"The nonsense in this debate makes me want to shoot someone in the face"

While "listening" to all the songs streamed on the Camp Rock MySpace (so far, they're mostly borderline: disappointingly weak performances of somewhat catchy material), I've been reading Paul Krugman's blog, where he's been posting a lot recently about the relation between oil speculation and the rising price of oil. Basically, he says there's no relation - no evidence that the current price of oil has anything to do with speculation, since the only way speculation can cause a rise in actual oil prices is if someone is withholding inventory. And there's no evidence of this. Here's an excerpt:

( A futures contract is a bet about the future price. It has no, zero, nada direct effect on the spot price. )

(He points out elsewhere that conservatives, who normally are ready to praise markets out of hand, are wanting to blame "oil speculators" because otherwise they'd have to admit that demand will continue to increase in relation to supply unless we make an effort to find alternative sources of energy and to cut back on energy use.)

Year In America June 26, 2008

Billboard was late posting the Hot 100 yesterday, so this was pushed back a day.

This week, an onslaught of singles from Camp Rock, most of which will fall off the charts after the initial download flurry, since they'll get little airplay beyond Disney. Results are middling: lyrics are rote self discovery with no discernible character, a contradiction I don't find charming, especially given all the Taylors and Alys and AJs (not to mention the Ashlees and Britneys and Lindsays who used to dominate the genre) who do have character and are much more deserving of attention. Demi Lovato has potential as an actual Avril Lite, if she were given better settings, and I prefer "Our Time Is Here" to the charting singles. The Jonas Brothers had a fine moment several years ago where they turned "Anarchy In The U.K." into Hanson-style bubbleboy pop, and they're generally not terrible but haven't matched that moment since. So, a lot of tracks are on the borderline this week. Oh yeah, and buried amidst all this is a song I've currently got penciled in as my number three of the year and that could rise, by someone who's not much older than the mediocrities hanging out at Camp Rock.

( Miley Cyrus )

( Demi Lovato & Joe Jonas )

( Rihanna )

( The Jonas Brothers )

( Joe Jonas )

( Cast Of Camp Rock )

( Flo Rida f. will.i.am )