My favorite whipping boy wrote such a bad column that it is probably creating laughter across newspaper boardrooms in the country. Oddly the column gets some basic things right (raising gas tax would reduce demand; ethanol is not a panacea), but it the tenor of the column  that shows the markings of an inerudite pundit. Without further ado:
1-Oil exploration is closed in many areas in the country because "exaggerated environmental, strong prejudice against oil companies and sheer stupidity"- so irrational exaggerations and prejudices are not sheerly stupid- I wonder what other stupid reasons he is talking about (not that I agree with the premise as we shall see)- so if we listen to Samuelson- the best we can do is exert long-term influence which MAY result in affecting the markets if we are lucky (no word on what happens if we are not lucky-LOL)-
2- Increasing production may stabilize output (OR NOT!)- what the hell does he mean?
3- No one knows how much oil we have.
4- Perhaps oil prices will drop (OR NOT).
So his column is a rambling speculation that his views may or may not work; but he knows this: American public opinion is wrong- his views? they may or may not be stupid.