America... Watch Out!

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RatherGoodBear said:
"Analysts" say the price of gas will be $2.00 by Memorial Day... sure enough it was. "Analysts" say gas will hit $2.50 by August... yep it did. Who are these analysts, and what are their credentials? I honestly think these people are pulling numbers out of their asses, and station operators are gladly hoisting them up on their signs.

Are they that astute, or is it just a self fulfilling prophecy?

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Ever read Tom Clancy's Debt of Honor? I believe that's the one ... about a Japanese businessman who buys a significant trading house on Wall Street, and starts to sell off large stocks for no reason. Other companies and houses see that and begin to sell off their big stocks. The bigs all start to fail, the smalls follow, the American economy is wrecked in a matter of days. The reason? Because the American economy is based on a scam, a sheet pulled over our eyes, but one that works because it has to work ... the world's so ingrained with this scam that it cannot function without it.

Most of this increase is because some genius (probably some mogul in OPEC that's now rich beyond our wildest dreams) decided to turn oil prices over the most paranoid, overreactive, un-logic based group of people to ever grace this earth: the analysts and traders of the world stock exchanges.

I hate to bring fiction back into the storyline here, but it really does apply. Come on, if someone got in Merril Lynch's ear that banking was going to crash tomorrow and they believed it and started selling it off, who wouldn't follow that trend? Who's going to believe the banks (who always have their own interests in mind) when Merril Lynch, a "respected analyst" says otherwise?

Blink:

You feel that fervently, you need to enlist. We need more boots on the ground, anyway. It's time for people to take action and truly "support the troops" for their ideologies. I love it when young people follow their dreams and pursue their goals with a vengeance. Which branch of the military do you think you're leaning towards? We are with you all the way, brother!!!

That's such a more more satisfying plan of action than regurgitating propaganda that is so full of holes that not even the greatest acolytes of this current gang believe what is happening. . .

Conspiracy theories be damned: read, read, my young friend. You want conspiracy? "Follow the oil." Might even get you to a pipeline or two in Azerbajain.

Meanwhile, back on the ranch. . .

Worst. Poll. Ratings. Of. Any. President. In. US. History. . .

'Nuff said.

And, now back to our regularly scheduled ROLLER COASTER PROGRAMMING. . .

I believe the original discussion was something along the lines of "How are higher gas prices going to affect your ability to go to amusement parks and ride roller coasters?"

The only thing I plan on doing is consolidating my massive cross-country treks to more regional ones, at least through the end of the year, or until the current gameplay is over. We'll probably have a better idea where these prices are going by around the time of the Holiday World event.

But, then, there's winter, and I hear it's going to be a harsh and cold one!!!!??!!!

Time to move to Fly South to Florida and ride SHEIKRA @ BG for the winter!!!

Wooooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooo!!!!!

Barry J.

Hmmm, so the hurricane was created by oil barons? That's interesting. My boss told me he heard on the radio someone said it was to punish Mississippi and its republican governor for being a "non-environmental" state. And here I thought Mother Nature was an independent. You go, Johnny Bravo. We all know Marcia's a better driver than you anyway. :)

Woah there Scott ... little long there Scott ... take it DOWN a notch Scott ...

And since he is a “just” God… He decided to sink Louisiana and their Democratic governor… Now I get it!

Ok Barry, While I do think that you just like to hear yourself talk, ;) I agree that we should get back on topic here...

Brett's allusion to to fictional writing aside, it is true that our whole American economy is built on a "belief", a hope, a pipe dream even. That belief being that a piece of green paper/cloth actually represents some "value" to people. If suddenly, people no longer had the faith that other people would value this paper/cloth, our economy would be in chaos.

But as long as we are using entertainment to express points, allow me to join in:

Anyone remember "It's a Wonderful Life"? When the good townspeople lost faith that the local bank was capable of wisely holding/investing their money, they stormed the bank and demanded the cash. They were basically going to put that bank out of business because, as everyone knows, banks dont actually hold your money, but rather loan it out to others. If everyone in *any* bank asked for all their money at the same time, that bank would be FUBAR.

One other entertainment allusion, in The Running Man it was six dollars for a Coke! :)
lata, jeremy

In Beverly Hills Cop, it was seven dollars for a coke...and that was 1985, if I'm not mistaken!

Yeah, but that was in a bar, this was from a vending machine

*Sorry if this has already been said"

This is all essentially what happens in that movie "Oil Storm." It was on FX, don't know if anybody actually cared, but the essential plot was-

Cat5 Hurricane hits Gulf Coast states. Main Oil Line for Gulf is Severed, and the shipping ports are decimated. Gas slowly goes up to 6 bucks a gallon.

So, not exact, but wierd that FX was sort of predicting the future. Not that I think we'll see 6 a gallon anytime soon.

I hate it though, I really feel guilty even mentioning the 2 and 1/2 hour trip to play ITG2, I mean, that's like 50+ bucks for my mom to pay. It seems rude. I'm just glad she's willing to take me to all the High School Football games, at least I'll get to play DDR there. It also made me sort of forget about Six Flags and Dollywood this year. Next year though, I don't care what the gas is, I'm going to ride Goliath.

[/boring post]

Blink3020

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Barry, don't even try to pull that BS. We are in Iraq to establish order and to root out terrorists. Not to mention that we removed one of the most brutal dictators the world has ever seen! We are not in Iraq purely because of oil.

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That's funny. I thought we were there to find weapons of mass destruction. Oh, that's right, Austin Powers was in charge of our intelligence at the time, thus the reason for there being no WMD. Now we are there for a different reason? Seems this snowjob attempted by our commander in chief is working on some. Please don't try to sugar coat the fact that this war has driven nearly every good/service price through the roof.

I was at Mejier the other day and took notice of something I really don't ever remember seeing. People actually were picking up items off the shelves and from the coolers, looking at the prices, then putting them back. I imagine because the prices are just too high so people are very careful of what they spend. Think about it, how much did $100 buy you 2 years ago compared to now? No way that amount of infation is correct % wise. It all boils down to the price of gas, obviously. It's pretty apparent that this war in Iraq is at least part of the reason for the price of oil. But we are there to restore order? It really looks like there is more disorder now that we are there compared to before. To remove a brutal dictator? Oh, that guy we liked in the 80's who we turned a blind eye to when he gased his own people? Yeah, that guy. Is there a Bush connection to the Saudi's? One would have to say Yes. That alone should not settle well with any American.

I really think this is an excellent topic. We are actually presented with the circumstance that some of us can't go to a park because of the gas prices. This is the first time in my lifetime I remember anything like this happening. I hate to say it, but I only see it getting worse. If it continues, will we see certain aspects of park services and or attractions removed to save in operating costs due to a drop in attendance? Yeah, I'm looking far ahead. But you need to approach what is happening to this country like a chess game. 2-3 moves (or years) a head.

I just seen where some Atlanta stations are charging 5.87 a gallon.

Chuck

That's pure price gouging. I saw that on CNN as well... some above 4 bucks a gallon as well.

We're now approaching Amsterdam prices, which is just plain nutty. Pure freak-outs by oil companies, states, and local gas stations. Some out to make a quick buck from this tragedy.

*sigh*
We can't do jack except complain & buy more gas. I'm obligated to... As much as I want to, I can't bike to work downtown because it's just a little too far for a morning bike ride... but I'm damn tempted to, tells ya that much!

In a way, I want this to happen... see the economy take a nose-dive and go into another Great Depression to kind of kick Congress & Bush in the ass and get them off their duff to really make a move. I want the state (New York) to lift their gas-taxes and ease the pain. I want the federal government to step in & actually put some effort in to stop this from spiraling out of control... and the only way is to have it get worse rather than level off.

On the other hand... I simply cannot afford it. I CAN afford it, but then I got money for nothing else... What cost me a cool 20 bucks to fill the tank to the max no more than maybe a year ago when it was $1.59, now will cost me at least 40 bucks which puts a major major dent in my wallet when it gets filled up once a week.

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Blink3020 said:
I like sports cars and SUVs and so do a lot of other people in this country. They don't get good gas mileage but who cares!

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As I said before, spoken like a true patriot. If it's good for you, who cares how it affects the rest of the world!

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Blink3020 said:
We are in Iraq to establish order and to root out terrorists.

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Good one. Except that before we invaded Iraq, there were no terrorists there. Iraq had nothing to do with the "war on terror" until we got there.

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DawgByte II said:
I want the state (New York) to lift their gas-taxes and ease the pain.

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No you really don't. If the gas taxes go away, your problem won't be finding enough money to buy gas, your problem will be finding a road in a condition you can actually use your gas (and car) on it. It's a real catch 22 right now and the only way it's gonna go away is if someone, businesses with their payrolls to employees, or oil companies, is gonna have to give in and forgo some of their profits in the name of the betterment of the economy, or it's all gonna start to slide, and they'll be out s**t creek anyway.

But, if Unions can't understand that they have to give in at some point just to keep their jobs, how can you expect management and stuffed-shirt CEOs to acknowledge that fact?

-Brett, bringing more hot-button topics to the surface, and highly enjoying PoliticsBuzz for a while ... let's make this a bi-yearly occurance ;)

Brett: Do you *really* believe that taxes on gas are used for road improvements? Do you also believe that "Toll Roads" are going to be converted into "Freeways" once the building costs are recouped? Perhaps you think cigarette taxes are being used to prevent smoking....

Seriously, there would be things lost if those taxes were removed, but I do not think there is a direct corelation between gas taxes and the state of road improvements. Anyone who has driven over a "Chicago Pothole" can tell you that! (high taxes in the city, poor roads in the neighborhoods)

I could also discuss the inherent unfairness of these "regressive" taxes, but that's for a different economic lecture. ;)
lata, jeremy

And since he is a “just” God… He decided to sink Louisiana and their Democratic governor… Now I get it!

But Jeffry this world is lying in the power of the wicked one. Not a just god is he...;)

As for Blinkin Idiot up there, at 19, I doubt he can afford an SUV or a sports car, or the gas for either. But maybe mommy and daddy are paying for it for him. Wonder how he'll react when they stop?

Oh Iraq....this could get fun......NAH...I'll sit this out for now! Going to take my son to the playground!

Maybe we could get some relegion, abortion, death penalty stuff going while we're at it! You know...stuff we all agree on! :-)

Jeremy - Well yes, I do believe it, more than that, I know it. I said they're used to fund roadway improvements (same as tolls). I never made any distinction that those funds were used for successful improvements, or used on contractors who didn't do shoddy work. Just cause the money's gettin' spent doesn't mean the roads are gonna actually be fixed to the level you'd expect. But without the money, then there's NO effort and NO work being done as opposed to just some effort and piss-poor work :)

If you don't think highway projects are funded on gas taxes and toll road collections, where do you think that money comes from? Certainly not big oil companies! *da dum CHA!*

I could agree on relegion :) Religion might be a different story ...

--Brett, who encourages all who have ever legioned to relegion!