Pick a number, any number - just don't bet on it being right

Alaskans have been anguishing over the price of oil ever since 1977, when the first barrel of crude flowed down the trans-Alaska oil pipeline.

That was the same year Elvis Presley died. And just as people have been speculating ever since about Elvis’ death, so, too, have Alaskans spent too much time speculating about the price of oil.

Some advice: Don’t be cruel, don’t get all shook up about it, and cast aside your suspicious minds. Shake off the fixation, don’t let market predictions rattle you, and roll with whatever happens.

Alaska cannot control or even predict the price of oil. All we can...