re: Price Examples
I hear that Saddam was giving the food away before the war. That's hard to beat and really brings the averages down.
Deisel fuel price up? I suppose when there's none to be found you can price it as low as you want to. It's like the old story of the lady that complained to her grocer that his bread was a dime higher that the store down the street. The grocer asker her why she didn't but it down the street and she said "well, he was sold out". The grocer told her to come back later and if he is sold out he will meet his price.
Things are getting better in Iraq but people will always complain. Look for good news and you will find it.