Eau de Petroleum

John ‘Effing Kerry’s always sensitive, elite and almost French nose appears to perceive a malodor surrounding this Saudi Prince.

From RT.com, “Saudi Arabia loses oil market share in key countries “.

The world’s largest crude exporter, Saudi Arabia has lost its leading position in nine of the 15 top markets in the past three years reports the Financial John_Kerry_Sniffing_Saudi_Oil_FragranceTimes citing data from energy consultancy group FGE.

According to the analysis, the kingdom lost ground in China, South Africa and the US between 2013 and 2015, despite the goal of maintaining its crude market share amid the oil glut.

“Saudi Arabia has had very difficult time selling oil in this environment,” Citigroup analyst Ed Morse told the FT. “Its rivals are going into a very crowded market in a very aggressive way.”

The country has also lost its market share in South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and several western European countries, the FGE data showed.

Saudi Arabia’s share of Chinese oil imports fell from more than 19 percent in 2013 to almost 15 percent in 2015, because of increased supplies from Russia.

Time to Think of Iraq as a Business Opportunity

Did you think Donald Trump said that?  Not.  It was Hillary.  It’s funny how the Clintons show up when there’s money to be had.

IBT reports, “Campaign 2016: Hillary Clinton Pitched Iraq As ‘A Business Opportunity’ For US Corporations“.

When then-U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton voted to authorize the war against Iraq in 2002, she justified her support of the invasion as a way to protect America’s national security. But less than a decade later, as secretary of state, Clinton Hillary_Iraq_A_Business_Opportunity_XTrumppromoted the war-torn country as a place where American corporations could make big money.

“It’s time for the United States to start thinking of Iraq as a business opportunity,” she said in a 2011 speech.

The quote was included in an email released by the State Department on Wednesday that specifically mentioned JPMorgan and Exxon Mobil. JPMorgan was selected by the U.S. government to run a key import-export bank in Iraq and in 2013 announced plans to expand its operations in the country. Exxon Mobil signed a deal to redevelop Iraqi oil fields. JPMorgan has collectively paid the Clintons and the Clinton Foundation at least $450,000 for speeches, and Exxon Mobil has donated over $1 million to the family’s foundation.

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Daily Darwin – Crushed Ice

Darwin says that when one chips ice for one’s Very Dry Martini (James Bond’s receipe–shaken, not stirred) one should be above, not below the fault line.

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Natural selection deems that some individuals serve as a warning to others. Who are we to disagree? The next generation, ever and anon, is descended from the survivors

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AGW – Another Polar Vortex On the Way

From AccuWeather, “Subfreezing highs to return to northeastern US as polar vortex shifts southward“.  It’s just one more example that AGW-Climate Change-Global Warming (AKA: Weather) exists.  Just ask the (AKA: Weather Spokesmodel).

A southward plunge of the polar vortex will bring a quick blast of arctic air directed at the Great Lakes and northeastern United States during the first week of April.

“The latest indications are the core of the coldest air associated with the polar vortex will track a bit farther north AGW_Another_Polar_Vortexand east, compared to the outlook from last week,” according to AccuWeather Long-Range Meteorologist Edward Vallee.

The main thrust of cold air will aim at the Great Lakes, New England and the northern part of the mid-A

There is still a chance the arctic air may sneak farther south at the last minute, according to AccuWeather Long-Range Meteorologist Joe Lundberg.

It is possible for frost and freezing temperatures at night in parts of the central Plains, Tennessee Valley and southern Piedmont areas at the height of the cold air.

The potential for shocking cold and a hard, damaging freeze will exist from the Upper Midwest to the interior Northeast.

“Green” Tea Solution to Terrorism

Well…Kermit is green.  And he’s drinking tea.  Therefore the observation that the robust “Right to Carry” laws in Texas made it much more likely we’d get dead terrorists rather than dead civilians seems quite reasonable.  Make mine Southern Sweet Tea with a little Colt .45 for added flavor, if you please.

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