Sticking it to the US fuel companies

[SpeedRacer 1]

I just received the following email, you can decide for yourself if it's worth doing:

Quote

Hate High GAS Prices????
"THE FOLLOWING WAS SENT BY AN ECONOMIST WITHIN THE FUEL INDUSTRY.
ANOTHER
ECONOMICS PROFESSOR AT CAL REITERATED THE SAME LAST WEEK. I THINK
IT IS
WORTH TRYING.
I got this from a reliable source & a website. We heard today from
a man
who is very savvy about the economy, namely, Clark Howard, and he
says that
the gas prices are going to start going up again and will be high
this
summer-$2 and up. We need to do whatever we can, and do it NOW!!!!
Gasoline Prices
This makes more sense than the don't buy gas on a certain day
routine that
was going around last year Gasoline Prices! Whoever started this
has a good
point. By now, you're probably thinking gasoline priced at about
$1.49 is
cheap. Me too, as it is now $1.58 for regular unleaded!
Now that the oil companies and the OPEC nations have conditioned us
to
think that the cost of a gallon of gas is CHEAP at less than $1.50,
we need
to try an aggressive response. With the price of gasoline going up
more
each
day, we consumers need to take ACTION!
The only way we are going to see the price of gas come down is if
we don't
buy it. But, (as the gas companies know full well, and are counting
on),
that's not really a practical option since we all have come to rely
on our
cars. But we CAN have an impact on gas prices if we all act
together.
Here's the idea: For the rest of this year, don't purchase gasoline
from
the two biggest companies (which now are one), namely EXXON and
MOBIL. You
see, if they are not selling, they should be inclined, (i.e.,
"forced"), to
reduce their prices. And, because of their size, and hence market
share, if
they reduce their prices the other companies will too. (They would
HAVE no
choice!). Isn't that a "juicy" prospect? But to have an impact,we
need to
reach literally millions of users. But it's doable! I am sending
this note
to 42 people. If each of you send it to at least 10 more ...and
those 10
send it to at least 10 more and so on, by the time the message
reaches the
sixth iteration, we will have reached over one million consumers.
Acting together we can make a difference. If this makes sense to
you,
please pass this message on, or one you compose, to at least 10
more E-mail
addresses.
PLEASE HOLD OUT UNTIL THEY LOWER THEIR PRICES TO BELOW $1.28 -
$1.29 AND
KEEP THEM DOWN. THIS CAN REALLY WORK!
If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention."

I understand that fuel prices are higher in Europe due to heavy government taxation, but what seems to be going on here is the fuel companies are trying to do what they did in the 1970's when they faked the "energy crisis": Make a big bundle of cash by getting everyone used to paying through the nose for fuel.
Speed Racer
Brew Skies

[Zennie 0]

Welp. I'm doing my part. I purchase my gasoline from the Texaco just down the street. Still, I'm not sure how much of a difference it will make since gas prices are driven by the cost-per-barrel of crude oil. And that's driven largely by OPEC. So unless we can figure out how to make OPEC lower their prices, I'm not sure we'll see a huge difference at the pump no matter who we buy from.
I'm not going to cry too much, because, like you said, our friends in Europe (and Canada?) pay a huckuva lot more than we do. Plus maybe it will cause people to drive a little less, or car-pool (which my wife and I do) which might reduce pollution.
------------
Blue Skies!
Zennie

[skreamer 1]

Or, you guys could build some cycle lanes and start getting some exercize!
I have noticed that in Europe cars generally have economical fuel-sipping engines, but in the states many people drive around (on their own) in huge trucks or sports cars. If you cycled more, you would save money, help reduce exhaust fume pollution and get some exercize. Obviously there are times when you have to use a car, but there are also short trips where you could walk or ride a bike. But of course some people are in too much of a hurry to get back to their couch, their TV and their snacks.
Something to think about the next time you drive to the gym...
/s

[huffermoose 0]

im in europe but i guess i can't complain u guys pay me to help get oil out of the ground for your petrol, so the higher the price the more i get paid i guess
sincerely moose

[Dirtsucks 0]

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but in the states many people drive around (on their own) in huge trucks or sports cars. If you cycled more, you would save money, help reduce exhaust fume pollution and get some exercize

Right on Skreamer. I’d love to hop on a bike and ride it to work, and many other places that I visit frequently. But with the road system here, that would be nothing short of suicide. It’s getting ridiculous. 30 bucks to fill up my little Cavalier? What the fuck? Oh well, I guess that the way it is.
Josh

[freaksister 0]

The SUV craze over here in the States has had me fuming (pun intended!) for a couple of years now! I see these middle-aged, Junior-League frosted-blonde bimbos driving all alone in a huge Suburban or something similar. I mean, who the fuck needs a LEXUS SUV?? Or a Cadillac for that matter!?!?!?!? Jeezus, some people need to get a clue!
Sis
"What we're all really seeking is something where we can feel the rapture of being alive."J.Campbell

[Zennie 0]

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I mean, who the fuck needs a LEXUS SUV??

Or even worse, a BMW SUV. Arrgh! How could they do that? What's next? A Ferrari SUV?
The stupid thing is they're making these things so big that you can't even get one in a standard garage anymore. Or if you can, you can't get a second vehicle larger than a motorcycle in the second space. I suppose it won't be long before we see the unveiling of the Ford Behemoth or Chevy Leviathan.
------------
Blue Skies!
Zennie

[Deleted 0]

So I ain’t the only one who shakes my head at all these God damn luxury SUV pieces of shit and thinks “get yo ass on some REAL 4x4 terrain and see how that hunk a shit holds up!!”
Josh

[Greg 0]

I couldnt agree with you more freaksis. It seems, at least here in AZ, the roads are just clogged with women (of course, men too, but an unusual amount of women, its freaky) in huge these SUV's nearly the size of a freakin city bus. I would venture a guess, they prolly dont need the all the room, the horse power, nor the 4 wheele drive to get to and from the supermarket, or around town. It really is a shame, lets "kill the air" so we look cool.......

[Tee 0]

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The SUV craze over here in the States has had me fuming (pun intended!) for a couple of years now! I see these middle-aged, Junior-League frosted-blonde bimbos driving all alone in a huge Suburban or something similar. I mean, who the fuck needs a LEXUS SUV?? Or a Cadillac for that matter!?!?!?!? Jeezus, some people need to get a clue!

I couldn't agree more Sis. What a waste of natural resource.
We are feeling the US energy crisis here in Alberta too. We are the highest producer of Oil and Gas in Canada and our prices have sky rocketed as well because we are exporting our resources to the US. The gas analysts are predicting our prices to be up to almost $1 per litre (approx. 3.8 litres in a gallon) from 45 cents a litre last summer!!! YIKES!
Tee

[flyboy62000 0]

Lamborgini made an SUV about the size of a hummer. It has the same 12 cylinder engine as the countach. I helped a guy work on it when I was at his shop working on my car. What a wild machine. I can't imagine owning something like that.
Blue Skies,
Adam

[cloud9 0]

Guys Guys Guys
I can't believe I'm hearing skydivers say these things.
Who needs an SUV? Who needs that big V8? They probably don't need the room or that veh. For what to get around town to look cool.
Well who needs swimming pools? Who needs two cars? Who needs guns? Who needs boats? Who needs motorcycles? Who needs fishing, hunting, snow skiing, scuba diving and most important WHO NEEDS SKYDIVING? by your standards no one if you don't!
The beauty of a FREE COUNTRY is. You don't have to need it, you only have to be willing to work for it and you can have nearly anything you want.
Your gonna have some yippie in a small BMW saying who needs a jump plane burning all that fuel just to go straight up throw some people out and come right back down to the same place. Just so some skydivers can look cool.
Lets get real they have the same need for their SUV we have for altitude. They want it. let em have it! I want the jump plane let me have it! See it works great isn't this a great country!!
If we start basing what we can have on needs, then we are no longer a free nation. And as skydivers we're minority and we will loose. So lets let others enjoy the freedoms of their choice and we can have ours.
As for the oil companies. I just hope they keep making aviation fuel for them thar jumps planes and I'm happy...
Bleau Skies
Some fun eh!

[mountainman 0]

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If you cycled more, you would save money, help reduce exhaust fume pollution and get some exercize.

I have contemplated this, but it just not realistic in the States. Our cities, roads, and traffic just are not set-up for non-motorist commuters. I have been to Europe twice (a total of 2.5 months) and LOVED being able to walk everywhere and use public transport. I wish USA would get a clue and start doing this more.
I JUST sold my '99 Jeep Wrangler and am going to buy an Accord or something similar. Both to have $$$ for skydiving and use less gasoline. As far as buying from the certain stations, I don't see that affecting much. We just need to start using less.
MORE SKYDIVING PHOTOS ADDED!!!
http://home.woh.rr.com/brandonandlaura/

[PalmettoTiger 1]

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Or even worse, a BMW SUV. Arrgh! How could they do that? What's next? A Ferrari SUV?

No... a Porsche SUV (Suddenly Upside-down Vehicle). I remember hearing a story on NPR about a month ago about it; a longtime Porsche owner was lamenting how the company had gone mainstream. Then they quoted an auto analyst joking 8 years ago that the SUV craze would be over when Porsche made one. Hope he's right...
Blues, squares,
PTiger

[Dutchboy 0]

It's not really a free country. But anyway, an SUV is not a need unlike some of the other things you list (like guns). It is the SUV people who not only have driven up the gasoline prices in the USA, but also the insurance. Because when some dumbass who is too busy yacking on their cell phone plows into you with their SUV your normal size car will be totalled because their bumpers are higher than yours.
I think they should make you get a special license to drive a vehicle that is over 4 tons. Why not, the FAA requires an endorsement to fly an airplane with over 200hp.

[Austin 0]

couldn't have said it any better cloud9!!
Austin

[mountainman 0]

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It's not really a free country.

Nuff said.
MORE SKYDIVING PHOTOS ADDED!!!
http://home.woh.rr.com/brandonandlaura/

[Iflyme 0]

Cloud9, you got it right, man. I find this hilarious - I mean, isn't GM America's #1 big company??? I say raise the freakin' price of fuel right out of sight, then maybe our society will feel the need to develop fuels that don't pollute the air we breath and the water we drink. I'd be willing to bet my left ball that bright scientists have come up with ways to produce energy from water, but the big oil companies buy up the ideas and bury them - forever ... because Dubya and his friends like Dick-head Chaney can't stand the thought of not making billions of dollars in profit -- from their cherished oil. And now that clown Chaney has said that the environment comes second to a healthy economy. Ya, right - rape the land, pollute the air and the water, so a few of you can live in big mansions. What a bunch of bullshit. Ya'll should have voted for Nader...
Ok - climbing down off my soap-box now...
Humble again... Frank

[mountainman 0]

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Ya'll should have voted for Nader

BUHAHAHAHA!!! Maybe not. He would've outlawed skydiving because it caused pollution. He would've passed a law for us to come up with a pedal-powered airplane.
He came to speak at our college two weeks ago. I'm not how well BOTH PEOPLE who watched him liked it.MORE SKYDIVING PHOTOS ADDED!!!
http://home.woh.rr.com/brandonandlaura/

[what42 0]

Yeah, I can't see someone being too concerned about the gas use of an SUV by someone else when they themselves are skydivers. We use a LOT of fuel. These old planes have to refuel every few loads. I'm not sure how much the tanks can hold but I'm sure it's not paltry.
Wesley
--
I want to fly!

[mountainman 0]

Exactly my point, what42. A Spanish prof of mine used to be a skydiver (D-license with about 500 jumps). He now does not do it because of the pollution and is an avid Nad-er supporter.
Those planes use A LOT of fuel and, in some cases, a LOT of oil. The ol Beech 18's are oil AND gas hogs. But they're pretty awesome!!MORE SKYDIVING PHOTOS ADDED!!!
http://home.woh.rr.com/brandonandlaura/

[freeflyguy 0]

let's see... This weekend, 16 otter loads, 4 cessna loads, how much fuel is that?
Cloud9 hit the proverbial nail on the head. I burned a hell of a lot of fuel, and all for me. Glorious, but what would the tree huggers say?
I say burn baby burn!

[Dutchboy 0]

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Yeah, I can't see someone being too concerned about the gas use of an SUV by someone else when they themselves are
skydivers. We use a LOT of fuel. These old planes have to refuel every few loads. I'm not sure how much the tanks can
hold but I'm sure it's not paltry.

They refuel all the time because they don't want the weight of the fuel which slows the climb to altitude. I'm doing my part by jumping out of an Otter most of the time. That's definitely mass transit! The fuel burn per person is quite low in these planes.

[skreamer 1]

Dutchboy makes some good points.
If those SUV drivers used their cars the way DZs utilize their planes, they would have 8 people inside the car plus another 2 hanging off the roof-racks for EVERY trip they made - plus they'd have a little harder time getting a license to drive their monster mobiles in the first place.
/s

[mountainman 0]

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I'm doing my part by jumping out of an Otter most of the time. That's definitely mass transit! The fuel burn per person is quite low in these planes.

Is this really the point? That is good that you get to jump a bird that has a lower fuel consumption. But, when you go to a DZ that only has a "for sure" Beech 18 and some Cessna's, you can't really help the high burn.
I don't wanna start a flame war here, because I'm the one who doesn't think twice when doing something regarding fuel because there isn't really any other alternatives (and NOT skydiving is NOT an alternative
blu skys
MORE SKYDIVING PHOTOS ADDED!!!
http://home.woh.rr.com/brandonandlaura/