Oil Speculation and Other Conspiracy Theories

James Gattuso / July 09, 2009

The U.S. government is a favorite target among spinners of conspiracy theories. From the Kennedy assasination to the Apollo Moon landing, the government has allegedly been at the heart of dark plots to deceive the public.

Washington, however, can spin its own conspiracy theories. Case in point, Tuesday’s announcement by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission that it will explore restrictions on speculators who are supposedly increasing the price of oil.

Blaming speculators, of course, is a time-honored tradition for politicians. The word itself (more…)