Oren M. Spiegler – 12/23/08

This page was last updated on December 26, 2008.

Let’s have a pity party for OPEC; Oren M. Spiegler; Beaver County Times; December 23, 2008.

Mr. Spiegler is such a prolific letter writer the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review gave him a little tribute back in 2003. Google “Oren M. Spiegler” and you’ll get more hits than you know what to do with. Unfortunately, prolific is not a synonym for competent. Mr. Spiegler claims to be a Republican. In my critique of “Breathing more freely,” I cited reasons why I was “beginning to believe Mr. Spiegler is simply another Republican impersonator,” but he sealed the deal with “Greatest foreign policy debacle.”

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“I have been losing a great deal of sleep over the hardship currently being endured by the Organization of Petroleum Blackmailing, er, Exporting Countries, whose fortunes have sunk amidst the worldwide tumble in demand for oil.

“It is time for us to do our part for our dear friends, these struggling nations of the world, to recognize how selflessly they have helped us to satisfy our addiction to oil throughout history.”

[RWC] I didn’t know we were addicted to oil. Are we also addicted to air, food, and water?

“So what if they did so through the forming of a cartel that placed a stranglehold on supply, distorted the market and caused the price of this precious commodity to soar, facilitating the destruction of our economy? A friend in need is a friend indeed.”

[RWC] When our own government prohibits oil production on certain properties, doesn’t that “place a stranglehold on supply, distort the market and cause the price of this precious commodity to soar?” What about all the ethanol subsidies, farm subsidies, and price supports? Haven’t they “distorted the market?”

Don’t get me wrong; my point isn’t to defend OPEC. It’s only to point out Mr. Spiegler apparently can’t see actions similar to OPEC when they are right under his nose.

“Imagine the worldwide ramifications if the OPEC nations do not soon return to the road to prosperity. The leaders of these nations would have less money and influence, less ability to repress their people, to foment terror and to ingrain a hatred of the West in their children. Some of the leaders could be toppled from power. Good heavens!

“Let us pray that the current market manipulation by greedy Arab oil dictators succeeds and that these benevolent bloodsuckers enjoy a happy holiday season and a prosperous 2009 at our expense.”

[RWC] As I hope Mr. Spiegler knows, OPEC is not exclusive to Arab countries. Ecuador, Iran, Nigeria, and Venezuela are among the non-Arab members.