Home > Jay Bookman > Archives > 2008 > September > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThe solution to our gas shortage
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An emailer — call him JW from Roswell — sent this proposal to me for addressing the rolling gasoline shortage, and damned if it doesn’t sound like an intelligent solution:
“I am old enough to have gone through the national gas shortage in the 1970s, and the cause of the shortage then is the same as now: drivers topping off their tanks.
In essence, our gasoline inventory is in millions of individual gas tanks instead of in gas stations. Gas stations attempted to solve the problem then in the same way some are doing now, by setting a maximum gallon limit per purchase. While that seems to make sense, it is exactly the opposite of what needs to be done.
Setting a maximum encourages people to top off; setting a MINIMUM (of eight gallons, say), means that the driver must pay for the minimum whether he or she pumps that much or not, therefore making topping off very expensive.”
Like I said, sounds good to me.
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Comments
By AJC/DNC Management
September 23, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
Why don’t you just go to the Quicktrip?
Hell, they haven’t run out yet, all three grades slap full.
Don’t you libs know anything?
Always conserve this conserve that, blah, blah, blah.
By AJC/DNC Management
September 23, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
Racetrac is the same way. See, these mega corporations are a blessing, if you have enough sense to take advantage of them.
I saw all the madness at the Mom and Pop Shell station, pulled in there to get a snack, they were at least 3 deep at each pump and inside the store it was utter bedlam. One dude said he wasn’t leaving until he got his seventeen cents and some lady was on the verge of tears cause her credit card wouldn’t work. And of course a ten gallon limit.
I told credit card lady that a block and half to the right she could get all the gas she ever wanted. She nearly killed 3 people smoking the tires out of the parking lot.
It’s no wonder liberalism stands a chance.
By RW-(the original)
September 23, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this
Jay,
That plan makes much more sense than rationing, but I can just hear the howls of “price gouging” the minute you tried to bill somebody that needed a full tank to get home, it was three in the morning and the traveler needed four more gallons to top off and be able to make it home on desolate roads the rest of the way.
I can just see the brand spanking new government Department of Gasoline Allocations where you could go stand in line for hours to get your gallons waivers.
By Bud Wiser
September 23, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
The Democrats finally were able to see the (election) handwriting on the wall, and plan to let the 25 year off shore drilling ban expire next week. Not that it will bring gas to the pumps tonight.
Saxby Chambliss and his Gang of Ten morons in the Senate have come out of this looking like the fools that they are. Their so-called ‘compromise’ to allow drilling, but not inside 50 miles, and only if the adjacent states agreed to development, was a total cave-in to the Dems, and now their cave walls have collapsed. Best expert estimates were anyway that @88% of our known reserves were inside the 50 mile zone to begin with, so his Gang’s compromise was as hollow as his head.
Meanwhile, I drove to every gas station in my little town tonight, and only one was open (Shell, wouldn’t you know) and the lines were 30 cars deep, so I came home. Think I’ll water the yard tomorrow; wait, can’t do that either. Guess I’ll read a book.
By Bud Wiser
September 23, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
I have to drive to Memphis Friday.
I might be in trouble….not there, but getting out of Atlanta.
My youngest daughter just got back from Minneapolis and said that not only do they apparently have no gas lines there, but that gas sells for $3.59.
By Bud Wiser
September 23, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
BTW, that emailer idea of a minimum purchase sounds right on. I’ve got 3 vehicles in my garage right now with not 10 gallons of gas between them all.
And yes, I remember the 70’s gas lines also. I was in the military stationed in Sacramento, and it was quite a sight there.
it’s ugly.
By AJC/DNC Management
September 23, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
So Hair Plugs hasn’t attacked his own kkkampaign in over three hours, what, did y’all give him his bowl of oatmeal and put him to bed?
By getalife
September 23, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
Lets socialize oil so we pay 10 cents a gallon.
The door is open but might closed soon:
The FBI is investigating all the bailout companies for fraud.
Now, the politics of this bailout is interesting.
They will have to vote to bailout companies under investigation for fraud.
They all should vote no and they should call for all of their resignations like Senator Bunning.
Contacting your reps is working.
Tell them hell no bailing out criminals.
Call a bail bondsman.
By AJC/DNC Management
September 23, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
al-Gitmo: I got your investigation, right here:
President Bush, reviled and criticized by Democrats, tried no fewer than 17 times to raise the issue of Fannie-Freddie reform. A bill cleared the Senate Banking panel in 2005, but stalled due to implacable opposition from Democrats and a critical core of GOP abettors. Rep. Barney Frank, who now runs the powerful House Financial Services Committee, helped spearhead that fight.
Now, with the taxpayer tab approaching $1 trillion or more, we’re learning the costs of crony capitalism.
In the coming days, an IBD series will look into this phenomenon in greater detail — how we got here, who’s responsible, and why nothing was done.
This is going to break bad on the pinkkko nation and all they had to do to make it go away was vote yes.
Karma.
By getalife
September 23, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
I welcome all investigations but will they pull a w and refuse to testify?
The lobbyists are in frenzy on this bailout.
Let all heads roll, ban lobbyists, fix the broken government.
Now is the time.
By getalife
September 23, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
Looks like Bunning is the man on this.
Not only is it unAmerican, socialism but now it is criminal.
You agree Andy?
By NRB
September 23, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
Actually Jay, we have gas, it’s just that due to stupid EPA regulations we cant get it because it doesn’t meet the smog requirements. Georgia requirements on gasoline formulation are extremely strict due to liberals propagating the global warming scam.
In true liberal fashion, the solution to government regulation screwing things up in the first place, is of course MORE government regulation? Please look up the definition of insanity as according to Albert Einstein.
And what of the poor people you’re always whining about that probably cant even afford to put 8 gallons of gas in their cars at one time? I assume you’d probably demand that the government set up taxpayer funded “gas tickets” for people to poor to afford 8 gallons of gas at one time…and round and round we would go…regulate, tax, regulate, tax, regulate, tax infinity.
By JAY BOOKMAN
September 23, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
Actually NRB, the reformulated gasoline required in Atlanta has absolutely nothiing to do with global warming. It has to do with breathing. It doesn’t take an Einstein to know that.
Personally, I find breathing very important.
By AJC/DNC Management
September 23, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
By getalife September 23, 2008 8:17 PM Not only is it unAmerican, socialism but now it is criminal. You agree Andy?
al-Gitmo: Uh, no.
It’s been politicized, you know, like everything the dimocrats get their hands on.
Look man, the 700 billion number being tossed around is by no means a hard dollar amount of what tax payers will shell out.
Why is this so hard to understand?
All it is is a guarantee from the government that, no matter what, financial institutions will be able to continue providing credit and capital as needed.
Do you really believe the banks will sell foreclosed houses for zero dollars?
I got my eye on a few properties and I have been waiting a long time for them to even come close to activating the vulture instinct inside the soul of this capitalist.
The damn owners wont budged.
By RW-(the original)
September 23, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
NRB,
It’ll probably drive the environazis crazy, but they waved the specialty gas regulations for metro Atlanta temporarily to get by this.
By NRB
September 23, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
Jay, it’s still a peanut from the same government turd.
Government regulation has caused the shortage of gas in Georgia.
If government interference is causing the problem in the first place, I fail to see how MORE government interference can possibly help.
I know you cannot cross the street without momma congresswoman and daddy senator holding your hands, but leave the rest of us alone.
By Mrs.Godzilla
September 23, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
No RW,
It won’t drive us the least little bit crazy that they would suspend some of the gas tregulations. We have been expecting it.
Why ever were you surprised?
We don’t like it, but compromise is, at the moment, required.
The bailout as it stands blows chow.
CALL YOUR SENATORS AND CONGRESS PEOPLE NOW.
Seems they are listening.
Keep up the good fight.
By NRB
September 23, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
RW- Thank you for letting me know. Sounds like this is something they could have done a few weeks ago and we could have avoided the whole mess in the first place.
Or better yet, let’s quit tinkering with ten thousand different blends of gas that does nothing but drive up the price and lead to situations like the shortage in Georgia.
As someone else said, gas availability isn’t the problem…gas delivery is.
Or more specifically, government interference in the gas delivery is the problem. Making the point of Jay’s blog post here totally moot.
By getalife
September 23, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
Andy,
Finally.
Dissent against your party for personal greed.
Attaboy.
By RW-(the original)
September 23, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Jay B.,
About that breathing business…..carbon emissions and all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here’s a good clearing house of links that kepp developing the astroturfing of the Sarah Palin smears.
Important developments on the investigation into the source of the video smearing Governor Palin took place during the day yesterday after Rusty Shackleford posted his original report, which was itself updated throughout the day. See Jawa Report (more here), Michelle Malkin, Patterico’s Pontifications, Ace of Spades (more here, and the Weekly Standard Blog (John McCormack). McCormack concludes: “[I]t appears that Winner & Associates—a professional PR firm with extensive connections to the Democratic party—is behind false attacks on Sarah Palin.”
By getalife
September 23, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
RW,
CNN is playing the sexist card hard for palin and Cambell went off on it tonight.
Do you think keeping her from the press is a good idea?
Imagine if Hillary tried that.
They destroyed Hillary and she talked to them.
Look, I know she is clueless on foreign policy but she is bringing it on herself.
If she can’t talk to the media, no way is she ready to be President. She may need to drop out.
By AJC/DNC Management
September 23, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
al-Gitmo: The experts in this situation, the same people that have prevented a massive collapse of the economy, want a bail out, same as I do.
Meanwhile, the weak kneed vote pandering suckas-ses cowering before Hairy Reed want to kill it and keep the money for their own little wasteful pet projects, like a Stuckey’s out near the interstate named after grandmama.
Why do you question me?
By Tell It Like It Is
September 23, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
Most commuters probably drive a minimum of 50 miles per day. Here lies the problem. Metro Atlanta is spread out clockwise from Griffin,Fayetteville, Newnan, Douglasville, Dallas, Alpharetta, Woodstock, Cumming, Gainesville, Conyers, Jonesboro and McDonnough. Any upset in the gas supply creates chaos. Nashville in the same predicament. We need mass transit or we are doomed to shortages for years to come.
By Mrs.Godzilla
September 23, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
This piece by Ben Stein is a delightful example of how even a blowhard can occasionally make sense:
Everything You Wanted to Know About the Credit Crisis But Were Afraid to Ask
As far as the gas shortage goes, I bought a commuter-mobile when gas broke 2 bucks a gallon. Now that it costs me 40 bucks every two weeks to fill up “tessie” I’m really angry.
I’m going to buy less gas and put in a winter garden.
Screw ‘em.
Damn, bi-partisanship can be a reality on some things!
By sunshine and thunder
September 23, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
So the FBI is investigating the fallen companies for fraud.
WAIT! Who’s investigating congress?
By RW-(the original)
September 23, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
getalife,
She takes questions from the people, I’m not sure why you elevate the press above the people especially when you consider what idiots comprise today’s press.
Mrs G,
Did you write this?
The Bush Administration has proposed a massive bailout plan of at least $700 billion (maybe as much as $1.7 trillion) to stabilize the financial system amid the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, a Bush appointee, and the President are pushing for the U.S. Congress to rapidly pass the plan this week with little debate and no amendments. The rightwing and the banks want a plan that gives a blank check to Wall Street with no oversight.
NRB,
Maybe next we can get rid of the ethanol that causes me to burn an extra tank or two of gas every month. Burning that much extra fuel certainly can’t be a good thing, yet the protectors of “Big Corn” seem to want to ram this scheme down our throats.
By getalife
September 23, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
Andy,
Just for laughs.
Experts huh?
So these experts want to bailout companies under investigation for fraud.
I don’t think so, unless these experts are paid by those corporations.
Let the markets correct with capitalism, tell w to shove his proposal and resign in disgrace with cheney, paulson, hell all of them.
By getalife
September 23, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
We need more FBI agents for that.
Need more fed prisons.
Lets lock em all up and start over.
By War Eagle
September 23, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
You and Cynthia will never accept the FACT, Democratic Congress is reason for gas problems exist in this country
Cox is looking after both of you, very lucky because both of you ruin the ajc.
Harvey Copeland .
By getalife
September 23, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
RW,
Her voters will not question her lies.
I LOL at that lady screasming about the media at McCain’s rally.
Too funny.
By AmVet
September 23, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
The FBI plans on investigating the robber barons and thieving plutocrats who lined their pockets with ungodly, unconscionable amounts of other people’s money.
There is plenty of blame to go around, but what good will that do even if the crooks go to prison.
Unless their spoils go to the “bailout” that the morons want…
Reverse income distribution,
By getalife
September 23, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
Harvey,
Are you talking about drill, drill, drill.
The ban was lifted today.
Drill away.
By AJC/DNC Management
September 23, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
al-Gitmo: Oh o.k. so now it is the fault of Paulson and Bernanke, eh?
These two guys happen to know exactly what Congress has mandated over the last few decades, calling lending institutions racist because they won’t throw money out the window usually doesn’t lead to very many promising investigations of the “racists.”
All those two are trying to do is save the economy, not win elections, not protect their own wrongdoings from scrutiny, not trying to enrichen the coffers of scumbag organizations like ACORN.
I know who I trust.
Look at which side you are on.
ew
By moonbat betty
September 23, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
has the sky fallen yet?
By RW-(the original)
September 23, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
Another of Jay’s favorite sources seems to be losing it’s credibility.
FactCheck.org, at this point, is worse than useless. It is positively misleading voters out there
Who shall fact check the fact checkers?
By RW-(the original)
September 23, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
The moonbats among us can consider this a public service announcement.
It makes me wonder though. Since Obambi has been campaigning nonstop for 2 years, is Michelle O trying to call everyone stupid or is it just her that thinks The Dunce has any plan besides reading hopeandchange off the prompter?
By Gas gouger mania
September 23, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
One contributing factor no one seems to bring up are the strict gas gouging laws Georgia has on the books and that our Governor activated over a week ago.
Thanks to promises to strongly enforce this law, gas stations are afraid to raise their prices even when they are running out of gas and know they won’t be re-supplied soon. A stable price does nothing to discourage people from topping off and using gas when they could conserve it.
If, on the other hand, gas stations were free to set their prices as they see fit, gas stations would raise their prices before the run out, discouraging people from topping off and encouraging conservation.
A common criticism to this free market approach is that then the people who really need gas will pay more for it. This is true, but consider the silver lining: with prices allowed to rise and fall with supply and demand it is extremely unlikely that gas stations would run out of gas, meaning that those who really need it would be able to get it when they do need it.
Also consider the value of your time. It’s worth something to not have to drive around aimlessly for half an hour, an hour, or longer looking for a gas station that still has gas. It’s worth something to not wait half an hour to pump gas when you finally do find a gas station. It’s also worth something to have the peace of mind that you’ll be able to find gas when you need it.
For all these reasons and more most people would trade a higher price for the hassle of gas shortages. Gas gouging laws are counterproductive and should be repealed as they can actually cause shortages.
By getalife
September 23, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Andy,
Nice race card but I don’t trust any of them remember?
So, you still are bucking your party and want to bail them out after learning the FBI is investigating them for fraud.
Hell Andy, that would make you on the criminal side.
I told the corporol to keep an eye on you and I was right.
By Erica
September 23, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
They took Palin on a field trip today to meet nine heads of state and Bono.
Now she is a bona fide expert on foreign affairs. When you add this experience to the experience she gained looking out of her window to one of the Russian islands, she will be ready to lead the free world. Isn”t that special.
On the way home they took her to the store and bought her balloons and candy.
By Carmen B.
September 23, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
Maybe they don’t let Sarah Palin talk to the press because they know her track record.
In January, Palin gave a call-in interview with an Alaska shock-jock. In it, the DJ refers to one of Palin’s opponents as an unfit mother, a “b*tch,” “fat” and “a cancer.” The last one was particularly disgusting because the person the DJ was talking about-Senate President Lyda Green-is a cancer survivor, and Palin knew it.
After each insult, Palin can be heard laughing.
The next day, several Alaska newspapers and many citizens were calling for Palin’s resignation. One reporter wrote: It was conduct unbecoming a human being, never mind a governor.
How can it be that there is even a possibility of this person being VP? She is NOT morally fit for the job and she is NOT qualified.
By RW-(the original)
September 23, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
Sounds like Ohio Dhimmicrats are a little worried.
Brunner sent a memo telling county election officials to reject those applications for absentee ballots if the box was not checked. “Failure to check the box leaves both the applicant and the board of elections without verification that the applicant is a ‘qualified elector’,” she wrote.
But that’s contrary to state law and Brunner doesn’t have the authority, according to the lawsuit and an opinion from Hamilton County’s Republican Prosecutor Joe Deters.
Ohio law allows voters to request an absentee ballot on the back of a grocery sack if they want to, as long as they include their name, address, date of birth, signature and either a driver’s license number, last four Social Security numbers or a valid picture I.D.
There is nothing in the law about checking a box to verify a qualified voter. The voter’s signature is enough, because that’s what is checked to send ballots, said Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Greg Hartmann, who ran against Brunner in 2006 and is now county chairman for the McCain-Palin campaign. “It’s just bald partisanship,” he said. “She’s trying to disqualify likely McCain voters.”
By moonbat betty
September 23, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
COME ONE COME ALL ! .
polls. press…we can talk about how obama is more qualified than palin!
ouiiiiiiii! ooouuuiiiiii!
paparazzi! vive la paparazzi
By RW-(the original)
September 23, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
Could we please see a credible link for that 10:07? Sounds like more of Axelrod’s astroturfing BS to me.
By Hillbilly Deluxe
September 24, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this
T. Boone Pickens gave a real good talk on energy on CSPAN yesterday. It’ll never fly though; it makes too much sense.
By Edward Murrow
September 24, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
What gas shortage? If there was a gas shortage, they’d mention it in the paper wouldn’t they? Isn’t it the media’s job to report on the state of the nation or is to sell another phony tv show? Maybe thats the answer, we’ll make people sing for gasoline. American Idle, it keeps your car going. If the car stalls out (its the equivialent of an applause meter) you are out of the show.
We will need new forms of entertainment for the new Depression, thanks George Bush. I never thought anyone could destroy America in 8 years, but Bush did it. From Capitalist super power to Socialist debtor nation in 8 death filled, wiretapping, torturing, justice department probing, stock market collapsing years. Bush is an MBA right, he sure knows how to run things into the ground, maybe he took the course backwards? Is he dyslexic?
Maybe petroleum is the metaphor for our society, we are truely out of gas.
By Frederick Douglass
September 24, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this
RW-(the original) you truly sound like a sane individual, overly slanted to the right, but sane. That said, how can you accept that woman, Mrs. Palin, as being anything more than a garden variety whack job? How could someone who professes to love this country, dismiss all of her glaring inequities, and claim that you’d sleep well at night, knowing that she could be the leader of the free world in the morning? All of these questions are rhetorical, and aren’t specifically aimed at you, I’m just appealing to you, because as I stated earlier, you sound sane. Spare me the Obama correlations, he’s inexperienced, but the guy is head and shoulders smarter than Palin, and it shows.
By AJC/DNC Management
September 24, 2008 5:28 AM | Link to this
The do nothing democrats in the Senate passed a lard and pork festival showering tax dollars upon all their favorite junk sciences. look at what the Urinal calls it:
Senate OKs huge tax break package-Urinal
So how “patriotic” is this?
You know why they get to say that? Because they “fixed” the AMT for one year.
Whoop De Doo.
By jedclampette
September 24, 2008 5:30 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe Bookman is still employed and writing this garbage. He is so liberal its a wonder?
By AJC/DNC Management
September 24, 2008 5:37 AM | Link to this
Sarah Palin met her first world leaders Tuesday. It was a tightly controlled crash course on foreign policy for the Republican vice presidential candidate, the mayor-turned-governor who has been outside North America just once.-Urinal/PMS
You know how many people are going to turn on the TV Oct 2nd expecting to see a ditz debating Hair Plugs?
When they see what a marvelous and strongly coherent woman this is, what do you think their reaction is going to be?
1) Further reinforcement of what lying, in the bag for the democrats toadies really are in the pinkkko drive by media.
2) Gosh this woman is great, who ever knew?
bwa.
Meanwhile, out of the 5 available gaffes and vicious attacks upon his own kkkampiagn available from Hair Plugs the libs at the Urinal only cut loose with the FDR TV blow up.
Carrying thee water, are we?
By AJC/DNC Management
September 24, 2008 5:42 AM | Link to this
Oh, I get it now, we didn’t go to the Quicktrip to fill up because it is more fun to whine about “Big Oil:”
Dry pumps avoidable with quicker response-Urinal/PMS
By Sal Mineo
September 24, 2008 5:59 AM | Link to this
Dont top off your tank. Then we wont have to drill.
Dont top off your tank. Then we will be free of the Saudis.
Dont top off your tank. Then we wont have to build windmills or nuke plants.
Ladies, Dont take your top off when filling your tank. You want long lines at the pump?
By AJC/DNC Management
September 24, 2008 6:45 AM | Link to this
They’re are people out there trying to help you, America:
Democrats have decided to allow a quarter-century ban on drilling for oil off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to expire next week, conceding defeat in a months-long battle with the White House and Republicans set off by $4 a gallon gasoline prices this summer.
“If true, this capitulation by Democrats following months of Republican pressure is a big victory for Americans struggling with record gasoline prices,” said House GOP leader John Boehner of Ohio.*
We won.
By Red Foreman
September 24, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this
The best way to solve the gas shortage, high gas prices, smog, etc. is NOT TO DRIVE!!!. There is this old fashioned thing called WALKING.
There, problem solved…
By Steve
September 24, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this
Here is a solution… get rid of the 41 blends of gasoline mandated by the government….
By bobfromcanton
September 24, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this
How does this work for a motorcycle? I use 2.3 gallons every 2 days. This amounts to about $10.00 depending of course on price. All I want is to be able to get about 6 gallons a week to get to and from work. Is that too much to ask? I don’t care if it is “clean” gas, I don’t really care if it costs $4.20 a gallon or if it is regular or premium.
By Peadawg
September 24, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this
I think we are blaming the wrong people. don’t blame the hurricanes, the gov’t, etc.
Blame the selfish idiots who still drive SUV’s and diesel pick-ups. Go out and buy a honda civic, geeze!
By AmVet
September 24, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this
According to a new national poll, the results show more bad news for Republicans.
56 percent of those questioned are backing the Democratic candidate for Congress, while 42 percent support the Republicans.
Why is this?
We all know.
But some of the more gutless and stupid are just not willing to admit it.
Republican Bloodbath, Part Deux. Coming to an election everywhere this November.
By zeke
September 24, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this
Wrong! The cause of the current shortage is the environmentalist and democrat liberals who will not let us produce our own oil, have not let us build a new refinery in the last 30 or 40 years and continue to frivilously try to keep down the use of coal and nuclear! Drill anywhere there is a significant proven recoverable amount of oil or natural gas! Build several new refineries scattered around the country and connect the distribution pipelines together so that a storm in the Gulf will not turn off the gas to the entire Southeast! Build 100 new nuclear power plants! Build several hundred new lakes for hydro power! Use new method for coal and make it a priority since we have probably enough for up to 400 years use in reserve! Hydr? What about the limited water supplies? THERE IS NO LIMITED SUPPLY OF WATER! THERE IS ONLY LIMITED MEANS TO EFFICIENTLY RECOVER IT!
By Shawny
September 24, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
This is a stupid suggestion. And no suprise that it makes sense to Bookman. Fact is, if you need 22 gallons per week, you need 22 gallons per week, no matter how you fill it, and assuming that you aren’t overflowing / spilling at fill up. Additional stops for partial fills do increase usage, as they cause another engine start and acceleration, but it is minimal.
Carpool when available. Drive a more effecient car. SUVs = stupid useless vehicles. You can get an old pickup for hauling and a small car for commuting for about the same price as 1 all purpose hulk.
By LOLO
September 24, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
Jay, I thought the point of a gas station was for them to sell gas to people to put in their autos rather than for the gas stations to keep it in their tanks?
By Parched
September 24, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
Setting a minimum gallon purchase does indeed seem logical. However, there would have to be an obvious exemption for two- or three-wheeled vehicles… motorcycles, scooters, etc., which should be encouraged as fuel-efficient alternatives anyway, and need to be able to make smaller purchases.
As for lawnmower fuel, anyone could simply fill the gas can while making the bigger purchase for the car or truck they used to carry the can to the pump in the first place. And perhaps allow anyone arriving to a store on foot with a can to buy less as well.
Setting a max limit is just stupid as anyone could just get back in line and buy more. With a minimum limit, once you’re full, you’re full, and not coming back, whether you bought 10 gallons or 40.
By CJ
September 24, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
Would you rather fill up your car to commute to work or fill up your car for your personal weekend or road trip pleasures? My answer is #2!
So, why not enable people to save money on gas when commuting to work by implementing an extensive network of rail that connects suburbs with the city’s main business districts: Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Perimeter, Alpharetta, Cobb, Norcross?
By AmVet
September 24, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
There are essentially two major positions in this situation.
Those who bemoan that we have not increased production for decades.
And those who bemoan that given MANY warnings, we will not address our petro-addiction, much less even attempt to change our ways and find viable alternatives.
Look at the gas guzzler boom of the past decade or two for evidence that the me-first, me-always Reaganesque mantra is “screw you, I’ll use as much oil as I want and can afford”.
And the corporatists and plutocrats line their pockets either way…
By Marie
September 24, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
Jay:
Where is the “real” proof that a whole bunch of folks are topping off at their tanks? This recycled garbage gets pulled out everytime there is a shortage of anything. Blame the consumers instead of the politicians who write laws that cause these shortages in the first place.
The federal law that was written mandating metro Atlantans use “boutique blended” gasoline should have added a blurb which simply stated “this nonesense of special blends is suspended in cases of emergency.”
That way we could have had gasoline trucked in from other parts of the state and/or nation. Instead our silly governor opens a hotline telling folks to call them about price gouging instead of getting on the phone with the EPA asking them to immediately lift this silly boutique blend mandate for metro Atlanta.
The bottom line is this: we can conserve all we want and I believe the majority of folks are doing just that, but, if there is only a limited supply it will eventually run out. The answer to this problem is simple — increase the supply.
By Goober
September 24, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
You know, we keep spreading the blame on the gaso shortage until it’s everyone’s fault. I still think delivery is the problem and that inventory should be in the millions of feet of pipeline and tank storage; quit worrying about having a few gallons in your tank—it’s like getting the last loaf of bread on the shelf—not your fault.
By lattelovinliberal
September 24, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
I’m with Peadawg. Blame, blame blame. Wah wah wah. So many in this section blame liberal and dems, repubs, Bush, whatever, when it’s regular people’s stupid decisions that cause most of it. Hey news flash: gas is an finite resource. You’re an idiot if you wrap too much of your livelihood up in your automobile, if you live too far away from your job…Time to pay the piper. People driving too much caused this mess. And they’re the reason we don’t have trains or public transit. Wah wah wah. Shut up already.
By Swami Dave
September 24, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
Solutions raised here already:
a) Immediately rescind the insane gas-blending requirements that serve to only create localized shortages when blends are being switched or natural weather events occur.
b) Immediately rescind the “anti-gouging” rules that attempt to fix prices for a market-based commodity product. This would only serve to dissuade station owners from purchasing inventory during times of price volatility (like now).
The laws prevent owners from “trailing” their prices up during a period that they rise (basically - increasing their pump price as the market price is rising to contain their margins and ensure the needed cash flow to restock), but all consumers expect them to “trail” prices down during the fall. It creates a situation where they are regulated against following the price up, but the market expects prices to follow the fall. In times of high volatility (storms, blend changes, etc.), it serves as an incentive to “run out” and wait for stabilization to buy it back.
-Swami Dave
By lattelovinliberal
September 24, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
I’m with Peadawg. Blame, blame blame. Wah wah wah. So many in this section blame liberal and dems, repubs, Bush, whatever, when it’s regular people’s stupid decisions that cause most of it. Hey news flash: gas is an finite resource. You’re an idiot if you wrap too much of your livelihood up in your automobile, if you live too far away from your job…Time to pay the piper. People driving too much caused this mess. And they’re the reason we don’t have trains or public transit. Wah wah wah. Shut up already.
By WillieBkind
September 24, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
I do not want to conserve. Only the liberals want to conserve. It is like paying taxes. They want more taxes but refuse to write an extra check to the IRS. They refused to drill, build more refineries, and erect more nuclear plants. Of course they have the answer! Do nothing! Hold me hostage to gas prices and supplies. They give examples of only how I can sacrifice my life’s years to put a band aid on a gushing wound. To answer Mr. Liberal (jay), we need to put down the liberal whiners and epa extremist and drill everywhere, build more nuclear plants and refineries, and that means offshore. Hey you liberals always say look at the Europeans! Well look at the nuclear plants they have LIBERALS. My immediate fix is to have limited supply to liberal cities and states with extreme high prices. I feel they are pushing this so they should do more sacrificing. Jay you need to pay $20.00 a gallon for gas. Send the IRS additional $50,000. When you do this I will listen to your example.
By Renny J. Caulder
September 24, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
Godzilla @ 9-something
From Ben’s column:
These Credit Default Swaps have been written (as insurance is written) as private contracts. There is nil government regulation of them. Who writes these policies? Banks. Investment banks. Insurance companies. They now owe the buyers of these Credit Default Swaps on junk mortgage debt trillions of dollars. It is this liability that is the bottomless pit of liability for the financial institutions of America.
All three of the entities Ben mentions as being the principal purveyors of credit default swaps, banks, insurance companies and investment banks are regulated by the Federal AND state governments. Commercial banks and insurance companies are HIGHLY regulated by the Fed, FDIC, state banking & insurance departments, etc. And investment banks also have oversight from the SEC. There’s no shortage of regulation.
Also, as CDS’s are a derivative product, it might behoove you to point out that there are literally hundreds of other such derivative products issued everyday. Some are as simple as options others as complex as currency and interest rate swaps. To focus just on the CDS market, while germaine, overlooks similar products that trade everyday.
Ben’s comments would indicate that speculation doesn’t exist outside the CDS market. It does. Risk is part of business life and the problem as I see it is that companies like AIG, Lehman, Bear Sterns all managed those risks badly.
Only question that remains is who picks up the tab for their bad management.
By Peadawg
September 24, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
Back to what I said earlier this morning…ya’ll ever notice it’s the mostly ones WITH suv’s and big pick-up trucks that complain?
Also here’s some more solutions: ride the bus, walk, ride a bicycle, buy a scooter/motorcycle, live close to work(I live 3 miles from work..gotta love Athens!).
Stop blaming the politicians and everyone else. Take responsibility for yourself!
By George
September 24, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
This whole situation is manufactured by blood thirsty capitalists, in particual George Bush and his Texas oil cabal. They just need lots of cash to pay to replace all the windows busted out of their corporate headquarters by the hurricane. Did this happen during Katrina?
O-BA-MA. Throw the bums out and kick Texas rear end!
By LP
September 24, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
War Eagle, there’s only been a democratic majority in congress for 2 years and they don’t have enough of a majority to block a Bush veto. They may share some of the blame, but this crisis wasn’t created in the past two years — look back to such historic moments as the passage of Gramm-Leach-Bliley in 1999 (with a Republican majority big enough to block a Clinton veto). I would have thought that your fine Auburn education (War Eagle!) would have taught you that.
And for all of you blaming the Atlanta “blend” for your gas shortage, I hate to burst your earth-hating bubble, but here in Chattanooga, where we have no gas restrictions (and plenty of water), more stations are without gas than with. I’ve had to fill up with premium twice in the last week and a half because that’s all I could find.
By Earl
September 24, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
What kind of powers did Biden inherit with his hairplugs. He recals watching television before it was invented and listenting to a President speak before he was President and you all say McCain is too old? How many times do you think Obama has pitched one hissy of a fit for being forced to pick an old white man as his VP over a woman that could have already sewn this thing up for them. Obama is a loser…one big total loser. What scares the hell out of me are his low rent base supporters, which he has tons of…and how many of them will use his defeat in an election to form a mob mentality ala L A Riots-Watts and get that free 50 inch plasma television and some spinner rims. Keep ‘em locked and loaded guys…the day after the election, they may come in handy. I don’t trust the Obama idiots, not as far as I can throw them. They’ll be rioting in the streets, simply put….they’re not ready for this, not anywhere near ready.
By williebkind
September 24, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
By George September 24, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
“This whole situation is manufactured by blood thirsty capitalists, in particual George Bush and his Texas oil cabal.” or “Back to what I said earlier this morning…ya’ll ever notice it’s the mostly ones WITH suv’s and big pick-up trucks that complain?”
The drive by media has done a good job with propaganda. Those extremist need to live in Europe. I live in American. Yes there is limited supply of everything but it does not mean it will expire next month. You extremist are causing the prices to go up. It is none of your business where I live. Obama is losing! Wake up extemist! America does not take in your extreme liberal garbage.
By AJC/DNC Management
September 24, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
Jay: No problem.
I used to link EVERYTHING that I posted but then the AJC, in attempt to censor me, put some filter to work that rejects multiple links, and just like anything that a liberal touches, it does far more damage than it’s original intent.
It would be helpful if you removed this rogue filter, I’m sure that others agree.
By Joe
September 24, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
Funny how everything is a liberal issue when Republicans are in power in this state and have been for 8 years in Washington. Get over your delusion.
By williebking
September 24, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
By Joe September 24, 2008 9:58 AM
JOE wake up! wake up! your daydreaming again…go to another internet site…
By professional skeptic
September 24, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
So, now that we are opening the coasts to oil drilling, who is going to benefit? Will taxpayers be fairly rewarded for handing over valuable drilling rights to the oil companies? Will this truly result in more gas available to American consumers at a lower price? Or will this just create additional opportunities for more sex and cocaine parties between oil company personnel and Interior Department employees?
And Jay, the solution to our gas shortage is to eliminate our society’s addiction to it. Concept 3 sounds awful good right about now.
By BS Aplenty
September 24, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
Why Barack Obama Should Not be President
Barack Obama campaigns on a “change” platform and promises a new bi-partisanship in dealing with Congress and its often conflicting and diverse voices. Certainly, a candidate who aspires to such change would have a record reflecting similar accomplishments. One might even expect he has some higher philosophy that has shaped and guided such an outlook.
But, then again, maybe Barack Obama isn’t what he appears to be.
Apart from his speech-making on change, hope and brotherhood, the reality of Barack Obama appears to be less than “brotherly.” One who, like his mentor Wright, will say what his congregation pays to hear. His actions point to an extremist whose genuine philosophical viewpoint is reflected in one of the doctrinal texts of the Trinity United Church of Christ, A Black Theology of Liberation:
What does sin mean for blacks? Again, we must be reminded that sin is a community concept, and this means that only blacks can talk about their sin. [White] Oppressors are not only rendered incapable of knowing their own condition, they cannot speak about or for the [black] oppressed. This means that whites are not permitted to speak about what blacks have done to contribute to their condition. They cannot call blacks Uncle Toms; only members of the black community can do that. For whites, to do so is not merely insensitivity, it is blasphemy!
Whites cannot know us; they do not even know themselves. If we could just get “concerned” whites to recognize this fact, then we blacks could get about the business of cleaning up this society and destroying the filthy manifestations of whiteness in it. [108]
This is the doctrine Barack Obama taught his children.
One comes to understand that when Obama talks about a new bi-partisanship with the diverse political components of America, he does not, as Cone puts it, think them capable of representing him or the black community. Apparently, though, Obama thinks he more than capable of representing the rest of America.
It’s a campaign only a used-car salesman could love.
By Just The Facts
September 24, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Nice idea. We actually did this in GA during the 70’s. What has changed since then is pay at the pump, which would have to be disabled at all locations. All customers would have to go inside and pay their upfront cost prior to pumping. This would be very labor intensive, plus lead to long lines and longer waits.
That having been said, it would accomplish some of the objectives if it was enforceable.
jt
By Lee
September 24, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Nothing wrong with drilling off the Georgia coast, as long as you are comfortable with the oil goo on your beaches and in your rivers and swamps because some oil company or pipeline supplier wanted to make a few more bucks. Then goes “bankrupt” before any of the fines and penalities get leveled.
Let’s see a show of hands: Who’s in favor of more drilling?
Now, who’s in favor of drilling behind your house?
It’s like the survey of college kids in 2003- everyone was in favor of going to war against Iraq, as long as there wasn’t a draft that might complicate their career.
I’m certainly in favor of more drilling in Alaska. Obviously, they liked the clean-up after the Valdez spill so much, they are willing to have another one! They’re an oils state, anyway!
Besides, Georgia’s beaches are too nice. A little bit of oil, or even the rumor of oil on Georgia’s beaches, would help other states develop their tourism easier. Let’s help out the rest of the nation (not to mention the poor oil companies from Holland) with Georgia tax dollars and Georgia landscape and Georgia’s environment.
After all, that’s the American way!
By bhorsoft
September 24, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
I like the idea of minimums, but it would cause problems for me and a lot of folks. See, a lot of us are driving motorcycles instead of big SUVs, trucks, and luxury autos. I’m getting between 35 and 40 MPG with my motorcycle and having fun getting to and from work. Problem is my motorcycle’s tank only holds 5 gallons when bone dry. Create a motorcycle/scooter exception and I’m with you on minimum purchases - it makes a weird sort of sense.
By everlast00
September 24, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
Gotta love the EPA: first no water, now no gas. And in both cases they blame it on the citizens of Atlanta. How many jobs have been lost in metro Atlanta due to these bozos?
Here’s a radical thought: maybe these people should stop thinking first about some mollusk and start thinking about human beings.
By Dave
September 24, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Here’s a solution that would kill two birds with one stone. The answer may not lie in more gas, but in less drivers. The state needs to crack down on the most unskilled, inattentive, and inconsiderate drivers and turn driving back into a privilege instead of the right it has become. 2 moving violations in a year = license suspension. Causing an accident, especially if a cell phone is involved = license suspension. Less bad drivers = more gas, and safer, more pleasant roads for the rest of us.
By ESR
September 24, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
I had no idea how to vote this election until I read that Lindsey Lohan is going for Obama. Wow, I am so fortunate to follow in the footsteps of this mental giant. If only Anna Nicole Smith were alive today. Ask yourself, who would Anna vote for?
By cosby Smith
September 24, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
All the referrences to the late 1970’s and early 1980;’s gas shortage and nothing out of the elite 455 idiots in Washington DC to solve the problem Makes you wonder why we need anyone in Washington DC. Perhaps Obama and Mccain can stop traveling around with their retoric and let the common folk have a few gallons of gas!
By Paul
September 24, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
ESR 10:56
[[If only Anna Nicole Smith were alive today. Ask yourself, who would Anna vote for?]]
The old guy. She married a 90-year old, for pete’s sake.
Wait, the old guy was loaded. McCain has a prenup. So she’d go for the young guy with the royalty stream.
Forget it. She’d go for one of the Lehman brothers with a golden parachute.
By Skeptic Tank
September 24, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
Lessons I have learned since 2000:
(1) When you elect and re-elect an administration steeped in big oil alliances, wars in the Middle East will ensue and gasoline prices will escalate exponentially.
(2) When the blame for a crisis is sought, the Republicans will always blame the environmentalists and the lowly consumer.
(3) The so-called “liberal media” is not liberal; the “fair and balanced” media is neither fair nor balanced; and none of the citizens of this nation will ever understand the TRUTH because of it.
By Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
September 24, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
I drive a Prius and it really gets me riled up when I see them liberals with their Obama stickers on their SUVs riding around a wasting our natural resources. Ineffective overregulation by the government regulation caused the current mortgage/liquidity crisis and more regulation is not going to be the answer to the gas crisis. An odd/even system worked pretty well with the drought, but the only problem is that its hard to do an odd\even system in light of the numbers and letters on license plates. Here’s how I suggest we do it - every one who drives at any time has to have a valid voter ID on ‘em (I know Cynthia Turcker will say this excludes two many, but since they don’t live in my neighbor hood, I don’t care, unless it affects our maid, gardener, or personal trainers). Next Democrats can go first and drive on the even days and Republicans will graciously go second on the odd days. T let the public prepare, we can start this short term fix on November 4 and then let the next president come up with the long term fix.
By Facing up to own mistakes
September 24, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
We, Americans, no longer control the oil and oil prices in the world. We now have to BOW to the Middle East and Latin American Nations for oil. We as a nation need to find alternative ways to decrease our dependencies on oil from Hugo Chavez (Brazil) and certain middle eastern countries that hate the USA as a nation. In some ways, we have created and supported the regimes that hate us when we drive every day.
By williebkind
September 24, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
The do nothing Pelosi congress not drilling for oil and not building nuclear plants is having a terrible impact on our economy. I am reading businesses are closing and workers are losing jobs by the hundreds. Those companies are based on an oil economy and are closing. So if your are out of a job please call the nearest liberal or liberal organization and thank them for their selfish ideology. They are holding you hostage to oil. We need a change in congress….get Pelosi out of our lives…
By food forthought
September 24, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
maybe we need alternative fuel vehicles, like alcohol, electric, hybrids etc.
Every vehicle that doesn’t use gasoline, will leave more spare capacity for the vehicles that do use gasoline. More bike paths and pedestrian walkways, sidewalks and other non-vehicle friendly alternatives, would also free up spare capacity as well as providing construction jobs in the massive recession which will be occurring for the next 5-10 years due to peak oil and widespread financial looting in the markets. Notice the FBI is finally investigating Countrywide, AIG, and 24 other financial outfits.
We need long term solutions, the price of fuel will skyrocket due to devaluation of the dollar, at the exact time more people will not be able to pay for it due to unemployment and falling wages.
By Jake
September 24, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
They’ll be plenty of gas and it will be dirt cheap too, once the chosen one in the empty suit is elected!
By WillieBkind
September 24, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Jay; Your article shoudl read “The solution to our gas sabotage” by Nancy Pelosi.
Are you allowed to print/write negative columns about her?
By Eric
September 24, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
I drive a scooter 4 out of 5 days and it has a 1 gallon tank and gets about 90mpg. Setting a min. limit on gas is a really short sighted idea since it doesn’t take into account people who are doing there part to limit there gas usage.
If you really want to do your part try car pooling or taking the bus acouple of day a week. Don’t focus on the mpg the important number is mpgpp (mile per gallon per person) that’s the key to reducing the demand and lowing the cost
By Bubba
September 24, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Eight-gallon minimum?
OK, compare a 36 mpg vehicle having a 10 gallon tank with a 10 mpg vehicle having a 36 gallon tank. Same 360-mile range for both on a full tank, but the owner of the thirstier vehicle can “TOP-OFF” his tank while he still has 280 miles to go before running out, while the driver of the economical vehicle has only 72 miles remaining before he can REFILL his tank. This is not the way to encourage people to drive smaller cars.