Strange Bedfellows

I never thought I'd agree with Bill O'Reilly, the commentator of "The O'Reilly Factor" on Fox News. Usually I think he's a pompous ass. However, I caught a bit of his memo last night, and then went to his website to read his current article, Gas Pains (or the column of 4-20-06, if the link dies), in which he talks about the rising price of gas.

Please read the memo linked above and the column, even if you detest the man. He has some great points. If we all banded together and hurt these companies where they are vulnerable--their deep pockets--maybe the prices would lower to a more comfortable level.

I know that we Americans can't complain too much. After all, we could be paying what they pay in Europe for gas, and it's not cheap there, if it ever was. However, we need to quit buying gas-guzzling vehicles and use our cars less, if we can help it. Even a little thing, like not buying gas on Sundays (which O'Reilly proposed in his memo) can make a difference. Just try to use less gas, period.

In searching out oil boycotts, I came across this site, which has a list of companies that import Middle Eastern oil.(The site started up due to the "war on terror"; it may be somewhat out of date.) There are other people trying to make a difference as well. Here's a yahoogroup link. Snopes says that oil boycotts don't work, and the article is probably correct. However, choose to vote with your pocketbook--spend less, drive less. Don't be Fuelish! :)

In a related link, check out the wikipedia article about the 1973 oil crisis. Also this wikipedia link on the current oil price increases is interesting. Under the "Supply" heading, it states that the U.S.'s oil operations in the Gulf of Mexico supply most of its domestic market. So, if that is the case, the turbulence in the Middle East and in other oil-producing countries should have no effect on the consumer market here at home, in my opinion.

But it never works that way, does it???? :)

In fact, this Fox News article says that gas shortages have already hit the East Coast.