| DavidRFuller 28.05.2007 14:00 |
In April 1997, there was a “gas out” conducted nationwide in protest of gas prices. Gasoline prices dropped 30 cents a gallon overnight. On Tuesday, June 5th 2007 all Americans who are sick of high gas prices are not to go to a gas station in protest of high gas prices. Gas is now anywhere from $3.50 to $4.00 a gallon in most places. It takes about 40 to 70 dollars to fill up the tank. If all Americans do not go to the pump on June 5th it would take more than 3 Billion dollars out of oil companies pockets for just one day, so please do not go to the gas station on Tuesday, June 5th 2007. Let’s try to put a dent in the Middle Eastern oil companies for at least one day. If you agree (which I can’t see why you wouldn’t) mark you calendars & tell everyone you know. |
| Lisser 28.05.2007 14:01 |
I'll do it. |
| steven 35638 28.05.2007 14:06 |
I'll do it. Not only because I hate the price for gas, but because of the risk you'd be taking to get gas. I imagine there will be protestors who might actually be willing to kill all those who get gas. |
| Lester Burnham 28.05.2007 15:31 |
I don't post much anymore, but occasionally I come across some things that I feel like I want to contribute to. It's important to note that this will do absolutely nothing. Why? If you don't pump on June 5th, that means you'll be pumping on June 6th. The money will still be going to the oil companies, just on a different day. If you really want to make a difference and try to impact the price of gas to go down, stop driving your car completely, or ride a bike, or take a bus, or invest in a hybrid car. Not pumping gas on one day will make absolutely no difference. edit: read this: link |
| thomasquinn 32989 28.05.2007 15:39 |
You should also realize that this is to do with the WAR, mainly. Get up and protest your president instead. |
| steven 35638 28.05.2007 16:34 |
As much as one would love to remove President George W. Bush from office, we simply can't and to protest him would be pointless. Pretty soon new elections will take place and his presidency will be over. I will admit that I have sensed Bush to have been leading our country in an obsequious manner, however that doesn't mean he was. I do feel rather penitent on the last few years though. |
| thomasquinn 32989 28.05.2007 16:47 |
There's still impeachment: he's lied, there's more corruption in his inner circle than in the whole of Russia, there are more war criminals there than in Nuremberg '46 and all you need is a couple of congressmen who are not castrati. |
| steven 35638 28.05.2007 16:49 |
I think you're over exagerating just a little bit. Do you have any substantial evidence of what you are telling us? |
| Lisser 28.05.2007 17:32 |
<b><font color = "crimson"> ThomasQuinn wrote: You should also realize that this is to do with the WAR, mainly. Get up and protest your president instead.Gas has been going up consistently in America since 9/11. All the oil companies, the travel industry, everyone used 9/11 as an excuse to raise prices. |
| magicalfreddiemercury 28.05.2007 17:59 |
Lisser wrote:And the oil companies still proudly announce record profits, quarter after quarter after quarter...<b><font color = "crimson"> ThomasQuinn wrote: You should also realize that this is to do with the WAR, mainly. Get up and protest your president instead.Gas has been going up consistently in America since 9/11. All the oil companies, the travel industry, everyone used 9/11 as an excuse to raise prices. |
| sparrow 21754 28.05.2007 18:17 |
Lester Burnham wrote: I don't post much anymore, but occasionally I come across some things that I feel like I want to contribute to. It's important to note that this will do absolutely nothing. Why? If you don't pump on June 5th, that means you'll be pumping on June 6th. The money will still be going to the oil companies, just on a different day. If you really want to make a difference and try to impact the price of gas to go down, stop driving your car completely, or ride a bike, or take a bus, or invest in a hybrid car. Not pumping gas on one day will make absolutely no difference. edit: read this: linkyou stole my words :-p some of us cant just ride a bike to all of our destinations. i live in a town where literally i live 45 minutes from everywhere. i cant move because i dont have a job and cant afford a place of my own, (which would probably go to gas money anyway with how pay works) and buses dont come out to my area. there should be monorails or something. .....and yes, bush should be impeached, i dont know why he isnt. i never keep track of politics but im sure theres some stupid reason we 'shouldnt'. supposedly one of the candadates for the next election is investigating the gas prices, but i dont believe it. someone should though. |
| magicalfreddiemercury 28.05.2007 19:16 |
Lester Burnham wrote: edit: read this: linkWhat made the most impact on me from everything said on that page is how a day-long 'boycott' of gasoline would hurt not the big oil companies, but the individual service station owner. If anything, I think we need to support our local merchants. While this might seem like a worthwhile statement, I have to agree that it would only serve to hurt the guy at the end of the line who's only trying to make a living. |
| Lisser 28.05.2007 19:21 |
magicalfreddiemercury wrote:Exactly. Mother F'ing exactly.Lisser wrote:And the oil companies still proudly announce record profits, quarter after quarter after quarter...<b><font color = "crimson"> ThomasQuinn wrote: You should also realize that this is to do with the WAR, mainly. Get up and protest your president instead.Gas has been going up consistently in America since 9/11. All the oil companies, the travel industry, everyone used 9/11 as an excuse to raise prices. |
| AspiringPhilosophe 28.05.2007 22:07 |
**shakes her head** When is this crap going to stop? These one day gas outs, as mentioned before, do absolutely NOTHING, except hurt the owner of the station, who is held by the oil companies as to how little he can charge for gas. A one day gas out just means people fill up the day of or the day after. For there to be a substantial impact on Big Oil, there would have to be at least a three month boycott....and that is never going to happen because of the American mantra that we have cars and drive them, damn it! And the prices on gasonline, contrary to what people think, aren't tied too closely to the import cost of the oil...it's tied to refining. We haven't built any new refinaries in the US since 1976...Michigan has only one in operation. So, that means we have to import gasoline that is ready for distribution, which means whatever country refined it jacked up the prices. Why haven't we built any refinaries, which would ease the cost of gas, you ask? Two simple reasons: 1) Profit. Big Oil owns all the refinaries, and it's basic supply and demand. Keep the supply low when demand spikes, you make money. It would be against their best interest to open more refinaries. 2) The Red Tape. Environmentalists scream about the pollution, people in the area complain about the noise and the truck traffic, and because the government is trying to regulate pollution there are so many laws and ordinances that have to be put into place you spend four years just trying to get all the permits and everything in line. Even IF Big Oil was interested (which they aren't) they wouldn't do it because it's too much of a headache. More refinaries would help the price problem, but since no one wants that (The Environmentalists, the Neighbors, Big Oil) than the only other option is for people to stop driving. Oh, and before I'm accused of being anti-environment, I'm not. I'm very pro-environment...I just recognized a long time ago that this is a case where people want it both ways. Can't have it that way. Either you've got to quit driving or build more refinaries...you decide. |
| willem-jan 8923 29.05.2007 03:46 |
Oh stop complaining you Americans. Over here we pay 1,50 euro for a single liter. That would be something like 7 dollars/gallon. Instead of complaining, Americans should start driving more efficient cars. This increase in prices is the only way this can be realized (apparently). |
| Mr.Jingles 29.05.2007 07:24 |
The whole "boycott gas for one day" is useless, eventually people will buy gas the day after. The whole key is targetting the biggest gas companies like Exxon/Mobil and Chevron/Texaco. Once people stop buying at these gas stations they will force their prices to go down. |
| Micrówave 29.05.2007 11:44 |
DavidRFuller wrote: If all Americans do not go to the pump on June 5th it would take more than 3 Billion dollars out of oil companies pockets for just one day, so please do not go to the gas station on Tuesday, June 5th 2007. Let’s try to put a dent in the Middle Eastern oil companies for at least one day.Actually, I don't buy my gas directly FROM the oil companies... the gas station has already paid for the gas that's in their tanks prior to June 5th. So the only person you'll be hurting is the gas station. Eventually, they will need to get more gas and will pay the oil companies. Please explain the "dent". The guy that owns the gas station near my house is a really nice guy and has never done anything to me except say "good morning". Why would I want to boycott him for one day? Who should we buy our oil from? Venezuela supplies about 1.5 million barrels per day of crude oil and refined petroleum products to the U.S. market, according to the EIA. Venezuelan oil comprises about 11 percent of U.S. crude oil imports, which amounts to 60 percent of Venezuela’s total exports. Russian oil? Well, try getting Transneft to build more pipelines. Instead, they continue to use trains and boats, driving the cost up and not producing enough to meet needs. Central Asia: Because the region's pipelines were constructed during the Moscow-centered Soviet period, they tend to head north and west toward Russia. There are no connections to the south and east. But Russia is currently unlikely to absorb large new quantities of foreign oil. It's unlikely to be a significant market for new energy in the next decade. It lacks the capacity to deliver it to other markets. South America: GAO reviewed the petroleum industries of the following eight South American Countries that produce petroleum but are not major exporters: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago. In general, although the United States imports some oil from these countries, as a group, the eight countries are currently net oil importers because combined domestic oil consumption exceeds oil production. Furthermore, the net oil imports are expected to continue to increase through the year 2010, making it unlikely that the United States will obtain increased oil shipments from these countries. |
| Penetration_Guru 29.05.2007 14:19 |
So, the price of a finite resource increases as the level of that resource diminishes....? Do y'all remember voting for capitalism? |
| Boy Thomas Raker 29.05.2007 14:30 |
I'm not sure that it helps, but one of the different suggestions I've seen is to not purchase anything from the station other than gas. That includes coffee, cigarettes, snacks, gum etc. It's a small gesture, but a gesture nonetheless. |
| Maz 29.05.2007 17:11 |
I don't see how that sends a message to oil companies at all. The Gas Station is just the reseller and does little to set prices - and most will tell you that they earn very little on gas sales and make up the difference through other items like candy, drinks, etc. That point is made very clear whenever there is a rash of drive offs due to high prices. And to add a wrinkle, some states have laws that prohibit gas stations from selling gas too cheap. |
| Lisser 29.05.2007 17:21 |
willem-jan wrote: Oh stop complaining you Americans. Over here we pay 1,50 euro for a single liter. That would be something like 7 dollars/gallon. Instead of complaining, Americans should start driving more efficient cars. This increase in prices is the only way this can be realized (apparently).I knew it wouldn't be long before some of you from across the pond would tell us Americans to stop bitching. I'm well aware that you pay more for gasoline or petrol/whatever everyone else calls it. Just realize that when you're used to paying a certain price for something and then all of the sudden it goes up 300%, it's a little shocking to the pocket. I'm not saying you don't have a right to tell us to stop whining but just please consider that. Edited to add that I do agree with you that we should not be driving 12 liter engine cars here, or even V8's or V6's unless you need to haul something heavy but face it, they sell here and people have the money to buy them and they have the money to pay for the gas. These people that have these huge cars probably aren't the ones bitching about gas prices though and they also don't give a rip about the environment either. My parents just bought a 36 foot RV (Recreational Vehicle) that gets 7 miles to the gallon and cost $600 at the current price to fill up. It's not good for the environment I know but they worked their whole life and saved bc their dream after retirement was to buy this RV and travel the country. What can you do? I sure as hell have no clue but I can tell you this...my next car is going to be a hybrid. I would be in heaven getting 43 miles to the gallon!!!! Oh and also happy I'm helping the environment. ;) Thank you very much and good night. |
| user name 29.05.2007 17:29 |
What a stupid, shitty, short-sighted, and ignorant idea. No offense. Gas prices have been steadily increasing not since September 11, 2001, but since long before then. Do you know where gas prices come from? They are not arbitrarily decided by wealthy oil companies. In a free market, gas prices are decided by supply and demand. Supply and demand. Supply and demand. One more time. Supply and demand. If you think something is too expensive, don't blame the companies - blame the consumers. If you're willing to pay $5.00 a gallon, gas should fucking be $5.00 a God-damned gallon. How complicated is it? |
| Lisser 29.05.2007 17:31 |
<b><font color=666600>Music Man wrote: What a stupid, shitty, short-sighted, and ignorant idea. No offense. Gas prices have been steadily increasing not since September 11, 2001, but since long before then. Do you know where gas prices come from? They are not arbitrarily decided by wealthy oil companies. In a free market, gas prices are decided by supply and demand. Supply and demand. Supply and demand. One more time. Supply and demand. If you think something is too expensive, don't blame the companies - blame the consumers. If you're willing to pay $5.00 a gallon, gas should fucking be $5.00 a God-damned gallon. How complicated is it?Is this directed towards me? |
| user name 29.05.2007 19:09 |
Lisser wrote:No, of course not. It'd be a lot nicer if it were directed at you. To be truthful, it's directed at the person who first came up with the idea that not pumping gas a certain day will change anything. I can understand why people would think it's a good idea, so it's really directed at those who actively pursue propagandizing the movement.<b><font color=666600>Music Man wrote: What a stupid, shitty, short-sighted, and ignorant idea. No offense. Gas prices have been steadily increasing not since September 11, 2001, but since long before then. Do you know where gas prices come from? They are not arbitrarily decided by wealthy oil companies. In a free market, gas prices are decided by supply and demand. Supply and demand. Supply and demand. One more time. Supply and demand. If you think something is too expensive, don't blame the companies - blame the consumers. If you're willing to pay $5.00 a gallon, gas should fucking be $5.00 a God-damned gallon. How complicated is it?Is this directed towards me? Edit: Oh, and sorry to all for the aggressive reaction. |
| Lisser 29.05.2007 19:37 |
<b><font color=666600>Music Man wrote::) I'm soooooo glad bc I always enjoy reading your responses and you are one of a handful of sane people left on the board at the present time.Lisser wrote:No, of course not. It'd be a lot nicer if it were directed at you. To be truthful, it's directed at the person who first came up with the idea that not pumping gas a certain day will change anything. I can understand why people would think it's a good idea, so it's really directed at those who actively pursue propagandizing the movement. Edit: Oh, and sorry to all for the aggressive reaction.<b><font color=666600>Music Man wrote: What a stupid, shitty, short-sighted, and ignorant idea. No offense. Gas prices have been steadily increasing not since September 11, 2001, but since long before then. Do you know where gas prices come from? They are not arbitrarily decided by wealthy oil companies. In a free market, gas prices are decided by supply and demand. Supply and demand. Supply and demand. One more time. Supply and demand. If you think something is too expensive, don't blame the companies - blame the consumers. If you're willing to pay $5.00 a gallon, gas should fucking be $5.00 a God-damned gallon. How complicated is it?Is this directed towards me? You really don't think though that oil companies used 9/11 and the war as a reason for increasing prices? I sure remember the cost of flights going up bc the airlines said fuel was going up so much and so quickly. I don't know what the answer is but something needs to happen. With all the oil companies reporting such HUGE profits each year. In the USA only a handful of large cities have mass transportation systems so either the govt needs to provide mass transit for people everywhere (which will be nearly impossible) or maybe they ought to intervene and place fuel cost caps? Not sure that'll ever happen with Bush in charge though or any politician that has their hands in the pockets of oil execs. I would love to have mass transit and I only live about 3 miles from my work. If I didn't have to pay car insurance, gas, and a car payment each month, I'd be RICH!!!! Seems like to me everyone and everything would benefit from it, only if it were a realistic thing though. There are so many parts of America that are dense and not considered populated highly enough for a mass transit system I can only assume. |
| Donna13 29.05.2007 20:04 |
Oh, well. We have plenty of grass in this country and I'm pretty sure there are some wild horses running around in Nevada...just need to learn how to catch some good ones - they would need to be young enough and fast enough to go fetch the doctor if needed. Other than that, some solar or wind power for our computers ... a bit of gardening in the backyard... |
| Lisser 29.05.2007 21:20 |
Good to have you back Donna. I've missed you. :) |
| sparrow 21754 29.05.2007 22:05 |
we could convert back to trains :-p |