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I wrote the following in response to an e-mail that was forwarded to me and figure I should post it.  Please comment if I'm in error about any of the points I reference.

+ Jeremy

I'll say the punch line now and you can read the following for details.  I really hope there is more then the roughly 5 billion barrels of recoverable oil that is currently reported by the oil geologists.  I hope there is more then 100 billion barrels because it makes our job a hell of a lot easier AND it doesn't change the long term policy decisions.       FYI, I should mention I've known about the Bakken formation for several years, my step-dad's family has a homestead over part if it. 

Hello all,

 
In honor of the inauguration, we’re putting up all new articles this week as what we modestly call our “Advice to Obama Collection”.  Start your reading with Jim Kunstler and his Clusterfuck Nation entry “Does Mr. O Know?” An open letter from the author to Obama on the basics of the coming oil peak, and what the ramifications will be for America.
 
Move next to “A Radical Plan for Funding the New Deal”, by Ellen Brown, who tells us about the upside of nationalizing banks and having the US government take back the right to control the US money supply, as specified in the Constitution.  Who controls it now? Read up!
 
And if you’re wondering what happens if we don’t take Ms. Brown’s radical suggestion, take a taste of F. William Engdahl’s subtly-named article “Federal Reserve Sets Stage for Weimar-Style Inflation”.  A good many economists think it’s absurd to worry about inflation when deflation is the looming catastrophe du jour, but it just may be that the unexpected is around the corner.  
 
We’ve also brought back “Farmer In Chief”, the New York Times article by Michael Pollan, and another open letter to Obama.  Why this one? Because, when you think about it, what’s more important than food?  (Hint: ask people who don’t have enough.)
 
Finally, skate your way through “A Green Agenda for Obama's First 100 Days”, which is a sampling of suggestions from many different experts.  But if you want the Overshoot-based viewpoint we favor here at the Frog, you’ll have to read on down to Paul and Anne Ehrlich, who are always on the mark. All 5 articles await your perusal at http://www.howtoboilafrog.com/#articles.

 SHOULD THE U.S. TREASURY PROVIDE BAIL-OUT MONEY OR BAIL MONEY?

New Yorkers were shocked at the headlines of a New York attorney charged with a 380 million dollar swindle. (1) That swindle is one of a long list of financial swindles plaguing the financial market. Now, the U.S. Taxpayers have been and will continue to be swindled by the funding of massive financial failures of some of the nations financial institutions: 

• Billions are loaned to “healthy” bank so they can buy-out, for cheap, “unhealthy” banks, thus consolidating more power among the rich right.

• Money is flowing out of the Federal purse without having conducted deep due diligence to prevent the use of the plunder to cover-up Ponzzi schemes.

 Hi all,

For the heathens, anarchists and amphibians around our household, solstice time is one of joy, knowing that the rebirth of the sun is coming up, the days will lengthen, and the flies will return to the pond.  But for the last couple of thousand years or so, we’ve also known that rebirths don’t come from dancing around a tree in your birthday suit – they come from the actions we take.  The winter solstice of civilization isn’t something we can take for granted, and this week’s goodies are offered in that spirit.
 
Our mini-interview of the week is the third and final installment of Mat Stein, and it’s also a 3 parter, wherein Mat runs through his 12 Steps for creating a sustainable future.  These 12 Steps are included in his book “When Technology Fails”, which is in our Essential Book section.  But also keep an eye out for Mat’s upcoming book “Making Shift Happen”.  A real solstice thinker!  Check out the 3-part interviews at http://www.howtoboilafrog.com/#video!
 
Next up is our Essential Book o’ the Week, the classic “Fast Food Nation”.  (Thanks to Friend o’ the Frog Herb Barbolet for reminding us about this one!)  If you haven’t read it, it’s funny, informative, and shocking enough to get you to rethink those nuggets.  See the used-book links at http://www.howtoboilafrog.com/#books!
 

 Car Companies, Who's to Blame?By Jack Schultz

Imagine that you had a company that sold the same products all over the world with the same management, labor and dealer network. What if your international operations were making $1.5 billion/year but your USA operations were losing over twice that at $3.3 billion? And, your international competitors were growing sales, making money and continuing to build new plants in the USA, even as you were shuttering plants and firing employees? You wouldn't be able to blame the government for fuel or safety standards since those same competitors have to abide by the same rules that you do. Nor could you look to market share, as your domestic business has a very healthy 22% share compared to only 7% to 17% in your major international markets. Wouldn't you want to try to find the one major factor that differentiates you from your very successful competitors? Wouldn't you want to change it, if you did find it?