Rita and oil don't mix.

[Reciprocity]

There is a lot of Texas bashing that has been going on here the last few days. So for those who think we deserve what's coming, just think about this. If gas prices are bad now, just imagine what they'd be if the oil refineries in Baytown and surrounding areas are impacted. If the off shore oil wells and the ship channel out of Houston are destroyed or shut down. So if you can't find it in your heart to pray or send good vibes and positive thoughts for the human and animal life, send them for your pocket books. We need them no matter what your motivation is.

[Skink]

1. We'd feel better if we could get some relief...

But since moving to Texas(2001),I find the people are the same everywhere. We are just under a RW assualt.

[barb162]

2. this country doesn't need any more hurricanes hitting anything.

I was surprised at some of the TX bashing. This is NOT a time to be bashing; people and animals are gonna die and get hurt and a lot of people will lose their homes. Beside that a lot of oil rigs are already damaged in the gulf and this hurricane will just add to the list. Probably more refineries and pipelines will get knocked out too. Businesses will be hurt and people will jobs.

[DLnyc]

3. People yes. Oil, not sure.

I agree Texas bashing is wrong. It's easy to get sucked into the 'us versus them' mentality encouraged by certain politicians, but it's both foolish and unkind.

I don't want the people of Texas, or anywhere else, hurt. I know Texas pretty well and have great respect for it's people. I'm not fond at all of the some of the right wing, authoritarian, bandit mentality that is sometimes common among some of the power elite there, but I think most people are more the victims than the perpetrators of this mentality.

As far as the oil industry around Houston and Baytown, though, I don't feel much sympathy. Gas prices will go up largely because the oil industry illegally manipulated public policy to prevent conservation, alternative fuel use and a sustainable lifestyle. Ironically, the same industry successfully prevented any action to slow global warming which, I believe, is contributing to more violent weather patterns.

Besides good vibes (for people and pets and their homes), I'd like to offer some advice: If you live in an area that votes predominantly Democratic (like south Texas or some parts of Houston and Baytown, I think), don't count on BushCo for a fast response after any damage.

Pehaps some DUers and others can make plans to head down right after the storm with supplies and transportation. If we get there before FEMA, we might be able to get in and help.

Sorry to be sarcastic here, but I'm feeling a little bitter about the things that go on in this country.

[Reciprocity]

4. The thing about oil is, it needs to be refined.

Texas mostly (if memory serves, I lived in the Baytown area in the 80s for eight years) gets crude oil, then refines it into gasoline. Places along the coast like Houston, is where the refineries are because that where the tankers unload their cargo of unrefined oil. If they are damaged this will have a major impacted on gas and heating oil prices.

[DLnyc]

6. Yeah, I was in Baytown breifly in the early 80's.

They had a HUGE refinery there. One morning we saw a small cloud come out of one of the stacks. It drifted in our direction, but high up. We saw a bird fly into it and drop straight to the ground, stone cold dead. Kind of a harsh world around there. People in the town were mostly poor and working class, it seemed like, but you always had the sense someone behind the scenes was making a whole shitload of cash.

[Reciprocity]

8. And believe it or not, we had huge lines for gas....

during the oil embargo across the street of that very refinery. Odd even days. If your license plate ended on a odd or even number determined what day you got gas.

[DLnyc]

9. Yeah, sounds about right.

I guess the CEO's making $25,000,000 a year don't care too much about the little guy.

on edit:

even if that little guy is the one keeping the refinery running!

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. look I don't want anybody to get hjurt

but the economic effects to this nation will be of historic proportions if the worst case comes to be...

I hope nobody gets hurt and people get out... but can I save my scorn for one particular texan family (Momy and poppy bush), I would not mind her spending the night in a refugee center, never mind I know she never woudl... after those comments at the Astrodome I just went WTF, damn Nazi... so can I still bash the former first family and dimson?

[Reciprocity]

7. Remember that Texan family was born and raised in Connecticut.

But don't blame then either. BTW your description fits them down to the click of their goose stepping hessian boots.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. I know they are carpet baggers

but can I still bash them? Now pre-emtively I need to call my Senator and warn her that thigs may get really bad again... so will try to do what I can at distance.

[ladylibertee]

11. I'm not mad at TEXAS...I have family there.HOWEVER.........

I still hope that by some freak of nature, Rita shrinks into a small, but still powerful cat4 that wipes out a CERTAIN ranch in Crawford.That's all.No one else.:D

[Reciprocity]

12. A tornado could do that easily. n/t

[ladylibertee]

13. Well, then.I wish a tornado on the Texes Ranch. He He