Expert: $4 a gallon gasoline coming soon

[Junkdrawer]

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Consumers can expect retail gas prices to rise to $4 a gallon in the near future, a pricing analyst said Wednesday.

"There's no question gas will hit $4 a gallon," Ben Brockwell, director of pricing at the Oil Price Information Service, said. "The question is how high will it go and how long will it last?"

OPIS tracks wholesale and retail oil prices and provides pricing information for AAA's daily reports on fuel prices.

Brockwell said with gasoline prices now exceeding $3 a gallon before even reaching the wholesale level, it "doesn't take a genius" to expect retail prices to hit $4 a gallon soon.

"Consumers haven't seen the worst of it yet," Brockwell said.
...

http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/31/news/gas_prices/

[Hobarticus]

1. How long will it last? HA! That's rich!

How naive, to actually think that Big Oil would cut prices, ever again, if it got that high.

[joeunderdog]

64. Maybe we'll see a correction in people's guzzling habits.

If this happened pre-SUV, then we wouldn't be on the brink of a global warming catastrophe because people would have stayed with vehicles that conserve more feul. I'm hoping gas prices force changes for the better.

Gulf water temperature 89* -->more extreme weather systems --> hurricaines--> natural disasters --> higher gas prices (maybe this is a shot accross the bow.)

[Roland99]

2. Well...duh!

$3.69 in Chicago...$3.88 in Death Valley

[LostinVA]

3. Seriously, wtf do some of us do?

I have a 25 mile one-way commute every day. I can't sell my house and move. I can carpool two of the days, but that's it. Can't ride a bike. I have a TDI car and get very good mileage, but who the heck can afford $3-4 a gallon?

[Mizmoon]

4. I know - the gloating around here is misplaced

we're all going to suffer because of this. It's very bad news.

[Zhade]

69. People who gloat should realize they'll be eating these prices.

It's not like the cost of gas only affects what kind of car you drive - it also affects the price of food, since it will cost more to ship.

I mean, yeah, I laugh when I see a lone person in a Hummer drive up to the pump, but I quickly sober up, because we're ALL going to be hurting, hybrid-drivers and Hummer-drivers, liberals and conservatives, everyone.

I have no idea how we help people stay afloat with rising prices, but I do know we need serious government reform to even begin to tackle the problem in an effective way.

[llmart]

99. You're wrong on one point......

it won't "hurt everyone." The wealthy will still be just fine. That's the way Repugs like it. Remember - "my base; the haves and the have mores."

[physioex]

109. Gloat Nuthin...

We have been warning people of this catastrophe for years. Let them learn the hard way.....

Just like Iraq....

[barb162]

123. Yes, we will all suffer but I for one am not gloating

It's the only way that will force change. Telling people the Saudi oil fields are not going to last forever does no good, telling people resources are finite does no good. It's like we live in fantasyland in this country and no one wants to deal with the facts and we have to conserve what little is left on this planet. I wish people who have SUVs and other guzzlers had to pay an extra tax of about 5 bucks a gallon because they are the ones who are the most wasteful. The poor people are the ones who will be hurt the most in this and that is not fair.

[NNN0LHI]

5. You are not alone. Many are in the same or worse shape than you n/t

[Yavin4]

8. Move Closer To Where You Work or

Get some kind of public transportation out near you.

[Mari333]

12. I left a damned good job after prices went over 2.50

and took a job 1/2 mile away from home for less pay. Didnt have a choice..small town, no public transportation

[llmart]

101. Me too.

About 4 years ago I took a lower paying job that I like a whole lot more and is less stressful and it's 4 miles from home. It pays much, much less but in the long run, now with gasoline prices the way they are, it probably pays just as much.

[durablend]

14. So where's that magic wand?

HMM?

[LostinVA]

17. I really hope you're kidding

Because you sound very consdending... guess, why didn't I think of that??? Give me a break. You know, you can't always just sell a house and move, and I can't right now. And, please tell me HOW to get public transportation out where I live? Just snap my fingers? Hmmm? I am not being a bitch, but what you're suggesting is not viable.

[Tesha]

22. It's not condescending, it's reality.

Another very real alternative is starve to death. The world is
full of such stuff; it's just surprising to Americans.

Tesha

[durablend]

27. It is very freeperish

May be reality, but the fact of the matter is that people all can't just "pack up and move" (I sure as hell can't afford it). Not to mention that I'd expect public transportation will be CUT in a number of instances to rein in spiraling fuel costs (we've already had routes cut in these parts), so even that may or may not be an option.

[Yavin4]

30. Facts Are Facts

Oil is a scarce natural resource. China and India are becoming fully industrialized nations. That means BILLIONS of people will be using fuel on a daily basis. Gas prices are going rise no matter who is president.

We are going to have to change how we live, no matter what.

[Massachusetts]

48. Excellent points! and VERY True

[okieinpain]

72. yes, very true. I love my truck, it's save my bacon more times then

I can count, but some change is coming.

[smirkymonkey]

97. The End of Suburbia.....

[Yavin4]

98. You Got It

All around the world. It's the end of people living on the outskirts of cities.

[Massachusetts]

47. Lost in Va

You seem very Sensitive today.

Oh, its C-O-N-D-E-S-C-E-N-D-I-N-G. Its on next weeks Quiz.

[jjmalonejr]

59. Ah, the irony ...

...correcting a mispelling of the word "condescending" and telling them it'll be on next week's quiz.

[LostinVA]

65. Sorry I have two broken fingers taped up and can't

type correctly. Sorry you feel like being condescending makes you a big guy. No, I'm not sensitive today. You're being a jerk today for some reason.

[Straight Shooter]

91. Don't worry about it, LostinVA. Your berater is also spelling challenged.

It's, not its. And week's, not weeks. ;)

FWIW, I can just imagine myself trying to up and move because of the cost of gas. Also zero public transportation where I live, out in the boonies of eastern Oregon. I'm seeing more gas-guzzling vehicles parked in front of houses with For Sale signs on them.

None of this had to happen. Blame anyone, then blame Reagan. Apparently the alternative energy ball was in his court.

[Scout1071]

92. I'm thinking of changing jobs if they won't let me work from home

full-time. My office is 40 miles away. After 5 years of the commute, I'm now working from home 3 out 6 days a week (yes, I work an extra day). If they don't make it 5 out 6 days a week, I'm going to look elsewhere. I have to be there on one of the days.

[Psephos]

119. Massachusetts

You seem very condescending today.

Oh, it's "it's," not "its." And it's "week's," not "weeks." And "Quiz" should not be capitalized.

No one could possibly be such a putz that they'd make spelling and punctuation errors in a post harping about spelling and punctuation errors...could they?

ROFLMAO

[aden_nak]

26. I have the same problem.

Public Transportation in NJ is very selective. If it goes where you need to go, great. If it doesn't go right where you need to go, you still have another 10-15 miles of highway to cross to get to your destination. I currently drive 100 miles round trip each day to go to work. And I can't move closer, because they literally don't pay me enough to afford the rent near my job (the average cost of living for a single person in that area is $50K per year, a good deal more than I make).

In fact, when I asked for a raise the other week, due to the fact that I've been here 17 months without one, they changed my hours, and took away my overtime, they said no dice. They told me to continue working the early hours for no additional compensation.

I told them that this Friday is my last day.

[progressivebydesign]

29. Um. people can't uproot their kids or homes just for gasoline.

And. public transportation outside of the cities is a joke.

[auburngrad82]

32. If I rented, I could move. We own and it's not that easy.

It now costs me $12 every day to go to work and come home. I'm trying to talk management into letting me work 4 12-hour shifts rather than 5 shifts so I can save one day per week. That amounts to about $600 per year.

That's my only option.

The gas companies have learned from the drug companies. They know we need the gas and they've decided to milk every last penny from us. Exxon posted more than a 30% increase in profits over the same period last year. Phillips Petroleum posted gains of over 50%. And they have a huge surplus of crude oil on hand.

Two weeks ago when the energy bill was passed it didn't include the clause exempting gas companies from lawsuits related to pollutants in the water supply. What was the companies' response. One of the largest refiners shut down their refinery and gas jumped a dime that week. They didn't have to. They did it out of spite.

Hawaii wants to cap their gas prices. The gas companies' response? Screw ya, we just won't sell to you.

We're being taken advantage of and the GOP led government is standing idly by while we get fucked.

[acmavm]

42. "...and the GOP led government is standing idly by while we get fucked..."

They're not just standing idly by, they're more than partially responisble for this.

[dchill]

80. more than partially responsible...

is an understatement. This is "your tax cuts at work." (Actually, THEIR tax cuts...)

[KayLaw]

61. That's good thinking, Auburngrad82

I just this morning happened to glance through a book called "Your Money or Your Life". The writer suggested four-day work weeks as a way to save money. I hope management takes your good advice.

[llmart]

102. Don't just glance through the book......

pick up a copy and read it all the way through. It is the quintessential bible for those of us who decided to practice simple living.

[spinbaby]

38. Public transporation?

Surely you jest. And houses near where I work cost about four times as much as the one we live in now--we can't afford it.

[DamnYank]

39. That's a pretty naive statement

I live where I do because I can't afford to live closer to town. Real estate and rent is exorbitant because of all the retirees moving here and driving up prices. I'm several miles from the nearest bus line.

As a country we've painted ourselves into a corner by becoming so reliant on the automobile. Now we're trapped, even us whacky tree huggers who have been saying this would happen eventually.

[nonconformist]

43. Yeah, why didn't I think of that.....

Grow up.

[Eurobabe]

51. And how does one "get some public transportation"

out near us? Rub a magic lamp? These pricks in govt. have had 30 yrs. since the gas crisis in the 70s to figure this out. Time to hold THEM responsible.

[TommyO]

74. Great advice, why didn't I think of that?

Do you have a spare $500,000 so I can get a house near where I work in Central Jersey? I think about $350,000 will get me a condo....

[Roland99]

96. Yeah...that's so easy to do.

[lephty]

9. Change our ways

Eventually, if the prices stay high, we will do what the Europeans and Asians do.

Shorter commutes - move closer to the workplace, remote suburban or rural lifestyles will become less commonplace.

Scooters - people will start buying scooters (maybe a solution for you ?).

Mass transit - more people will start using whatever mass transit exists, and more will be developed.

Unfortunately, these aren't short term solutions, so I feel for you.

[LostinVA]

18. Again, these solutions aren;'t viable for many of us

I would lose so much money if I moved now. Some people can't just sell and take a 10k to 15k loss. A scooter? 25 miles on an interstate? There IS no mass transit here -- it's very rural... I'm not being smart alecky... it's just frustrating.

[lephty]

21. Feel bad

I feel bad for all those affected by high gas prices, especially independent truckers. I'm lucky since I used to have a commute like you, but now I can walk to work.

As far as scooters are concerned, I'm not referring to the 49cc type, but the 150cc-250cc style. Just like a motorcycle except for some important differences such as automatic transmission, smaller wheels, easier entry/exit. Easily highway capable.

[llmart]

103. Actually, I don't feel bad at all......

for those who voted for Bush/Cheney. It's those of us who knew they were crooks and didn't vote for them and did everything we could to wake people up who I feel sorry for.

[NeoConsSuck]

104. I'm getting a scooter next spring

turn a negative into a positive! Always wanted to drive one, but I was afraid. And that fear of scootering has been eclipsed by a fear of poverty!

Once I overcome the fear, it should be a blast!

[Xithras]

25. Aren't there alternatives to the interstate?

Many higher end scooters can do 40-50 MPH and still get 75 to 100 MPG, so they aren't quite as pokey as some assume. Still, I wouldn't recommend putting one on the freeway.

Can't you take surface streets?

[LostinVA]

66. I am not riding a motorcycle to work

I am very short and light and have a bad knee. I can't RIDE a motorcycle. Even if I could, I don't think it's smart to drive on in pouring down rain or snow. And, there are surface roads to work, but they would actually be worse for gas mileage, as I'd have to hit approximately 19 lights each way. Sucks.

[lfairban]

90. It all depends on your situation.

I feel compelled to suggest an electric assist bicycle, like the one I have. (Much like this one) I almost have my wife talked into using it for her 8 mi. commute to work.

I bought it many years ago, and I am still using the original battery. It cost me around $900 and is very fun to use, but it requires surface roads with traffic that is tolerant of 20 mph or less speeds. It would be viable for a 25 mile per day commute, but would require additional time. The listed range is 18-25 miles, but that depends on how much you use the assist.

If you could use it to link to a mass transit option like a bus line for the last ten miles, it might work for you. Then you revert to your auto for winter/bad weather days.

When I was working downtown, I found the fastest transportation was a bike, because I could tie it up outside the front door. Busses are slow and require dealing with a schedule, cars require a parking lot followed by a walk to the front door.

If you use an electro-assist bike, the downtown traffic that many bike users would find intimidating is not bad since you have good acceleration away from a traffic light and flow with the traffic better. You just plug it in every night when you get home.

[True_Blue]

124. How about a compressed work week

Would working more hours per day but fewer days a week be an option that your employer might consider?

[blindpig]

20. hung out to dry

at least for the short term. The lack of mass transit, particularly here in the South, is going to make things rough. Rationing is an obvious response, but would screw bu$h politically. Or we could abandon pretense and just start flat out stealing Iraqi oil:sarcasm:

The Cubans found a way to keep their country functioning during the worst of the Special Period(I think that's what they called it): call it mandantory car pooling or enforced hitch hiking. At specific locations(often hwy intersections) folks needing rides would congregate and unarmed members of the militia would flag down vehicles with state tags who would stop and take on riders. I honestly can't imagine that working in this country, we're not civilized enough.

[lephty]

23. HItchhiking

Actually, the hitchhiking thing works to a certain extent in some cities (at least it did a few years back when I lived near one). I believe they are called slugs. What people do is park near a subway or bus stop, but don't actually take the mass transit. They form organized lines and single drivers pick up people to take downtown, thereby enabling the use of any HOV lanes. If you can organize a ride back, that's great, otherwise you take the mass transit back to your car.

[BR_Parkway]

52. Rationing? By this gang of crooks? You'd have to show your

voter registration, no R, don't bother getting in line!

[Strelnikov_]

53. I Am Afraid We Are Going To Be Using A Lot Of The 'Special Period'

measures developed by the Cubans in the near future.

[okieinpain]

75. nope, no freepers, sorry. nope, nope nope.....

[blindpig]

84. ummm

Care to elucidate? I am more clueless than normal.:wtf:

[okieinpain]

87. poster said that in cuba there is official hitch hiking. well there will

be no freepers in the car with me.

[blindpig]

89. Ahhh

I see. Sadly that is an aspect of what I referred to as our lack of civility. Not picking on you, those people piss me off to no end too, but between racism, classism, religion and political division we are hardly likely to behave as well as the Cubans in times of stress.

Peace

[okieinpain]

111. I hear you, but you know a freeper wouldn't keep his mouth shut.

[neverforget]

35. My wife and I bought a house on Monday night. Today, we're getting

out of it since we still have 10 days under our contract to get out with no questions asked. I was worried sick literally yesterday about our decision.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

77. I run service repair company

Gas prices will eventually be the death of my business.

Anyone want to buy my beaded necklaces off of ebay. I have a kid in college to take care of.

:scared:

[opihimoimoi]

6. One of the Real Reasons for Bushies Presence...Backed by Big Oil

... we look at the results...it all comes together if we follow the money trail....

[ozymandius]

7. And what do we get from Detroit? More gas guzzlers!

GM admits its large SUVs may be endangered species
(but they're making them anyway)

General Motors Corp. made the stark admission yesterday that sales of its large sport-utility vehicles are unlikely to ever regain the peaks of recent years as soaring gas prices and changing tastes quell consumers' enthusiasm for the vehicles.

The world's largest auto maker acknowledged that it has begun planning for a future when large SUVs will no longer be its main profit-driver.

-cut-

Nonetheless, GM officials said they aren't ready to scrap the company's fleet of big rigs, including the Suburban, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Silverado and Hummer.

-cut-

n 2006, GM is poised to launch a new line of full-sized trucks and SUVs, code-named GMT 900. And analysts say the new models could buck the downward trend in sales.

more

[okieinpain]

76. drove a malibu to texas this weekend, 4 cyl 2.2 got 26 -28/gal

nice leg room. I might have to trade my truck for one.

[llmart]

105. My 4 cylinder Stratus.....

got 28/29 per gallon on a recent trip. Still not enough in my opinion. I wanted to buy a Prius but backed out at the last minute because my auto company employed husband made me feel guilty about buying a Toyota. I should have listened to my instincts and to hell with his advise.

[Joebert]

122. And count 'em... ONE hybrid

The Ford Escape Hybrid.

I have one, it's wonderful, 32 mpg in a 4x4 that will handle the snow here, and can carry people.

If I were made of money, I'd drive an Insight for the nice weather/roads days, but since I'm not, I went with the one that can handle the weather.

What the hell is wrong with Detroit, one hybrid, none slated for 1-3 years.

All the people I work with buy bigger and bigger trucks. Well you HAVE to have a big truck to tow a trailer 4 times a year.

Well, watching them get 25% less miles per tank on 100% more gallons makes me giggle.

[Mari333]

10. Its 3.19 here today in MI..jumped 20 cents last night

I drove by the gas station..people shaking their heads in disgust. Winter is literally going to kill people this year.

[callous taoboy]

11. Mad Max a reality. N/T

[callous taoboy]

15. Been riding my electric scooter to work

The 2 batteries cost $45 a piece and need replacement every 2 to 2 1/2 years. Can't ride it in the rain either. So it's not a perfect tool but an alternative.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

13. 3.49 and 3.69 in southern Chicago subs

the LOWEST I saw was 2.99, where I filled up.

Just as I finished, they were changing the signs to increase the prices by 20 cents at that station.

[Greylyn58]

16. This will hit so many people in so many ways

When my dad retired, he began to generously give two days a week to delivering hot meals to the poor, sick and shut-ins around Charlotte, NC. When gas prices first started going up the people that operate the "Meals on Wheels" program feared a lot of their volunteers would quit--not being able to afford the added cost of driving. So far my dad has continued to give his time to deliver to those in need, but if the price of gas goes up, I don't know if he'll be able to continue.

The rise in gas prices is really going to devastate programs like this all over the country. It makes me ill thinking of all the ways this will affect the US.

[uppityperson]

19. Food in stores costing more, my income is dropping

A fair chunk of my business is retired people who are spending more of their limited income on food and less on my services. I cannot raise my prices more to counter my increased costs. I am making less.

Food in grocery stores will continue to cost more. All products will due to increased transportation costs. While I already buy little new clothing, caring minimally about fashion, it still will hurt buying necessities.

[alkaline9]

24. shipping prices will double easilly...

... and even the price of stamps will undoubtedly go up in the very near future. You can say goodbye to free pizza delivery. Inflation is going to devastate our country.

[durablend]

31. Hyper-Stagflation?

If it's not already a term, can we coin it?

[Strelnikov_]

55. Is That Shorthand For GOP Economic Policy? n/t

[tex-wyo-dem]

28. There has never been a question (in my mind at least)...

that greatly increased gas prices and shortages in the future were as certain as death and taxes...the only question was how soon.

Well, I guess we have the answer.

The root of the problem is that ever since the '20s or '30s America has been living the pipe dream of limitless resources. Our entire country's infrastructure and economy has been built around this principle, which is why we have urban sprawl, long commutes, no mass transit, mega malls on the outskirts of cities replacing compact, centralized downtown shops, everything spread out as far as the eye can see. Our entire living environment is based around the promise of cheap energy.

For too long Big Energy, as well as scores of other industries, have been scuttling any efforts to prepare for the day that energy is no longer affordable. Well, that day is quickly approaching and, as usual, the ones who will hurt are lower and middle class Americans.

I predict some serious problems in our future as well as big, big changes in the way of life we have all known.

[lutefisk]

33. “Manhattan project” to develop alternative sources of energy

Are people ready to get behind that idea yet? What we need is strong leadership that pushes the “Manhattan project” idea as the national security/ national surviaval issue that it is.

There are short term survival strategies that depend on one's financial and personal situation, but as long as we have "leaders" that are actively encouraging energy consumption over conservation, we are all going down in the long term.

Then you have to consider the infamous Bush "reverse Midas touch" factor...

[okieinpain]

78. nah. we just need to drill in alaska, that's all. just ask cheney.

[bluestateguy]

34. I'm losing my patience with the car-haters here

For 7 years I have done my part, taking public transportation to work most days of the week, and sometimes all of the week. For 4 years before that, I did not have my car with me in college.

I have standing.

But not everyplace that I need to go allows me to get there and back on public transportation. To say nothing of all the problems associated with say, transporting 12 or more bags of groceries on a public bus. Nor does everybody's work schedule comport with public transit schedules and routes. Nor does everybody have co-workers who are either willing or able to partake in a carpool.

I do not drive frivolously. I try to limit my driving as best as I can. I own a pretty fuel efficient car, and I have been doing my part for 11 years now. So I get a little angry whenever somebody sitting in their Manhattan apartment or San Francisco townhouse proceeds to rattle off a bunch of canned talking points about the evils of cars, and the need for alternative sources of energy every time someone here dares to say that gas is too expensive.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

36. good post

Thanks for speaking out.

[GaDemo]

44. And what about this

Natural gas prices are also going thru the roof.In three years my natural gas prices went from 64 cents to 94 cents to now to a dollar nine per therm.And we have de-regulated gas here in Georgia and it's been a fucking joke.It's going to be a COLD winter for a lot of people.Like me.:mad:

[durablend]

49. Propane isn't much better

Though it looks like the price leveled off (somewhat). Of course, the truck delivering the stuff is going to add significantly to it.

[lutefisk]

37. So, you're saying the scooter idea won't work for you?

Me neither- need snow tires and child safety seats. If I don't drive I lose my job, home, health insurance, and on and on.

I agree the gloating on this issue is misplaced, and most "solutions" people are proposing are unrealistic, but I also feel strongly that there needs to be a major national program to reduce energy consumption and develop alternative sources of energy.

As I wrote in an earlier post, there are short term and long term issues related to energy; if people can't go to work and get on with their daily lives, our society will collapse. I don't think a fast transition to a hunting and gathering society would work very well.

(And I agree with the "thanks for speaking out" comment)

[mahatmakanejeeves]

79. "(And I agree with the "thanks for speaking out" comment)"

Thanks for thanking me for my thanks.

If you (Dems collectively, not the individual who posted) want to keep on losing elections, tell the people of Montana that they'll just have to ride bicycles to work.

[Psephos]

120. A major national program...

...like, say, the one that developed the Space Shuttle?

Don't worry, I'm taking the cheap shot, and I admit it. But I have a hard time believing much good will come of a new major national program when I look around at the fruits of other major national programs. It would be a guaranteed pork fest, carried out by people whose incentive rapidly becomes bureaucratic turf protection first, and program objectives second. By the time the politicians are done with it, it will include appropriations for a seafood museum in Key West, a suspension foot bridge for Snake River Canyon, and an Irish-Swedish cultural pavilion in Buffalo.

I don't know the answer here, just observing what hasn't worked very well in the past.

Peace.

[justinsb]

41. Ok but gas prices aren't coming down significantly

ever again, that's just reality there is no "solution" to that.

[tammywammy]

93. Thank you

I'm doing what I can. There's no public transportation to get me to work.
I moved a month ago to a place that's only 12 miles to work instead of the 25 I was driving. I'm also purchasing a diesel car.

I already conserve what I can, there's nothing more for me to do, so telling me to move to use public transportation isn't taking into account those people, like me, that neither is an option.

[physioex]

110. Good for you....

But I am no hater, I am trying to say which I think most people would agree is give up your gaz guzzlers and learn to do with less. But unfortunately this is asking too much of most americans....

[OzarkDem]

116. Somewhat utopian

Not everyone can afford to buy a new car or sell their house and move.

[physioex]

117. Hey.....

Pay the bills, have fun. I am in the same boat won't get any pity from me...

[OzarkDem]

115. Agree, criticism is counterproductive and naive

It doesn't accomplish anything to bash people who are truly making an effort.

Some of the viewpoints expressed are almost Luddite.

[Psephos]

121. Good, honest post. n/t

[justinsb]

40. It's about $4.60 a US Gallon

in Toronto today (1.25/Litre * 3.75 Litres/Gallon)

Gas prices aren't coming down, people really have to start focusing on a solution that doesn't include lower gas prices. Waiting for gas prices to come down is the equivelant of sitting on a piece of debris in a flood and waiting for, not just a boat, but a Cruise Ship to come by. It's a recipe for suicide.

[gasperc]

45. why do you guys export so much oil to us?

is it in a treaty, a military trade off or something? why not keep the stock for yourselves, I know that sounds selfish and probably counter productive but I'm surprised that ordinary canadians aren't howling to export less

[justinsb]

54. One word, well one acronym

NAFTA, which may go by the wayside over softwood lumber. Under NAFTA we can't refuse to sell resources. Once we pull out, which I think is inevitable now, then there will be alot more restrictions on lumber, paper products, precious and base medals, oil, natural gas, energy and perhaps most important water.

[magellan]

46. Ouch...and a question re the CBC

Justinb, are you one of the employees on lockout from the CBC? I just read about it and hope things are settled for the better soon. What's the reason for the CBC hiring so many private contractors? Is it cost effective for them? So many questions, I apologize.

BTW, I like the BBC as much as the CBC...but the BBC just ain't very Canadian. What slags.

Good luck to you and your fellow workers. :)

[justinsb]

57. Yes I am

and no one is sure why they need so many contracts, they already have more than the rest of the private tv industry here. The fear is that they want to turn the CBC into just another profit driven, only concerned about ratings, lowest common denominator TV channel.

If you're interested there is a ton of info available at

www.cmgtoronto.ca

and people to complain to, as well as lists of blogs and other information at

www.cmgtoronto.ca/activism

Cheers (and thanks for your support)
Justin

[magellan]

62. I'll shoot a note off to them today and pass the word.

I know several folks on another board who will be interested in doing the same.

Keep your spirits up!

[justinsb]

85. Thank you very much!!

We are winning, but we have to keep the pressure up.

[Zhade]

71. You work in broadcasting?

Can you hook a brother up? I work for DirecTV and want to relocate to Canada!

(Just kidding. Well, kinda. But I don't really ask people those kinds of things on a message board. That said, if you have any leads, my inbox is always open...)

[justinsb]

86. Cool, I don't know how much I can help

Alot is on the table right now re: the future of the CBC but PM me and let me know what exactly you do and I'll keep an eye out.

[Zhade]

88. Gotta run out, but I'll PM you later!

NT!

[llmart]

106. One of the best things about living in the Detroit area......

is the ability to get CBC. It's REAL news and they actually appreciate classical music.

I'll try to check out your websites and lend my support.

[Eurobabe]

50. At least Canada has a better public tranny system

THAT should be what we ALL bitch about here in the USA, the lack of foresight re: rail, bus transportation.

[justinsb]

58. In the big cities yes

but not in rural areas (unless you count the train as public transit) and it's a big, big country (the largest in the world except for Russia)

[MisterP]

68. we USians also add a MIC surcharge, to pay a bloated military budget

so we can beat other countries up and give their oil to the corps so they can sell it at high prices

[Zhade]

70. Love the analogy, very evocative!

NT!

[Turbineguy]

56. A $0.50 per gallon rise

will increase my driving cost from $0.87 per mile to $0.89 per mile.

[mainegreen]

60. One of the good things about being a consultant

is that travel is billed out, so I earn money on my commute. I always used to hate being a consultant, but now, it is kinda nice.

[JNelson6563]

63. Yeah, like tomorrow.

Gotta make this happen before the big travel weekend!

We are so screwed.

Julie

[PurityOfEssence]

67. Boy, ya got that right. We need an expert to tell us THAT?

How can it be any clearer? It's not going to stop there, either, and any little glitches here and there are going to cause panicky spikes.

There's only so much of the stuff, and the world's demand has gone through the roof. This is ridiculous.

Here in L.A. it's climbing steadily; mercifully Snuffy only likes regular...

[Maggie_May]

73. I might be showing my age

remember when Carter was Prez and told the people that they had to conserve on gas? I don't know if it will do any good but, I know that we are going to have to change the way we live.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

81. "remember when Carter ... told the people ... to conserve on gas?"

And how did that turn out? How many states did Carter carry in 1980?

Malaise.

[durablend]

82. Which is why * needs to suggest it

;)

[ramapo]

83. Too bad he got laughed off the stage

We wouldn't be in as much of a mess...

[llmart]

108. Yeah, but Carter wasn't a "manly man"......

who laughed with a sneer and swaggered around and played dress up like a fighter pilot, so he was deemed a not-so-good President. The people in this country get what they deserve.

I am old enough to remember all that and I always admired him for his foresight. Remember him wearing sweaters in the White House and turning down the thermostat? Remember the energy credits you could get on your taxes for insulating your homes?

[The Traveler]

112. $5.00-$5.50 per gallon in north metro Atlanta

It was about $2.70 this morning, and I paid $3.10 at lunch and was outraged. Gas lines are causing some traffic problems. It is crazy out there tonight.

[Bo]

94. I just paid 4.09 at a East point ,Atlanta TEXACO

[Roland99]

95. Reports of $4.41/gallon in Louisville...Shell station...unknown location

[howmad1]

100. The good news?

Asshole freepers have to pay $4.00/gal. as well.

[halsaxby]

107. Idiots.

I don't know how many idiots I heard today say "Gas prices are too high. When is the government going to do something?"

The government IS doing something: They are giving the oil companies the green light to gouge the US public. I have seen gas prices increase 20% in 18 hours, we are clearly being Enron-ed.

And to add to the indignities, it turns out that Vaseline is made from petroleum. Thus, we won't even have that luxury as BushCo/Big Oil screws for even larger profits.

[Naipes]

114. We ARE being Enron-ed

The CA energy "crisis" was just a dry run for the market "forces" to drive up the price of electrical energy in that state. Now the same thing is happening with oil, except it's all over the country, and Bush is saying the same thing now that he said when CA was having trouble, "I wish I could do something, but I can't help the way the market operates..." As it turns out it was his good buddy, Kenny Boy Lay, and Enron that was manipulating the CA market. No one knows what happened in the "secret" Cheney energy meetings. Now it's big oil, after their big tax break, giving us the same shit the energy "market forces" gave CA, only with a different energy product and all across America instead of in a single state. It truely reeks.

[Cobalt Violet]

113. Very soon.

Some are reporting seeing $6.00+ today.

[fortyfeetunder]

118. For those of you who remember Desert Storm

under Bush I, there was a mini-gouging in effect then. (My recollection it went up from about a dollar to 1.40/gal in my neck of the woods)