Whadaya think of the call for a gas boycott May 15? Are you in?

[bigtree]

Internet fuels protest against rising gas prices

May 4, 2007
Detroit Free Press

The nation’s drivers are trying to fight fast-rising gasoline prices by staging an Internet-driven “gas out” on May 15.

An Internet chain letter dated April 30 has been circulating around e-mail systems across the country urging drivers to avoid pumping gas on May 15. The unsigned letter suggests that a one-day “gas out” could result in siphoning off nearly $3 billion from oil company profits.

"Some people think $4 a gallon is on the horizon," said Jim Rink, a AAA Michigan spokesman. "If consumers balk at the rise they will curb their consumption and prices will come down."

Industry observers, who say these kinds of chain letters tend to get passed around as prices rise, say they generally don’t have much impact on oil companies' bottom line.

“This stuff does not work,” said Mark Routt, a senior petroleum analyst with Energy Security Analysis Inc. in Wakefield, Ma. . . .


http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070504/BUSINESS06/70504009


edit: my son sent me this and suggested I run this by DU. I'll send him this thread. Should be an eye-opener.

[muntrv]

1. Won't work. China and India are still consuming large amounts of oil.

[bigtree]

3. what about a series of boycotts?

what about a pledge to drive less? to use less gas?

[Redstone]

68. BINGO!! Driving less is the ONLY way to drive prices down. Period. Unfortunately, a LOT of people

would have to do it, and most Americans would rather complain that act.

Redstone

[uppityperson]

2. No. It hurts only gas station people, not big companies.

snopes has an article on it:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/nogas.asp
Best thing to do is organize a "don't drive" boycott as this will decrease actual consumption and make a point.

[bigtree]

5. couldn't this be a beginning point?

a rallying point?

[uppityperson]

7. Not buying gas 1 day tells them nothing. Sorry. Use it as a beginning point to decrease Consumption.

Decrease consumption by 15% and they will sit up and take notice. If everyone buys gas, fills up on the 14th to prepare to not buy the 15th, the same amount of gas for, say, the week will be bought. If you want to make an impact, start a boycott to not USE gas for a day, or for every (example) Monday. That will do something.

The first time I heard of 1 of these "don't buy gas on this day" things was back in 1983. We are now 24 yrs later and trying the same thing. Use it as a rally point to decrease consumption and it will make a point.

[Selatius]

4. You will hurt local retailers more than wholesalers like Exxon-Mobil and Chevron-Texaco.

They do not sell directly to consumers. Local gas station owners do, and that's the problem. You will bring down the price, but you'd be hurting the wrong people in the process.

[bigtree]

6. wouldn't that also apply to a general slowdown in usage also

where do we draw the line?

[Selatius]

16. No, not really.

Your typical gas station has more than enough fuel in its underground tanks to outlast any short-term fluctuation in demand. If you stopped using gas for a week or more, you will hurt Exxon-Mobil, but you will drive under many small gas station owners in the process once they find they can't make monthly payments on things like rent and insurance.

The best thing to do would be to pass a windfall tax on their profits and buy a fuel-efficient alternative to SUVs.

[bigtree]

24. Hard for me to accept that we have to accept responsibility

for dealers' income

[Breeze54]

8. I'll buy gas! I have to

so I can get home from DC after the Mother of a March on May 14th, the day after Mother's Day!

Besides, it won't work or solve any problems. It'll just punish the dealers, not the perpetrators!

[bigtree]

10. you mean those folks who sell their gas at a higher price

than the ones right down the street?

Do you believe there's gouging by these dealers?

[Breeze54]

23. There are cheats everywhere.

Do I mean what? Will I buy from the higher priced? No! But I might report them!

-----------------------

Gas Price Watch Reporting Form

http://gaswatch.energy.gov/

The Department of Energy is very concerned about the impact of gasoline prices on American families.
While we are working to address longer term supply issues, we're also working to make sure American
families are being treated fairly. If you believe there may be price-gouging, or price-fixing,
please contact your local authorities and fill out the form below.

All complaints registered with the Department of Energy will be collated and transmitted
to the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Department of Justice and individual State Attorneys
General for investigation and prosecution where appropriate.


----------------


Fight back against gas gouging

http://money.cnn.com/2005/11/09/pf/saving/willis_tips/index.htm

5 Tips: Here are five ways to get back when you think you're being gouged at the pump.

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) -

Ever since Hurricane Katrina and Rita, we've seen the highest gas prices ever while oil companies have seen their profits soar. As U.S. senators grill oil company Big Wigs from ExxonMobil and Shell, today's 5 tips lets you in on how to fight back at the pump.

1. Put it in Perspective

We've all gotten used to feeling the pinch at the gas pump. And while our daily decisions about where to fill up may seem trivial in the scheme of things, let's look at the whole picture.

ExxonMobil (up $0.01 to $57.38, Research) made about $75,000 per minute during this quarter according to the Wall Street Journal. It was the biggest quarterly profit of any company EVER. Shell (up $0.15 to $61.31, Research) and Exxon (up $0.01 to $57.38, Research) combined quarterly income outpaced Denmark's economic output in all of last year.


2. Use your power over gas gougers

Nothing may burn you up more than the feeling that you've been gouged at the pump. In a rising market, it's easier for some stations to jack up their prices, says Justin McNaull of the Automobile Association of America.

If you see a gas station that has prices way out of line than what you've been seeing, you should report it. To get a sense of the average gas price in your area you can check out AAA's fuel gauge on their website at www.fuelgaguereport.com.

If prices at a station far exceed your regional average, take note. Take your receipt and get in touch with your state Attorney General's office. For a listing in your area check out the National Association of Attorneys General at www.naag.org where there is a complete state-by-state list of contacts.

You should also take down the prices of all the varieties of gasoline available at the station, from regular to high grade.

Don't forget to contact your elected officials too. As Tyson Slocum of the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen pointed out, the Federal Government has a lot of power in this situation. And the Department of Energy has also set up a website for consumers to report gas gauging. Check out http://gaswatch.energy.gov.


3. Don't give into the Munchies

Most of the gas stations you see, aren't just gas stations, they're convenience stores that sell branded gas.

"These retailers would rather sell you a cup of coffee and a donut than a gallon of gas," says McNaull. "They don't make much profit off of gas."

These convenience stores are typically locked into 5 to 10 year pricing contracts with big oil companies, said John Eichberger, the President of the National Association of Convenience Stores. If you find gas is really expensive at one specific retailer it may be the arrangement the retailer has with its supplier.

So while passing up the candy or cigarette aisle may not impact short-term gas prices, bypassing those in-store goodies may put pressure on retailers to change their pricing arrangements.


4. Vent away!

If you just want to make sure that everyone else shares in your pain or hears your fury, check out your local gas buddy blog. For example if you live in Seattle, type in www.seattlegasprices.com.
But if you lived in Ohio, just type in www.ohiogasprices.com. These sites will let you connect
with other motorists who are probably just as fed up as you are.

And if you want to start your own online blog for free, check out www.blogger.com or www.spaces.msn.


5. Don't get too worried...just yet

While it's true that this travel season is expected to be quite busy, and that airline prices are expected to jump between 12 percent and 15 percent this year, we are paying less than we were two weeks ago.

Prices at the pump fell 23 cents per gallon, according to the Lundberg Survey. The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular was $2.43. Of course, that's still about 40 cents higher than we were paying this time last year. But let's take the good news where we can.


---------------------

Become a spotter for higher or lower gas prices in your area!
http://www.gaspricewatch.com

[Redstone]

9. Still a dumb idea. People will buy on the 14th and the 16th and make up for it.

A dumb idea doesn't get any less dumb for having been around for over 30 years.

Redstone

[bigtree]

11. It could demonstrate the effect of a drop in consumption

as part of an overall push to drive less

[uppityperson]

15. But this is NOT about consuming less, just changing BUYING habit.

Change consumption by consuming less, organize a "don't drive" day.

[bigtree]

21. it could be whatever the participants want it to demonstrate

I think it would make a statement. Perhaps not a significant one, but a statement nonetheless.

I think the 'no-drive' option could be a part of it; maybe should be

[elocs]

34. Bingo! A stupid and useless feel good exercise.

Gee, people need gas. Who would ever think they might buy it on the 14th and the 16th instead of the 15th?

[bigtree]

35. not if they didn't drive that day. I really don't think this is stupid or useless

no more so than any protest which doesn't immediately change the status quo

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

12. California should start a State-run oil company

They do that with Worker's Compensation insurance. State Fund is a State-owned insurer that competes with private insurers. Why not try it with the petroleum industry, too? Let the State try to run a non-profit gas company and compete with the private oil companies? It wouldn't replace capitalism, but only compete with it and maybe keep it honest. California should start taking possession of the oil underneath State-owned land and refine it itself and sell it to the consumer. Maybe they couldn't run a government-owned oil company as cheaply as the private sector, but given the incredible profit margins of the private oil companies, they'd sure have a lot of room to work with.

And if it works, hopefully the idea would catch on to other States. Otherwise, competition among the private oil companies doesn't seem to be working, as they are all raking in windfall profits.

[Flatulo]

25. About those incredible profit margins...

They typically run under 10%. Compare that to the computer industry, which operates closer to 12%, and the pharmaceauticals, which are over 22%. (Fortune Magazine).

The big winner is the government, which takes in far more per gallon sold than Big Oil.

I don't particularly like them, but personally I have no idea myself how to drill for oil and then turn it into gasoline.

I just try to use as little as possible. No SUV or truck for me.

[Cleita]

13. Sure.

With the price of gas, my boycott might be our of necessity by then.

[Mojambo]

14. I only buy gas every week and a half anyway

So I probably wouldn't be buying on that day, boycott or no.

[MasonJar]

17. I'm in! n/t

[Ignacio Upton]

18. Waste of time

All you are doing is postponing your gas usage. You'll still have to get gas on either the 14th or 16th.

[bigtree]

22. what if we didn't drive that day?

would that do?

[Ignacio Upton]

26. If we all drove less, I think that would help

Less demand = More supply, and lower prices in turn. The May 15th campaign simply redistributes demand to another day.

[bigtree]

27. It could be part of a larger movement; a beginning point

will we ever get to 'less consumption' without some organizing event?

[Hekate]

19. It all seems to flow through the same few pipelines.I think it's kinda like the petfood thing...

...different labels, same factory.

Alas, this particular strategy will not have its intended effect. In any case, I just delete these emails without comment these days.

Hekate

[Hekate]

20. Gas at my corner station is $3.75 today. Why? Because Big Oil can, that's why.

:shrug: No other discernible reason.

Hekate

[Whoa_Nelly]

57. At $3.53 here in the San Joaquin, we're climbing toward your price

Hate to think your prices will continue to escalate ahead of ours :pals:

[liberalnurse]

28. I'm........

We need protest signs and activist to add a visual to the affect.

[uppityperson]

31. How about bringing tasers and tazing people who try to buy gas?

:evilgrin:

[liberalnurse]

69. Please

Stop harrassing me. This post has absolutely nothing to do with you're statement ....I find your treatment to me abusive.

[MiniMe]

29. People will just buy gas the day before or the day after

These things do exactly nothing. It does not affect total gas sales for a 1 week period. If we want to do something, how about using less gas?

[bigtree]

30. why couldn't this be a rallying point for that action?

that may well be the goal of the organizers

[Critters2]

32. Better yet, cut back on gas use every day!!

What we pay for gas is nothing compared to Europe and other parts of the world. And we need to stop acting like we have some divine right to cheap oil. One day we'll HAVE to use less. If high gas prices teach us to do that, so be it.

Besides, everyone who boycotts will go back to their gas guzzling ways on the 16th, and then some. Won't make a whit of difference to Big Oil.

[bigtree]

33. starting with May 15!!!

we do have the right, as consumers, to demand fair pricing.

[Critters2]

37. As it is, our prices are kept artificially low.

Again, ask anyone in Europe. The oil companies cater to our insatiable thirst for oil. They keep us hooked, and occasionally gouge to kick up profits. But they know we can't live with out it.

We're a collective junkie, and they're our supplier. Best to kick the habit altogether.

[bigtree]

38. almost impossible to get to work without driving

impossible to get goods to market without it.

We should reduce consumption, yet, we should also demand fair pricing like we do with other goods and services as we exercise our buying power as consumers.

[Critters2]

41. I get to work without driving, and I buy goods made as locally

as possible. We all but ask them to screw us, with our addiction to driving everywhere. They are more than happy to oblige.

[bigtree]

44. I'm addicted to work

which I couldn't reach without driving.

But, I have modified my driving habits since the beginning of the Iraq invasion.

[Whoa_Nelly]

36. Read this

http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/nogas.asp

This gas boycott has been sent through email for several years. It won't change a thing. Transport trucks will still keep moving on the highways. Farmers will still be using their machines. Businesses will still be delivering goods. People will buy the day before or after.

A true boycott means going without, period. One day will not make a dent in the oil industry, will not affect or even be noticed by them.

To have a gas-out/boycott really work would mean that everyone would have to stop buying gas forever, and that ain't gonna happen. It would also have to include the business industries, agriculture, and more, and that isn't going to happen either.

It sounds like a cool thing to do, but the oil companies won't notice, won't give a shit, and will keep selling to those who don't participate, and to those who will continue everyday business as usual.

The major players in the oil industry that are holding us hostage to high prices are global players, not just the US. A one day boycott won't stop the human rights abuse issues off the coast of Africa, the ships on the sea using fuel to transport the oil, or the refineries that work 24/7 to turn crude into the many grades of gas used by machinery.

Collectively, we, as a people, don't have the power to stop the high prices. Hopefully, Kucinich's call to investigate will help somehow, but am not clear on how that will make a difference in the near term, if it does at all.

I don't have an answer. I just know that a one day boycott won't work, won't make a difference.

[bigtree]

39. How about a series of boycotts? A continuing campaign?

something meshed with a drive to reduce consumption?

[Critters2]

42. Good luck with that.

If global warming isn't scaring us into reducing consumption, nothing will.

[bigtree]

45. we're trying to influence a very diverse society with many diverse consumption needs

I think, though, that as consumers, we do have the means to influence the suppliers with our buying habits.

[NaturalHigh]

116. I disagree.

Most people are more indignant about high gas prices than global warming. Personally I think people will indeed cut their consumption if prices go any higher.

[Whoa_Nelly]

56. That sounds awfully loose, even as a concept

EVERYONE would have to participate, meaning all transport, all agriculture, all businesses, all trains and planes. And, any group of people who would commit to doing this on even a one-day a week basis would not make a difference.

Now, sit-ins, and more of the tactics used along the lines of how the war in Vietnam was protested, might gain some national attention and more followers, but with the cost of living so high, so many more people these days can't afford to not go to work, and wouldn't be as inclined to participate as people were back in the late '60s/early '70s.

It's a grand idea, bigtree, but in light of the apathy that exists today in our nation, it's an idea that would be hard-pressed to gain momentum.

Here in the Central Valley California, we're at $3.53 for regular, and it's still going up daily. :(

[Pab Sungenis]

40. It won't work.

Any gas not bought on the 15th would be offset by increased purchases on the 14th or 16th.

The only way a gas boycott would work would be as a nationwide "stay at home day" general strike. If people stop driving on the day they don't purchase gas, it would actually make a dent in oil revenues.

[bigtree]

43. We protest the occupation knowing that it may well continue

a boycott would demonstrate the number of consumers willing to make a stand.

A shot across the bow.

[Flatulo]

46. The only thing that will lower prices is reduced consumption.

I live close to work and drive a relatively fuel-efficient car. I walk whenever it is practical (it's tough with a spine that's wearing out :) )

I still see that at least 1/2 the vehicles on the road are SUVs and light trucks. People are driving 6000 lb Doge Ram 5.7 litre Hemis with nothing in the bed except a few empties.

Another idea that I think is obvious is to give tax credits to companies who switch to a 10 hour, 4 day work week. Or tax credits to encourage telecommuting. That would lop off 20% of our consumption right off the top.

This is a commodity that is just too important to daily life, and any disruption in the supply would wreak economic disaster. Although I am generally against such things, I would be willing to entertain the government getting into the oil exploration/transportation/refining business.

[blues90]

47. It would be a great idea if

You could get most of the US to do it for more than a day . The way people drive here in southern calif I doubt if I could get one person to engage .

I don;t use much gas , I would not use any if I could . However I will not buy on the 15th just to go along with some hope here .

[uppityperson]

48. I'm confused as to your purpose in this topic. Please clarify...

It seems you are asking what we think about not buying gas May 15. Any of us who have replied with less than total support you argue with. Are you seeking to know what we think, or are you seeking to persuade us to do this, or are you seeking to understand more and perhaps do a different boycott of driving less? Please clarify. Thank you.

[bigtree]

50. look. I'm trying to be open-minded

I probably wouldn't have posted this if I wasn't asked. I've seen this argument played out here before. It deserves discussion.

I do plan to participate. From the responses here, I've determined that I probably shouldn't drive at all that day.

This is how I get understanding. By asking questions. (and taking heat)

[uppityperson]

52. Thank you, that was what it seemed like.

Ask a question, get feedback, use it as a way to refine whatever it is about. I have done it also, but wanted to check because sometimes people play this differently. They post something for other purposes. Best of luck and yes, sounds like a good idea to send it off to the person you got this from. Thanks for answering.

[glowing]

49. I've heard a couple of variations on this boycott

1. is to target one company like exxon and not buy from them at all, then that would push them to reduce the price.

2. Only buy $10.00 or $15.00 at a time. You will be prone to drive less because nobody like to stop for gas and you won't be filling up.

3. Don't take a vacation this year, or explore your back yard. Don't travel if you can't help it. They are gearing up for vacation season (automatically goes up 50 cents in June).

Whatever is decided though has to be done as a united front...

By the way this e-mail is hitting all Americans no matter what their political view is.

[bigtree]

53. great ideas

I do think any actions should be part of an overall movement to reduce consumption.

The immediate concern, however, is with the higher prices which are crippling our individual budgets and threatening higher prices for most everything we consume.

[villager]

55. Welcome to DU, Glowing!

I have actually been doing #2 -- makes me consider each trip more; i.e., I'm passing up a medium-range drive tomorrow afternoon, because of the gas/global warming issues....

[murloc]

51. Well sure, but I'll have to buy extra on May 16th

Well not really but you see what I mean.

I fill up less than once a Month, so it doesnt really matter when I buy it, they get my money regardless.

[earth mom]

54. I'm in. Gas went up 20 cents this week and is now $3.48/gal.

Will it be $4, $4.50 or $5 by the 4th of July? :grr:

[GreenInNC]

58. this is useless

we still have to buy gas

[bigtree]

60. are we powerless to influence prices with our buying habits?

other consumer efforts seem to influence the market for other goods

[GreenInNC]

62. one day

One day is not going to make a difference. We will still buy gas the day before or the day after. The oil companies will still get our money. There has to be large scale changes, one day will not do it.

[bigtree]

65. Are all 'one day' protests inconsequential?

I really don't agree

[bullimiami]

59. ill go along but I dont think it makes any sense.

people will still be using the same energy, the same gas. they will just buy it before or after the 15th.
what we need is a gas usage boycott. a no driving day, or a series of them. or a campaign by people to only drive when absolutely necessary.
it would take a sustained boycott to make any difference.

[bigtree]

61. It may serve as a strong demonstration of the number of folks willing to act

with their wallets, if nothing else.

[global1]

63. I've Read All The Comments Here And Am A Little Disappointed.....

in some of the responses. I know that one day doesn't make that much of a difference. I know that people will still buy gas the day before or the day after. I'm sorry that maybe the gas station owner may feel some of the pain. However, if we could muster up enough people to participate in this - for May 15th - even though it may not make a difference to the oil companies - it does make a statement of how pissed off we as consumers are.

Perhaps - it may resonate in the halls of Congress. It may - though I doubt it - send a message to *Co - that we're as mad as hell and ain't gonna take it anymore.

When *Co took office gas was at $1.46/gallon. It's gone up over 100% since then. Only to come down right around election days. They're jerking us around. They're gouging us. They're taking advantage of us.

Again - even though it may not hurt the bottom line of the oil companies - it does make a statement - and because of that I think we should try and get everyone we all collectively know to not buy gas on May 15th.

Dammit - we've got to do something that will make us feel a little better - kind of like a strike back to the corporate establishment and *Co.

Please - support this gas out.

[bigtree]

64. kick for global1

:kick:

[Tatiana]

66. I sort of liked another idea I heard about - boycotting one specific gas company.

I think the company suggested was Shell (which I've been boycotting since I got my first car).

The theory was that the company, suffering the huge loss of profit to other companies (like BP, ExxonMobil, Marathon, etc.) would be forced to lower its prices to get consumers to pump gas there again.

I don't know if this would work or not, but I thought it was an interesting idea and I appreciate the fact that ordinary folks are brainstorming ideas to reduce the rising gas prices. (Now if we could only get folks to get on board with decreasing consumption...)

[global1]

67. Now I Kind Of Like That Idea - Boycotting Only One Oil Company.......

until they had a surplus of gas - they might have to lower their price to move their inventory. If that happened - do you think that could start a price war? We might have to not buy gas for a period of time from one company - 1 or 2 weeks to really make it effective.

[alittlelark]

70. I'm in.

[Vodid]

71. For me, irrelevant...I don't drive.

So I guess that puts me in the "I'm in" category, because I no longer buy gasoline...I ride a bike.

[lfairban]

127. So do I . . .

. . . I ride an electro-assist bike.

[Berry Cool]

72. I cannot believe a legitimate newspaper even wasted space

on a story about an old, discredited urban legend.

"Gas-outs" are a prime example of "slacktivism"--protests by lazy people who don't want to have to exert the hard work and sacrifice required in order to effect REAL change. They think if they stop doing something for a single day, the world's going to realize their pain and everything will be different. And if not, well, at least it will make them "feel good."

Reject feel-good slacktivism. If you want to bring down gas prices, there's only one way to do it: use less gas, and persuade others to do likewise.

Most people don't want to hear that, but it's true.

[Breeze54]

73. It's apparently all over My Space too...

One day won't do jack shit!

[bigtree]

75. It will send a message about the willingness of folks to vote with their pocketbooks

It's a shot across their bow.

It's a protest, not some action which anyone expects will 'hurt' anyone in any significant way, if at all.

[Breeze54]

86. The big oil companies don't care and aren't listening.

But maybe it will wake up the youth on My Space. ;)

[bigtree]

89. I do think it can be a rallying point. My son, who is absorbed in his young life, sent me this

I intend to honor his interest and involvement with my participation.

[bigtree]

74. Would you apply all of that to every protest

or just this one?

I think it's one reaction, one step; not a panacea, by any means. Protests are rallying points for future action. I'm amazed at the folks here who seem to want to squash folks for wanting to make a statement as consumers.

[electron_blue]

76. Not me. This is a waste of time and this email comes around at least once or twice a year.

Boycott for a whole month and it might work.

Having said that, I only buy gas once a month, so I'll likely not buy anything on May 15 anyway.

[bigtree]

77. funny, that's one or two opportunities which were possibly lost

because of this attitude that, unless we do something completely comprehensive, it won't make a difference.

Dose that attitude apply to everything we protest, or just this issue?

[electron_blue]

85. I see your point. But I have seen this email dozens of times before, so yes this is mainly

this issue which seems pointless to me, and ineffective to me. And just to be clear, I can say with most certainty that I have *not* bought gas on any number of the boycott days that have gone on in the last decade (bcs I hardly ever buy gas). I just think our efforts would be more productive is directed elsewhere.

[sandnsea]

78. Why liberals have no power

When the right wants to make a point, they boycott. We never do. Regardless of the cause, this is always the response DU has to boycott. Never mind boycotts have worked in the past, from grapes to tuna, DU either doesn't know or doesn't remember or are protecting their own investments.

[ComerPerro]

79. It is stupid to think that not buying gas on one day will make any difference at all

[bigtree]

81. protests

make no difference at all??

[ComerPerro]

83. This is hardly a protest.

So what, big deal. A one day boycott. The gas is gonna get consumed, it doesn't matter on which day it is purchased. In most cases, people who would have normally bought gas that day will probably either buy extra gas in advance on the Friday or Saturday before, or just wait to buy the gas they would have bought on Sunday on Monday instead.

[Breeze54]

87. convenience stores are typically locked into 5 to 10 year pricing contracts

Most of the gas stations you see, aren't just gas stations, they're convenience stores
that sell branded gas.

"These retailers would rather sell you a cup of coffee and a donut than a gallon of gas,"
says McNaull. "They don't make much profit off of gas."

These convenience stores are typically locked into 5 to 10 year pricing contracts
with big oil companies said John Eichberger, the President of the National Association
of Convenience Stores.

If you find gas is really expensive at one specific retailer it may be the arrangement
the retailer has with its supplier.

So while passing up the candy or cigarette aisle may not impact short-term gas prices, bypassing
those in-store goodies may put pressure on retailers to change their pricing arrangements.

[bigtree]

88. I can't understand the apathy against this effort

It's not intended to cripple the industry, it's intended to register our disgust at the high gas prices and the record profits the industry is enjoying while we struggle to make ends meet.

I don't understand the reasoning that this protest action will be meaningless just because it won't affect the industry's bottom line. It will generate as much of a response as the number who participate. It isn't the end all. It's one protest action amid other actions. It has as much value as the intensity of the efforts of those who choose to participate, as in ANY protest action.

[ComerPerro]

103. yeah, register your disgust one day. But keep buying gas the days after. Good for you

[bigtree]

107. you really think you can define my future actions because I choose to participate in this boycott?

does EVERYTHING look that one-dimensional to you, or is this conjecture just for the purposes of your narrow argument?

[ComerPerro]

114. no wonder you think this will work. You generalize way too much

Imagine it. If no one buys gas on May 15th, the revenues and profits will be $0. If we project it over the rest of the year, that's $0 in reveunes and profits for the rest of 2007!

I'm convinced now!

[Firespirit]

80. These blanket boycotts

never work. It's like Hillary's call to have a nationwide speed limit of 55 mph; it completely disregards people's individual needs by assuming that everyone has the same requirements, and that it wouldn't be a hardship to anyone to make the change in question.

Some people have long commutes, with no public transportation and no carpooling available. They live in rural areas outside of the urban corridors, where the nearest city is 40-50 miles away or more.

The problem is the culture of WORK WORK WORK which requires these people to go to the office every day, without regard for the hardship of commuting, or they lose everything. Employees with really long commutes ought to be offered opportunities to telecommute, which is the green thing to do, but corporate Amerika doesn't see it that way.

The problem is not that individual consumers are willfully wasteful, it's that they MUST drive increasingly obscene commutes in order to stay afloat.

[bigtree]

82. folks who can protest will

those who can't won't

[ComerPerro]

84. The idea that driving at 55mph vs 70mph gives better gas mileage is a myth anyway

[NickB79]

95. You are very mistaken then

Wind resistance doubles when you increase from 50 mph to 70 mph. Increased wind resistance increases fuel consumption. Study after study has confirmed this.

Claiming you can get as good of fuel economy at 70 mph as at 55 mph is just silly and unsupported by facts.

[ComerPerro]

102. Try it sometime. I've done it on many occasions. No real difference. But believe what you want

just try to stay the fuck out of the left lane

[NickB79]

113. LOL, I have tried it multiple times

I have driven my Scion xA 220 miles, all highway, at 70-75 mph with cruise control. Result? 34-35 mpg.

I have driven the exact same route, only slowed down to 55 mph. Result? 43-44 mpg.

I have done this experiment over 10 times in the past two years, and the results are repeatable.

[ComerPerro]

115. I call bullshit on that one. You're full of shit

[NickB79]

117. Call bullshit until your face turns blue for all I care

Google "hypermiling" or read a bit at www.cleanmpg.com. The founder of that website was on NPR last week doing an interview about increasing fuel economy by changing the way you drive. He is pretty extreme in his methods, but has achieved 59 mpg in an unmodified Honda Accord, and well over 100 mpg in a Honda Insight hybrid. Among other things, he drives at 55 mph instead of 75 mph.

[ComerPerro]

118. and once people like you get the speed limit lowered to 55, you will probably

be gullible enough to believe that driving 35 instead of 55 gets you 200mpg.

[warren pease]

90. How about a week, or a month?

That would get the attention of the bastards in the board rooms. One day does nothing whatsoever -- especially since people usually fill up the day before so they can "survive" the boycott day. It's not even really a statement, except the unintended statement tacitly recognizing the sheer futility of boycotting the single most indispensable commodity in the industrialized world.

Until enough people buy electric cars, hybrids or ride bikes, no one-day boycott is going to curl anyone's toes on executive row. They just chuckle about the silly behavior of their captives, getting all righteous and pissy every now and then, but always settling down and sucking up the next giant price hike because they have absolutely no other choice.

Personally, I'll save my efforts for something useful, like tracking an oil company exec to his lair and having a little heart-to-heart chat about corporate responsibility. Should be interesting, at least until he decides to release the hounds.


wp

[bigtree]

91. saving our efforts for something useful . . .

sounds like apathy.

I think these protests always elicit a chuckle from establishment bigots until the folks who rally manage to transfer the efforts into further advocacy or action. I remember the first protest against Bush's intention to invade Iraq . . .

[warren pease]

98. Kinda makes my point...

As you write: "I remember the first protest against Bush's intention to invade Iraq . . ."

And see how well that worked. You can rant and rave until you're close to a stroke and, if the elites don't want to buy what you're selling, you might as well stay home and rent a movie. Which isn't to say mass protests shouldn't happen; I believe they're essential and I've been attending them for the past 37 years. But I think the main purpose they serve is for the individual protesters to see how many people agree with their position. It's incredibly positive to be among a crowd of, say, 20,000, all of whom hate Bush and all he stands for at least as much as I do. But back to the gas thing...

The problem with gas prices can't be solved by a one-day boycott. I doubt even a month-long boycott would help, although it might make the elites break a sweat, which would be satisfying in and of itself.

The problem lies in unregulated, free market capitalism. These oil companies are simply exploiting a system that's rotten at its very foundation. They're in fact acting as any for-profit corporation should act under prevailing US economic conditions.

Many companies have decided to nationalize their oil producing industries because oil is too important a commodity to be left to the whims of the so-called free market. Here, however, that would be viewed as socialism and any advocates would be held up to national scorn and ridicule by the usual opinion shapers. That nationalization is a reasonable thing to do simply isn't discussed in America.

The same argument is made about health care, btw, despite more than 70 percent consistently telling pollsters they want a Canadian-like system. But that wouldn't be a market based solution, so it's labeled unworkable or socialistic or politically unfeasible or some other balderdash that completely avoids having to deal with the actual issue, which is that the US health care system is either impoverishing us or killing us, whichever happens first.

Personally, I like direct action. I like how the Tupamaros of Uruguay used to kidnap execs of certain companies who helped the US plunder Uruguay's resources. I like tree-spiking (ONLY if warnings are posted very visibly so loggers don't get hurt) and other acts of eco-sabotage. I like confronting the devil directly.

I also like organizations like Greenpeace and Nature Conservancy who sometimes manage to get their way peacefully.

But I remain unconvinced that this proposed gas boycott is anything but a circle jerk, especially since many will fill up the day before, thereby giving our oil masters their profits a day early.


wp

on edit: added phrase about posting warnings re tree spiking

[bigtree]

100. I hear your points, all valid, except . . .

the notion that the protests are mainly feel good exercises. They can have an impact beyond the participants if they are significant, from other citizens, to industry and business, to our legislators who need our votes.

[Edweird]

92. May 16th will have record sales. You want change? Buy a bike. n/t

[bigtree]

94. why can't I do both?

since when is activism defined by single actions? This is a protest against the high prices, not necessarily in sync with conservation efforts.

[Edweird]

97. Boycotting gas for one day does nothing. It merely postpones the inevitable.

The only way to try is to reduce consumption, and even that is no guarantee. Here in Florida, we are in a drought. There are mandatory water restrictions in place. What will this do for our water bills? Not much, because they are going to raise rates to compensate for lost revenue. I expect the same from big oil. As soon as we reduce consumption rates will increase. Just my .02.

[bigtree]

99. why do you assume beforehand that a protest "will do nothing?"

Even if the industry ignores the protest it could rally the participants and onlookers to greater action. That's why we organize protests in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

[Edweird]

101. Because I'm pretty sure it will do nothing. People need gas.

If they don't buy it Tuesday, they HAVE to buy it Wednesday. So whatever clerk is working on Tuesday gets a slightly less stressful day. Good for him/her. As a whole, nothing changes. Doesn't hurt to try tho'.

[bigtree]

109. I really don't think the goal is to cripple anyone

It's a way to give visibility to our concerns about higher prices and record profits for the oil industry.

[AZBlue]

93. People will just buy it on the 14th or 16th. It won't hurt anyone.

We need to decrease our consumption premanently, not just for one day.

[bigtree]

96. It isn't necessarily geared toward 'hurting anyone'

if a huge amount of folks participate it will send a message and possibly motivate others to act against the higher prices. For instance, our legislators may well take notice and press forward with efforts to reign in companies with record profits that don't reinvest to ease the burdens of production they claim are keeping prices high. We can't legislate, but we can protest to demonstrate our resolve and unity.

[AZBlue]

104. This is an old internet "wives tale" from years ago that's been recycled - I'm shocked that press

has jumped in on it without investigating it. Legislators won't notice because it won't make a difference to anyone. No one will notice. Only a regular decrease in consumption will have any effect.

I'm all for bringing big oil to its knees but unfortunately this won't do it. All it will do is get people riled up, make them think they are having an effect, and then when nothing changes and it goes unnoticed, they will get fed up and the next time something comes along that could actually make a change they will be jaded and refuse to participate. It's counterproductive.

For more info on why it won't work and its history, go to: http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/nogas.asp

[bigtree]

111. I love it when folks try and convince that activism won't work

It will be whatever it will be. In or out? That's basically the question here. I'm really surprised at the number of folks who want to dissuade others from participating because, it's an "old" idea which has "been around."

[uppityperson]

105. You know what might work better? To phrase this a different way.

Rather than asking what we think, if we are in, then scolding us when we respond with less than sterling enthusiasm, how about you rephrase it somehow. Perhaps post another topic asking for suggestions for a protest, or offering suggestions for a protest like "don't drive"? I see person after person responding and you replying with scolding words and "but why?". It seems you do know really want to know how we feel to find out how we feel, and why, but you want to find out how we feel so you can manipulate us into doing what you want us to do.

Just a suggestion.

[bigtree]

110. this is a discussion board and this is a discussion

Instead of popping in every now and then and scolding me for my responses, how about just letting me speak for myself and let it go at that.

[uppityperson]

112. I make a suggestion and you call it scolding?

This is a discussion board and I thought everyone could discuss things. Unless you don't want a discussion?:shrug:
Or is that only you can repeat yourself but other posters can not?

[GoneOffShore]

106. Basic Silliness

This has been running around the 'net since the late 90's.

Unless we make a conscious decision to actually STOP consuming gas by taking public transport or bicycling or walking to work this "one day boycott" isn't going to make a dimes worth of difference. I buy gas once every two weeks, because I use my car on weekends mostly or for food shopping.

Until we get over our addiction to cars we're going to be slaves to the oil companies and the car companies.

[bigtree]

108. of course we need comprehensive solutions

which shouldn't stand in the way of registering our objections to high prices and record profits with this boycott.

In my view, this action can be as successful as the number of folks who decide to participate. It won't solve anything by itself - no one protest can - but it doesn't have to be as meaningless as the folks who choose not to participate are trying to convince.

[Marie26]

125. "Take a Bus Day!"

Have people tried something like this before? The "don't buy gas" thing is just a silly way to feel virtuous while not making any sacrifice at all.

[Left Is Write]

119. People have been suggesting this annually for years. It hasn't worked, and it won't work.

[bigtree]

120. where have I heard that before?

[Left Is Write]

121. I don't know. Where have I heard the "gas out" suggestion before?

[bigtree]

126. is this the ONLY instance where a boycott has been repeatedly suggested?

[NoPasaran]

122. I try to find more creative ways to waste my time

Count me out.

[Hangingon]

123. Sorry, it doesn't make sense

I am going to have to buy gas. Not buying in on a specific day won't have any impact.

[Marie26]

124. How does this save any money at all?

If people aren't changing their driving habits, they'll still buy just as much gas - they'll just do it on May 16th instead. It makes a lot more sense to have a day when people agree not to drive. That would actually save gas, & save money.

[Zavulon]

128. Where I buy gas, I usually have to wait in line. As such,

I will fill up both my tanks on the 15th.

This "no gas day" is a nice idea in theory, but utterly worthless in practice. Redstone has been right about this all along. Since I don't plan on driving less, I won't waste my time with this silliness, well-intentioned though it may be.