More on rising gasoline prices in the US: Gas Gouging Alleged

Don't get me wrong. I'm certainly not defending the oil companies. What I find ridiculous is that no-one appears to think that the impending war between the US and Iraq is the main reason behind the price increases. Everyone expects oil supply to be disrupted or at least made more risky, so everyone starts hoarding oil. Everyone starts hoarding oil, gas prices eventually rise. Then the oil companies may or may not get in on the act and make oil more scarce.

I'm constantly astonished that fuel-efficiency has not gained further ground here. Many Americans do see the need to conserve and use gasoline, but they're far outnumbered by the ones who like to inch their gas-guzzling SUVs through rush-hour traffic. This is a country where the governing Administration's idea of reducing reliance on oil imports, is to wreck an Alaskan nature preserve.