Opinions on Gas Prices

This will become one of the Chicken verses Egg questions, but I'm going to share my thoughts and I'm interested in hearing yours.

Friday's gas price changes around town were outrageous. In one day we watch prices jump .40 or .50. The ramp up was almost fast enough to cost a few cents a gallon extra if you got caught by a red light on your way to the gas station.

On Thursday night the price per gallon was in the neighborhood of $3.65 and on friday night it had jumped to around $4.10. Was the price hike legitimate?

I confess, I went out and bought gas for both my vehicles at $3.88 around 2pm Friday. I probably contributed to the rise in price, but I made sure that I was not victimized by $4.10 or more the rest of this weekend.

I did not panic, I knew exactly what I was doing and I expect most other people did to. The fact is no matter how much the news people and the fuel stations may try to blam this on consumer panic, consumers were hedging their bets against the gas station operators.

There is a lack of basic trust in the gas supply pricing by the consumer. We all believe, rightly or wrongly, that those who price our gas are sitting watching the news for any excuse to charge us more. And as gas is marketed by responsible businesses, that belief is probably based in fact.

-So, did you contribute to the rise?
-Which came first the higher prices or the buying spree?
-Were you smart enough to intentionally fill up on Thursday night?
-How long do you think the price will stay this high?

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Gas prices
Submitted by Okie on Mon, 09/15/2008 - 8:31am.

My sister lives in a suburb just North of Dallas. She said their gas went up to $3.69. Some places were a little higher. I guess the media forgot to tell them they could run out of gas!

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ShortField-my opinion
SLUF's picture
Submitted by SLUF on Sun, 09/14/2008 - 9:44pm.

Well I think it was fueled by the media myself. They got everyone whipped up into a hysteria by talking about how we would have a shortage and the hurricane would devastate refineries. I was in Florida the other day and a supply expert said it all started in Gainesville, FL. There was a run on gas and prices went above $5 and news of that spread to the rest of the state and prices went up everywhere else. A few points-The refineries in that area only supply 20% of the gas. Secondly, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve released 250,000 barrels of oil on Sept. 8th because of Gustav. There is no shortage except for a made up shortage to raise the prices. I didn't fuel up at all and still haven't. I have cut back on my driving and changed the way I drive to be more efficient. I'll use the gas I use for my lawn mower to keep me fueled up because I think this is a short-lived spike that will probably come down early this week. Oil still went down in the face of Ike to below $100 briefly.


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Sluf
Submitted by Nitpickers on Mon, 09/15/2008 - 4:54am.

Can you imagine what a mess we would have with the hoarders and thieves if we were to have a real nationwide emergency?

The current generations, populated with selfish and "live now" people. would instantly go hog wild!

Where do those people in the Georgia, NC mountains stay with their hordes of food and water? I want to invade them, first off!

Also, don't all Mormons keep a years worth of foodstuffs somewhere?
Where can we find it? In their houses? Who are they?

If you will pay close attention to Galveston and Houston living without electricity, food, water, and law for the next few weeks or months, you will begin to see what would happen!

Somehow, I can't picture us surviving as the Iraqi's do without any infrastructure, good food, water, schools, hospitals, or much of anything (American dollars is all they have, mostly) but Afghanistan never did have much, so they don't mind---the Taliban give them an allowance from the Poppy Crop they protect and allow to grow--so do we.

Now that bunch in the Pakastani mountains near Afghanistan, they can live in hovels and caves! We won't fare so well fighting there!
Maybe George will drop 1000, 500 pound blockbusters on it!

Should be an interesting 2009.

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Well Nit
Submitted by Bonkers on Mon, 09/15/2008 - 11:53am.

You see how quickly the Wall Street bunch are cutting each other's throat today!

We don't intend to share at all as long as there is something to share!!!!

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hello
SLUF's picture
Submitted by SLUF on Mon, 09/15/2008 - 3:09pm.

Aren't you two the same person? I see many similarities, but don't know why you would have a conversation with yourself.


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Slurf, You'll get used to it.
Submitted by MYTMITE on Mon, 09/15/2008 - 11:10pm.

Nitpicker, Bonkers, Sage, Dollar ans many more of his/her entities talk to each other. Being inside his/her head must be like listening to one of the worst rantings on TheView. Sometimes, talking to each other just isn't enough and then they post back and forth to each other.

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I guess
SLUF's picture
Submitted by SLUF on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 12:54pm.

Maybe I'll get used to it. I just don't see how one person has so much time on his/her hands. I thought I was lazy being on call at home for work. I don't do much all day, but this bonkers etc...wins the prize for being on here the most I think.


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Sluf,
eodnnaenaj1's picture
Submitted by eodnnaenaj1 on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 1:09pm.

You know how every family has an odd relative or two. Well the little blog family here has one big limb with lots of little branches, and personalities. We just smile and nod, don't stir them up, just say bless their little hearts. LOL!


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good point
SLUF's picture
Submitted by SLUF on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 2:28pm.

You're right, Jane; but he just loves to stir us up at every chance


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SLUF,
Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Mon, 09/15/2008 - 3:12pm.

It's his therapy.

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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


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