The Tragedy of Rising Oil Prices

[Elderberry]

Powerline 5/31/2026

Democrats have shed oceans of crocodile tears over the plight of the average American, struggling to afford gasoline in the wake of “Trump’s war” against Iran. Never mentioned, of course, is the fact that for more than 20 years, Democrats have been doing all they can to raise, not lower, the price of oil. As with so many issues, Democrats rely on the rest of us suffering from memory loss.

So here is a quick refresher: the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil from 1946 through May 2026. The last price recorded on the chart ($97.63, at the moment it is $87.36) is lower than peak prices reached during both the Obama administration ($127.35) and the Biden administration ($104.59).

Moreover, today’s relatively high oil prices–nothing unusual by historical standards–are not the result of foolish policies intended to raise the cost of energy, permanently. Rather, they are the result of a temporary disruption of a single transportation route. The world has plenty of oil, thanks in large part to our own unequalled production. So in a matter of weeks, when the Strait is open once again, oil prices will plummet. In fact, prices are already falling.

More: https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2026/05/the-tragedy-of-rising-oil-prices.php

[Idiot]

Powerline 5/31/2026

Democrats have shed oceans of crocodile tears over the plight of the average American, struggling to afford gasoline in the wake of “Trump’s war” against Iran. Never mentioned, of course, is the fact that for more than 20 years, Democrats have been doing all they can to raise, not lower, the price of oil. As with so many issues, Democrats rely on the rest of us suffering from memory loss.

So here is a quick refresher: the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil from 1946 through May 2026. The last price recorded on the chart ($97.63, at the moment it is $87.36) is lower than peak prices reached during both the Obama administration ($127.35) and the Biden administration ($104.59).

Moreover, today’s relatively high oil prices–nothing unusual by historical standards–are not the result of foolish policies intended to raise the cost of energy, permanently. Rather, they are the result of a temporary disruption of a single transportation route. The world has plenty of oil, thanks in large part to our own unequalled production. So in a matter of weeks, when the Strait is open once again, oil prices will plummet. In fact, prices are already falling.

More: https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2026/05/the-tragedy-of-rising-oil-prices.php

If I were brave enough to short oil I would....

[DefiantMassRINO]

Energy prices are higher than they otherwise would be because Dem and RINO policy makers reduced existing reliable power generation sources and severely constrained investment in new reliable power generation sources.

When the libs made methane into the Devil's flatulence, investment in natural gas infrastructure, including turbine power stations, decreased significantly.  They tried to de-populate the Earth by inducing a global famine through a ban of (methane/natural gas-derived) of chemical fertilizers.

Global Climate Change and Green New Fraud policies have made the current Middle East energy crisis worse.