What the F*CK is Going on w/ Gas Prices? ('07-14)

Anyone else notice they're going through the roof again??

Take the bike like the rest of the world!!

but i gues americans isent so familiar with that word (exept for Gore)

I take the bike a few miles to work, and only uses my car for long drives, once and a while, beacourse i care for the nature.. but i gues americans isent so familiar with that word (exept for Gore)

I take the bike a few miles to work, and only uses my car for long drives, once and a while, beacourse i care for the nature.. but i gues americans isent so familiar with that word (exept for Gore)

In the end, it's all a function of supply and demand.

Miggie, Cleveland starts at only $2.19 it says (then again, prices can change quickly in a few days)...

http://www.gasbuddy.com

Keep in mind that the price you pay at the pump is a function of futures' contracts. Months ago investors bid on the oil that is going to be available this week. They bid it high or they bid it low. It's speculation on their part based on factors they believe will limit or expand supply. In the end, it's all a function of supply and demand.

LA ranges from $2.69-3.35??

The cheapest where I live in Salem is $2.36.

Newport News,VA at a WAWA station it was $2.29.

Please think of the kittens the next time you make another egregious (read: stupid) statement.

Well the nearest gas station by me is $2.73 but in my area it is as high as $2.97 - $3.00. I'm sure L.A. would be more yet.

I don't believe there isn't a way to decrease the price, and I really don't believe any explanations we've been given as to the reason. We are chumps without a choice. The price can go to $10.00 a gallon, but we still have to work. We still need our cars. I hate not knowing where all this money goes. I'm sick of all the bullshit.


TIS

Moreover, I was surprised to learn recently that the largest foreign supplier of crude oil to the the United States is Canada.

If you want an answer to that question an EXCELLENT book to read is Oil on the Brain by Lisa Margonelli. I can't recommend it enough.

Oil on the Brain by Lisa Margonelli. I can't recommend it enough.

Well DC, I do agree that we have to get away from our dependency on foreign oil. I know there are many groups opposed to going into these untapped areas, yet if that is within possibility and will help us I don't see where we have a choice.

The thing is, this has been suggested as a possibility for a very long time now, and nobody is doing anything about it. I'm not sure what the answer is, but we shouldn't just throw up our hands and forget about it. Unfortunately for us "average" people, we (understandably I guess)only seem to pay attention to it at times when prices skyrocket.


TIS

Several years ago the author of this book came and spent some time on the trading floor of the exchange.

SC

If you want an answer to that question an EXCELLENT book to read is Oil on the Brain by Lisa Margonelli. I can't recommend it enough.

I paid $2.41 yesterday. DC since you have alot of knowledge on the subject will you tell me why it's more expensive where you and SB are than where I live?

Absolutely. Gas in NY is over $2.70 a gallon. To get the price of $2.55, I had to go to neighboring NJ, and consider myself lucky to get that price.

South Jersey - $2.33, but it was $1.93 a month ago. Wow, my butt is sore.

Went down to $2.35 today. Yea!!

Overnight it went UP 12 cents Why so much?

I went to my in-laws yesterday and on the way to their house I passed a BP station it was 2.33 and when I passed by it on the way home 2 hours later it went up to 2.59. That is just not right.

And you know it always goes up around Memorial Day Weekend. I see $4 a gallon by 4th of July.

You're probably right. Thats fucking sick!!

Come on guys. Another year and a half, Bush and Cheney are out of jobs. They need this money.

Cheney could always get a job riding shotgun on gas truck deliveries.

You thought that Iraq oil was for reducing prices for the common people? I always thought that the 'war for oil' theory implied politicians from the warring countries indirectly taking control of the oil business and making money for THEMSELVES! When did politicians ever think of public welfare? Millions of dollars a day goes towards making money for the politicians and not to make your traveling expenses less

Well, Shell made me an offer I can't refuse. If you buy gas at a Shell station using your Shell card, you get a 5% rebate on your gasoline purchases. Originally, it was not much money, but we did it because my husband drives over 60 miles each way to work. Now, we're getting almost 15 cents per gallon off the price of gasoline. I used to see the banners at my local Shell station, trying to get people to sign up. Coincidentally, the offer doesn't seem to be out there any longer.

Claim: Participating in one-day boycott of gasoline on May 15 will help lower gasoline prices.

Status: False.

Examples:

[Collected on the Internet, 2007]

DO NOT PUMP GAS ON MAY 15TH...

On May 15th all myspace members are to not go to the gas station in protest high gas prices. Gas is now over $3.00 a gallon in most places. There are 72,110,073 members currently on the network, and the average car takes about 20 to 30 dollars to fill up. If all myspace members did not go to the pump on the 15th it would take $2,163,302,190.00 out of the oil companys pockets for just one day, so please do not go to the gas station on May 15th and lets try to put a dent in the oil industry for at least one day.

If you agree (which I cant see why you wouldnt) repost this bulletin repost it with "Don't pump gas on May 15th, 2007"


[Collected on the Internet, 2006]

No Gas on May 15th

On May 15th all myspace members are to not go to the gas station in protest high gas prices. Gas is now over $3.00 a gallon in most places. There are 72,110,073 members currently on the network, and the average car takes about 20 to 30 dollars to fill up. If all myspace members did not go to the pump on the 15th it would take $2,163,302,190.00 out of the oil companys pockets for just one day, so please do not go to the gas station on May 15th and lets try to put a dent in the oil industry for at least one day..


[Collected on the Internet, 2005]

IT HAS BEEN CALCULATED THAT IF EVERYONE IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA DID NOT PURCHASE A DROP OF GASOLINE FOR ONE DAY AND ALL AT THE SAME TIME, THE OIL COMPANIES WOULD CHOKE ON THEIR STOCKPILES.

AT THE SAME TIME IT WOULD HIT THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY WITH A NET LOSS OF OVER 4.6 BILLION DOLLARS WHICH AFFECTS THE BOTTOM LINES OF THE OIL COMPANIES.

THEREFORE SEPTEMBER 1st HAS BEEN FORMALLY DECLARED "STICK IT UP THEIR BEHIND " DAY AND THE PEOPLE OF THESE TWO NATIONS SHOULD NOT BUY A SINGLE DROP OF GASOLINE THAT DAY.

THE ONLY WAY THIS CAN BE DONE IS IF YOU FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN AND AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN TO GET THE WORD OUT.

WAITING ON THE GOVERNMENT TO STEP IN AND CONTROL THE PRICES IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REDUCTION AND CONTROL IN PRICES THAT THE ARAB NATIONS PROMISED TWO WEEKS AGO?

REMEMBER ONE THING, NOT ONLY IS THE PRICE OF GASOLINE GOING UP BUT AT THE SAME TIME AIRLINES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES, TRUCKING COMPANIES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES WHICH EFFECTS PRICES ON EVERYTHING THAT IS SHIPPED. THINGS LIKE FOOD, CLOTHING, BUILDING MATERIALS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES ETC. WHO PAYS IN THE END? WE DO!

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IF THEY DON'T GET THE MESSAGE AFTER ONE DAY, WE WILL DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.

SO DO YOUR PART AND SPREAD THE WORD. FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND MAKE SEPTEMBER 1ST A DAY THAT THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA SAY "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH"


[Collected on the Internet, 2004]

IT HAS BEEN CALCULATED THAT IF EVERYONE IN THE UNITED STATES DID NOT PURCHASE A DROP OF GASOLINE FOR ONE DAY AND ALL AT THE SAME TIME, THE OIL COMPANIES WOULD CHOKE ON THEIR STOCKPILES.

AT THE SAME TIME IT WOULD HIT THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY WITH A NET LOSS OF OVER 4.6 BILLION DOLLARS WHICH AFFECTS THE BOTTOM LINES OF THE OIL COMPANIES.

THEREFORE MAY 19TH HAS BEEN FORMALLY DECLARED "STICK IT UP THEIR BEHINDS DAY" AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION SHOULD NOT BUY A SINGLE DROP OF GASOLINE THAT DAY.

THE ONLY WAY THIS CAN BE DONE IS IF YOU FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN AND AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN TO GET THE WORD OUT.

WAITING ON THIS ADMIINSTRATION TO STEP IN AND CONTROL THE PRICES IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REDUCTION AND CONTROL IN PRICES THAT THE ARAB NATIONS PROMISED TWO WEEKS AGO?

REMEMBER ONE THING, NOT ONLY IS THE PRICE OF GASOLINE GOING UP BUT AT THE SAME TIME AIRLINES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES, TRUCKING COMPANIES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES WHICH EFFECTS PRICES ON EVERYTHING THAT IS SHIPPED. THINGS LIKE FOOD, CLOTHING, BUILDING MATERIALS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES ETC. WHO PAYS IN THE END? WE DO!

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IF THEY DON'T GET THE MESSAGE AFTER ONE DAY, WE WILL DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.

SO DO YOUR PART AND SPREAD THE WORD. FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND MAKE MAY 19TH A DAY THAT THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES SAY "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH"


[Collected on the Internet, 2000]

Last year on April 30, 1999, a gas out was staged across Canada and the U.S. to bring the price of gas down, and it worked. It's time to do something about it again.

Only this time lets make it for three days instead of just one. The so-called oil cartel decided to slow production to drive up gasoline prices. Lets see how many Canadian\American people we can get to ban together for a three day period in April, NOT TO BUY ANY GASOLINE, during those three days.

LET'S HAVE A GAS OUT. Do not buy any gasoline from APRIL 7, 2000, THROUGH APRIL 9, 2000. Buy what you need before the dates listed above, or after, but try not to buy any during the GAS OUT.

If you want to help, just send this to everyone you know and ask them to do the same. We brought the prices down once before, and we can do it again.

Come on North America lets stand together. WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Even if you receive this 100 times keep passing it around, this way you know everyone is being informed and no one will forget!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Origins: The above-quoted pieces advocating one-day gasoline boycotts are proof that some bad ideas never go away; they just keep getting recycled year after year.

This year's e-mails (proposing a one-day "gas out" in May 2007) is yet another recasting of similar messages that have been circulating since 1999. All of them are reminders that "protest" schemes that don't cost the participants any inconvenience, hardship, or money remain the most popular, despite their ineffectiveness. A one-day "gas out" was proposed in 1999, and a three-day-long event was called for in 2000, but both drew little active participation and had no real effect on retail gasoline prices.
The recycling of the same campaign in subsequent years hasn't drawn enough interest to even be considered newsworthy.

The premise behind all these messages is inherently flawed, because consumers' not buying gasoline on one particular day doesn't affect oil companies at all. The "gas out" scheme doesn't call upon people to use less gasoline, but simply to shift their date of purchase and buy gas a day earlier or later than they usually would The very same amount of gasoline is sold either way, so oil companies don't lose any money.

By definition, a boycott involves the doing without of something, with the renunciation of the boycotted product held up as tangible proof to those who supply the commodity that consumers are prepared to do without it unless changes are made. What the "gas out" calls for isn't consumers' swearing off using or buying gasoline, even for a short time, but simply shifting their purchases by a couple of days at most. Because the "gas out" doesn't call on consumers to make a sacrifice by actually giving up something, the threat it poses is a hollow one.

Not buying gas on a designated day may make people feel a bit better about things by providing them a chance to vent their anger at higher gasoline prices, but the action won't have any real impact on retail prices. An effective protest would involve something like organizing people to forswear the use of their cars on specified days, an act that could effectively demonstrate the reality of the threat that if gasoline prices stayed high, American consumers were prepared to move to carpooling and public transportation for the long term. Simply changing the day one buys gas, however, imparts no such threat, because nothing is being done without.

Moreover, the primary potential effect of the type of boycott proposed in the "gas out" messages is to hurt those at the very end of the oil-to-gasoline chain: the independent service station operators, who have the least say in setting gasoline prices. (Independents are at the mercy of a very volatile oil market and operate on thin profit margins, and even a single day's disruption of supply or demand can wipe out many days' worth of hard-earned profits.) As such, the "gas out" is a punch on the nose delivered to the wrong person.

Either apathy or an outbreak of common sense has made previous "gas outs" non-events with very low levels of participation, as documented by these snippets of news accounts from across North America: Friday's gasoline boycott was an effort that sputtered, coughed, then died. Motorists continued to fill up gas-guzzling sport-utility vehicles and trucks alongside smaller vehicles despite a one-day protest aimed to pressure oil companies to lower gas prices.


Although a gasoline boycott that began as an electronic mail campaign kept some drivers nationwide away from the pump, dealers say they saw little, if any, effect on their traffic.


In Seattle, there were so many cars waiting to get into [a] Texaco station ... yesterday afternoon that it caused a backup five cars deep into [the] right-hand lane.


Reports indicated few motorists paid attention to a nationwide boycott touted initially by Internet e-mail and later by word of mouth.


A planned nationwide boycott protesting the high price of gasoline didn't have much effect on local gas stations.


"We were expecting something substantial," said Mark Johnson, the owner of a Chevron station. "We haven't really noticed much of a difference."


Irving stations in sunny Halifax said the boycott had no effect on business.

"It's been busy as a bugger here," said Bruce Riley, manager of one station. "We haven't been busier in the last two weeks," added the manager at another Halifax outlet.


Gas stations [in Ottawa] reported "busier than ever" conditions at the pumps on the day of The Great Internet Gas-Out.
Gasoline is a fungible, global commodity, its price subject to the ordinary forces of supply and demand. No amount of consumer gimmickry and showmanship will lower its price in the long run; only a significant, ongoing reduction in demand will accomplish that goal. Unfortunately, for many people achieving that goal would mean cutting down on their driving or opting for less desirable economy cars over less fuel-efficient models, solutions they find unappealing.

An event like a "gas out" can sometimes do some good by calling attention to a cause and sending a message. In this case, though, the only message being sent is: "We consumers are so desperate for gasoline that we can't even do without it for a few days to demonstrate our dissatisfaction with its cost." What supplier is going to respond to a message like that by lowering its prices? Those who really want to send a "message" to oil suppliers should try not buying any gasoline for several months in a row.

I've said it before and I'll say it again : The only way to keep gasoline prices low is if we start drilling in places like Alaska for our own oil. It's common sense. If there's one grocery store in a town, that grocery store can charge whatever prices they want for their products. But if two or three more open up in that same town, it creates competition which historically leads to competitive pricing, thus making things affordable for the average working man.

We can have these don't purchase gas today days all we want, but if we keep buying these monster SUV's and keep our dependance for oil with the foreign countries, these kinds of protests will do absolutely nothing.

I guess I have to go back to doing my grocery shopping at Giant Eagle now cuz shopping there they gave you a discount off of gas at their Get Go gas stations. Like a couple weeks ago when it was 2.79 I got gas there for 2.49 cuz shopping there I got 30 cents off of gas.

I can't see how drilling in Alaska helps reduce our dependency on oil. US uses over 7 billion barrels of oil per year, so we're talking about maybe 1.5 years worth of oil in ANWR.

Not Bad. if you filled up and took 20 gallons you saved $6.00 which you could then shoot over to McDonalds and get a Big Mac, Fries and a Coke. Lets just hope that the prices at Giant Eagle were cheaper then what you would have saved a Public or some other place.

What hybrid does GM have?? Um, none that I'm aware of.

What I don't understand is why one gas station here can have gas at 3.08 and and at another station not even 2 minutes down the road it's 3.05

No it's called bending over and taking one up the ass.

No it's called bending over and taking one up the ass.

What I don't understand is why one gas station here can have gas at 3.08 and and at another station not even 2 minutes down the road it's 3.05

Mig, (or anyone else that may be interested) read HERE
for an idea as to how gas prices are made and why prices vary from one station to another.

West Oakland, CA ($4.00+ prices/gallon)

Goombah, what is scary for the our working poor hard-working, tax-strapped middle class is that these gas price increases spill over into other consumer goods. Look at heating bills, electric bills, increases in the cost of food, school taxes will increase because it will cost the schools more for heat, etc. DC mentioned the price of corn in an earlier post. I have a friend who raises cattle, and the cost of feed has doubled in the past two years. He'll have to raise the price of his beef accordingly. Rents that include heat will increase when leases are up, and the rising cost of housing is going to hurt the working class as well.

When you think about how much our country relies on trucking as its major form of shipping goods in this country, you'll see the cost of everything skyrocket, and that's going to force other industries, like stores, restaurants and movie theaters into a downward spiral, as people will already need to conserve their money for necessities like commuting and food.

These gas price increases are going to have a far-reaching effect on our way of life, and we already haven't even have begun to feel it.

I shouldn't bitch about the $3.05 I'm paying here.

I'll go to Costco, but I honestly have no idea where they get their gas from.

It's "only" about $2.89 here in Morgantown. Still ridiculous though. For the first time in my life, I'm glad I don't have a car.

I said this before, but I pay $7.29
I guess it's irrelevant and not comparable to American prices, though.

There was an article in our local paper - "The Press" (Atlantic City) that said New Jersey was the cheapest in the country - $2.78 per gallon (I paid 2.75 the other day). They said it was due to low state tax on gas. But why should one state be $4.00 and another $2.78? If it's tax, then your local government is screwing you. If it's not tax, then some rich bastards are getting richer. Funny that NJ and Oregon are the only two states that don't have self-serve gas.

No, we should bitch about it. It's ridiculous everywhere in this country, some areas worse than others.

On Hardball I just heard Jim Cramer say that he thinks gas prices will start to decline in about three weeks.

Is that in U.S. Dollars? If not, then what is the equivalent in U.S. Dollars?

Weird... on CNN today they said there is a low supply of refined gas and a backup at the refineries, and that it may go to $4 a gallon.

Our representatives should propose legislation forcing these refineries to schedule their shutdowns for maintenance purposes at a time of year when gasoline and heating oil are at their lowest demand and not at a time of year where gasoline or heating oil is at a high demand. Manipulative crooks.

On Hardball I just heard Jim Cramer say that he thinks gas prices will start to decline in about three weeks.

I heard it's likely they'll stay high through Memorial Day. After all, a lot of people travel during that time. They sure don't want to lose out on that profit. I just wonder "if" it ever goes down a significant amount, what it'll level off at.

TIS

When I go to the gas station I have to keep my eyes away from the prices because I know it'll just anger me. I have to buy gas no matter what so I just get out of there as quick as possible.

I got my license in 1994, and gas was $1.06 a gallon. So in just 13 years it has more than tripled here... what the heck.

When I got mine it was $0.29 p/gallon.

Saturday it was 3.19 and today it is 3.03. I'm sure it will go up tomorrow.

Gas prices went up about 6 cents from Friday to Monday. I know we have some smart attorneys on the board and some finance guys. I have a question. Why do ALL the gas station prices go up at the same time? What causes this and what permits this? It sounds like a conspiracy. How about the RICO act? Is there any government official with the balls to challenge these greedy pigs?

TIS,

I know how you feel. I'm considering changing vacation plans this year.

Where were you planning on going Mig?

I'm just teasing. Hell, I'll be the first one there. ( Well maybe not the first)

A gas station on Long Island had a price-rollback for a few hours today. They charged $2.27/gallon (regular) which is about a $1.00 below what everyone else is charging. The line extended about a mile long for customers waiting for the cheaper gas (they started lining up hours before the promotion started).

Ya know something?? As much as I bitch and moan about the high price of gas today I wouldn't stand on line for 5 or 6 hours to save the $9.00 it would take to fill up my tank.

I'm feeling better about the fact that I ride the bus.

A gas station on Long Island had a price-rollback for a few hours today. They charged $2.27/gallon (regular) which is about a $1.00 below what everyone else is charging. The line extended about a mile long for customers waiting for the cheaper gas (they started lining up hours before the promotion started).

Ya know something?? As much as I bitch and moan about the high price of gas today I wouldn't stand on line for 5 or 6 hours to save the $9.00 it would take to fill up my tank.

2.97 Today WooHoo

Yesterday it cost me exactly $50 bucks to fill up my car at $3.29 per gallon!

Damned Arabs!

Nope.

Damned Government!

BUT in New Jersey (low gas price land) the Wednesday before Labor Day weekend, gas went up 8 cents over night - $2.39 to 2.47! At the end of Labor Day week it started dropping, a penny a day - two days - three days.

I've been paying $2.58/gallon the past couple weeks (regular unleaded). It could be lower, but I'm not complaining, all things considered.

It costs $80 to fill up my GMC Sierra. It makes me want to cry.

I just paid $2.48 tonight.

I paid 3.00 even for super today. Not too bad, but I'd be a lot happier if it was 2.50.

My husband swears that he gets better gas mileage using premium...

If your engine runs well and does not knock or ping on low octane gasoline, there is no advantage in switching to higher octane gasoline.

Octane Myths

• High octane gasoline improves mileage.
In general, if your car is designed to run on 87 octane gasoline, high octane gasoline will not improve mileage. If switching to high octane gasoline does improve mileage, you might find that your engine, or its control systems, need repair.

• High octane gasoline gives quicker starting.
No, it doesn’t.

• High octane gasoline increases power.
If your car is designed to run on 87 octane gasoline, you shouldn’t notice any more power on high octane gasoline. Again, if it does make a noticeable difference, your engine, or the engine’s electronic control systems, may need repair.

• High octane gasoline has been refined more – it is just a better product.
Additional refining steps are used to increase the octane; however, these additional steps do not necessarily make the gasoline a “better” product for all engines. They just yield a different blend of hydrocarbons that burn more slowly. The additional steps also increase the price.

$2.48 isn't "cheap" -- we've just been purposely and manipulatively conditioned over the past few years to THINK that anything under $2.50 is "cheap" -- well, it's NOT! Only a few years ago it was $1/gallon cheaper!! But we tend to forget about that... we're now "happy" when it's $1 MORE than it should be.

The government played this one beautifully...


W-T-F are you doing buying Super?? Or even Plus for that matter? And I'm not talking about the price here -- what engine do you have that knocks with regular gasoline?? "Super" and "Plus" are a total SCAM these days - modern (past, what... 20 years?) engines don't need it. "Super" doesn't make you go faster

Back in the day (4 years ago? :p) I used to get "Plus" just for the hell of it, and "Super" once in a while -- but, that was $1/gallon less than it is now... and before Consumer Reports (or whoever it was) said it was all a SCAM...

How does one explain the record profits earned in the oil industry since Katrina?

Why in the hell is gas over 3 bucks now? Is it cuz the holidays are coming up?

Why in the hell is gas over 3 bucks now?

Usually demand declines in the fall and winter

Why?

It was around $2.59 in Jersey less than 2 weeks ago. Now it's about $2.83.

Tell me about it I drive my M5 only on road trips. Last time I filled up, premium was $2.58 here in AZ. Now I have to fill it again--it's over $3.

There is considerably less driving in the Fall and Winter than the Summer when vacations and outdoor activities are much more common. Also, when school is back in session, kids and teenagers are confined from the morning to the afternoon.

The weather is a big factor too. We are less inclined to leave the house, other than for work, when it gets cold.

Lucky you!

Chicagoland prices are always higher for some reason...

I paid 3.15 for premium the other day

Why do you get premium?

It's time for our quarterly screwin'. ... Bend over please.

I guess in previous, stable years they didn't do maintenance.

Mercedes-Benz

From what I've read, using regular in a car that calls for premium won't harm the engine the way it did years ago--the onboard computer will automatically adjust ignition timing to compensate for lower octane rating and prevent knocking. But the car's performance won't be what it would be on premium. There's no benefit to putting premium in a car that calls for regular.

And considering its the oil industry, they don't even use a lubricant when screwing us.

...thus, the price of crude.

From what I've read, using regular in a car that calls for premium won't harm the engine the way it did years ago--the onboard computer will automatically adjust ignition timing to compensate for lower octane rating and prevent knocking. But the car's performance won't be what it would be on premium. There's no benefit to putting premium in a car that calls for regular.

oh, and BTW, does anyone know how much investment $$ Bush and Cheney have in the oil industry?

MC, I'm not particulary defending the Bush family here, but I am also sick and tired of hearing people make these kinds of remarks. The Bush family has been in the Oil buisness for many many years. They've been through the highs and the lows throughout the years.

From 1977 to 1980 the price of Crude Oil went from 32.00 to 68.00 per barrel! Should we say that the Carter Family had something to do with it?

It began to drop when the Reagan Administration came into power with Papa Bush as Vice President. Stood pretty stable when Papa Bush became President trading between $20 - $28 per barrel. Doesn't sound to me like he took advantage of his position and helped manipulate the price of oil.

As a matter of fact when Pappa Bush and his buddy Dick Chaney pushed for the UN to take action in the Gulf which resulted in the Gulf War, the price of Crude oil DROPPED big time down to somewhere in the vacinity of $18 per barrel!


So in truth the theory of the Bush family manipulating the price of Oil is in fact a weak theory. For the most part if you take all the time that the Bush family was in the White House, be it Vice President or President, Crude Oil prices were pretty steady and much lower than while other Presidents were in office.

The rising price of Oil is not the workings of one man in power. Do I deny that Junior has some influence in making decisions that may help fluctuate the price of oil? Absolutely not. But the OPEC nations and the Investor Funds are the ones that are guilty of having the power to really manipulate the price of Oil these days.

To blame the Bush family for the rising price of Oil is just the reaction of those who really have no understanding of what has been going on in the oil industry over the last 3 or 4 years. And that is in no way a knock on you or anyone else that doesn't because the average person really doesn't know what takes place in the oil industry/investment world as a whole.

The Investment Funds and those who control OPEC are a bunch of manipulative Whores. That's the bottom line.

.......or olive oil.

olivant, are you familiar with the story of the infamous SALAD OIL SWINDLE?

I paid 3.15 for premium the other day

MC, I'm not particulary defending the Bush family here, but I am also sick and tired of hearing people make these kinds of remarks.

So in truth the theory of the Bush family manipulating the price of Oil is in fact a weak theory.

the Investor Funds are the ones that are guilty of having the power to really manipulate the price of Oil these days.

To blame the Bush family for the rising price of Oil is just the reaction of those who really have no understanding of what has been going on in the oil industry over the last 3 or 4 years. And that is in no way a knock on you or anyone else that doesn't because the average person really doesn't know what takes place in the oil industry/investment world as a whole.

Some experts are projecting $4+ a gallon next summer.

I'm not looking at the past 3 or 4 years. I'm looking at the past 35. Go back to the energy crises of the mid and late 70s. Lessons not learned. The future of the planet is not in fossil fuels.....or should I say, not in the way fossil fuels are controlled and utilized today. And in that regard, what is Bush's plan? a war? I don't recall hearing anything else.

I saw that in some areas in California it's $4.15 for regular NOW

You've got to remember that selling gasoline is a business. People get into it to make money.

Face it, if "they" want "they" can say whatever and up it to $5.00 per gallon and we once again are fu*cked .

TIS

because our government doesn't care. They have their own agenda and it ain't conserving energy or finding alternatives....there's no money in that.

If they actually had a real job where they had to EARN a paycheck and not live off TAX PAYER MONEY things might be different.

TIS, what letter is the asterisk replacing?? I think you need a hug.

DC, my esteemed colleague, drill, drill, refine, refine....isn't that part of the problem? That's a band aid. Where are the long term solutions? Where is the long term plan to convert to solar, wind, water....and dare I say it..Nuculer.
Where are the government sponsered messages to conserve; 55 mph speed limits, remove every other light bulb, lower the thermostat in winter, raise it in summer, ride a bike, walk, TELECOMMUTE (remember that one?) There are no government sponsored messages because our government doesn't care. They have their own agenda and it ain't conserving energy or finding alternatives....there's no money in that.

DC, my esteemed colleague, drill, drill, refine, refine....isn't that part of the problem? That's a band aid. Where are the long term solutions? Where is the long term plan to convert to solar, wind, water....and dare I say it..Nuculer.
Where are the government sponsered messages to conserve; 55 mph speed limits, remove every other light bulb, lower the thermostat in winter, raise it in summer, ride a bike, walk, TELECOMMUTE (remember that one?) There are no government sponsored messages because our government doesn't care. They have their own agenda and it ain't conserving energy or finding alternatives....there's no money in that.

DC, do you really think I'm arguing? what makes you think I'm arguing, I don't argue, so what the F makes you think I'm arguing? Do I argue with you? Am I here to F'in argue with you? What makes you think I'm arguing? - from Joe Pesci's remake of Goodfellas. As Michael said, this isn't personal Don C, just business. LOL, :>) I think I love you.

I got gas yesterday for 2.72 but I had 10 cents off so I got it for 2.62.

Did the price per barrel come down?

I would bet gas prices has become the second most discussed topic behind the weather.

Two men in an elevator:

1st man: "Pretty cold for this time of year, huh"?

2nd man: "Yeah, and I spent $3.24 for a gallon today".

I got gas where my in-laws live for 2.61 last night.

Your mother-in-law is a bad cook?

It's that canned shit! I told ya!

I haven't had that canned stuff in a long time. I'm not allowed to anymore thanks to you.

To anyone believing the oil companies' claims of supply/demand bullshit for raising their prices - Exxon just announced record profits last year - $40 BILLION!!!

Or how about the claim that the gas prices are going up again because a certain additive that they use in the gasoline is becoming very scarce? What a bunch of lying manipulative bastards!

The ability of the American public to accept and eat pure unadulterated bullshit simply amazes me. We even say, "Mmmmmm, that was good, may I have some more please".

Part of that $40 billion will go to their lobbyists, who will make sure the federal government doesn't get too interested in alternative fuel sources.

To anyone believing the oil companies' claims of supply/demand bullshit for raising their prices - Exxon just announced record profits last year - $40 BILLION!!!

I'd like to hear what the candidates on both sides will do about gas prices, :

TIS

Or how about the claim that the gas prices are going up again because a certain additive that they use in the gasoline is becoming very scarce? What a bunch of lying manipulative bastards!

I haven't been following this thread at all... but... I couldn't believe it a couple/few weeks ago I ventured into SC's territory (I was safe) and saw that while gas here was around 2.79, there it was like 3.23!

[NOTHING! That's what they'll do. NOTHING!

2.89 here. Not only the gas prices piss me off but the food prices as well. 3.19 for a gallon of milk and not too long ago I was paying 1.99 for 2%.

and $4 for a gallon of milk.

To answer the initial question... they are going up.

The Metro Card is $64.00 a month here. What is it in New York?

Dealing with the various types of people that ride the MTA is a whole different ball of wax.

That's true, but for the most part you learn to enjoy them, as long as they're not shooting at you.

Nothing says New York City like the smell of coffee at Grand Central at 6 in the morning. I absolutely never get tired of it.

Are there NYC taxes?

That's what I don't understand about this election, TIS. Why are we not asking the candidates more about energy and energy alternatives.

That's what I don't understand about this election, TIS. Why are we not asking the candidates more about energy and energy alternatives. It's obviously become a MAJOR chunk of everyone's monthly bills. Why don't I know any of the candidates' position on this?

Can you imagine having to shell out $3000 to heat your home???

Exxon made record profits last year - $40 billion. The other day the newspaper reported a 14 year high in gasoline surplus......and Congress is investigating steroids in baseball. What's wrong with this picture? How about getting these bastards on a RICO charge?

The oil companies (and insurance companies) are the TRUE leaders of this country. They'll never be held accountable.

The oil companies (and insurance companies) are the TRUE leaders of this country. They'll never be held accountable.

I don't know about everyone else's area, but I've heard on the news to expect $4.00 a gallon by summer. Pisses me off man. I wanna kick someone's ass. I don't have a freekin' money tree in my yard.


TIS

We've been filling up at a half a tank instead of letting it get empty. Not as expensive that way.

So does that mean you wait until your tank is half FULL or half EMPTY?

No since I don't work a tank will last me awhile.

I think some stations you get better mileage than at others. Like the gas station at Walmart I get good mileage.

3.45 those fucking bastids

and kept some money out of the pockets of those blood-sucking, scumbucket, worm-food, fece-licking, heartless, greedy, ****sucking, dog*******, swine-breath, gas-pimpin', oily gas bastards. .....whew!

I don't think anyone could have envisioned that it would be a problem.

Mark my words -- gas prices wil drop by $1 - $1.50 in a couple of months

(doing best President Bush voice) "Wow! It's that high? I had no idea!"

It's cheaper to get gassed than get gas.

(doing best President Bush voice) "Wow! It's that high? I had no idea!"

Mig, you're a very sweet lady and I'm genuinely fond of you, but I don't wanna hear about you getting gas.

Mig, you're a very sweet lady and I'm genuinely fond of you, but I don't wanna hear about you getting gas.

Why fart and waste it when you can burp and taste it?

Well, I have to tell you, DC. The local owners are fuming big time because Costco is now selling gas. It turns out that Rockland County law forbids selling gasoline to members only, so Costco is allowed to sell the gasoline to everyone. They don't advertise the fact, but they can't turn you away.

I belong to Costco, so I never knew that it was open to everyone. However, the local paper had a front-page article about it. And guess who tipped off the local paper? One of the local gas station owners! He was so furious when he found out that Costco Gasoline was open to everyone that he called the local paper to complain about it! He's charging 40 to 50 cents a gallon MORE, and he's the one who let everyone know that they could buy gas there!

Smart businessman!

And as far as Costco's cheaper gas prices, the reason that they are able to sell it cheaper is because they rely on the sales INSIDE the store as well as their MEMBERSHIP FEES to make up the difference for them profit wise. But I understand that there is some kind of arguing, within the industry, going on right now that Costco Gas should NOT be exclusive to it's members at a cheaper price! Rumor has it that they may be forced to offer their gasoline to everyone, regardless if they are a Costco member or not. And that's going to translate into Costco rasing the price of their gasoline if this goes through.

It seems to be more of a local law through the Office of Consumer Protection. I don't know about other Costcos and what they can or can't do. And since the article was published, they certainly haven't hiked up their prices.

The local prices went up 20¢ (per gallon) in the last two days. I see $4.00 in the near future.

Thats fucking sick!!

This situation with rising gas prices is the near perfect scenario through which to test your philosophies about the role of government in America.

Should the federal government through Congressional and/or Executive auhtority take action to stabilize or reduce gas prices? I say no.

Just like they shouldn't investigate steroids in baseball.

Blibble,

I know S.F. is always a step or two ahead of SoCal, but we are at 3.83 and rising. I have no doubt it'll hit $4.00 soon. Talking with my daughters, it is right about now that all of us are feeling the crunch and making decisions NOT to go certain places unless we really need to. Pisses me off bigtime, I'll tell ya.


TIS

But that's one of the keys TIS to lowering gas prices: decrease in demand.

Demand IS down about 7% from last year, and yet prices still keep rising.

ss another LUKOIL gas station and guess what? The price for regular gas was $3.16 per gallon! The same name gas station, 3 miles away from the first one, selling for .30 cheaper per gallon!

Gas prices are now over $117 per barrel. Last year at this time the price was about $64 per barrel. WTF????

As much as I hate the oil companies, I have to ask if they're the sole reason behind this rise.

Well. 8 days ago I mentioned that my Costco was selling gas for $3.19 and it's now $3.35! The Exxon, which was $3.62 is now $3.79!

Gee, and they wonder why consumer spending is down????

Keep in mind that, adjusted for inflation, it is only now that gas prices have exceeded by a few cents what they were in 1980.

Well. 8 days ago I mentioned that my Costco was selling gas for $3.19 and it's now $3.35! The Exxon, which was $3.62 is now $3.79!

Gee, and they wonder why consumer spending is down????

That was Monday. Last night I went back to Costco and the price was $3.52!! How is that possible in just a few days??????

Most people are not bright.

During the gas shortage of the 1970s, a neighbor of my husband's stockpiled cans of gas, thinking he could beat the system. Then his house burned down when they lit a match.

The most ridiculous ideas are the ones repealing the gas tax. Yes, it seems like a lovely thought for politicians to be so concerned about their constituents that they want to save them the 30 cents per gallon, BUT where is the money going to come from?? The loss in sales tax revenue will just mean higher taxes next year, since the money has to come from somewhere. I'd rather pay now than pay later. At least I have SOME control over how much gas I consume, but NO control over taxes.

Senator Clinton wants to make the oil companies pay the taxes. Why should they? Isn't this a free-market economy?? Why shouldn't they be allowed to charge as much as the market will bear?? If some of the billions of dollars that have been spent in Iraq had gone into R&D for alternative energy sources, or REAL subsidies to encourage people to buy hybrids, or REAL subsidies to make solar energy more cost-effective, then maybe the oil companies wouldn't have the endless demand that they do!

During the gas shortage of the 1970s, a neighbor of my husband's stockpiled cans of gas, thinking he could beat the system. Then his house burned down when they lit a match.

Maybe Exxon is saving up for another Valdez :p....they figure they are due :/.

As prices keep increasing, I find that I am using my teleporting power more and more.

Are you bringing Adriana back??

Some analysts are predicting that the price of gas will reach $200 a barrel by 2010 (its currently $123).

Instead of driving to pay my water bill I walked to the water dept. and paid it.

When stock prices can fluctuate in seconds, why is it surprising to see the oil prices change overnight. As long as there is a demand (or at least a projected one), there will be increase in oil price on a regular basis. Or that is how I understand it.

How many times do you guys fill your car tank in a month? I have to understand why so many of you feel so strongly about the gas price rise from $3 to $4.

I did the same. I'll never forget what just about every customer said: "$2 worth."

Don't laugh, but I remember as a teenager, cruising around with friends (the lucky ones who had a car), digging up all of our pocket change for gas. I think gas was, at that time what? About 35 cents a gallon?

Back when you were a teenager, gas wasn't a fossil fuel.

Back when you were a teenager, gas wasn't a fossil fuel.

Just about $4.00 everywhere I looked this morning. They've got it to the point where $3.25 would seem welcome. Now that's insane.

PB is right. I told my students way back when gas was still well under $2 that part of the oil companies strategy is psychological. If prices drop $0.50, wouldn't we be grateful? Of course.

I don't understand how a rise in the price of a barrel of oil results in increased profits.

It's gone down to 3.75 today. Should I jump for joy?

When it comes to cars, I know nutin' about nutin'. I just know mine is a pretty blue and takes me where I wanna go.

Green cars get better mileage.

It's gone down to 3.75 today. Should I jump for joy?

CNN reports that gas stations will start showing PORN movies on the screens of the pumps so that you can see someone else get screwed at the same time you do!!

CNN reports that gas stations will start showing PORN movies on the screens of the pumps so that you can see someone else get screwed at the same time you do!!

Long Island must be really bad SC. On our local news they were talking about which are the places with the highest prices and they singled out Long Island.

It ranges from about $3.90 to $4.00 here.

3.73 today. Time to fill up.

down to the village ....

Wanna laugh?

I took my nephew and his roommate from NYU to the ESPNZone in Times Square last month for Sunday afternoon lunch and a few beers. There was some silly raffle, with the winner getting a subscription to one of their publications, right? There's a thousand tourists in the place, and Pizzaboy, who has lived his whole life within the city limits (save for my time in Florida and a couple of years in Westchester), is the guy who wins.

But lunch cost me almost $200, so it was no bargain.

3.85 fucking bucks. I knew that tenytiny decrease wouldn't last.