$8,400,000,000 is how much money Exxon made in the last 90 days. The earnings report comes at a time when we are getting hit with record high prices at the pump. The average retail price of gasoline in the U.S. is close to $3 a gallon or about 75 cents higher then a year ago. And I was upset with the price of gas last year too. Remember Exxon's previous quater profit was the highest of any public company in history. Did I type that correct? The highest profit of any company ever.

 

We hear time and time again It is not Exxon's fault, supply and demand. China is now buying lots of oil. They never mention the head of Exxon is getting paid more money then he could carry. They never mention Exxon's revenue for that three month period was greater then the annual gross domestic product of some of the major oil producing nations. I feel compelled to type that again. Exxon make more than the countries selling us the oil.

 

The United Arab Emirates made $74.67 billion, Kuwait who would not be a country if the U. S. hadn't saved them, made $55.31 billion. If Kuwait was really glad we saved them you think they would be giving us oil for free. At any rate anytime I hear someone say it is not the oil company's fault I pretty much say oh yes it is.

 

I heard on the 60 Minutes TV show, that the country of Brazil needs no imported oil because they use Ethanol. Hmmm interesting idea, if they can do it why can't we. The report when on to say we can. It is cheap and easy, Ford and GM are already doing it there, but it might cost Exxon some cash to put Ethanol or E-85 pumps at all the stations. They don't want to have to pay for it. They want the individual station owners to pay or to have the government chip in. Once again only a thought, but any company making around $35,000,000,000 a year

should jump at the chance to sell us more stuff.

 

Point #2 to make Ethanol you use corn not oil, so instead of sending tons of money to the United Arab Emirates we would be sending money to farmers in the United States of America.

 

Geez there I went on another gas tangent and I am running out of space. I didn't get to mention That I heard from guitarist Joe Podorsic about the Detroit Symphony Jazz Series. The Series will feature names like Winton Marsalis, Ramsey Lewis and David Sanborn. Also wanted to mention Fidge who used to sing in the Sunday Funnies and Curtis Hyflash band, he will perform with May 23 at the Motor City Casino with a 10 piece horn band called Doctor Pocket. Ray Street Park at the Lake Point Yacht Club in Livonia. Jiggy Piggy at Bumpers in Westland. Empty Canvas at the US-12 in Wayne. I need to squeeze in Benny and the Jets band 8pm Wednesday at the 40's Chophouse formerly Mitch Housey's on Schoolcraft east of Middlebelt and a FREE all ages show noon Saturday at Recreational Leisure Corp. on Grand River in Farmington.

To reach Ben E. Jet call (313) 730-1627 via e mail benejets@aol.com and see the web sites www.bennyandthejets.com and www.reverendguitars.com.