F... gas prices

[SolidSnake84]

right at 3.99 here in Winchester, VA where i work. My jeep wrangler costs 63.00 to fill up, my wife's mitsubishi mirage costs 47.88 to fill up, and my work truck Ford Ranger costs $70.

[BDBohnzie]

I've got the receipt in the car to show the $1.20 saved. I put 12 gallons into my wife's car and 14 gallons into mine. You can buy certain combination of items and get 100, 200 or 300 bonus points during a shop, and I know we've done that before.

It could be that their system is screwed up and the accrual is bonkers or my family (unbeknown to me but a likely scenario) is using my account as well. More often than not, i'm getting 10-20 cents off. I've gotten 50 cents off before (several times), and I've gotten over $1 one other time that I remember.

In any scenario, I'm sticking with Giant for now. Whether it's 10 cents off or $1.00 off, any little bit counts. Plus I use (and pay off each month) a Shell gas card that gives me 5 cents back per gallon purchased (and since we hit the minimum each month, we'll get back an average of $3/month)

If you're filling up once a week, that $2 becomes $100 over the course of a year. While it's not much, that $100 is a night on the town, or extra money for vacation, or what have you...

[MTK]

Welcome to the era of 'extreme energy' - CNN.com

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

POLITICAL HOT TOPICS: Monday, April 18, 2011 – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs

Yup, CNN is clearly ignoring the issue

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Welcome to the era of 'extreme energy' - CNN.com

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

POLITICAL HOT TOPICS: Monday, April 18, 2011 – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs

Yup, CNN is clearly ignoring the issue

You can't possibly admit it's getting the same attention or vitriolic ranting and raving.

http://www.mrc.org/bmi/articles/2011...han_Obama.html


Networks Link Bush to 'Skyrocketing' Gas Prices 15 Times More Than Obama

As gas prices rose in 2008, network reporters mentioned President Bush in 15 times as many stories than they brought up President Obama in a similar period in 2011.
Bush drew gallons of coverage in 2008. Comparing a 20-day span of rising gas prices in 2008 to 24 days of rising prices in February 2011, the Business & Media Institute found the networks did more than 2 ½ times as many stories during the Bush years versus Obama.
Unrest in the Mideast has hit American consumers hard, driving up gas prices that had already been above $3-a-gallon since Dec. 23. The national average for gasoline hit $3.36 on Feb. 28, the highest ever for the month of February according to The Associated Press. But the amount of network news coverage of rising gas prices did not reflect it.
All three broadcast networks together averaged just one story about rising gas prices per day. In contrast, when gas prices rose similarly in 2008, the networks averaged more than one story, per network, per day.
It took 24 days, from Feb. 1, to Feb. 24 for the national average for unleaded gasoline to climb from $3.101 to 3.228. The last comparable period of "eye-popping" gas prices: the 20 days between Feb. 21, 2008, and March 11, 2008, when the national average climbed from $3.086 to $3.227.
Some 2008 reports including the March 6, 2008, "Early Show" exaggerated the already rising prices by emphasizing extremely high prices. That morning CBS showed viewers a California gas pump that was charging $5.19-a-gallon for regular unleaded before mentioning the national average for that day, which was $2.02 lower. Some 2011 reports have reversed that trend by downplaying the impact of currently high gas prices on consumers by using words like "inching" to describe rising prices, or calling U.S. prices "a bargain compared to Europe."
The Business & Media Institute examined all the broadcast network news reports mentioning gas prices during each of those time periods and found ABC, CBS and NBC aired more than 2 ½ times more stories (63 stories to 24) in 2008 than they did in 2011.
But it was more than just the amount of coverage that showed the media's willingness to spin gas prices one way under Bush, and another way under Obama. In 2008, network reporters mentioned "Bush," the "president" or "government" in gas price reports 15 times more often than in 2011 under President Obama (15 stories to 1). A number of stories portrayed Bush as out-of-the-loop when he was asked about the possibility of $4-a-gallon gas and hadn't yet heard that prediction.
In contrast to the 15 reports referencing the Bush administration when gas prices were "through the roof," the only 2011 story to mention the president was NBC "Nightly News" on Feb. 24. Tom Costello's report on the impact of surging gas prices quoted President Obama who was "optimistic."
Obama said, "We actually think that we'll be able to ride out the Libya situation and it will stabilize." Costello didn't question the president's statement or mention any of the administration's policies that will constrict the supply of oil and gasoline and could further increase the price of gasoline for consumers.

Networks Fail to Mention Obama's Anti-Oil Actions
President Obama is the most anti-oil president in years and has taken specific steps to limit domestic oil production including a moratorium on deepwater drilling in May 2010 after the BP spill and the recent imposition of new regulations on the industry. Yet, the networks refused to notice in the recent gas prices stories BMI analyzed, just as they did in December 2010.
Not a single one of 2011 stories about rising gas prices BMI examined brought up any of Obama's anti-oil policies despite the impact they could have on supply and prices.
Obama's drilling ban was overturned by a federal court judge in June, but his administration continued to enforce it. On Feb. 3, Bloomberg reported that the administration "acted in contempt" of court by doing so.
U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman ruled on June 22, 2010, that the ban was "overly broad," according to Bloomberg. The following month Interior Secretary Ken Salazar put a second moratorium into effect, but voluntarily lifted it in October.
Some industry insiders claim there is still an "informal moratorium" on offshore drilling. "President Obama claims to have lifted the Gulf moratorium, yet not a single deepwater permit has been issued in nine months," Jim Adams, the Offshore Marine Service Association's president, said in a press release quoted by Bloomberg.
Adams said the consequences have been thousands of lost jobs and higher prices for gasoline and heating oil. At least one company, Seahawk drilling, has filed for bankruptcy blaming Obama administration policies.
The Heritage Foundation wrote on Jan. 11, 2011, that only two new deepwater permits have been issues since the end of the Obama moratorium, "down 88 percent from the historical average." Heritage also said shallow-water permits are down 11 percent. The Obama administration has also cancelled four pending lease sales in Alaska and reinforced existing offshore drilling bans, which prevent exploration in 85 percent of coastal waters.
"The lack of exploration and production means fewer jobs for out-of-work Americans and less money flowing into federal coffers," Heritage concluded.
Action on at least several of those permits may be forthcoming now that Feldman has ordered Salazar to decide on five permit applications from Ensco within 30 days.
Investor's Business Daily argued in a recent editorial that the Obama administration is intentionally allowing prices to spike in order to make green energy more desirable.
On the issue of rising prices, IBD editorialized: "It's not just Mideast turmoil that has brought us to this point. It's also a deliberate program of restricting domestic energy to make so-called green energy more attractive and necessary, keeping an Obama campaign promise that energy prices would 'necessarily skyrocket' on his energy agenda."

What High Gas Prices Mean for the U.S. Economy?
Moratoriums and permit delays have already costs jobs and threatened businesses and "soaring" gas prices could damage the fragile U.S. economy even more. Some analysts have predicted $5-a-gallon gasoline which would be "devastating," but "serious" consequences could result even if prices only reach the $3.75-a-gallon range.
AP reported that some businesses are already taking the hit for extra fuel costs because they don't think the economy is strong enough to pass it on in the form of higher prices.
In that same report, AP quoted Oil Price Information Service's chief oil analyst Tom Kloza. "[He] believes that the normal seasonal rise in prices has been pulled ahead by events in the Middle East, but he still expects prices to rise further. He predicts prices will reach $3.50 to $3.75 per gallon, barring more chaos in the Middle East," AP said.
Kloza said that would have "very serious consequences for the economy."
AP also reported that, "Over a year, analysts estimate, oil at $100 a barrel would reduce U.S. economic growth by 0.2 or 0.3 of a percentage point. Rather than grow an estimated 3.7 percent this year, the economy would expand 3.4 percent or 3.5 percent. That would likely mean less hiring and higher unemployment."
According to John Challenger, chief executive officer of global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, rising fuel prices be the "biggest obstacle yet" to job growth. Challenger said in a release, "Companies will be reluctant to pass along their higher fuel costs to consumers. So, the more companies are required to spend on fuel, the less they have to spend on expansion and hiring."
Higher prices, such as the $5-a-gallon prediction would be even worse for the economy. University of Maryland economist Peter Morici told BMI: "$5-a-gallon would be devastating if it's in 2011, if it's in 2014 it might not be devastating. But right now, if we went to that by July it would kill the recovery. It is unlikely that we will get to $5-a-gallon because it would kill the recovery before that point and then prices would go down."

[mlmpetert]

Originally Posted by Monkeydad

You can't possibly admit it's getting the same attention or vitriolic ranting and raving.

Networks Link Bush to 'Skyrocketing' Gas Prices 15 Times More Than Obama


Networks Link Bush to 'Skyrocketing' Gas Prices 15 Times More Than Obama

WOW, REDICULOUS...

Ive been really busy and havent watched any tv for a week until last night (just watched my boy Glenn Beck, though). I just don’t understand how news channels can just flat out ignore things or take opinion or biases on events. Maybe theres been other big things going on; Japan clean up, severe weather? Maybe it isnt as big of a story the second time around within a few year period?

Either way its times like these I love my 4 cyl 5 speed Honda accord. I get around 31-33 on the highway and average about 28 total in that sucker. Also whats scary is it’s not even summer and you have to think gas prices are gonna continue to go up. Every year I talk about how im going to buy an oil price etf before summer. This year I finally did around late January/early feb so im slightly hedged.

I honestly think a sustained 6 dollar mark will have a drastic impact on our economy. Most people I know are cutting back and/or changing their driving habbits. This time around people are more prepared or more ready for it, but after a couple months of paying 4 dollars and IF prices continue to rise to 6 or so people are going to be hurting big time.

Either way I guarantee you new networks wont be ignoring headlines of 6 dollar gas, even 5 dollars might be psychological barrier when news stations starting focusing on Pain at the Pump 2011

[mlmpetert]

Originally Posted by Monkeydad

You can't possibly admit it's getting the same attention or vitriolic ranting and raving.

Networks Link Bush to 'Skyrocketing' Gas Prices 15 Times More Than Obama


Networks Link Bush to 'Skyrocketing' Gas Prices 15 Times More Than Obama

Saw this over the weekend:

As Obama targets traders, some media analysts argue that he is getting a free ride on the skyrocketing prices compared to former President George W. Bush who was largely blamed for soaring hikes near the end of presidency in 2008.

"The numbers are fascinating… There were 280 network news stories" dealing with the issue of recent rising gas prices, Brent Bozell, president of Media Research Center, told Fox News. "Only three, three out of 280 mentioned the Obama administration's responsibility in this."

Bozell argued that the administration does deserve some blame for the prices since isn't looking at its own actions affecting higher gas costs.

"Whereas the Republicans wanted to drill more, and still want to drill more … drilling is down 13 percent in the last year," he said. "That is a huge, huge contributor to the problem we have of rising gas prices."

Obama Eyes Speculators for Rising Gas Prices, as Other Factors Play Role - FoxNews.com

[Slingin Sammy 33]

$ 83.00 to fill up, thanks again Obama Admin.

Energy in America: EPA Rules Force Shell to Abandon Oil Drilling Plans - FoxNews.com

"The EPA did not return repeated calls and e-mails. The Environmental Appeals Board has four members: Edward Reich, Charles Sheehan, Kathie Stein and Anna Wolgast. All are registered Democrats and Kathie Stein was an activist attorney for the Environmental Defense Fund. Members are appointed by the EPA administrator. Alaska’s Republican senator thinks it’s time to make some changes."

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

$ 83.00 to fill up, thanks again Obama Admin.

Energy in America: EPA Rules Force Shell to Abandon Oil Drilling Plans - FoxNews.com

"The EPA did not return repeated calls and e-mails. The Environmental Appeals Board has four members: Edward Reich, Charles Sheehan, Kathie Stein and Anna Wolgast. All are registered Democrats and Kathie Stein was an activist attorney for the Environmental Defense Fund. Members are appointed by the EPA administrator. Alaska’s Republican senator thinks it’s time to make some changes."

Cost me $72 to fill up my 18 gallon tank on Saturday. That stings.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Welcome to the era of 'extreme energy' - CNN.com

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

POLITICAL HOT TOPICS: Monday, April 18, 2011 – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs

Yup, CNN is clearly ignoring the issue

I was not trying to make a political statement about it. I just go to the home page each morning and it really is not in my face like it was last time it was so high. That is all I was saying.

[MTK]

People are simply more numb to gas prices now then they were 3 years ago. Plus we have bigger fish to fry these days, back before the market went belly up in late 2008 $4 gas was an easy target. These days, not so much.

[SolidSnake84]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

People are simply more numb to gas prices now then they were 3 years ago. Plus we have bigger fish to fry these days, back before the market went belly up in late 2008 $4 gas was an easy target. These days, not so much.

So in your opinion how much higher will it go before the market starts to crash again? I was talking to my manager today, and he thinks gas will reach 6.00 a gallon before the government intervenes or their is a collapse again...

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

People are simply more numb to gas prices now then they were 3 years ago. Plus we have bigger fish to fry these days, back before the market went belly up in late 2008 $4 gas was an easy target. These days, not so much.

It happens like this almost every time it goes up. Basically it'll get up to well over $4, then back down to like $2.50 and we'll all be like YAY! and it'll steadily climb back up to hover around $3 and we'll all think it's the greatest thing ever. The past three times gas has gone up it goes way up, goes way back down, then settles higher than it was before it went up. Totally agree about being numb.

[MTK]

$6/gallon isn't going to cause an economic collapse. I think prices would have to climb a lot higher than that to have a big impact or for the gov't to step in.

[redsk1]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

$6/gallon isn't going to cause an economic collapse. I think prices would have to climb a lot higher than that to have a big impact or for the gov't to step in.

It may not cause an economic collapse but it may cause another recession. Another $2/gallon would cause prices to increase on the majority of goods sold especially food, put companies out of business, etc, etc. It would cause significant harm to our already damaged ecomony.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by redsk1

It may not cause an economic collapse but it may cause another recession. Another $2/gallon would cause prices to increase on the majority of goods sold especially food, put companies out of business, etc, etc. It would cause significant harm to our already damaged ecomony.

Yeah I have to agree you would be doubling folks fuel budget. It has a trickle effect people still spend the money on gas becasue they have too but they have to pull back in other areas, like going out to eat, the movies, toys, etc...