Protesters in Newark Rally Against High Gas Prices

[Miss Tam-Tam]

America still has some of the cheapest gasoline per gallon in the world. Unregulated oil futures speculation has contributed to high fuel prices. (Enron Loophole). But emerging markets, such as China, also contributes to its inflation. More cars in other countries means more demand for a limited fuel supply. Used car dealers are off-loading unsold SUV's to China. Although America is the biggest consumer of gasoline for use in automobiles, other countries are now in the mix.

The bad news is that I don't think that gas prices will go down; they might level off in time to get McCain elected president, but they will continue to climb. Energy analysts have predicted $10 to $12 gas per gallon within the next ten years. This will have an impact on inflation across the board. The good news is that it will effect major changes in the way we live, which may end up being good for the environment and/our health. When Big Oil was called before Congress to explain the huge hikes, they put it quite plainly in so many words: they are not in the business of providing discounts to people who cannot afford to buy gas. They are in the business of providing profits to their shareholders. The market is what it is. If people are expecting Big Oil to be accountable, then they have not been paying attention.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/protesters_in_newark_rally_aga.html

Protesters in Newark rally against high gas prices
by Mariam Jukaku/The Star-Ledger
Sunday June 22, 2008, 2:05 PM

Motorists leaned on their car horns as they drove past the Exxon station in Newark this afternoon, voicing their support for a dozen protesters who had gathered there to oppose soaring gas prices.

Holding signs reading "No breaks for big oil" and "Gas prices too high," the assembled crowd urged motorists to honk their approval as they stood in front of the station on the corner of Clinton Street and Elizabeth Avenue.

"This is hurting our commmunity. People are choosing between food and gasoline," said protest organizer Lawrence Hamm, of the People's Organization for Progess.

The Exxon station charges $3.99 for a gallon of unleaded gasoline and $4.29 for a gallon for premium, about in line with the state average.

Hamm plans to organize more rallies at other gas stations around Newark, but started with that station because of an existing boycott against Exxon Mobil Corp., by the civil rights group The Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The boycott, which began in May, now includes the nation's five largest oil companies.

"Unless people push back," Hamm said of the escalating gas prices, "it's just going to get worse."

[John360]

"Unless people push back," Hamm said of the escalating gas prices, "it's just going to get worse."
Although I admire their spirit, this is kind of a stupid idea. Wave signs all you like, it won't bring gas prices down. Push instead for alternative fuels/energy, better mass transit and conservation.

[Make Newark Clean]

Oil prices notwithstanding, we are heading into a Leveling Age out of necessity. If capitalism is to survive, it will have to yield more of its benefits to the average citizen. Whether there's still hope for "The Ownership Society" or whether it takes the guise of progressive taxation, redistribution must happen for stability's sake. I just hope the country will not be completely looted and sold off to totalitarian China before we relearn the perils of assymetric, unbeholden wealth.



^

[karimah]

[QUOTE=Miss Tam-Tam]America still has some of the cheapest gasoline per gallon in the world. Unregulated oil futures speculation has contributed to high fuel prices. (Enron Loophole). But emerging markets, such as China, also contributes to its inflation. More cars in other countries means more demand for a limited fuel supply. Used car dealers are off-loading unsold SUV's to China. Although America is the biggest consumer of gasoline for use in automobiles, other countries are now in the mix.

The bad news is that I don't think that gas prices will go down; they might level off in time to get McCain elected president, but they will continue to climb. Energy analysts have predicted $10 to $12 gas per gallon within the next ten years. This will have an impact on inflation across the board. The good news is that it will effect major changes in the way we live, which may end up being good for the environment and/our health. When Big Oil was called before Congress to explain the huge hikes, they put it quite plainly in so many words: they are not in the business of providing discounts to people who cannot afford to buy gas. They are in the business of providing profits to their shareholders. The market is what it is. If people are expecting Big Oil to be accountable, then they have not been paying attention.

Miss Tam are you saying you don't believe that Obama will be President ? :eek:

[Doofus1]

I wonder if they drove their SUVs to the protest? :rolleyes:

[Hots in the Ironbound]

I read/heard somewhere that Exxon-Mobil and Shell will be back in Iraq soon, before the election, returning since being kicked out in the early 80's....Oil prices may drop temporarily. But, the price probably will increase in due time after the election. Alternative energy is the answer. It's too bad the sudden oil rush began based on speculators, so they say...to compel a stronger push for alternative energy solutions.

[JoefromPGH]

The rising price of oil is truly a kick in the butt...but hopefully it will set our focus in the right direction and that is AWAY from oil. Marching against the rising prices isn't going to accomplish anything except letting off some steam.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

Miss Tam are you saying you don't believe that Obama will be President ? :eek:

One day recently I was in an auto shop waiting to have my car repaired. There was a number of customers waiting and a discussion broke out about the election. I asked a senior citizen the very question you are asking me. His answer: "It's America, ain't it?"

Let's say that I am cautiously optimistic. In recent national polls Obama is ahead of McCain. In my opinion, however, Obama should be trouncing McCain in the polls.

Having said all of this, I have donated to Obama's campaign and will do so regularly. I have sent for Obama wristbands which I will wear 24/7 until November. When I drive around in suburbia, I am struck by the number of Obama lawn signs I see.

http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

[Miss Tam-Tam]

I read/heard somewhere that Exxon-Mobil and Shell will be back in Iraq soon, before the election, returning since being kicked out in the early 80's....

Looks like we won the "war" in Iraq after all.

[Make Newark Clean]

I wonder if they drove their SUVs to the protest? :rolleyes:

:eek:

[JoefromPGH]

:eek:


From what I read in Miss Tam's post, many used SUV's are being shangheid to Shanghei (old spelling) because the market for used SUV's here is almost non-existant. With the Chinese using more and more petroleum, its a no-brainer that we should devote as much money as possible to weaning off the crude stuff. Besides that, investment in alternative energy will also mean a lot of NEW JOBS; a total WIN-WIN.

[Make Newark Clean]

I wonder if this group is in support of McCain's rollback of the 18-cent fuels tax (http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/gasprices/faq.shtml)? Probably not, since the price of gasoline has increased 10 cents (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=apXr4KO6o.BI&refer=home) in two weeks alone!

And now McBush calls for more drilling (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/828797/bush_calls_for_drilling_in_anwr_ocs.html). Aside from the fact that all the fossil fuel in the world won't matter if the climate change turns the planet into a cinder (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article1480669.ece), the proper call should have been to amp up construction of safe nuclear power facilities (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/14/AR2006041401209.html) in sparsely populated areas; rebuild (http://www.opednews.com/articles/-165-Billion-for-Iraq---2--by-John-R-Moffett-080619-463.html) the the national electric grid (http://www.eere.energy.gov/de/electricity_grid.html) so that remote power can be better accessed; increase solar and wind energy alternatives including wind farms in the ocean (http://www.cleanoceanaction.org/index.php?id=292); and, last, finding a way to sustain and support differently powered vehicles (http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/transportation/electric.html) from electric to hydrogen.

^

[karimah]

Make,


I hear alot of different arguments regarding drilling. Why are you against drilling for oil and if your against it, besides the things you listed, where do you think is a good place to drill.

[JoefromPGH]

Make,


I hear alot of different arguments regarding drilling. Why are you against drilling for oil and if your against it, besides the things you listed, where do you think is a good place to drill.

Karimah,

I'm not answering for Make but, I too, felt that drilling for more oil could help to soften the move toward alternative sources. However, I've gone away from that thought as the cost of drilling and the time it would take to get the oil into production would take years and opportuntities away; opportuntities that would enable us, in the same time frame, to become energy independant. Now, when oil prices are so high, is the RIGHT time to do what we need to be a major force into the future.

[Make Newark Clean]

Make,


I hear alot of different arguments regarding drilling. Why are you against drilling for oil and if your against it, besides the things you listed, where do you think is a good place to drill.

I heard this morning on the news that there are 1000 cars being added to China (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/02/24/hey-big-spender-china-has-trebled-energy-consumption-since-197/) everyday. India is set to produce a cheap gasoline-powered car (http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_17/b4031064.htm) beginning this autumn available to its burgeoning middle class (http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/425/india-middle-class.html) (already estimated to be between 50 million and 350 million depending on who you call middle class).

The whole world needs to move away from ozone-producing, acid-rain creating, asthma-inducing unsustainable fossil fuels. If there's one sliver of goodness coming from the high energy prices, it is that Americans are realizing the impact of the cost of overusing toxic hydrocarbons albeit if only from its impact on their wallets. Spend the money on energy efficiency and sustainable sources, including nuclear.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

Gasoline retailers have little control over pricing. It is very micro-managed at the executive level. Did you know that most gasoline pumps of Big Oil transmit information regarding pricing and usage to the head office? The pumps automatically trigger an alert when the tanks begin to run low. Even the cash registers in the sundry shops at Big Oil gas stations are closely monitored by management. Exxon-Mobil has always had higher priced gasoline.

I have always admired Larry Hamm's advocacy for the disenfranchised in our community. But the suits at Exxon-Mobil will tell you that the market is what it is and there's nothing they can, or want, to do about it. Folks ought to be advised about places where cheaper gasoline can be purchased. Alas, before the end of July they will all be over $4.00 a gallon. :(

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/protest_in_newark_highlights_r.html

Protest in Newark highlights rising gas prices
by The Star-Ledger Continuous News Desk
Sunday June 29, 2008, 11:39 AM

The People's Organization for Progress will protest rising gas prices today in Newark, at the Exxon-Mobil gas station, corner of South Orange Avenue and Bergen Street. The rally will start at 1 p.m.

The station has one of the highest prices for unleaded gasoline in the Newark area, according to the People's Organization for Progress. "We are protesting at this station because it is located in one of the poorest communities in New Jersey and yet it has one of the highest prices for gas," said Lawrence Hamm, the organization's chairman.

For more information call (973) 801-0001.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080701112646.vg97wut2&show_article=1

Saudi king urges consumers to get used to high oil prices

Jul 1, 2008 07:26 AM US/Eastern

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, whose nation is the world's number one oil exporter, called on consumer countries to get used to high prices in comments published on Tuesday.

"Consumer countries have to adapt to the prices and the mechanisms of the market," the king said in an interview published by the Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyassah.

"We have nothing to do with the current sharp increase in crude prices," he said reiterating the Saudi position that speculation, rising demand and the taxation of oil products in consumer countries were to blame.

"These countries must reduce their taxes on fuel.. if they want to contribute to easing the burden on ordinary consumers," he said.

[Make Newark Clean]

Cut-throat capitalism is America's national religion and is indeed adhered to and practiced in the Middle East. Islamic principles of charity principles don't stand a chance! :eek:



^

[Doofus1]

We should be increasing the tax on gas and pumping it into mass transit.

[JoefromPGH]

We should be increasing the tax on gas and pumping it into mass transit.

Agreed!

With less demand for automobiles, will come less congestion, less need to expand highways and less demand for petroleum.

Americans usually cope with change. This is one change that will be tough for many but its called SURVIVAL. Mass transit isn't bad at all. In fact, one can actually SLEEP during the commute, if one so chooses.

[Hots in the Ironbound]

One day recently I was in an auto shop waiting to have my car repaired. There was a number of customers waiting and a discussion broke out about the election. I asked a senior citizen the very question you are asking me. His answer: "It's America, ain't it?"

Let's say that I am cautiously optimistic. In recent national polls Obama is ahead of McCain. In my opinion, however, Obama should be trouncing McCain in the polls.

Having said all of this, I have donated to Obama's campaign and will do so regularly. I have sent for Obama wristbands which I will wear 24/7 until November. When I drive around in suburbia, I am struck by the number of Obama lawn signs I see.

http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

I think those moderate, middle-of-the-road, republicans in suburbia, are sick of Bush and what has happened to the economy, will jump to the Obama side.