Dilbert of the year

[Tricky]

But we have an emergency supply already.

Yes, but not enough. Of course, there isn't enough oil in the world to satisfy our long-term needs at the rate we are using it.

Notice Dilbert just doesn't want "bad guys" to have access to his money via oil, nothing about oil running out and us having none of our own.

I know. The conversation got sidetracked. But Dogbert is still wrong. If lots of people (worldwide) use lots less oil then "bad guys" will have access to less of Dilbert's money. No, I don't see this happening.

 

[Grammatron]

Yes, but not enough. Of course, there isn't enough oil in the world to satisfy our long-term needs at the rate we are using it.

Yes thus that point is moot, imo.

I know. The conversation got sidetracked. But Dogbert is still wrong. If lots of people (worldwide) use lots less oil then "bad guys" will have access to less of Dilbert's money. No, I don't see this happening.

Would they? Or would they be one of the only ones who have access to Dilbert's money?

 

[Badger]

Yes, but not enough. Of course, there isn't enough oil in the world to satisfy our long-term needs at the rate we are using it.


I know. The conversation got sidetracked. But Dogbert is still wrong. If lots of people (worldwide) use lots less oil then "bad guys" will have access to less of Dilbert's money. No, I don't see this happening.

2 points.

First, there's about 2 trillion barrels in the Oil Sands up here in the great white north. Current estimates are that this will last us about 200 yrs. How long term do you define long term?

Second, give us your oil money. We're Canadian. We're too polite to be bad guys. The best we can manage is "Somewhat Standoffish".

 

[Regnad Kcin]

I think if you read the cartoon again you will note that it's rather accurate.

Dilbert wants to buy a hybrid car so he can "reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil sources" so "the countries that hate US will have less money to fund terrorists."

Problem is "the countries that hate the US" have plen-ty of moolah already.

See, if the wells turned dry tomorrow, it's not as if the riches already amassed would suddenly disappear. Stupid amounts of money can last a long, long time.

 

[Jas]

Yeah, the oilsands are where it's at.

 

[Tricky]

2 points.

First, there's about 2 trillion barrels in the Oil Sands up here in the great white north. Current estimates are that this will last us about 200 yrs. How long term do you define long term?

Well if you want to get technical about it, there will always be oil if you're willing to pay enough for it. Right now the Oil Sands are awaiting that technical breakthrough that will make production of them competitive with other types of reservoirs. Also, the environmental problems with producing oil sands are incredible, plus they require much more refining than light crude. Aren't you Canucks somewhat more conscious of the environment than you southern neighbors?

Also, current estimates based on what? Current usage?

Second, give us your oil money. We're Canadian. We're too polite to be bad guys. The best we can manage is "Somewhat Standoffish".

LOL. I'd say it depends on what part of Canada we're talking about. But we give you lots of money already, since we have no natural source of hockey players.

 

[bob_kark]

Non-Japanese cars suck.

I take great offense to that! You've must've never seen the Audi A3 3.2S, TT, RS6, VW Jetta, GTI, Passat, BMW Z4, M3, M5, and of course, the Lotus Elise and Exige just to name a few that aren't wildly expensive.

Oh, but to get back on topic... You can see that all of these vehicles, except the diesel Jetta, have poor fuel economy, thus feeding the terrorists, who don't actually sell oil, but receive a portion of the profits from ME oil barons, but also recieve a portion of opium, coffee, cotton, fish, cereals, carpets, rugs, wool, textiles, leather, minerals, citrus fruits, phosphates, fertilizer, tobacco, iron, steel, sesame, gum arabic, oilseeds, beeswax, sugarcane, and of course lovely, lovely uranium sales to name a few.

 

[IllegalArgument]

2 points.

First, there's about 2 trillion barrels in the Oil Sands up here in the great white north. Current estimates are that this will last us about 200 yrs. How long term do you define long term?

The long term power with oil, is not running out, it's running out of "cheap" oil. Tar sands, barring a tech breakthrough, is much more expensive to process than the sweet light crude that is common in the middle east.

I forget where the price point is, around 80+ dollars a barrels, tar sands starts to become cost effective source of oil.

 

[Badger]

The long term power with oil, is not running out, it's running out of "cheap" oil. Tar sands, barring a tech breakthrough, is much more expensive to process than the sweet light crude that is common in the middle east.

I forget where the price point is, around 80+ dollars a barrels, tar sands starts to become cost effective source of oil.

I believe the price point was $22 US.

They're making money on it now. That's why there's $11 billion being invested in development over the next few years.

With regard to the environmental considerations, there are 2 sides to that. The land and water issues are under control, as the strip mined areas are returned to a natural state, and the water is recycled through the process. Yes, it does require energy input to retrieve the oil, and yes there are CO2 emission considerations (don't want to get that debate going here), but there is intensive research continuously being done to improve efficiency, as that will enable even more money to be made.

Tricky, I know you give Canada lots of money already. We just want MORE. (I have my eye on this nifty gold plated cadillac.....)

Yes, the 200 year estimate is based on current consumption. With expanding markets in China, Pakistan, Japan, and other areas of the Pacific Rim, this guess is obviously optimistic.

Jas, did you check your skeptchick e-mail?

 

[Grammatron]

I take great offense to that! You've must've never seen the Audi A3 3.2S, TT, RS6, VW Jetta, GTI, Passat, BMW Z4, M3, M5, and of course, the Lotus Elise and Exige just to name a few that aren't wildly expensive.

Yeah...go look up prices for RS6 and M5 Mr Bill Gates.

Oh, but to get back on topic... You can see that all of these vehicles, except the diesel Jetta, have poor fuel economy, thus feeding the terrorists, who don't actually sell oil, but receive a portion of the profits from ME oil barons, but also recieve a portion of opium, coffee, cotton, fish, cereals, carpets, rugs, wool, textiles, leather, minerals, citrus fruits, phosphates, fertilizer, tobacco, iron, steel, sesame, gum arabic, oilseeds, beeswax, sugarcane, and of course lovely, lovely uranium sales to name a few.

No diesel in US, EPA won't pass those things.

 

[bob_kark]

Yeah...go look up prices for RS6 and M5 Mr Bill Gates.

Well, compared to the Porsche Carerra GT, Ferrari F430 Spider, Maybach, and Bugatti Veyron 16.4, they're quite the deal. Like I said, wildly expensive.

No diesel in US, EPA won't pass those things.

There is plenty of diesel in the US, go to your local VW dealership and ask for the Jetta TDI. Better yet, stop by a truck stop and ask a trucker what fuel he uses in his rig.

 

[IllegalArgument]

I believe the price point was $22 US.

They're making money on it now. That's why there's $11 billion being invested in development over the next few years.

With regard to the environmental considerations, there are 2 sides to that. The land and water issues are under control, as the strip mined areas are returned to a natural state, and the water is recycled through the process. Yes, it does require energy input to retrieve the oil, and yes there are CO2 emission considerations (don't want to get that debate going here), but there is intensive research continuously being done to improve efficiency, as that will enable even more money to be made.

I did some digging around, you right, the price point at the moment is around 20+ dollars.

I wonder if that 20 dollar figure includes the enviromental clean up costs? I have no idea.

 

[wolfgirl]

We had an acronym for Ford vehicles when I lived in Canada: Found Overturned, Rusting, Dead ...

Charlie (salty roads) Monoxide

F*&ked On Race Day

 

[Jas]

The long term power with oil, is not running out, it's running out of "cheap" oil. Tar sands, barring a tech breakthrough, is much more expensive to process than the sweet light crude that is common in the middle east.

I forget where the price point is, around 80+ dollars a barrels, tar sands starts to become cost effective source of oil.

Like Badger said, it's closer to $22/barrel. And now that it's a worth it, financially, to tap the tarsands, every company is up there. It's also going to get cheaper to process, as it becomes more common. We're already seeing a huge economic benefit to it.

 

[Jas]

Jas, did you check your skeptchick e-mail?

Yeah, is that your 4Runner? If only it wasn't white!

 

[Jas]

They're making money on it now. That's why there's $11 billion being invested in development over the next few years.

What's included in that number?

 

[Grammatron]

Well, compared to the Porsche Carerra GT, Ferrari F430 Spider, Maybach, and Bugatti Veyron 16.4, they're quite the deal. Like I said, wildly expensive.

You're still including a Jetta with M5 for some bizzaro reason.

I'll take a Lexus over BMW anyday, in part because of quality of service.

There is plenty of diesel in the US, go to your local VW dealership and ask for the Jetta TDI. Better yet, stop by a truck stop and ask a trucker what fuel he uses in his rig.

Yeah there's a TDI, but there's a tiny number of diesel cars.

Trucks abide by different standards.

 

[bob_kark]

You're still including a Jetta with M5 for some bizzaro reason.

I like it. I'm thinking about purchasing one actually. I rather like the idea of driving a car with half a Lamborghini Gallardo engine in it.

I'll take a Lexus over BMW any day, in part because of quality of service.

I disagree, labor may cost more for a BMW, but they're more reliable. But hey, when it comes to a vehicle, its all about personal taste.

Yeah there's a TDI, but there's a tiny number of diesel cars.

Trucks abide by different standards.

You're right, for now

Schaeffer noted that Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge already offer diesel versions of their popular pickup trucks, adding that now, the domestic automakers are getting back into the diesel car and SUV market as well. This month a new diesel engine option will be available for the Mercedes E-Class; and a diesel version of the Jeep Liberty is set to debut this fall.

Volkswagen has been selling diesel versions of its popular Beetle, Jetta and Golf models in the U.S. with great success. On Monday, the German automaker announced the nationwide arrival of what the company said is the most fuel-efficient midsize family car sold in the U.S. -- the diesel-powered 2004 Passat TDI.

Bio-diesel is the new hybrid. Really, its the much older, ugly, funny smelling, step cousin of the hybrid, considering the first diesel engine was supposed to run on cooking oil, but you get the point. The diesel cars are cheaper to purchase than hybrids and while their exhaust may not smell so great, its actually better for the environment than gas engines.

 

[Grammatron]

I like it. I'm thinking about purchasing one actually. I rather like the idea of driving a car with half a Lamborghini Gallardo engine in it.

Well the quality control is slightly different

I disagree, labor may cost more for a BMW, but they're more reliable. But hey, when it comes to a vehicle, its all about personal taste.

It's not about labor cost, it's the attitude of dealers. And reliability? I don't know I have not heard of any major problems with either.

Frankly, I'd choose CTS-V but that's the kind of weirdo I am.

You're right, for now


Bio-diesel is the new hybrid. Really, its the much older, ugly, funny smelling, step cousin of the hybrid, considering the first diesel engine was supposed to run on cooking oil, but you get the point. The diesel cars are cheaper to purchase than hybrids and while their exhaust may not smell so great, its actually better for the environment than gas engines.

Then why is it so hard for them to pass EPA standards?

 

[bob_kark]

Well the quality control is slightly different

No doubt , don't ruin my fun though!

It's not about labor cost, it's the attitude of dealers. And reliability? I don't know I have not heard of any major problems with either.

There aren't any major problems, BMWs just have longer term reliability. I know what you mean about the attitude BTW. Though, I don't think car salesmen have the best attitudes either way.

Frankly, I'd choose CTS-V but that's the kind of weirdo I am.

Like I say, personal tastes. Just don't make fun of my Jetta.

Then why is it so hard for them to pass EPA standards?

That has more to do with the fuel than the vehicle. Diesels in the US have to run on Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel fuel to comply with EPA Tier 2 standards. The reason you don't see as many on the road as you do in Europe has more to do with the higher cost of gasoline overseas and decreased power of the diesel compared to gasoline engines.