Mr. Alan Reynolds has written an article outlining significantly more detail about oil prices than I was previously aware of.[1] I knew of course that oil is used for all sorts of things other than gasoline, but I had not really thought about it. It makes sense that the rising cost of oil would have a bigger effect on those using it to actually make something with than on gas, which must have a non-trivial profit margin built in, because it goes up far more readily than it goes down. Perhaps he is right, perhaps this will cause a crunch in the other oil using industries, which will in turn cause the price to drop back down. I am not sure I believe him though.

[1] Reynolds, Alan. “Oil prices: cause and effect” http://www.townhall.com/columnists/alanreynolds/ar20050623.shtml

Mrs. Michelle Malkin pointed out[1] that there seems to be a drive to use the newly expanded eminent domain power to build a hotel on Justice Souter’s land.[2] I do not know if this is an elaborate prank or not, but either way, this proposal “rules beyond all belief.”[3]

[1] http://michellemalkin.com/archives/002870.htm [2] http://www.freestarmedia.com/hotellostliberty2.html [3] Ethan Blanton on seeing this article

Europe is apparently experiencing unusually high temperatures. According to the one article I read,[1] it seems to range, with latitude, from the low 90s to around 105 degrees Fahrenheit. This compared to Texas, which often shows in the 100-110 degree range in the summers. Yes, if this is unusual, then the lack of air conditioning, and more, the lack of awareness of how to handle such heat, can, and apparently two years ago, did, prove catastrophic. But the point of real interest here is the differences in outlook and in standard of living that this shows. Spain feels the need for a national warning system. The United States simply announces the temperature of the morning weather. Germans’ expect a day off, the United States sees businesses installing air conditioning and fans. France passes more laws, because without them apparently people would not take care of themselves.

This last exposes the standard of living differences. France is requiring one air conditioned room for the elderly. For some <sarcasm>odd</sarcasm> reason I do not think this is because that is all that is strictly needed. I think it is because its sufficient and more would be too expensive to expect. This, wide spread panic over something Texas deals with every summer, from the society we are supposed to emulate.

[1] “Heat wave alert as southern Europe bakes” http://sg.news.yahoo.com/050627/1/3t6jd.html