Russia overlooked Ukraine and has been exposed a little bit.  Yeah it will be a war of attrition and Russia has a bigger war machine, but never doubt Will.  The Will to fight is everything in war.

Russia’s Air Force has been subpar.  They are deploying more warships and planes to make for their deficiencies.  Russia will likely eventually win, but won’t come away feeling like winners.  I know a few F22 pilots who are taking note of the Russian Air Force right now.  Ukraine flys the Mig-29 which is basically an F16.  If the F16 is giving you fits, the F22 would be what nightmares are made of.

Crude oil now up to $114, they are trying hard for $120.  It’s gonna be a brutal spring ladies and gents.

I watched a movie from the 80's.  I believe it was a televised movie, called The Day After.  The Soviet Union was invading East Germany and we were involved.  The Soviets launched nuclear missiles at Kansas City of all places and we saw the aftermath of a nuclear attack on US soil.  Was a little eerie considering all that's going on today.

8 hours ago, Irish Cat said:

According to Wikipedia if completed the XL section of the Keystone pipeline would have increased the capacity of the pipeline by 510,000 barrels per day.  If we really wanted to, we could eliminate the need to rely on any Russian oil.   

What I read about the Keystone Pipeline was that it would produce double the oil we get from Russia.  So I'm sure the truth lies somewhere between those two numbers.

26 minutes ago, MJAlltheWay24 said:

I watched a movie from the 80's.  I believe it was a televised movie, called The Day After.  The Soviet Union was invading East Germany and we were involved.  The Soviets launched nuclear missiles at Kansas City of all places and we saw the aftermath of a nuclear attack on US soil.  Was a little eerie considering all that's going on today.

I remember that movie.  I was 23 at the time.  It had a very eerie scene when nuclear missiles were launched from the midwestern United States on a bright sunny day with ordinary people looking up at the sky watching the smoke trails.  They knew that meant that other missiles were also headed their way and that their time on this world was short.  Gave me nightmares.

A couple of days ago I had contact with a Crimean citizen named Andreas who was a member of my Dad's church. Crimea, part of Ukraine, was annexed to Russia in 2014 so Andreas is considered a Russian Citizen or citizen of a Russian territory. He is allowed to flee to safety but his father is soon to die of cancer. If he stays in Crimea to be with him, he will probably be drafted into the Russian Army and have to fight against the Ukrainians who are his own countrymen. If he flees, he never sees his dad again.

 

When you say your prayers tonight, keep Andreas in mind please. 

18 minutes ago, nkypete said:

I remember that movie.  I was 23 at the time.  It had a very eerie scene when nuclear missiles were launched from the midwestern United States on a bright sunny day with ordinary people looking up at the sky watching the smoke trails.  They knew that meant that other missiles were also headed their way and that their time on this world was short.  Gave me nightmares.

Yeah in the movie they explained it that basically there was a gap of time from knowing that the other country shot theirs, so you'd shoot yours.  Since the people of Kansas City knew our missiles were shot because they saw them in the air, it meant missiles were coming there way within the next 30 mins.  Very creepy situation.

I figured someone in here would remember that movie.

7 hours ago, John Anthony said:

Crude oil now up to $114, they are trying hard for $120.  It’s gonna be a brutal spring ladies and gents.

Well, for gas prices, I suppose. Though if I am in Ukraine the last thing they probably want to hear from us is that we are suffering here because we are spending more at the pump.

Not disagreeing with you, but just bringing perspective.

RE: the oil industry.

To start, I don't fully get it. Never have, never will. But this part makes sense on why we are dependent on other countries: the US imports 37% of its oil, but it also exports 8,000,000 gallons a day. Why? US refineries were built before the shale revolution and designed to handle a narrow grade of oil with higher sulfur content; much of the oil we produce cannot be refined in the US. (h/t Mark Tomasovic).

People have this narrow view that all oil is equal, which it isn't. If we were able to affordably produce all we need and be independent I'm sure we would be.

With the XL segment of the Keystone Pipeline, that has been a rallying cry the last couple weeks. "See, if this would have been built our gas prices wouldn't be skyrocketing." Important to note last year's pause in construction (which I am all for) was at less than 10% completion. If anyone has ever looked at any multi-billion dollar project, they aren't constructed in one construction season... especially when dealing with multiple countries and states. Maybe it would have kept down our prices some, but highly unlikely.

6 minutes ago, bugatti said:

With the XL segment of the Keystone Pipeline, that has been a rallying cry the last couple weeks. "See, if this would have been built our gas prices wouldn't be skyrocketing." Important to note last year's pause in construction (which I am all for) was at less than 10% completion. If anyone has ever looked at any multi-billion dollar project, they aren't constructed in one construction season... especially when dealing with multiple countries and states. Maybe it would have kept down our prices some, but highly unlikely.

Any time someone brings this up, I immediately stop listening because, to your point, it was no where close to completion, and wouldn't be much closer today.

48 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

Any time someone brings this up, I immediately stop listening because, to your point, it was no where close to completion, and wouldn't be much closer today.

Oil is traded on speculation.  Those who understand that, understand the value of projects and lack there of.

5 minutes ago, John Anthony said:

Oil is traded on speculation.  Those who understand that, understand the value of projects and lack there of.

The Keystone Pipeline is not the (or even one) reason gas prices are what they are currently. That's simply an attempt to place blame. 

Oil info to add to the discussion:

Keystone increased production from the new Phase 4 section being added would not replace Russian oil in the US. Based on numbers in this thread we get 700,000 barrels a day from Russia and if Keystone were completed it would add 510,000 barrels per day.

Second, the tar sand oil flowing in the Keystone pipeline is one of the dirtiest oils there is and would mostly be shipped overseas. The new section would add to supply in the marketplace which should drop prices but it would not be oil we would use here in the US.

Third, the pipeline was approved to move forward in 2017 and still wasn't near completion in 2021. There is no fast solution even if it were brought back online. Less than 10% of the new section had been laid when it was shut down.

Conclusion - Adding the new section to increase production is not a factor in what is happening right now.

6 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

The Keystone Pipeline is not the (or even one) reason gas prices are what they are currently. That's simply an attempt to place blame. 

You don’t know what you speak of.  When the US announced the release of 30 million barrels the other day, oil actually went up 8 dollars.  That’s speculators laughing at the announcement considering its 2 days worth of consumption.  Now if we announced a project that would produce 300 million barrels, you would see a 10% oil sell off immediately.

6 minutes ago, John Anthony said:

You don’t know what you speak of.  When the US announced the release of 30 million barrels the other day, oil actually went up 8 dollars.  That’s speculators laughing at the announcement considering its 2 days worth of consumption.  Now if we announced a project that would produce 300 million barrels, you would see a 10% oil sell off immediately.

None of that has anything to do with the Keystone.