ERHC Energy Inc (ERHE)

[Cardinal Relentless]

Today's Chevron "news" was an assiduously crafted, perfectly timed, carefully planted story; planted for several reasons and to serve several purposes, the most important of which are:

1. Reinforce Bush's speech yesterday calling for more "energy independence". How convenient the story appears a day later, veritably breathless in its zest to put visions of hydrocarbon sugarplums once again dancing in our heads.

2. To take peoples' minds off the Alaska North Slope production implosion, and plant the necessary false seed of hope that ".. everything's going to be all right, after all."

3. To be a big enough story, with long enough legs, to push the impending mid-term elections off the lead story of the 6 o'clock and 10 o'clock news, and the newspapers' headlines. With everyone's mind still gripped by the spectre of $3+ gasoline, the notion that another "magic energy bullet" has been found nearly in our own back yard - ok, our own South Porch Swimming Pool - becomes compelling political capital for the incumbent party; namely, guess who?

4. It solidifies Chevron's quasi-connection with the incumbent Administration, and rings up an even higher pile of political I.O.U.'s, to be cashed through cheerful Head Teller and part-time Dragon Lady Condi "Turandot" Rice. How much more convenient can it get?

Any bets on what chip Chevron will want to cash first?