Whats the solution for gas prices?

[Doctor D]

The danger of an accident on the highway is the one thing keeping me off a scooter for now, but I think it will be inevitable for me. The rain, heat, snow, moving, carrying cargo... all that will be made possible by car-sharing for me.

Car-sharing is only available in a few major metropolitan areas, but luckily I live in one of those areas. Driving a car will become a luxury for me that I only do on special occassions.

carshare

http://www.citycarshare.org/



P.S. - Anyone ever notice the "Wiki" tag button looks like the Death Star from Star Wars?

[Oblivion]

Quote- "my wreck was caused by a stray dog running into my path,
i was only going about 25 mph but it shattered my right leg
and damn near killed me"

Going a little off topic but theres a dog down the street from me that sleeps on the road. Ive been worried that the same thing you said will happen to someone in a car or motorcycle. Dumbest fucking owners ive ever seen.

[TVCasualty]

Originally Posted by Hippie3

most of the world travels on foot
because they are poor-
not out of eco-conscious choice.

A severe enough shortage of fuel or high enough prices can very quickly make it no longer viable to live in suburbia. That will force major changes on our culture since so many people will have to migrate into or at least a lot closer to urban areas to have access to food and other basic necessities. I've seen a few stories in the news here and there about this very thing already happening in more rural areas since high gas prices hit them harder and on average they've got less money to begin with. When people in the 'burbs call it quits it's gonna get interesting.

Since the majority of the world is already on foot and Europe has good public transportation infrastructure, it'll the the U.S. that'll have the hardest time adjusting; our cities can't handle too big an influx of people too quickly and many cities have run-down rotting cores that can't support anybody thanks, ironically, to suburbia. Everyone will be rushing back just when fixing up those areas becomes prohibitively expensive if it's even still possible.

In the interest of making lemonade out of this lemon I expect real estate prices in urban areas to rebound nicely as the Suburban Exodus begins. So one solution to high gas prices may be to buy houses in the city and hold on to them for a little while, if possible. You can buy lots of gas while it lasts with the profits from selling or renting them. Sounds like horrible advice now, but the next housing bubble will not pop like this last one since once people get to the cities they won't be able to leave again, practically speaking.

That, or get ready to start a suburban mining company that retrieves building materials from abandoned McMansions for building shantytowns near cities with. That ought to be lucrative as well.

[FDK]

One specualtive scenario I'm seeing play out here.

1999: Clinton lifts the regulation on gas for the futures traders.

2006-2011'ish: Gas prices are allowed to skyrocket thanks to delays in further oil exploration in likley areas and a failure to reinstate the regulations lifted by Clinton (No campaigning really as I'm sure this is a bipartisan effort like any shell game), leading to the mass exodus to Urbania from Suburbia as mentioned by TV. During said time, these forclosed properties are held by the Banks. Eventually the only ones who will be able to buy them up will be the Investment firms and other "high-rollers" with the financial fortitude to withstand this fabricated crisis. Fabricated by the sake that if A. There were mandates in place as in pre-99' times, while the prices would have risen naturally as a result of supply & demand, the increase certainly wouldn't have been as drastic as it has. And B. If we start drilling new sources of oil and increase the supply then the age old law of supply & demand will help to lower the cost, some may wish to argue that point, but frankly they can argue it with someone else

So post 2011'ish I'm forseeing that the powers that be (Same guy's who got us in this mess) will be kind and benevolent enough to finally offer us our salvation and as if by magic there will be either a cheap alternative fuel made available to the consumer or regulations and drilling will bring the price at the pump back to a reasonable level. After which time, all those who had 5-8 years worth of their morgage paid up at the time of the crisis will be more than able to buy their properties back at a higher interest rate as their previous forclosure has now messed up their credit rating. Not to mention that then Development companies will have access to many more tracts of land on which to build their crappy pasteboard townhomes.

Just the "Powers that be" figuring out how to squeeze one more drop of juice from the grape for their glass, but then thats just human nature I suppose.

Solution? Wait for it to "solve itself" because the only other option is the pointless and futile path of Social Unrest and civil disobediance. This is why we propegate the LCD in schools and the workplace, Sheeple are so much easier to herd.

Ok, thats my 2 cents and my official rant for the day.

Peace, Love and Granola all.

[Hippie3]

they say that
the more bullshit you can believe in
the happier you'll be.
have a nice day.

[FDK]

Originally Posted by Hippie3

how you feel is within your control alone-
choose to feel better
or choose to feel wounded-
still your choice.
don't blame me
for your reaction.

Well put friend.

Bottom line is we are all spouting hypothetics and hopes. There are many solutions to the global energy problems, but none of us will know which will be utilized till the Powers that be make that final call.

Still, being as it would be far less costly to the industry in the relativly near future to "simply" source new oil fields and thereby defer the cost of wide scale retrofitting of current plants to utilise these alternatives I'd find it highly likely that they will do just that. As far as the actual impact on the at-pump cost, your guess is as good as the next. We will of course inevitably need to find sustainable alternatives but I doubt we are witnessing the final death-throws of the oil industry as theres still plenty out there to be found.

[Southernshaman]

my wreck was caused by a stray dog running into my path,
i was only going about 25 mph but it shattered my right leg
and damn near killed me, stopped breathing in surgury
but was revived.
fuck mopeds.

Yeah, sorry to hear of your unfortunate accident. I, too, am disabled from two car accidentslol
Check out the following link. All the problems we're having with this "oil addiction," as Bush calls it...well, see for yourself....

http://politickernj.com/paganm/20650...-threat-amtrak

[shroom_seeker]

I was in culture shock when I visited Amsterdam - even in wintertime people are bicycling all over, young and old alike. Cars and trucks are compact, although the western influence is creeping in by the minute (talked to a bartender who's boyfriend just had to get a hummer- the truck lol). They have trains, trams and trolleys that run efficiently and put Chicago's public trans system to shame. Now don't get me wrong, I am grateful for any method of public trans, but was just blown away by the amount of people moving around. Best of all there are only a few trolley deaths per year, usually suicides. I'm convinced that a revamping of or a new technology for public transportation is a necessary part of solving the gas crises. Besides looking cool on bikes those dutch were definitely at a healthier average weight than us Americans. The smell of dank bud pouring out of alleyways at 9am was a plus too.

[FDK]

Amtrak is a friggin' awesome way to travel. Went from Chicago to Denver many a time by rail. That lounge car with the glass ceilling is the shiznit. I just hope they at least have the consideration to add a smoking car at the rear of the train, I felt so bad huddled up with the rest of the smokers in the luggage area thinking how much it would suck for the non-smokers to arrive at their destination only to find their clothes reeking like an ashtray.

[Hippie3]

behold,
the future...

[roc]

Damn Hip... it just ain't fare showing off our family pics like that!

[FDK]

Now that would be one great Train ride (Provided you get to sit next to the Tribes Shaman and trade him some Tobacco for Spice. )

[aumbrellaforainydays]

solution for gas prices? drill more oil!: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1213...googlenews_wsj

but if we cant control everyone maintaing their share of the supply, how is it going to help anything, ie Nigerian rebels attacking Africa's largest offshore platform:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/mai...cnshell120.xml

[shroom_seeker]

Originally Posted by Hippie3

behold,
the future...

let's push things forward.

[FDK]

Originally Posted by aumbrellaforainydays

but if we cant control everyone maintaing their share of the supply, how is it going to help anything, ie Nigerian rebels attacking Africa's largest offshore platform:

Well for starters, in the event there was a sudden drop in the overall world suply due to such an incident, there would be more oil available to begin with as opposed to the current level thereby reducing the percentage in overall lost production.

Hopefully however in addition to simply drilling more we could reinstate the pre-99' regulations on futures investors to prevent speculators from jacking us like they've gotten so fond of doing lately. Granted this may mean smaller returns in the investments of our 401k companies but better slow steady growth than being forced to dip into that fund with an added penalty now just so we can keep going to work and investing into that same 401k no?

Ultimatly of course we will eventually face the need of developing alternative fuels and cars that can run on them, but not as long as theres crude in the ground and a buck to be made by it. I'd love to start running vehicles on hemp oil tomorrow personally but I just dont see it happening till sometime after the Yellowstone Caldera erupts and our Government chokes and dies on it's own inability to properly handle such a crisis.

[seamus]

Originally Posted by TVCasualty

That, or get ready to start a suburban mining company that retrieves building materials from abandoned McMansions for building shantytowns near cities with. That ought to be lucrative as well.

You just gave me a flashback of "They Live". Cool Movie!

OBTW did I mention that any "demand" for fuel to be burned is manufactured by those who sell fuel? That is, powerful controlling interests have run the world energy business since the industrial revolution, and they have almost 100% effectively suppressed any super-efficient or free-energy technologies. Examples are: Tesla's wireless electric transmission system, Stanley Meyer's water splitting system, Charles Pogue's super-efficient carburetor, Edwin V. Gray's "split positive" electric system, Richard Clem's fuelless motor, Tesla's "black box", Viktor Schauberger's Trout Turbine, The Searle effect generator, the list goes on and on.

oh yeah i did... in that other thread..

S

p.s. this isn't expected to do anything but make you pissed off at the oil companies.

[Yale]

Originally Posted by Hippie3

behold,
the future...

IT's the full cast of LEgends of the Hidden TEMPLE !!

[Lazlo]

The Israeli's did test bombing in reference to the Iran nuclear thing. It's only a matter of time before shit hits the fan over there. Israel should be more than capable of taking care of Iran just from the air alone. Gas prices are shooting upwards of course.

[Hippie3]

just practiced in-flight refueling and rescue of crashed pilots, etc.
but yeah, they rattled their sabers,
and iran heard the message as it has its' air defenses on alert.
i daresay iran will hold the usa responsible,
israel would have to fly over iraq to reach iran's reactor.

[FDK]

Well I know the concept is quite unpopular with many, but we as a nation have been a long time supporter of Isralie interests. The nation of Israel would likely not exist were it not for the actions of the league of nations following WW2 (The U.S. being the most powerful and able to acheive the goal in the group) which led by feelings of guilt and sympathy for nt having acted sooner to prevent the Holocaust, muscled into the reigon and declaired Israel a land for the Isralies.

If I were Iran, I'd be blaming us too. Not saying their actions are the right ones, there naturally should be better courses of action with which to resolve this scenario but all sides are unfortunatly busy saber-rattling and pointing fingers, and have been for decades. At least it finally seems to be coming to a head. Better to get the splinter out than let it stay and fester IMO.

[Lazlo]

Originally Posted by Hippie3

just practiced in-flight refueling and rescue of crashed pilots, etc.
but yeah, they rattled their sabers,
and iran heard the message as it has its' air defenses on alert.
i daresay iran will hold the usa responsible,
israel would have to fly over iraq to reach iran's reactor.

That's right, a simulation.

FDK, when a nation threatens the U.S. and Israel like Iran has, there's no if ands or buts about the seriousness of the situation. All of the b.s. aside, something should have been done by now. The irony is that Sadam did nothing to trigger this war we're in as of now, but when a state verbally threatens the U.S. and it's allies like it has, nothing gets done. Go figure.

[FDK]

Originally Posted by Lazlo

That's right, a simulation.

FDK, when a nation threatens the U.S. and Israel like Iran has, there's no if ands or buts about the seriousness of the situation. All of the b.s. aside, something should have been done by now. The irony is that Sadam did nothing to trigger this war we're in as of now, but when a state verbally threatens the U.S. and it's allies like it has, nothing gets done. Go figure.

Lazlo, I believe you missed the sentiment of my post entirely Sir.

Imagine if I were to come to your home with a Homeless man saying, "The Ancestors of this Man used to have a Family Farm on this land where your townhome is now And being as he has come upon hard times We (My handfull of Associates, btw, we have you vastly outgunned) feel it best that he be allowed to take up residence in your yard, which consequentially will include the rights to 40% of your swimming pool, Compliance is not an option in this matter."

You are faced with three choices.

Path A: Peacfully comply with the harsh and threatening demand

Path B: Try and fight us off as best you can with a handgun and a slingshot

Path C: Seek Legal counsel and intervention from the Authoroties

For my money, I'd have to go with path C as the best and most reasonable option, but sadly Palestine was not given a third choice, it was "The Authorities" at their door.

I am not intending to condone the violence on either side, I am simply stating my understanding of the logic of their actions given the situation forced upon them.

My gladness stems from the fact that I would much rather see a once and for all final solution in the reigon. I've been sickened by seeing two Great Nations of my fellow man living in constant and abject fear of one another for the 3+ decades I've been alive and aware of the Hijackings, the Bombings and airstrikes, minefields, rocket attacks in the middle of the night randomly ripping apart famalies and will be glad when it has come to a head and finished. But I hope to God we have no hand in solving their problems.

But with regard to the seriousness of the situation, Were Israel to act against Iran, do you think the Muslim world would stand by Idly as the "Xtian / Zionist regime" wipes one of their brethren nations from the face of the earth? True the Muslims Nations are highly factioned and many are outright hostile to each other, but the Muslim world coined a phrase long ago, "The Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend". Do you really believe for one instant that in a realm so deeply driven by their faith that there exists even the slightest chance that we are to be their "New Best Pal"? The Muslim world has spread far and wide and is alive and prospering on our own soil, do you doubt that those already here will take action against their new found homeland for turning the place('s) of their birth into a sheet of glass? Do you believe that OPEC will stand by idly and shrug their shoulders at our actions, keeping oil production levels to where we will be able to support our need at home as well as continue to fuel our military machine at $15-25+ a gallon for regular?

Do you still wonder why we aren't so anxious to jump into this Fray?


***Edit***

And to those who say, "Well we went to Iraq and nothing came of it from other Muslim nations.", Then why is Iran so Irate now? Why were explosive and gas bombs going off int the U.K. and other areas the U.S. gathered it's coalition forces from? And that was only from our going there in retaliation for the actions of extremist. Going there for the sake of aiding what is sadly and likley the most hated nation on earth (Not by me, but anti-sematism is rampant thruout the world, Xtian & Muslim alike.) is sure to deeply enrage Muslims as a whole people immeasurably moreso than would the justifiable purposes of our current occupation. Not to mention that the Iran scenario is not one of rebuilding a nation, it will be of destroying one.

[Hippie3]

your recounting of the history of the area
leaves much to be desired,
chiefly truth and accuracy.

a little less fear of muslims might be nice too.
if they want to fight the israelis, americans, euros, russians, chinese and india all at once,
as they have been, they will surely be defeated.

[FDK]

And on the subject of truth and accuracy I dont recall Russia or China being a firm supporter of our involvment, infact iir they are quite set against the idea that Iran is even persuing a Nuclear weapons program (At least at face value since they've been the major suppliers to Iran of the materials and equipment along with the French until recently.) as well as against Military action being taken toward Iran.

Does the lack of accuracy you see stem from my description of how Israel was formed? You mean it wasnt the League of Nations which provided the Isralies with the settlement area post ww2??? Pleas sir, show mw my error and shed light on the truth for all.

[Hippie3]

i said nothing about russia and iraq-
read closer.
i said/mean that
russia is fighting muslem mujahadeen themselves,
in their own country-
as is china and india.
totally accurate
so back to you bud.

[FDK]

My Mistake Sir, your mention of Russia and China left me with the idea you implied they would join a force with us against Iran.

But again,was it not the League of Nations actions which put Israel where they are on the map firstly? I'm just curious in what area of my account do you find flaw? By all means please set me straight, I'd rather be educated than live under false notion.

[Hippie3]

both israel and palestine are legal constructs carved from the debris
of the old ottoman empire after it's defeat in world war one.
that's an important point that you not only left out
but in glossing over it
you portrayed the palestinians as having a more legitimate claim.
that's bias.
you portray, with your homeless man-swimming pool metaphor,
the palestinians as the natives being displaced by invaders
when in fact jews predate moslems by several centuries in the area.
there was no such thing as a moslem when jews began living there.