DOOM
DOOM

Today on Fox News I saw Ben Stein going on and on about how people had better stop spending and start saving because things are about to get very ugly. He went on to say that most company held retirement plans aren't going to be worth anything, and that maybe even government plans may be in trouble.

His bottom line was that if you don't have any money saved for retirement you are screwed.

[Sencha]

I completely relate to what you're saying falcon. I want to drop out of college, quit my job and indulge myself in as many of the oil age trappings as possible, before it all goes to shit.

But, my parents would never allow it, much less understand it. And maybe a part of me still hopes that this is a really weird dream, or meticulously crafted practical joke.

Never thought I'd see the end of the world, but we're all getting front row seats to the show aren't we? I'm going to have so many damn regrets. I had so much left to do...

"Damnit, damnit all to hell!"

-Charlton Heston in Planet of the Apes

[Coolman]

I know it looks bad right now, and I agree. But, the worst thing we can do is panic. If we panic we have no chance of survivial the hardships in the future. So, take a deep breath, simplify your life, reseach ecological topics such as wild foods or organic gardening etc and last but not least get the bike out and peddle like you never peddled before. Remember even the smallest thing helps, even if it increases your chance of survivial by .01% it was still worth it.

[mgibbons19]

Your post makes me think of the punk band from the 80s Seven Seconds. That referred to the nuclear armageddon clock. Since the cold war I don't think ppl worry about that anymore.

But, regarding fossil fuels, what time is it?

3 seconds to midnight as the mad bird says,

3 hours to midnight as the USGS says?

Ideas anyone?

[Falconoffury]

When the SPR stops pumping, we are officially in shortage. I don't know the current numbers, but I believe that the SPR is providing between 1 and 2 million barrels per day. When the SPR can release no more oil, where can we get it?

The economy is virtually on life support right now.

[evilmonkeyspanker]

Okay, if it is just on life support why aren't we seeing more and more big companies pulling out?

[Eli]

Auction just give it time.


There is no way Gm (largest employer in north america) and Ford were already doing badly then then ford sees a 56% drop in the sales of their most profitable autos. Gm and Ford are screwed. The airlines are tanking. Wal mart has lost 50% of its value so has Fannie Mae which has 780 billion in claimed assets.

The New York Times is about to splash the front page with news that the housing market is dropping in all the hot markets with already a 13% decline in NYC.

This going to be one big shit sandwich and we all are going to have to take a bite.

But like MD said keep your wits about ya and no worries mate "Always look on the Bright side of Life" insert music from the Life of Brian here.

[Jack]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('duke3522', 'H')is bottom line was that if you don't have any money saved for retirement you are screwed.

[Specop_007]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('duke3522', 'I') have been hearing the drums for some time now. Loader and loader all the time. Now I know the beat.

DOOM
DOOM
DOOM

Today on Fox News I saw Ben Stein going on and on about how people had better stop spending and start saving because things are about to get very ugly. He went on to say that most company held retirement plans aren't going to be worth anything, and that maybe even government plans may be in trouble.

His bottom line was that if you don't have any money saved for retirement you are screwed.

[CarlinsDarlin]

Nope, it's not just you. My doomerosity level has been increasing by the day. I try to temper it, but not much is helping lately. There's just too much news heading in the wrong direction for me to be able to be optimistic.
Kathy

[Renfield]

Yeah. It sucks coming to terms with the fact that you're never gonna have the life you grew up wanting.

Things seem to be accelerating. We've got fundamentalist Christians in the White House who publically state their belief in biblical prophecy...


Damn.


All I can say is get out of debt, get out of debt, get out of debt.

[Renfield]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jack', 'T')hat's the problem with present developments; one does not know exactly where to save money, store value, or secure survival. The upcoming events are unprecedented. Will stocks have value? Will corporate bonds? Will government bonds? Will the U.S. dollar have any meaningful value? One method of eliminating debt is hyperinflation; it's been done before.

But as regards the original topic - yes, I feel a chill wind. Even though it's 90 degrees in the shade.

[Falconoffury]

Well, so far nobody is refuting me when I claim that the SPR is the only thing keeping us from real shortage. We don't have 2 years. We probably don't even have 1 year.

[UncoveringTruths]

We could pull 2 million barrels a day for 350 days from stated reserves. What I dont know is what grade of oil is in there heavy/intermediate/light or what volumes of each, and what refineries can refine them. Bottom line only the Gubment knows.

Maybe we should invite Sam Bodman for a talk?

[gnm]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Renfield', '
')All I can say is get out of debt, get out of debt, get out of debt.

[Pops]

Back in ’99 I started to get doomerish. Not about Y2k necessarily because lots of people stood to lose lots of money and the problem seemed clear and the deadline pretty absolute. The reason for the doom was I began to think about how that tiny line of code could affect everything that supports our way of life.

Fact is, the vast majority of us are as completely dependant on modern infrastructure as a brain dead patient is on life support – and probably gives our situations as much thought.

So now fast-forward through the pop of the Dot bubble, the inflation of the various other bubbles – including the terrorist one, till, of course, we come to the energy bubble.

At some point I decided making neat rows of tomatoes vines and cornering the market on Pork ‘N Beans, all the while dependent in the final instance on a big salary that ran through my fingers like water might not be the greatest plan.

Some of you know my current set-up, my salary (such as it is) is 10% or less than one year ago, however my obligations are 99% less – net effect; I’m 1% as dependant on that modern infrastructure as I was. (Go ahead and check my math if you like – I was never very good )

So that is a good thing. And 2 of my kids are now in the service, fairly important non-front line specialists, about as good as you can expect I suppose. I do worry about other friends and family members that listen to my doom but don’t hear - though I have come to grips with that, especially since I am now 1,500 miles away and so won’t need to make the decisions the most doomerish often pose.

It could be that this winter is tough on those with little reserve and lots of obligations. For those that have some beans in the closet perhaps it will be incentive to do more.

As Jack said, who can know what course to take since what is to come is so unprecedented – at least on this scale. Not doing anything except tapping out doom or sunshine on this website is of course a choice in itself. For myself, I don’t feel any better about my view of the future but the anticipation of where the dice land is much less than the agonizing of where to place the bet.

I may eventually be hoisted on my own petard and those heading for the camps will laugh at my foolish plans and bunt out farm, but at some point you have to petar (French for fart, I think) or get off the pot.

[/clichés]

[edit ]

[Falconoffury]

Forget about money. Get precious metals for yourself and a gun to defend them. Learn how to start camp fires, fish, and hunt.

I'm not joking.

[eric_b]

No, it's not just you.

I can't shake this feeling that our time is short, very short.

There seems to be a tension in the air - glad I'm not the only one feeling it.

Been trying to enjoy the things I value - walks (especially at night), and have been
doing a lot of star gazing and astronomy lately. Recently got a new scope. I've got
this feeling we may be looking at some form of marshall law here in the US soon, in
which case won't be able to get out at night as easily. Increased lawlessness and chaos
may make it more dangerous too.