Part II of the gas-gouging scam is under way.

[Cyrano]

I was reading a thread about half an hour ago, but wasn't where I could post.

There were some postings by people who were saying there were gas shortages in their areas -- don't know where they lived. Others said, there was plenty of gas where they were, but it was $3 plus a gallon.

The "shortage" scam was the same game that Enron and other companies
used to rip off California about seven or eight years ago.

You just know that those in areas where there are "shortages" will be calling relatives in other places, and suddenly, there's a run on gas and everyone's topping off every day.

And before anyone says, "Hey, your posting this isn't helping matters," do you really think the oil companies need a posting on DU to run their ripoff?

Then comes part III of the scam. Fearing shortages, we will beg to pay $4 a gallon just so long as we can get gas. And the worst part is that there's not one damn stinking thing we can do about it. They've got us by the short hairs and they can sit there laughing at us while they rake in the billions.

[rkc3]

1. We shouldn't worry - gas prices will drop just in time to save the

GOP from their election woes in November. They can beat their chests about the steps they took to bring the world markets into line to protect Americans.

[oscar111]

2. Just tell your manservant to tell your Head Butler to tell your

gentleman's gentleman to buy you some Exxon stock. Ride the booming economy upward.

{sarcasm}

[cynatnite]

3. Falling gas and crude stockpiles could drive prices higher

April 19, 2006 — In its weekly report on U.S. supplies of oil and gasoline, the Energy Department said that stockpiles of gasoline and crude oil had fallen during the last seven days — bad news for those hoping for relief from high prices at the pump.

Commercial crude inventories — the total available to the market outside the Strategic Petroleum Reserve — fell by 0.8 million barrels. Gasoline stocks fell by 5.4 million barrels — more than double the expected amount.

This is the seventh straight week of gas drawdowns, leaving the United States with gasoline supplies on the lower end of the average range for this time of year. During that time the country has seen 11.5 percent of its gasoline stockpile — 23.4 million barrels — disappear.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=1860542&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

[Warpy]

4. There are a few things we can do about it.

First, downsize. Get rid of that gas guzzler if you can and get a 4 cylinder putt putt. It's not like you're going to drive across country any time soon, and that little car will serve you well. A standard shift gives you much better mileage in town, but if you do a lot of highway driving, an automatic will be fine.

Second, slow down. The slower you go on the highway, the more gas you'll save and the farther you'll get on a tank of the stuff. Leave that left most lane to the yahoos who haven't figured that out yet.

Third, consider digging that bicycle out of the garage for short hops and local errands. If you can't ride a bike, consider a scooter. Those are much more efficient than cars and work really well for short errands when you're not hauling cases of soda, 5 gallon pails of joint compound, or other large, heavy stuff.

You all know the drill. We did the same stuff 30 years ago and it worked until those big shiny SUVs started showing us unrealistic images of freedom on mountain roads (they flip in the real world).

[cornermouse]

5. Dear Warpy

First, unless you live in a big city and sometimes even then, chances are good that you ARE driving across country to get to work.

Second, slow down too much and you are likely to find yourself the centerpiece in a auto accident. Go with the flow of the traffic has always been sound advice.

Third, some of us never leave for small short errands. Large short errands, yes. Small short errands, no. Some of us never leave home without planning to haul many things home and typically we live up to our own expectations on that score.

[CottonBear]

6. No one should exceed the speed limit for both safety and mileage

reasons. It is not a speed suggestion. ;)

Peace, CB, survivor of two major interstate accidents caused by reckless, speeding drivers.

[cornermouse]

10. Hi

I just followed someone home going 50 mph on a 60 mph 2-lane with lots of traffic both ways-highway. That's not safe.

It seems to be well on its way to becoming a very dangerous stretch of road. People are increasingly passing with very close oncoming traffic. I've seen more than one potential head-on crash if the person coming from the other direction hadn't clearly slammed their brakes.

I've thought about calling the highway patrol to let them know how unsafe it is getting on that particular highway. I'm just not sure it would do any good.

In the meantime, I try to follow my truck driver dad's advice to go with the flow of the traffic, stay aware, and drive defensively.

[CottonBear]

13. Hi! Is there a minimum speed posted? Was it raining?

I agree that people should drive to drive at or close to the speed limit to keep traffic moving but no one should pass just because they want to speed and people shouldn't spped in general

Roads are designed for specific speed limits, sight distances, vertical nad horizontal curves and traffic volumes. (I woork in civil engineering and I work with the local transportation engineers, the DOT and traffic engineers all the time.)

I always let speeders pass me on the left on multi-lane, divided highways and interstates. That way I can drive by myself while they tailgate each other at unsafe speeds and invlove each other in accidents.

Almost every night for the last 10 years, when I'm going the speed limit on a curving (both ways), 2 lane road on my way home, there are absolute assholes who tailgate (I can't see their headlights), pass me in no passing zones (in the most dangerous area near a river crossing with steep side slopes) and speed through residential areas, including my own neighborhood. I don;t care how pissed they are, I will not speed. By driving the speed limit on this stretch of road, I've been able to avoid killing a dog which ran into the road and rescue two turtles and make my neighborhood safer.
:)

[SmokingJacket]

17. More and more people are taking city-driving habits

onto the highways. You just CAN'T follow closely and stay safe on the highway. Clever little darting moves that are fine in Manhattan are lethal on a crowded highway.

Similarly, they're taking open-road habits into crowded traffic -- going 75 or 80 might be fine on a four lane when there's lots of space between you and the next guy, but not when you can basically reach out and grab the next guy's bumper.

[Warpy]

16. First, if you're driving the 3000 miles across the country to work

you need to find a new job. Even McDonalds will be preferable because you won't have the enormous cost of that commute!

Second, a lot of people in the right lane are going slower. Yes, if you slow below 40 you are asking for a multi car pileup. However, going 60 instead of the posted 65 will make a difference and not cause accidents.

Third, there is nothing to force economy and sticking to that grocery list like having to squash it into panniers on a scooter. Try it some time.

Fourth, I sincerely doubt your errands force a 60 mile one way trip down an interstate. I would imagine that most of them are quite local and that a scooter will suffice.

But then again, some people resist change and prefer to whine "I can't, I just can't, I don't wanna" rather than do the work.

[cornermouse]

18. Dear Warpy

First. McDonalds. Been there. Done that. You're wrong. Never again.

Second. One lane each way, not two. Anything below 50 on the highway is asking for it.

Third. They do not make a scooter big enough to carry food for an entire family for a week and I don't have time to run to town every other day. And nobody, but nobody "squashes" my groceries anywhere and lives to tell the tale. I appreciate your concern for my economy, but I've been doing this for more than a few years and already know what I need and even want.

Fourth. Not all errands are local. Neither is work. But I believe we've already covered that ground, haven't we?

And finally, your last sentence doesn't merit a response.

[Ian David]

7. Too bad we can't pre-pay for gasoline to lock-in a lower rate

For example, when gas is $2.50 per gallon, pre-pay for 100 gallons at that price. And then, for the next week or so, fill-up your tank at the $2.50/gallon rate, even if prices go up.

Then again, I suppose you could buy a large gas tank to keep on your property and hope it doesn't blow-up.

[SeattleRob]

8. Just wondering....

When do the next quarterly profit reports come out for the oil companies? I remember the last time they came out, with record breaking profits, the oil companies said it had nothing to do with high gasoline prices. Yeah, OI believe that. And I also believe GWB is a brillant man.

[mtnester]

9. Well, my call is if gas punches up to 3.75 or higher a gallon for awhile

the general sheeple will be happy to pay up at a constant $3.10 every day for the rest of the summer. It's a bargain then isn't it?


DOUBLE :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[slaveplanet]

11. There is no gas shortage

do you see gas lines? signs saying "no gas"? rationing by plate? I don't

even when they pulled that poppycock scam
In the 70's, It was later revealed to be an engineered shortage.
They have a million excuses, a compliant press, and an urgency to get while the gettin is good.

[Cyrano]

12. It worked in the 70's and it will work again. What's to stop them?

[slaveplanet]

15. First, If they'e selling a line of bull

then don't buy it, and certainly don't sell it.

secondly, the students of France had a pretty good plan for stopping the BS or at least slowing it down.

[Deja Q]

14. We have them exactly where they want us.