Home > Jay Bookman > Archives > 2008 > June > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.US‘Cause the times, they are a changin’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
At first, the evidence was purely anecdotal: Daily commuters reporting that traffic seemed lighter than it should be this time of year; my local MARTA parking lot full of more pickup trucks and SUVs than usual; friends from other parts of the country reporting that the highways were less packed than usual.
Then the statistical evidence began to trickle in, backing up eyewitness accounts. The Federal Highway Administration reported that Americans drove 11 billion miles less in March than the previous March, a 4.3 percent decline. Drilling a little deeper into that data, the decline of vehicular travel was even more dramatic here in Georgia, falling 5.8 percent in March.
Looking a little deeper still, travel on rural roads in Georgia fell by 6.5 percent over the previous March, confirming the analysis that rural parts of the state — where distances are longer, alternatives fewer and paychecks slimmer — are being hit hardest by the gasoline crunch.
And now, the state Dep’t of Revenue reports Monday that Georgians bought 175 million fewer gallons of gas this fiscal year than they did last year, a number that will surely rise significantly in the new fiscal year. I bet that’s the first time in modern history that has happened.
These are the short-term effects. The longer term effects on how and where we live, work, play and do business will be significant and at this point unpredictable. If shoppers start to constrict the distance that they’re willing to travel, for example, it could lead to the return of smaller, community-based retailers and the relative decline of big-box stores.
Anybody else have predictions or possibilities on the type of cultural and societal-level changes something like this could produce?
Services »
Comments
By Slick
June 10, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Jay,
We are seeing Economics 101 at work when we see less driving as the cost of gasoline increases. It is a display of the elasticity of the damand curve for gasoline relative to the supply.
Society will make adjustments in the long run unless governments get too involved and screws it up as they so often do.
Speculating on what adjustments will occur and what changes society must make in response to them is a very interesting mental gymnastic.
By Taxpayer
June 10, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
Dear Mr. Bookman,
Don’t you go messin’ with my Wal-Mart. Them’s fightin’ words. There’s just no way a locally owned small store will be able to offer $4 prescriptions and other such things this New America will need to survive the yet-to-be-labeled Republican War-Monger Era. Besides, I figure I’m gonna need that job as a greeter in a few more years to help pay for healthcare…and taxes…and gas…and food…and wars. After all, there’s not much demand for us retired engineers what with all those cost-effective alternatives over in India and other impoverished countries. How do they manage to educate so many people and teach them broken English so well? (Just kidding, I think their English is just fine.) About the only thing left for most American Corporations to do is find themselves some cost-effective CEOs. Now, why didn’t they think of that? (Just kidding again. I already know the answer to that one.)
By Abomi Nation
June 10, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
Just wait. You think energy prices are bad now, wait until this winter. People will literally be feeling the effects. As in cold.
Natural gas prices are soaring to record levels at a time they are normally falling. Our storage facilities are now being stocked with winter priced natural gas. The lowest price for natural gas I’ve seen posted for June is $1.48 per therm, fifty cents higher than last June. What happens if it goes to $2 a therm this winter?
How many families are not going to be able to afford heating their houses? Talk about lifestyle changes. At these prices this isn’t something that can be solved by wearing a sweater for many households.
What do we do? Will it be cheaper to convert to electric? Or do we just start buying coal to heat with and accept our status as an emerging third world country?
By Taxpayer
June 10, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
I have acreage…and wood…and a chainsaw…and matches. I’ve got a cheap source of heat. Oh NO! I’m out of gas for the chainsaw. Wait a minute. Maybe it’ll run on alcohol. I’ll just cut up some wood and fire up the still. Oh NO! I’m out of gas for the chainsaw. This is gettin’ too confusing and besides it’s not even cold outside yet. I’m goin’ back indoors where it’s cooler. I’m sure glad my air conditioner doesn’t run on chopped wood. Otherwise, I’d be in trouble.
By MoreTrainsPlease
June 10, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
What are all the bubba boys in state leadership positions gon’ do, when the gas tax dries up and they can’t fund all their favorite boondoggle road construction projects all across the state? Borrow and spend more, I guess.
Sad times, sad times. I’m glad I can take MARTA to work!
By asdlfksd
June 10, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately, MARTA has terrible service, especially the buses. I can’t ride MARTA because of the blacks and because the bus is often so late that I can’t rely on it.
By yankee
June 10, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Raise taxes, that fixes everything.
By John Doxey
June 10, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
We’ll eat food grown closer to home. But before we get to that, unfortunately there is going to be a fair degree of economic meltdown. The transition from where we are to a new state is going to be be more than a little painful.
By Thinker
June 10, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
Jay, I think you’re right about short-term affects. The best way to deal with our current situation is to cut back and gain as much efficiency as possible from our transportation/city model. For longer term, I think the individual benefit of having a car will push people to find alternative means to fuel them. In the end, I think the transportation system will be more balanced between transit/bike/walk and “green” cars. Just a guess though…
By Sally
June 10, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
You can’t ride Marta because of blacks? What a racist! Go on and pay high gas prices - you get what you deserve.
(P.S. I’m white)
By butch
June 10, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
sadly for sally that MAN spoke the truth about MARTA
By Crafty
June 10, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
Sally, He didn’t say he hates blacks. He said he can’t ride because of them. Maybe he had some bad experiences with blacks. Doesn’t make him racist.
Yankee, Raise taxes? Yeah, that will work. Isn’t unemployment the highest in the north? NY, NJ and Michigan all have high taxes and high job losses. But then again, yankees never really solved any problems. You guys just create them.
By newkid
June 10, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
Smaller homes located closer to employment centers and public transport corridors, declining rate of sprawl, more rapid introduction of cost-effective solar and geothermal heating and cooling systems in detached housing, rapid increase in the number of scooters and motorcycles on our roadways, more petty thief of petrol, quickening of the pace of development of the beltline, fewer divorces (getting tough out there), more personal bankruptcies, …
By Bosch
June 10, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
“If shoppers start to constrict the distance that they’re willing to travel, for example, it could lead to the return of smaller, community-based retailers and the relative decline of big-box stores.”
I’m all for that! Bring it on.
I predict we look more like European communities - again, I’m all for that.
By jc
June 10, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
Wow… once again asdlfksd confirms why I can’t stand the comments sections on ajc. It just gives the worst of the worst in Atlanta an easy way to get their hate out. Oh and crafty I’m sure his “bad” experience justifies his hatred for an entire race of people.
By Girly
June 10, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
Marta just does not go anywhere! Why can’t we get a decent rail system in this town?
Okay, really, I know the answer, I am a Native, but can’t we get past it?
By Crafty
June 10, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
jc, Then leave. Please.
By yankee
June 10, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
Crafty, lose your sense of humor? Or just hate everyone not like you?
By Octane
June 10, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
Prediction? Yeah, I gotta prediction: ‘Tane
By Cactus
June 10, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
Don’t worry a bit, the Dems will raise your taxes disguised as tax on corp., big oil for one. Guess who will pay those taxes, you bubba.
By I go Yugo
June 10, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
Bring on the electric cars!
By asdlfksd
June 10, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
My apologies if I offended anybody. But I know black people who won’t ride MARTA because of the blacks and the terrible service.
By DaveD
June 10, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
right Cactus… let’s go back to “trickle down” economics…as they work so very well. the rich do NOT share the “tax breaks” THEY in fact get. The profits go to the other wealthy share holders and executives. yet… the middle class moec down the ladder…and the poor…well they just stay poor, and afford even less…
Think this “tax break” for the oil companies has been working? If so..explain how EVERTYHING in our current economy sucks….
let’s go back to Clinton/Gore economics….the largest economic expansion in the history of the USA.
Don’t believe me? (show me your numbers when done)….
Read:
* November 3, 2000 The Clinton-Gore Economic Record: The Longest Expansion In History And Over 22.4 Million New Jobs Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Released a New Employment Report Showing that Over 22.4 Million Jobs Have Been Created Since January 1993. In 1992, when Bill Clinton was elected President, the American economy was barely creating jobs, wages were stagnant, and the unemployment rate was 7.5 percent. President Clinton’s bold, three-part economic strategy has focused on three objectives: fiscal discipline, investing in education, health care, science and technology; and opening foreign markets. This strategy has helped create over 22.4 million jobs and contributed to the longest economic expansion in U.S. history.
22.4 Million New Jobs Created Under the Clinton-Gore Administration. Since January 1993, the economy has added 22.4 million new jobs. That’s the most jobs ever created under a single Administration — and more new jobs than Presidents Reagan and Bush created during their three terms. Under President Clinton, the economy has added an average of 240,000 jobs per month, the highest of any President on record. This compares to 52,000 per month under President Bush and 167,000 per month under President Reagan.
92 Percent — 20.6 Million — of the New Jobs Have Been Created in the Private Sector. Since President Clinton and Vice President Gore took office, the private sector of the economy has added 20.6 million new jobs. That is 92 percent of the 22.4 million new jobs — the highest percentage since Harry S. Truman was President and presiding over the post-World War II demobilization.
The Unemployment Rate Was 3.9 Percent in October — Nearly the Lowest in Three Decades. The unemployment rate stayed low at 3.9 percent in October — nearly the lowest in three decades. The unemployment rate has fallen for seven years in a row. It has remained below 5 percent for 40 months in a row. For women the unemployment rate was 3.9 percent — nearly the lowest since 1953.*
By Matt
June 10, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
A word about locally grown food: it saves very little energy in saving on transportation from farm to market. About only 4% of the carbon footprint of food from, say, Kroger comes from transportation to the store. Much more energy usage actually comes from the customer driving to and from the store. Food transportation on tankers and trains are extremely energy-efficient.
I also doubt we’ll ever go back to mom-and-pop shops. Bigger retailers will simply more, smaller stores because of how much more efficient they are. Japan has tons of protections on small shops and it’s reflected in the cost of living there.
By GOPs got to go
June 10, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
Where is the blog about the Phase II report on the Iraq War intelligence and the misleading of the American public by these dogs in the White House?
By GOPs got to go
June 10, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
Crafty, Joe, and the rest of you GOP’s, FOX NEWS ALERT Most bigoted, sexist, and illiterate men actually consider themselves to be rather main stream. They just don’t get why a reverence to a woman’s backside just might show their ignorance and sexism. Next FOX NEWS ALERT** They never will either. As to the comment on an Ivy league education not necessarily meaning you are intelligent, well The Shrub shows you may be right on that point.
By Matt
June 10, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
I find your comment interesting DaveD, especially considering that government was smaller and there was less regulation in the 1990’s than this decade. The big legislation of the 1990’s was welfare reform and capital gains tax cuts. The tax increase was relatively minor and spending decreased substantially.
You also have to give part of the credit to an overvalued stock market, just like the previous expansion was somewhat due to an overvalued housing market.
By GOPs got to go
June 10, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this
Maybe you should leave your white hood at home on the days you use Marta and the “Blacks” might leave you alone in your pathetic little world. Your an embarrassment to MY Caucasian DNA.
By DaveD
June 10, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this
Matt, our dollar was also worth more…WAY more, oil was $27 a barrel when Clinton handed over the keys to Bubble Boy and Dr. Evil..and we kept adding jobs every single month of his administration. Not one single month was there a net job loss. Biggest thing? we went from a record deficit handed to Clinton…to a surplus handed to Bubble boy…back to the largest deficit know to man kind…. one that is actually so scary (when thought of in real dollars)…that it may take generations to fix.
Bubble Boy has acted like he is still in college with Daddy’s credit card…spend, spend, spend… it’s free money right?
BB: “You mean these dollars actually have to be paind back?!”
Over inflated stock market? hell yes… but the economy does not come even CLOSE to what we are going through right now since the real estate market turned downward… every single thing this administration has done with regards to our economy…has been WRONG…
wrong economic policy, wrong environmental policy, and worst of all….wrong world wide empire policy.
This empire was already about to die…maybe in another 20 years…they just sped it up…so that they’ve for all purposes, ended the empire at this point.
Our own GDP growth is around 3%, while China, India, and Russia all have GDP growth of nearly 7%…more than double our own…and nothing is slowing them down…
By Miser
June 10, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
$5 a gallon gasoline will bring more use of public transportation and car pools. It will reduce demand for vacation property such as beach and mountain homes and drop lakefront cost where it is used for week-ends. Much of our travel is not necessary and more of it will end. The minorities will lay claim to the belief they have been hurt more than anyone else and the government should help them recover.
By Charles
June 10, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Who would want to ride MARTA and be exposed to the loonies that are allowed on there? Oh wait, she’s just another crazy Liberal! LOL!
By AL
June 10, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
Been voting DEMO for sixty years and I’m still poor and can’t afford some gas. Can’t wait until the new guy raises the taxes to help people like me. We deserve our FAIR SHARE!
By Joe
June 10, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
It seems to me that when the dems took over Congress in 06’ we’ve been going downhill evry since. Gas prices have doubled and nothing has been done except investigation after investigation on Bush administration officials. Thats not going to make the price of gas go down….
By Eric
June 10, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
Thanks to the increased fuel prices, now is the time for a FOUR DAY WORK WEEK! This will reduce both costly commuting and emissions.
By Mike In Woodstock
June 10, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
The Bush legacy will be $5 gas (Yes it will be $5 when he leaves office). Once President Obama reigns in the speculators it will drop back down to a bargain price of $3.35/gallon which will spur a frenzy of economic activity which will carry him well into the 2012 election where he will easily win reelection after trouncing Jeb.
By Not unexpected
June 10, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
As other posters have noted, not a problem. As soon as Obama is elected his “robin hood” politics will kick into place and the generational sense of entitlement way of life for certain segments of our society will continue to perpetuate and grow (in almost all cases in an unwed mother’s households).
But hey, the goverment is responsible for the care and feeding of it’s population. Self responsibility and accountability is not part of their mindset….
By Barack Hussein Obama
June 11, 2008 1:00 AM | Link to this
President Barack Hussein Obama:
http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/video.aspx?RsrcID=2036
By Count Schemula
June 11, 2008 1:43 AM | Link to this
“Society will make adjustments in the long run unless governments get too involved and screws it up as they so often do.”
I’d argue that the government NOT getting involved got us into this mess. Oil has always had the capacity to put us over a barrel so to speak and the government created exploitable tax loophooles, as well as CAFE standards and safety loopholes that actually ENCOURAGED people to buy 6000+ pound trucks and drive them around like cars.
By GOPs got to go
June 11, 2008 6:35 AM | Link to this
This is so simple, Stop basing the economy on an un-renewable commodity and then letting betters speculate whether it will rise in price or not.
By joe
June 11, 2008 6:48 AM | Link to this
Maybe our belt-tightening will have a long-term affect on male-female relationships. Women will once and for all give up the feeling of entitlement and understand that “things” don’t make the world go around. Me bitter? Nah. Realist? Probably not that either.
By Bill
June 11, 2008 6:50 AM | Link to this
All of backwards a* rednecks love to complain about MARTA. Those who complain have probably never been out of the Southeast; flown on a plane; or been in any other large city with subway/rail service. It is PUBLIC tranportation. To ride it, you actually have to co-mingle with the public whether those people are black, white, hispanic, eurpoean, etc. Grow up and open your mind. Or better yet, take your ignorant butt on a trip and compare public transportation in other cities. MARTA is a great service and we would have many more stops, stations, and routes if the counntry a* redneck REPUBLICAN legislatures would help fund Marta.
By Taxpayer
June 11, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this
I predict a specialized form of train and bus will prevail in Georgia if gas prices stay high for long enough. The new specialized buses will be an accordion design with flexible quick release couplings for easy attachment and detachment of an individual’s automobile, pickup, or SUV. The logistics are little tough because the last vehicle attached needs to be the first to detach but I’m sure the DOT will be able to find a solution to this minor issue.
The new train design is a little more complicated due to the need to restrict service to and from certain areas while simultaneously providing said service to these same areas and providing complete privacy to each passenger during their “door-to-door” ride — with free snack and movie. Again, I feel the DOT will be able to address the issue satisfactorily if given enough time and money. After all, why hire a PhD if you are not going to give her something more challenging than figuring out where to lay down the next layer of asphalt. By the way, there’s no pressure here to perform. Take your time. You’ve got until the legislature meets again to come up with something, Ms. Abraham.
By WFC
June 11, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this
The transit systems in DC, NYC and London actually go places that people want to go to. With the exceptions of the airport and Ga. State, MARTA does not.
By Road Scholar
June 11, 2008 7:40 AM | Link to this
Matt: Interesting comment that when Clinton was Prez, the government was smaller. Isn’t the mantra of repubs call for small government? I guess putting all those Neocons on the payroll (Godd job, Brownie!) did away with that criteria.
What is more interesting is the supposition that all people, esp big business are good, and follow the rules. Any legislation, which places requirements on people/businesses must have quality control to ensure effecive and equal enforcement of those rules. Businesses such as the ones reconstructing Iraq, providing security,investment ventures, etc. must have a watchdog to ensure compliance. This is a huge oversight of the Bush Admin.
Joe: Since the Dems have taken over , Bush has vetoed every piece of Dem legislation which the Repubs did not sponsor/back. The Dems have not been able to override the vetoes. Maybe that is why the economy continues to slide?
By Richard
June 11, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
Marta has been a whipping boy since I first rode in in 1979 while working at thaAJC in downtown Atlanta when I was 21. It cost a QUARTER one way! It gets no state funding help. Over the years rates rose to reflect demand and increased costs. .50 .75 1.00 1.25 1.50 1.75 2.00. Ridership increased during periods of higher prices and unemployment. Marta was one of the key components of our successful Olympics in 1996. My family & I rode it everywhere. I commuted for 11 years to Downtown Atlanta from Roswell,Peachtree City to Georgia Pacifice and then even to Norcross sometimes taking my bike and riding to the corporate office where I worked at during the 2 years at Rock Tenn. I regretted having to commute to the Eastside from Peachtree City as no Marta. Driving 51 miles one way was non sustainable and so moved to Eastside and got laid off. I have been consulting, doing interim teaching and investing in cabin rental and my wife and I started our own business www.silks2gems.com. i have also published several books the most recent the Terror Trail www.Trafford.com We drive minimal now but like all metro Atlantans we are very cognizant of the every increasing cost of gas. One final word to defend MARTA. I never had any problems. I am a white male, 205 pounds and now 51 YO. once late at night a mentally ill man (by his speech and actions) tried to bother 2 young white people. I stood up and told him to leave them alone he tried to lash at me and another patron a black lady pressed alarm buzzer. That was it and guy shut up. I do worry now about recent law passed allowing guns on transit systems. Could have a dep impact on ridership. Marta also announced cutting 183 jobs 6/10 I hope for Metro Atlanta we keep it as a viable transportation source!
Richard Thompson
By Planner
June 11, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this
Can we please put to rest the excuse that so many people don’t use MARTA because it “doesn’t go anywhere”? Admittedly, the rail system should be much more extensive and extend into Cobb, Gwinnett and Clayton Counties at a minimum. But to claim that Perimeter Center, Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown, Decatur, the Airport and numerous other smaller activity centers don’t count as “anywhere” is ridiculous.
When people complain that MARTA doesn’t go anywhere, what they likely mean is “given where I currently live, work and do my shopping, MARTA is not available as an option.” But the simple truth is that MARTA cannot provide front door service to every office building, every neighborhood and every shopping center throughout the region. So it’s never going to provide the same degree of convenience as a car for the vast majority of trips currently being made. And there’s absolutely no chance we could ever build a transit system that goes everywhere that anybody wants to go at anytime of the day at a speed equivalent to a car. Even the great transit systems in New York, London, Paris and other cities can’t meet that standard.
The question which needs to be asked by every person struggling with high gas prices is “could MARTA serve some of my trips if I were willing and able to change where I work, where I live, and/or where I shop?” If you live within the City of Atlanta, Fulton County or DeKalb County, the answer is very likely to be “yes”. Another question each of us should be asking ourselves is “am I willing to sacrifice a bit of personal comfort or time to make the switch from my car to public transportation?” Because that’s the reality of buses and trains…it’s usually going to take you longer to get many places (not always the case, but generally) and you’re going to have to occasionally contend with being around strangers who you may find disagreeable.
If you answer “no” to both of the questions above, then you should probably get used to paying high gas prices and quit complaining. There are options out there (yes, they could be better, no doubt about that) to avoid feeling like you’ve been mugged everytime you visit a gas station. But those options come with a price - some change in your personal lifestyle. There’s no silver bullet to this country’s transportation and energy dilemma, and if you’re not willing to step up and be part of the solution, then you’re simply part of the problem.
By kirsttyn05
June 11, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
The comment that was made about not riding marta because of blacks is crazy,people are trying to save money. However, I wish marta had a bus line for people who knew how to act, not snatch your person or get all in face and scare you to death.Otherwise more people will be ride. it’s not fair for this people to ride stare you up & down they are going no way important just hanging out on the bus. GET OFF!!! I got a JOB— gas is high and I want to save money to! oh, marta is not in my area
By The Hon. Shirley Franklin
June 11, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
finally, high gas prices force the behaviors our leaders could not
By DB COOPER
June 11, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
If you don’t want socialism you are a Redneck. If you don’t want to live in a world where the government is your daddy or husband your a racist. If you don’t support a tax and spend liberal your racist and a redneck. If you don’t want in your safe small town your a Redneck , racist and backward. But if you support Obama your somehow enlightened or intelligent. What a load of crap. More victim mentality. Get some new material.
By DB COOPER
June 11, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
If you don’t want socialism you are a Redneck. If you don’t want to live in a world where the government is your daddy or husband your a racist. If you don’t support a tax and spend liberal your racist and a redneck. If you don’t want in your safe small town your a Redneck , racist and backward. But if you support Obama your somehow enlightened or intelligent. What a load of crap. More victim mentality. Get some new material.
By DB COOPER
June 11, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
If you don’t want socialism you are a Redneck. If you don’t want to live in a world where the government is your daddy or husband your a racist. If you don’t support a tax and spend liberal your racist and a redneck. If you don’t want Marta in your safe small town your a Redneck , racist and backward. But if you support Obama your somehow enlightened or intelligent. What a load of crap. More victim mentality. Get some new material.
By laurenjade
June 11, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
People let’s come together, why is marta a black thing, not goog enough for some of you white folks, excuse me please some of your hard looking crazy, stinky people ride marta, you all might not ride but your kind do which represent us!!!!!
By Qwerty
June 11, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Wouldn’t it be nice of more employers would encourage telecommuting, at least one day a week? It’s simple for many jobs, and it works.
As for MARTA, the fact is.. cheap gas and expanding roadways have been a huge disincentive to lay more track. It may be time to revisit that philosophy.
Personally, i’d use MARTA more often if it was closer to my home in Gwinnett. The METRO system in DC is great and actually goes to the outer suburbs. And amazingly.. full of people that just want to go to work and back without sitting in traffic.
By jhavard
June 11, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
We’ve gone from records to Ipods in my life time. We’ve gone from party lines to Blackberries in my life time. Modern technology has made everything in our life more efficient with the exception of the production auto mobile engine. We can set emission standards but not mileage standards, go figure. The technology is there. The auto industry, and oil lobby, along with our elected won’t allow it to reach us. That would derail their money train. What a sham, what a rape of the people.
By Ms. Tucker If Ur Nasty
June 11, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
Crafty, stop making excuses for rank racists. I’m black and I’m calling anyone out who makes nonsensical comments like you can’t ride MARTA because of the blacks, do you all think blacks want to eat you or something? My dad had a saying for those kinds of people, “Half Raised, and Pulled Green”.
By jhavard
June 11, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
I truly feel the next big government entitlement will be gov. gas cards. Why not? Govt. housing, groceries, debit cards, health care, utility allowance. Get the picture? It fits. We just have to get a liberal enough leader to see it implemented. WOW look whats coming down the road.
By Frederick Douglass
June 11, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
To D.B. Cooper, you’d be dangerous if you only had a brain. By the way, what are you, about seven? I guess the written word isn’t your strong suit, but its YOU’RE, and not YOUR genius. A GED just doesn’t cut it anymore Home Slice.
By Aloysious2
June 12, 2008 1:30 AM | Link to this
From The Specious Report, here’s another consequence of higher gas prices…
Plummeting Truck and SUV Ownership Linked to Lower Testosterone Levels
Plano, TX | Randall “Buck” McNamara thought the nightmare of his trading in his Ford F-250 Super Duty XL, with a b***’ 6.4L Power Stroke diesel V8 engine, due to rising gas prices, was bad enough.
“First the little lady made me trade in my tricked-out, gi-normous pick-up for a tiny Toyota Camry. That very same night, I… uhh… kinda had a little trouble with the old mojo, if you know what I mean.”
A doctor’s visit confirmed his suspicions.
“That doctor of mine explained it to me. My dang, whatchamacallit, ‘ly-beed-o’ don’t work up to expectations… and I blame that tiny piece-a-crap car. I mean, dang, I drive a car now. A car? What self-repectin’ heterosexual man drives a car - unless he’s Dale Jr.?”
McNamara’s plight is being replicated throughout a panicked heartland as millions of frustrated male truck and SUV owners replace their beloved behemoths for more frugal transportation.
Dr. Buford Sangretti, Associate Professor of American Sexual Demography at Ball State University, suggests a fundamental societal change is underway.
“Male virility is indeed dependent on the sheer dimension of one’s chosen mode of transport. A tragic side effect of rising gas prices and the downsizing of vehicles will be, essentially, the emasculation of the American male.”
The now luck-less and truck-less Buck McNamara, overcome with emotion, put it more bluntly, sobbing, “Without my F-250, I’m… I’m… no longer built ‘Ford tough’!”
— Woody Latham