laughs when we talk about Supply and Demand and how so many people are willing to buy that nonsense from Wall St. and their many friends in Congress and the Executive Branch.

Absolutely! All you have to do is look at how prices continue to rise, even when production is increased or demand declines. Here is a little tidbit for you to ponder over, taken directly from the 2001 Presidential Energy Policy:

Eighty-five percent of total U.S. natural gas consumption is produced domestically. Canada, with very large gas supplies and easy pipeline access to the lower 48 states, accounts for nearly all U.S. natural gas imports. Unlike oil, almost all natural gas is produced and sold within the same region. Therefore, prices are determined by regional, rather than global, markets.

In 2000, natural gas prices moved sharply higher after fifteen years of generally flat prices. Futures prices surged by 320 percent in 2000 to an all-time high of $9.98 per million Btus in late December 2000--nearly five times higher than the $2.05 per million Btu average from 1991 to 1999.

Source: 2001 US National Energy Policy Report - complete
Source: 2001 US National Energy Policy Report - sectional

It was in 2000 that regulation on energy futures trading was lifted (via the 'electronic trading' or 'enron' loophole), regulations that had been in place since 1922. And as the above points out, prices had remained flat until suddenly (without giving any reasons), they jumped over 300%. Do you seriously believe that "Demand" skyrocketed enough to warrant that type of increase?

Cheers,
Brad

To be old and wise, you must first be young and stupid.