Screw the Oil Companies

“Well, at least I know I am not in Iraq to keep "cheap oil" flowing to the U.S. I help keep expensive oil flowing.”

“You know, I really doubt a one-day boycott will have much of an effect on this. We'll all have to buy that gas the next day or soon thereafter anyway. Between environmental regulations on oil refineries and our insane demand for gas, it's hardly a surprise that gas has gotten so expensive, and it seems like it continues to climb 2-3 cents a day -- and probably will continue to do so until the demand starts to diminish (long term, not just one day). Not that I'm against environmental regualtions (of all places, NJ probably needs it more than anyone), but there's a price to pay for everything.

At about $1.90/gal for regular, we probably still have the cheapest gas in NJ in quite possibly the world. But, at the end of the day, people are just going to have to find ways to reduce the amount they drive their cars or drive cars that consume less gas. Period.”

“birch,
It actually costs more to live in the county where the jobs are, than to live out. For instance, my condo if it were in Seattle would be around $160K, but I live just over the county line and it would sell for $92K. My property taxes are cheaper as well (among other things.) So I can't sell my car and live in the city. Our public transportation is pretty lousy too.
I understand what you are saying, but it just isn't as easy as it sounds.”

“The law of supply and demand assumes a free market. OPEC is a cartel.”

“And screw Tony Randall!”

“Yay! Violin got the trick question right!!”

“The oil companies killed Tony Randall.”

“pixie, the PNW must be much different from Michigan. National trends are for people to move from cities for a variety of reasons. Regardless of the reason though, if ya move and have to commute its your choice and that kinda makes complaining about fuel prices silly. Its the whole "you made your own bed" scenario. BTW I wasnt referring to you in my rant. You seem to accept the choices you've made,unlike others.”

“screw u”

“birch - Will you spot me a million dollars so I can move to a decent community closer to my job?”

“I would think that an open minded "progressive" like you could live just about anywhere or are you prejudiced?”

“My wife and I live about 15 miles from work and we have discussed moving closer. I'd give me left nut to be able to bike to work.”

“It takes me about 5 minutes to get to work each day, or about 2 miles, or about $0.17. Thats at $2.00/gallon and 12 miles per gallon in the Chevy 1-ton crew cab with the 454 engine. Who gives a #&%!$!”

“Nothing is 2 miles away in Wyoming Chief.”

“You can bike 15 miles, nigal!”

“Waste Not

NASA-supported researchers are working to develop a fuel cell that can extract electricity from human waste.


May 18, 2004: On a two-year trip to Mars, according to one estimate, a crew of six humans will generate more than six tons of solid organic waste--much of it feces. So what do you do with all that?

Right now, astronaut waste gets shipped back to Earth. But for long-term exploration, you'd want to recycle it, because it holds resources that astronauts will need. It will provide pure drinking water. It will provide fertilizer. And, with the help of a recently discovered microbe, it will also provide electricity.

(A HREF="http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/18may_wastenot.htm?list112694" TARGET="_blank">more fun with microbial fuel cells)”

“"birch - Will you spot me a million dollars so I can move to a decent community closer to my job?"
Violin
03:41:17 PM
05/18/04"

Violin, if I had a million dollars I would happily move you and phaedrus to Absurdistan in a minute! As a matter of fact I will check airfare tonite. BTW how about taking responsibility for yourself? It'll be tough at first but buck up soldier you'll do fine!”

“But I already live in Absurdistan. lol!”

“I will move you to the furthest reaches then. The most northern province of upper absurdistan. I am trying to help here but its never enough with you liberals. Its always more more more.”

“Just got done fillin' up at the local gas and go. The place was hoppin'. 8)”

“Another 4 cents after four days. Let's see, at this rate a year from now a gallon will cost me, ahhh ____ 1.969 + 3.65, is, well, almost $5.”

“Too bad.

"You have chosen more then likely to live in nice neat suburbs or rural areas outside of a major metroplex (like most upwardly mobile middleclass Americans) nd now are all in a wad cause you have to pay to drive. Big fat waaaaa! Gas prices are what they are cause we need gas, its supply and demand. We,each and everyone of us created this prob, not exxon. Exxon doesnt make people buy gas hogs or take road trips or commute umpteen miles to and from work. We make those choices. If you dont like it, move closer to work (heck, intercity real estate is cheap and cities are starved for talent and money so its a win win) of course we couldnt live in our comfy suburbs and wring our hands about those poor people and how the gub'ment is just so unfair with these gas prices. We are such frickin victims. Get over yourselves! Everybody wants to change the world, but nobody wants to help mom do the dishes!"
birch
09:22:41 PM
05/17/04


DC - Many people do live in the outer burbs and commute in. Many people live in the inner burbs ("xburbs") and commute between the inner burbs &/or the city. I live in the city and commute out, 18-21mi one way. I am a "contract" worker and can not get a Company discount to take advantage of Metro transit. Full priced metro would cost me about $50.00/week

Hooray for the Temping of America.

I digress. Inner city real estate is cheap if I moved to a 'hood where my life would be in danger. I moved to the edge of the gentrification boundry in 2000. There are condos going for 7 figures/month in my 'hood now.

What to do? Suck it up I guess. It's still annoying though.”

“I can’t believe no one has pointed out the biggest costs of gas. All this talk about the evil oil companies is overshooting the one entity that digs even deeper into your pocket than the oil companies…the government. The tax rate on gas is anywhere from 26.5cents (Alaska) to 49.5 cents per gallon (Wisconsin).

Don’t like things now? Just wait and see what happens if Kerry gets into office. His voting record on gas tax speaks for itself.”

“So how long before they change the speed limits back down to 55?”

“I don't think he voted for a tax increase, did he?

Speed limit is 55 on the interstate I travel. I've had troopers blow by me while I was doing 75, which is the average speed.”

“don't liberals ever get tired of being miserable ?

kerry WILL raise taxes. oh that'll
help!”

“"I can’t believe no one has pointed out the biggest costs of gas. All this talk about the evil oil companies is overshooting the one entity that digs even deeper into your pocket than the oil companies…the government. The tax rate on gas is anywhere from 26.5cents (Alaska) to 49.5 cents per gallon (Wisconsin)."
Nigal
09:24:19 AM
05/19/04

Something you all aren't considering, or at least not mentioning, is the approximately 33 cents per gallon tax that the federal and state govs tack on. That's a pretty good chunk of change every time you fill up. Pretty sad too."
StickmanWalking
11:15:12 AM
05/17/04”

“Actually, Catshiker, your hero lied in a federal sexual-harassment lawsuit brought by an Arkansas state worker, Paula Jones, who was brought to his hotel room by a state trooper so that Gov. Clinton could expose his bent, diseased dick to her. He lied about that, pleaded guilty to the federal perjury charge and is barred for five years from practicing law.
So, the Dems in Congress voted him not guilty of a charge he pleaded guilty to.
Some hero.
Say can you hear that sound? Wait, wait, it's Vince Foster from the grave. What are you saying, Vince?
"Monica Lewinsky is alive today because my secretary, Linda Tripp, taped their conversations and turned them over to federal prosecutors. Unlike the wife of the trooper who brought Paula Jones to Clinton's hotel room. Danny Ferguson's wife died from a shot from his gun into her mouth. It's what they call suicide in Arkansas. Kind of like what happened to me. You know, a lefty who shot himself with the gun in the right hand. Suicide!"”

“CBS) It's no secret that when it comes to the mounting cost of security for all high-risk terrorist targets, like nuclear power plants and railroads, there simply isn't enough Homeland Security money to go around.

But, as CBS News Correspondent Mika Brzezinski reports, precious taxpayer dollars are quietly going to pay for security at some of the richest corporations in the world. Major oil companies have received $65 million to buy cameras, fencing, and communications equipment.

"That makes no sense to me at all," says Bill Millar, President of the American Public Transportation Association.

Millar asks why these profitable private companies are receiving scarce taxpayer dollars while publicly funded entities like the transit system, with Americans riding 32 million times a day, left under-funded and under-protected.

"Clearly, public transit is being short changed and security is not as strong as it could be," says Millar.

"We don't have unlimited resources," says Danielle Brian, the executive director of Project On Government Oversight. Brian cites the Bush administration's close ties with the oil industry and points out that these companies could well afford to pay for their own security.

"They're taking absolute advantage of the situation and the government is letting them get away with it," said Brian.

Case in point: Citgo made a $439 million profit but took $19.4 million in government grants. ConocoPhillips earned $4.7 billion in profits but received nearly $10.8 million. ChevronTexaco netted a whopping $7.2 billion profit but several of its facilities still got over $7.3 million in government handouts.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/05/25/eveningnews/main619558.shtml”

“See? It's the free market system, where the free enterprises are free to take our tax dollars. For free.”

“I hate government bail outs and hand outs. It just goes against the whole capitolist system of strength through culling.”

“Remember the fuel increases you absorbed due to the "hurricanes"? Well, guess where all your money went!

I thought Bush was going after price gougers who exploited the hurricanes.

"ConocoPhillips, the nation's third- largest integrated oil and gas company, said third- quarter profit surged 89 percent, reflecting high prices for crude oil and natural gas after one of the worst hurricane seasons in memory slammed the heart of the nation's oil industry. "
last edited: 10/27/05 12:02:36 PM”

“don't forget the energy bill that passed that gives them more tax breaks/incentives”

“Thanks for the remineder Ewker. I forsee huge profits after thius winter as well! Those energy companies are making a killing bro!”

“And this surprises you Buddha? don't be so damn gullible.”

“I was about to ask, this surprises whom? But Nigal beat me to it.”

“Hey poopypants, I'm not surprised, just letting you know what you voted for. Hope your tax cut is holding up. :)”

“Oil refiners produce less gas, raise prices, and gas consumption goes up. The obvious response is to get them to lower prices I guess.”

“Just got a big raise. Thanks for asking! :)

So I'm thinking you want the gubmint to take control of the oil companies and make them state property right comrad?”

“we all know these companies make a huge profit and we as consumers have a chance to make money if we invest in them.

I do have a problem with them getting tax cuts/breaks/incentives when they are making so much to begin with”

“Glad I listened to my father-in-law a few years ago. The mobil stock purchace is paying off big time for me.”

“... in the ear, with no jelly.”

“Grape please!”

“Me too! I like grape jelly”

“Shouldn't we stay on topic and request patrolium jelly? I mean at least then your Modal stocks will keep going up ya evil bassturd. LOL!”

“Wounded Knee, you capitalist pig dog!”

“Actually, yes! Good point slapdick! HA HA!

j/k on the slapdick”

“I am just trying to put my kid through college!

capitalist pig dog? Just saw an opportuntity, and decided to take it.

So hell yea!”

“Who here is as glad as I am when gas prices go up?

I think they need to triple gas prices so as to help save the environment.

I can't believe how many people on here are pro-pollution. It sickens me. It really does.”

“I am! My stock just climbs higher.”