Vladimir Putin has officially declared war on Ukraine

I'm still hung up on why we can't pressure the oil companies to lower gas prices rather than reaping record high profits at the expense of every day Americans. I understand that they may be unable/unwilling to drill more for a variety of reasons, but they could choose to take less profit, right?

I meant, republicans making calls on the Russia/Ukraine conflict specifically - that concerns me, sorry I didn’t articulate myself well. Being aggravated when people are flippant of the local hurt that eventuate, will do that. 😏

Is that a thing that could be done? Genuinely asking, I’m just not sure how you’d go about doing it.

Some excellent points here

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/03/08/biden-energy-ban-republicans-gas-prices/?itid=hp_opinions

Opinion: Ending Russian oil imports, Biden anticipates disingenuous GOP attacks

By Jennifer Rubin
Columnist

President Biden on Tuesday rolled out a new ban on oil and natural gas from Russia. What was noticeable was the extent to which he anticipated and rebutted Republicans’ partisan attacks. Just as the administration revealed Russia’s plans to use false-flag tactics so as to disarm them, Biden is preparing the public for the avalanche of disingenuous attacks sure to come.

First, Biden made clear that while the United States can ban energy imports, the European Union is in a far different place, given the extent of its reliance on Russian energy. This is not a sign of “disunity” as some media and GOP pundits insist whenever the U.S. and E.U. are not in lockstep. This is reality.

However, Britain joined the United States in declaring it would end Russian oil imports by next year. And the E.U. did take an extraordinary step. The Post reports, “The European Commission on Tuesday presented a plan to cut Russian gas imports by two thirds this year, steeply reducing — but not severing — energy ties to Moscow. The proposal … is a dramatic shift,” given that 40 percent of the E.U.’s gas and 25 percent of its oil comes from Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine already spelled the death of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline; now, he is accelerating Europe’s energy independence. Once again, Putin’s gross miscalculation has had the opposite of his desired result.

Second, Biden also conceded up front that his ban would not be cost-free. “The decision today is not without cost here at home. Putin’s war is already hurting American families at the gas pump,” he said. “I’m going to do everything I can to minimize Putin’s price hike here at home.” However, he also warned oil companies against price-gouging.

Finally, and most important politically, Biden addressed the already prevalent and false accusation from Republicans that his administration has somehow hamstrung energy extraction domestically. He pointed out that 90 percent of drilling is on private lands, and of the 10 percent on government-owned land, more than 9,000 permits have been granted but sit unused. In short, don’t blame the federal government if domestic producers are not tapping existing supplies.

We should not be so naive to think Republicans will restrain themselves from making baseless accusations. In Republicans’ right-wing media bubble, Democrats are the enemy of cheap domestic oil. Therefore, while Republicans encouraged the import ban, the price hikes must be Biden’s fault. See how that works?

This time, Biden tried to flip the script on Republicans and also Democratic friends of oil and coal such as Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.). Biden explained that the one surefire way to reduce oil costs is to shift to renewable energy, freeing us from dependence on both domestic and imported oil. “Loosening environmental regulations or pulling back clean energy investment won’t lower energy prices for families,” he said. “But transforming our economy to run on [electric vehicles], powered by clean energy, will mean that in the future, no one has to worry about gas prices.” Instead of expanding oil fields, we should be “racing toward” the goal of energy independence. We’ll see if that has any impact on Manchin, who nixed the Build Back Better package with its major green energy component.

In sum, ending U.S. energy imports from Russia won’t be the body blow some politicians seem to think it is. Nevertheless, in a war for the hearts and minds of the public, even symbolic actions are critical. As Biden reiterated, the war is not going as Putin planned and while he might occupy Ukraine, he’ll never defeat Ukraine’s people nor recover economically so long as the West continues to wreak havoc on Russia’s entire system. Adding to Putin’s troubles even minimally was the right choice for Biden; preparing for the GOP’s dishonest attacks, sadly, is essential these days.

I know it, I work for a company beholden entirely to its shareholders, so I’m with you on the frustration of this. No matter how many times I point out inflation and gas prices are globally high (regardless of what kind of political party that is governing in any given country) it falls on deaf ears.

Maybe a course on how gas prices work should be required to be able to drive a car? Tongue in cheek, of course - but so many people really don’t understand it, and should if they’re going to drive one.

You've received some thoughtful answers, but this might also bolster understanding.

www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.php?ind=E01

How long are people going to keep bleating about trump? It’s funny that nobody has anything to say about hunter biden and his questionable dealings with Ukraine and China. It’s interesting. 

Is it also called “bleating” when you people keep trying to make something out of a president’s family member who holds no political position? Where were you when Ivanka was getting Chinese patents and Jared was making money from Middle East despots? They actually had White House offices. But as usual, IOKIYAR.

No, people just never shut up about him!!! 🤣🤣🤣

And yet, the president has NOT given a job to his son. But you’re still “bleating” about it.

And no, not every president has given jobs to family members. It’s called nepotism and it’s against the law. That’s why Jared and Ivanka did not accept a salary, but they were still in violation of the spirit, if not the letter, of the law. Once again, I guess IOKIYAR.

Wouldn’t it be great if trump would stfu and be respectful to Biden’s presidency the way Obama was to him? I’m sure Obama had plenty to say about trump but he kept quiet. Trump isn’t capable of not being the center of attention. Such is life when you are sucked in by a narcissist. And what he says stroll has the capability to affect the country—and the world.

You need to look deeper into junior’s eyes. Crack is likely the least of it.

Well when he shuts up and goes away…

Statement by Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America

03/08/22

BREAKING NEWS: HIGHEST GAS PRICES IN HISTORY! DO YOU MISS ME YET?

&

Statement by Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America 

03/08/22

Just confirmed that most of Europe won’t go along with the United States in boycotting Russian oil and gas. As usual the United States will be left out there alone, being taken advantage of by Europe, as we defend them, while we read in the Fake News how everyone has come together under Biden to fight Russia.

What questionable job does Hunter Biden have in this administration? I have never seen him in any sort of capacity as an employee of Biden's administration, unlike Ivanka and Jared. Who had exactly ZERO qualifications to be a part of a presidential administration.

You really are something else. This thread has been going on for almost two weeks, and NOW you choose to jump in to bitch about Hunter Biden? Good grief.