Tonight I was frightened and I'm in Dallas. People are going insane for

[anarchy1999]

gas. Tonight in Dallas was surreal. All day in Dallas was surreal.

I started early this am trekking around the city for one cause or the other. Late this evening I pulled into a discount gas place at Lemmon and 45, (6:30pmish), cars were piled everywhere in every direction.

I went to my meetings and then headed home. Over the course of around 5-10 miles I ran across multiple 7-11's selling Citgo gas, lines every direction, I ran across Diamond Shamrock, (out, no gas), I was shaken. I asked one man, in one line what's going on? Has everyone gone mad? Sadly, he shook his head yes.

I don't know what this weekend may bring. Peace and lots of deep breaths. Keep Texas and Texans in your thoughts.

[EFerrari]

1. Will do. I fear we have a big reality check coming. n/t

[radwriter0555]

2. This is indeed a bush oil man wet dream come true...

The power lust in DC must be palpable right now... with people fighting over gas? No wonder the prices are more than double; the price gouging is pure profit.

[FreedomAngel82]

3. Same here

Especially in the winter with heat and all that. :\ Things are going to be hard. *sigh* Where's FDR when you need him?

[pa28]

33. Yeah, the moment calls for FDR.

We've been given Warren Harding. Good luck to us.

[radfringe]

50. I'm not surprised

confidence in FEMA and bush*'s ability to "respond" went down the tubes with Katrina - people KNOW they are on their own despite all the hype about how "prepared" FEMA is for Rita and they are taking no chances

To add to the chaos - I heard bush* is planning a photo-op showing him "overseeing" preparations... :eyes:

here's my "impression" of bush* getting ready for rita... http://radfringe.tripod.com/

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

52. He's a fading legacy I'm afraid:

http://www.karlandkinggeorge.com/Fading_Legacy.html

[aquart]

4. I have no idea what reality consists of, now.

[EFerrari]

19. Same here. The bottom has fallen out of the bottom. n/t

[Lilyhoney]

22. Here maybe this will help.

http://www.jesusisreality.com/

[onager]

24. Well, it doesn't help us atheists much...

But thanks for the unsolicited commercial advertisement. I'm sure all the non-Xians at DU will appreciate it as well.

:sarcasm:

[Lilyhoney]

39. I did not mean to offend you.

I was just joking around. I see this reality place every day and have made a complete joke of it in my mind. I forget that others may not necessarily understand.

:spank: my bad.

[KittyWampus]

56. Wonder how many of those people are armed with guns.

[Erika]

5. Maybe they are worrying about the toxic clouds?

to be released by flooding? Dallas will be hit hard.

[Supersedeas]

68. a toxic airbourne event...in Texas...not with their environmental laws...

nadda chance

[phusion]

6. Where are all those people in Houston heading?

I see the big lines of cars on the highways. Is there a certain city they are going to? This is nuts...

[jobycom]

10. Austin, Dallas and beyond.

Some to San Antonio, but that was too close to the storm at first.

The highway north from Houston goes to Dallas, the Interstate west goes to San Antonio, and indirectly to Austin.

Big advantage Houston and Galveston have over New Orleans--lots more ways out of town.

[WiseButAngrySara]

7. I heard a bit about gas "fights' in Houston, but they were apparently

started by Houstonians who had decided not to evacuate! It was a strange story, and I just barely paid attention to it.
Are the people in line for gas evacuees from Houston and elsewhere or locals worried about gas prices, or do you know?

[anarchy1999]

29. Tonight to me it appeared to be all of the above. Everyone getting gas.

Lots of Fear!

[LeftyMom]

30. Were they getting gas for generators? nt

[WiseButAngrySara]

41. They were filling up their cars as well as extra gas containers, and the

gas stations would only take credit! No cash (which I thought I understood, and now I don't anymore). Don't know about generators. It was a strange news item, but I didn't catch t all.

[WiseButAngrySara]

42. Just remembered why No Cash...Credit only. It's because of the extra

time it took to pay cash, the lines were that long.

[Peter Frank]

44. Makes Sense... n/t

[jobycom]

8. That was happening after Katrina in Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge doubled in population when New Orleans evacuated to it and couldn't return home. Gas stations and grocery stores were empty. When I was driving through BR a week later, they were announcing on the radio which stations had gas and how much the station owners would let you buy.

It was worse in Gulfport, of course, but that was because of the hurricane. Baton Rouge wasn't hit by Katrina, it's problems were all because of the evacuees.

Dallas is way bigger than BR, of course, so maybe it won't be too bad. We got a lot of evacuees here in Austin, too, but I suspect you got a lot more.

[pitohui]

60. blanco is saying still gas shortages in baton rouge

she said rita evacuees should not go to baton rouge, they MUST go north, there is no more fuel or shelter in baton rouge

[girl gone mad]

9. It was strange.

Not as bad near Denton, but there were long lines at every gas station.

For a while I thought maybe it was just Houston evacuees, but then I noticed most of the cars were empty except for the drivers.

I keep some 5 gallon tanks full of gas in my storage shed in case of an emergency and this weekend might be that emergency.

At the grocery store, the bottled water aisle stood completely empty. Insane! Were people's faucets broken?

The panic concerns me a bit, but I think I understand it. It's a comfort thing. People feel helpless after what happened in New Orleans, and just like buying duct tape and plastic after 9./11, buying bottled water and gas makes them feel like they are doing something to be safe.

Interesting times.

[anarchy1999]

13. No sweet, I'm afraid this has gone past interesting. What I saw tonight

actually all day long, was not interesting at all. I'm not afraid, I'm concerned, very concerned, especially when I saw the big Diamond Shamrock place out of gas, closed up before 10:00pm.

[girl gone mad]

23. It's a Chinese curse...

or at least JFK thought it was. 'May you live in interesting times.'

I am beginning to think we are in fact cursed.

[CottonBear]

11. This happened in GA last month. Gas up to $6/gal . Stay Strong n/t

[RebelOne]

51. I heard that 26 stations in GA are being fined for price gouging. n/t

[Generic Other]

12. Are you going to be safe, Anarchy?

Maybe you should be headed north too?

[anarchy1999]

14. Oh , heck yes. I'm safe, I'm just worried for everyone stuck on the

hi-ways and by-ways. I have a small home and I'm opening it up to a DU'er or two. I don't have extra rooms (meaning there is a couch or two and plenty of room for air beds) but I have a nice enough place, internet access and I'll take pets temporarily while we all work through this (I also have two bathrooms). I'm on high ground.

Peace, and love you all.
S
anarchy1999

[bluedonkey]

15. Same thing happened here

before and after Katrina.Prepare yourself,if they have to stay for a while you will have to hunt for food.
Here in Baton Rouge they still run out of meat,milk,bread and paper goods.It's frustrating!And I haven't even mentioned the traffic.A trip to my sisters house used to take me 20 min. now it takes me 45min to an hour.
This city is busting at the seams.It will take a long time to get back to normal,if ever!

[The Traveler]

16. Oddly, I really love Texas

Just don't want to live there. Really. Actually, I don't want to live in Atlanta any more. Anyone know where a 49 year old rock climbing programmer with a pony tail down to his ass can find employment in a state where most people are, well, reasonable? Atlanta used to be so cool ...

[anarchy1999]

18. Check out Costa Rica and all points south. Just me?

n/t

[Dover]

45. You sound like you need to live in 'The Republic of Austin'

It's NOT Texas..........REALLY! Sounds like you have all the right credentials. You'd fit right in.

[Skittles]

67. come on, Traveller

live anywhere - if it's red, think like I do - it is my mission to torment conservatives

[understandinglife]

17. Anarchy1999, from the latest NOAA information, it is important that

... you consider getting either well into West Texas, or into western OK.

I have no idea where you live or what your situation is, but if you are at all able to get out of the Dallas area, given the hugh influx of people and the out-of-control behavior you are witnessing, you should do it.

Here is why:

SINCE RITA IS FORECAST TO SLOW DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY AFTER MAKING LANDFALL...TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS IN EXCESS OF 25 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS ACROSS EASTERN TEXAS AND WESTERN LOUISIANA.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT3+shtml/221735.shtml

Take care.

Amended -- I hadn't see your most recent post .... before I posted this.


Peace.

[anarchy1999]

21. Okay now you have my attention and I am troubled and I hope not

necessarily so. I spent the night with Alicia, my parents lived through the aftermath in Dallas, are you suggesting to me I should consider leaving Dallas? Alone? Damn!

Thanks. and Peace.

on edit:

I fear sometimes we "Texans" stand just a little too proud. It was a real heartbreak witnessing the breakdown at the pumps for gas tonight.

[understandinglife]

31. I just wanted you to have that information and, coupled with what ...

.... you described, if Eastern Texas experiences major flooding your well-being could be seriously compromised.

Like I said, I just wanted you to see that part of the current predicitons.

I was raised in Texas -- first 22 years of my life. Experienced more than one major hurricane. That was a long time ago - way fewer people; way fewer SUVs ....

Take care.


Peace.

[anarchy1999]

36. Thanks, it is nice to know we have so many concerned DU'ers out there.

We Texas DU'ers we are a tough and loving crowd. We'll get through this one, I'm sure, but we may be calling upon the rest of you in the next couple of days. Thank you for standing by us.\


Lots of peace to you all!


anarchy1999

[anarchy1999]

46. Thank you, we'll all be okay, I'm sure, especially with the rest of you

here at DU. I have no doubts.

I love you all so much, DU has much to be proud of as a community of concerned, caring and loving individuals. Thank you for letting me be a part.

Peace,
Sherry

[Horse with no Name]

55. In East Texas yesterday

The stores were packed at 2 in the afternoon. The gas lines were long.
There isn't any more bottled water to be had.
There was a run on Ravioli.:)
Rumors last night were that gas was almost gone, although I haven't ventured out this am yet.

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[anarchy1999]

25. Check yourself before you wreck yourself. Thanks. and Peace.

n/t

I'd like for all of us to stay as far away from "his ranch" as we possibly can. It is far healthier.

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[anarchy1999]

32. Still not laughing. n/t and by the way welcome to DU.

Thanks.

[ladylibertee]

34. Thank You.Do you like Bush? Just wondering?

[anarchy1999]

37. You have just got to be kidding me, right?

Welcome to DU, dearest, with many reservations.

Peace

[ladylibertee]

43. Okay Okay I digress.Thank You again.Peace.Yes I was kidding

[onager]

26. Fairly calm in Los Angeles...

...except for slightly longer lines at some stations. I stopped and got gas this afternoon, before rush hour.

This will probably get worse in the next couple of days. Even out here the rumors of "gas will be unavailable/$6.00 a gallon" are flying.

Regular was $2.85 a gallon.

[KellyPaDem]

27. Weirdly enough it's happening in PA too

There are three gas stations near my house and when my fiance and I went to get gas and a snack tonight one gas station (Luc oil) was at 319 a gallon no line. The Gulf station across the street was at 275 but only had supreme gas for sale at 310 a gallon, there were about 20 cars in line. And the Wawa down the street was at 278 and there were about 60 cars in line. I think most people were doing what we were which was filling up the tank in case of a price increase once Rita hits

[opihimoimoi]

35. Gas in Venzuela is...15 cents a gal.... no joke....

[anarchy1999]

38. I want amnesty, Dear Mr. Chavez, I'd like to come live in your country.

I'll do anything.

Thank you.
anarchy1999

[Peter Frank]

40. I'm in Cary (burb of Raleigh) North Carolina...

...and we've had gas lines in anticipation of rising prices, in the wake of Rita.

[Avalon Sparks]

47. I live in Dallas - Husband told me a weird story tonight

I live in Dallas and filled up my tank yesterday - no problem.

Tonight my husband told me he got gas on his way home. The gas station wasn't too crowded he said, but right after he pulled up to the pump this older white guy in a white van pulled behind him and my husband said he started giving him (my husband) crazy looks, like he (husband) had done something wrong.

My husband just went about pumping his gas and several minutes later he heard someone yelling "Fuck you", "Fuck you" at the top of his lungs. He looked over and saw that same guy was standing outside his van and screaming at some guy in a sportscar that was at another gas tank. He said the crazy guy was in house slippers and just was acting really weird and he didn't see that other guy could have done anything to him to provoke it. My husband hurried up and left.

We both thought it was so weird...

[opihimoimoi]

48. The sport cad had a Bush/Cheney sticker on the bumper

[Dover]

49. I went into the grocery today to get some things (I have a house full),

and couldn't believe how bare the shelves were! This was a MAJOR big grocery store and in a suburb of Austin.

[sendero]

53. I was out and about last night..

.... up in Plano and I was scoping prices and such. I didn't notice anything unusual at all.

But I did notice that you cannot buy a gas can anywhere - used to be 50 of them on the shelves at every store.

[fudge stripe cookays]

54. I was at the Home Depot at Coit and Campbell yesterday afternoon...

on my lunch break and they still had 1 gallon ones. I thought about getting one, but reprehensor doesn't want a fire hazard sitting around. I may buck him and go get one anyway! We will probably need the gas!

FSC

[sendero]

58. Gee..

... I live real close to there - you must work in my neighborhood.

A week ago, you could get the 5-gallon ones anywhere for 6-7$. They're gone. A gallon might not help much :), but I guess if you really need a gallon and don't have it .....

But as for safety - put it somewhere outside - I think it's pretty safe actually to store gasoline in approved containers.

[fudge stripe cookays]

66. We'll have to do lunch then!

Crispini and I work at the same place, so we could all hang out for a little bit-- a little sanity in our humdrum workaday world!

FSC

[movie_girl99]

57. i was out last night as well

people were going nuts gassing up their cars, buying water and canned goods, batteries, gas cans etc. Then this morning on the way to work, there are a lot of roadside motels (I35 and Valwood) and they were heaving!! People still pulling in at 6am this morning.

[Canadian Socialist]

59. It's happening up here as well

Gas price rumours cause panic across Canada
Last Updated Thu, 22 Sep 2005 15:38:42 EDT
CBC News

Rumours of gas price increases are causing lineups at pumps across Canada before Hurricane Rita even lands in the Gulf of Mexico.
Price for regular gas is at 167.4 cents a litre in Quebec City, Sept. 22, 2005.

"There are a lot of folks out there who are running to get to a gas station and I would suggest that they shouldn't panic," said Steve Ecclestone, general manager of Ultramar, adding that his Montreal-based company was closely monitoring the market and wasn't planning immediate increases. "It's crazy. It's just a lot of fear, panic and rumours going on."

In Halifax, a website monitoring gas prices reported prices were holding at $1.11 per litre. But gossip of stations in other areas charging $2 per litre had panicky people running pumps dry.

"The rumours were insane -- everything from $2.25 a litre in Ontario to $1.90 in Halifax," said Jennifer Murphy, a supervisor at an Irving gas station outside Halifax.

The cost to fill up varies wildly across the country. Prices have reached $2.20 in Toronto Ont., $1.92 in Laval, Que., $1.79 in Glace Bay, N.S. and $1.29 in the Gulf Islands, B.C.
<snip>
http://tinyurl.com/av4qf

I'm not sure what it is here (Calgary) because I don't drive, but last time I looked it was just over $1/litre.

[fudge stripe cookays]

63. Honey, what I wouldn't do for a C-Train right now!

This drive into Dallas from Rowlett is going to be rough on us real soon. And we just have 1 car, a little Honda Civic!

FSC

[sendero]

61. I would mention..

.... that I didn't any gas-station craziness last night, traffic yesterday was really bad. And I had lots of driving to do :)

This morning I had to fill up - the station I usually use had everything shut down (actually they are small and off the main roads, I can't believe they are out) so I had to go to the other nearby station which is an Exxon.

Now, I have bought Exxon/Mobil gas exactly 3 times since the Valdez thing. I hated to buy it there, but I didn't want to drive all over town either. Oh well.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

62. Looking at the pictures out of Houston

It appeared that 80 to 90 percent of the vehicles were SUV's/trucks. It's ridiculous that so many people living in an urban area have SUV's, when a smaller car that gets 2 or 3 times the gas mileage would be far more practical.

I'm sure it's not helping the shortages when a majority of the vehicles require 30+ gallons of gasoline.

[fudge stripe cookays]

65. Exactly.

The bedroom communities, here like everywhere else, are SUV heaven.

We have our share of soccer moms, plus the good ole boys and their monster trucks adding to the problem.

About 7 years ago, I traded in my old Mazda B3000 extended cab truck. I have NEVER been so glad of anything I've done in my life. I miss it when I buy large piece of furniture or something, but not THAT much!

FSC

[PATRICK]

64. Considering the possibility

of gas distribution taking another major hit similar to last one: a) is the news media trying not to talk about the logical rush on gas b) are people thrust more upon themselves and more prone to this than ever c)are people smart enough to know shortages and price spikes and a near empty gas tank don't mix well on the weekend?

I can imagine what it's like in the storm path but suddenly everyone's selfish Katrina distraction about the price of gas for their car is a little MIA from the MSM? I was at the pumps(upstate NY) early this morning and the customer numbers were up significantly with one guy(SUV) filling three gas cans.

Now tell me how a sudden run on gas nationwide even on a modest scale would affect things plus damage to Gulf refineries?

[tlsmith1963]

69. Geez...

...two of my sisters are in Dallas right now, visiting friends. *Why* did they have to go *now*?:scared:

Tammy