Market crashing

Quote: Gandler

I would actually vote for you if you ran independent or as a Democrat. I can never vote for a Republican again given the betrayal the GOP has had on democracy.

Even if my wife ran for something as a Republican (which sadly is the party she would choose if she had to be on a ballet for certain local positions,) she would not have my vote on principle.

There is NO WAY the Republicans would have me as their candidate. Nor the Democrats. I’m proud of those two facts!

Agree that ‘the Trump effect’ makes it difficult to vote for most Republicans. And just being Democrats makes it difficult to vote for them. So I run as an Independent.

2 wees ago I bought a 5 quart jug of 0w-20 Supertech synthetic motor oil at Wally World for 17.97. Today? Price is $19.97. Why, you may ask? Well, the US relies heavily on the Middle East for over half of its Group III base oils, which are critical for synthetic lubricants.

Big deal, you say. Donny is going make a big, beautiful deal with Iran to end a war he started, and the petroleum and NG and base oils will start flowing again, bigger and better than before. Not so fast, kimosabe.

Shell's Pearl gas to liquids (GTL) plant in Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City was struck by Iranian missiles on March 19, 2026. Shell confirmed the damage in a public statement: "no damage to train one and an initial assessment of around one year for full repair of train two."

Pearl GTL is one of the world's largest sources of premium Group III+ base oils, with the capacity to produce about 30,000 barrels of base oil per day, enough to fill 225 million cars per year, according to Shell's own website. One of two production trains was damaged. Shell's own estimate: approximately one year for full repair.

So expect a motor oil shortage and price increases for at least a year, until Shell can repair the plant. I may stock up now for the next few DIY oil changes.

So, no SooPoo. There isn't a gasoline shortage. But this one is just as bad.