Your Roundup

I have started doing something to try and get those idiots in Washington DC to do something about gas prices. After every gas fill up I call the Senators in my state and the congressmen/woman and tell them how much my fill-up cost me and how much it is hurting me and my family and I tell them to get off their butts and do something about this and now. I also remind them “every time” about 1973 when we had gas shortages and stood in line at the gas stations. If you remember we were told by the Senate and Congress then that they would never let this happen again and we would not be dependent on foreign countries for our fuel ever again. It has been 35 years and they have not done one thing. Granted many of the people in office now were not in office back then but some were. I call both their state office phone number and their office in Washington DC number. I keep both their Washington Office phone and State office phone in my cell phone so it is easy and I am always mad when I leave the gas station.
I also tell them to stop letting a few environmentalists stop them from drilling for oil in Alaska and off shore. Telling us to conserve is not going to work because most of us have to drive to work, school etc. One of the problems is with a few special interest groups pulling the strings as to where we drill. We have enough oil in the US and off shore to last for 100 years. Just think if everyone did this how many calls they would get. With these people this is all that will work. Do you remember what happened when people started calling, faxing and e mailing about McCain/Kennedy Immigration bill? It got stopped in its tracks. The same thing will happen with gas prices. I don’t know what they will do but they will start working on it and fast. All that counts with them is votes; the squeaky wheel gets the grease with politicians.
This week McCain said he was going to have a moratorium on federal gas tax for a few months. I have heard nothing from Hillary or Barack about the problem of gas prices. The senate calls a few CEO’s in and chews on them and then nothing happens. I call it grand standing or smoke screen.
So come on and call them every time you gas up or at least send them an e-mail. Let’s jam their phones, faxes and emails with complaints.
It will work if enough people do this. If it does not it will make you feel better to get it off your chest. Or we can sit back and say oh well there is nothing I can do.E-mail your friends and ask them to call also.

Can McCain put a moratorium on gas tax all by himself?
I don't think so. Another empty campaign promise.

Thats right but at least he is talking about it. He is not my choice either but I will be forced to vote for him over the other two.

I agree but at least he is talking about it. The point is call them about gas prices.

The first post did not show up so I sent another one and now they both show up. Sorry

just because they might drop the fed tax on gas,( don't think so ) do you realy think that the gas prices will come down ( don't think so ) you can see how gas is prices are done when the price goes up on oil gas prices go up in a week or less. and the oil they are buying at that prices will not get to the car or truck until what 2 months or longer, i bet longer. if we use to much gas it goes up , if we do not use enough gas it goes up, so we can not win. until we change the way we do thing here, no change, this country was made this way by the people, we do not like someone telling us how mush we can make or lose. if you want that them move out of the USA. I'm 50 and i have seen gas at less than 20 cents in the early 60 and now 3.30 o well.

steve

One of the influences on the price of gas at the pump, is the pure speculation taking place in the commodities markets as regards crude oil futures. I believe it wasn't until sometime in the early 80's that crude was allowed to be traded on the commodities market so it had a relativley stable and gradual increase in price. All that changed when the "speculators" got control of that product. The prices we are seeing at the pumps are determined months before by the producers buying "futures" based on the volitile world oil market. With the current price of crude being at historical highs, we can anticipate the same will be true for refined gasoline.

Remember that the issue in the early 70's was due to an Arab oil embargo, not availibility, supply and demand, etc but pure international politics. I still remember Jimmy Carter going on TV and yelling at us (American consumers) that "we are out of oil" and " there are no more dinosaurs dieing so they can degrade and make new oil". A joke then as well as now.

What is different today from the previous "crisis' is that we have three new players in the mix. The speculators I mentioned previously and of course China and India. Those two emerging markets are in direct competition for a product that we Americans used to pretty much have a lock on based on our useage and markets. That unfortunately no longer is the case and we should make continued efforts to develop alternative sources to fuel our comfotable and accustomed lifestyles. Barring that, get ready for the real world of global economics.

That is why we are where we are today. People will not use the power of the people to voice what they want. So we set back and let it go and get the shaft in the end. So just set there and do nothing. Our government can do a lot when they set their heads to it. We have to make sure they set their heads in the right direction .But we the people have to let them know we are not going to let them do nothing. What happened to Americans Citizens who will fight back? I hope they don't all have your attitude. If a lot of us had not took hold of the McCain/Kennedy amnesty bill and flooding them with phone calls and faxes and e-mails it would be the law today. We can do something and make them come up with an answer or set back and say oh well. The environmentalists are the reason we have not been drilling for more oil. They speak up and a few of them change what the politicians do. Works for them and it will work for the rest of us. Get some back bone and wake up American.

I would recommend reading a post by Shovelhead under the Community discussions called THE 545 PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR AMERICA'S WOES. This about says it like it is. The point is we were told back in the 70's that we would never be held hostages by other countries for our oil. Nothing done about it in 35 years. That's the point.

I agree with Chief 1942. The Major oil companies have abandoned exploration in the US, according to my son Mike, who has been an oil & natural gas geologist in the largest oil reserve in the US, the Permian Basin since the mid 1970's, which spreads from Houston Texas to the Four Corners area. The majors left years ago because they can drill where they want over seas, without worrying about the tree huggers and government control. Only small oil companies are still operating here.
More food for thought; If we are so desperate for oil, why are we shipping all of the North Slope oil in Alaska to Asia, India, and China?
I think the enemy is us, for allowing the politicians to continue to strangle the oil industry with restrictions, and laws, that forced them to go elsewhere.
This is only the begining of the, "OIL CRISIS", unless we pull our head out of the OPEC sand, and develop alternate energy sources, it
will get worse! The politicians have not listened to the American people, and will continue to fill their pockets with lobbyist $$$ in the hallways of Congress. As we all know, money speaks louder than words.

Yes I know what you are saying is true Gordon. After law enforcement I worked for Dow and with the major Oil companies in Houston. Are you aware they are taking the Alska Pipeline out. The company I last worked for in Houston is helping take it down. Also my Grandson works in the Permian Basin in Odessa for a company that sells chemicals to the oil companies who are opening more oil wells in that area that were shut down in the 80's. They cannot hire enough employees to try and restart the old oil wells again. He has to live in Monohans which is 40 miles west of Odessa because there are no apartments or houses for sale in Odessa. I agree we need alternate fuels but we as consumers cannot set back and let Congress just do nothing. If we do they will never do anything. They only react to pressure from votors and you know that. We need to tell them to get their heads out of OPECS sand and now. Can you blame the oil companies for going where they are not being shut down by EPA. So I guess we just throw our hands up and watch our country continue to be controlled by OPEC and the middle east while we wait for a new fuel or for the car companies to develop a diferent car. Gordon you and I will be dead before that happens.

Chief,
We are in agreement.

My son lives in Midland, not far from the Airport. He was in the county, but, to get city water, after the city ran his well dry after they built a golf course near him, he had to be annexed by Midland.
It seems government, ciity, county, state, and federal, are in the same mind frame, screw it up, and figure out how to correct it later.

Yes, OPEC has us by the throat, and our government is just standing and watching, maybe hoping they will go away!

Gordon,

It is my understanding that the oil from the North Slope is heavy crude and we do not have refineries in the US which can accomodate this type of crude. Perhaps your grandson can verify that, but I believe it is factual.

By the way, does your grandson's experience with water problems ring a bell when you think of the residents who have homes right in your neighborhood in Payson Arizona?

Think about it.

Ruby,

Not true about Alaska oil. You are thinking of oil from Mexico. The US does not have ships capable of hauling oil to our shores. All ships transporting oil from Valdez, AK. are registered in foreign countries.

It's not my grandson, he is my 57 year old son. Also, I, or any of my Payson neighbors, have any water problems. You have forgot what Mayor Bob recently stated, "we have plenty of water in Payson". I have thought about it Ruby, and you are beating on a dead horse, when it comes to the water issue in Payson.

Ruby, Gordon doesn't live where people have wells that are going dry. I think he lives in the neighborhood of swimming pools and lawn sprinklers! :)

Ask Dr. Gonzalez, my favorite Veterinarian. about wells being sucked dry and he can tell you a pretty lurid story of how the Town of Payson helps you when they drop your private well level to supply new subdivisions.

Mike, I understand about Gordon, he just doesn't get it, does he? I think maybe he doesn't WANT to get it.

Gordon, I won't throw away my stick just yet - may want to beat that dead horse some more.

Anyone wishing any accurate information regarding TAPS (Trans Alaska Pipeline) might want to view the following excerpt.

April 19, 2008, 1:39AM
Trans Alaska pipeline could do job for 30 more years
By TOM FOWLER
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

PRUDHOE BAY, ALASKA — When engineers first turned the spigot on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System in 1977, they thought it would run for about 30 years. Accountants were a bit more generous, saying it would be 34 years before the 800-mile, $8 billion asset could be written off the books.

But with its 31st anniversary approaching in June, the pipeline, known as TAPS, is primed for another 30 years. Producers continue to find ways to squeeze more oil out of the frozen North Slope, while plans for a massive natural gas pipeline to the Lower 48 could spur further exploration and development.

A multimillion-dollar upgrade of TAPS is under way. When completed, it will leave only four of the original 11 pump stations online, all running smaller, more efficient electric pumps. The pipeline system will have new, automated monitoring and control equipment, operated from Anchorage instead of the Port of Valdez.

Key events in the history of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline:
March 1968: Oil discovered at Prudhoe Bay

March 1972: Department of Interior issues final environmental impact statement for TAPS

May 27, 1975: First pipe laid

May 31, 1977: Final pipeline weld made

June 20, 1977: First oil flows from Pump Station 1

July 28, 1977: First oil reaches Valdez Marine Terminal

1988: Peak average daily throughput of 2.03 million barrels per day

March 24, 1989: Tanker Exxon Valdez runs aground, spilling 258,000 barrels of oil into Prince William Sound

1993: Congressional hearings and federal audit reveal concerns about pipeline safety and quality control

March 5, 1994: 10 billionth barrel reaches Valdez

1996-1997: Pump Stations 2, 6, 8, and 10 taken offline and placed on standby because of declining throughput

Nov. 3, 2002: A 7.9 magnitude earthquake shuts pipeline down for 66 hours, but no oil is spilled

March 2004: Multimillion-dollar upgrade of monitoring, control and pump systems begins

Ruby & Mike,

My lot is all rocks,natural trees, some shrubs planted 12 years ago, but no swimming pool.
The only swimming pool in this neighborhood belongs to Mayor Bob Edwards. Did you get that Ruby? Throw away your stick!

The pool at Mayor Edwards is a therapy pool that was put in for his daughter inside. It is not a big pool outside.

Have you seen it? It probably doesn't use as much water as the whirpool tubs in town, that the water is drained each time it is used.
I had one and it completely drained my hot water tank besides the cold water that was used in it.

Gordon you get worse by the day. The pool at the Mayor's house has been discussed on here before.

Chief,
Your "article" ends in 2004, anything new since then? I'm sure my friends and family in Alaska would like to know when the pipeline is going to be "taken out" (your words). Residents of Alaska are still receiving their dividends from oil revenues and are still fighting hard to have more oil exploration. Big state, small population.......we need the rest of the U.S. to speak up and extract and refine the oil that is in our OWN country.

Gordon,

The pool at Mayor Edwards home is a therapy pool put inside for his daughter, It probably doesn't use as much water as my jacuzzi bath tub did. It drained my hot water tank each time I used it along with a lot of cold water, and the water had to be drained each time it was used !

Don't you ever give up? His pool has been discussed on here before and has nothing to do with the price of gas.

Give it a rest. He will only be in office a few more weeks and you wil have your paradise, like hell !

Gee Whiz Pat, I think you made your point in your first post at 12:33am. Or did you "repost" because you didn't refresh the page to make sure your original post was here? I know "repost" isn't a real word, so you spelling and grammar "policepeople", leave me alone. :-)

Gordon, no one said you own a pool or have a lawn. It was stated you live in the NEIGHBORHOOD of pools and sprinklers. See the big smiley face?
Good grief Gordon does the shoe fit?

Gordon,

I can read reports from the University of Arizona on water resources as well as the national reports. We are actually in a drouth cycle, Gordon, no matter what you say.

I'M KEEPING MY STICK !

Keep your head in the sand as usual - we recognize the part of you that is visible most of the time.

Leeta,
Sorry, maybe he will get the point if it comes up every other post. (:
My first one and then your post has the same time, so thought I had forgot to hit the button.
Repost looks good to me.

Leeta,
Be sure you do not confuse posts that I make with those of Chief Hinton. As I stated in the post, it is simply an exerpt from the full article. If you want more information than you can digest on the TAP, Google is your friend.

Ruby & Pat,

Read my 4/21 post again. I did not say we have plenty of water, the Mayor stated we did. Talk to Mike Ploughe of the Payson Water Dept., or our other water expert Mayor Edwards, who, when running for the office of Mayor said we were out of water. I would prefer to believe Mike Ploughe.

Good grief, this blog started out discussing Oil, and slipped into discussing water. I am smart enough to know that water and oil don't mix, and I am not an expert on oil either. My son, not my grandson, has been in the oil business about 35 years and I receive information from him.

Go cool off Pat, and Ruby, leave your water witch stick in Oregon, or just throw it away. By the way Ruby, I don't have any sand on my property to stick my head in, so, I can't show you my other end. When you say you have done all of these studies on drought, and we are still in one, did you move back to Payson? My brother-in-law, who lives in Roseburg, OR., says they have received tremendous amounts of rain in Oregon. I am visiting him this Memorial Day, and I hope Roseburg has not turned in to a desert!

Shovelhead,

No! The shoe does not fit. Do you get your information from the Buffalo Bar?

Monitor. Why were my last 2 posts deleted?

Gordon Metcalf

Monitor, thank you, their must have been a delay

I didn't get to read them but it is about time some of them were removed.

No Gordon I didn't get my info from the bar but from a very reliable source. Gordon Metcalf told me.

"Posted by Gordon_Metcalf (Gordon Metcalf) on April 21, 2008 at 11:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ruby & Mike,

My lot is all rocks,natural trees, some shrubs planted 12 years ago, but no swimming pool.
The only swimming pool in this neighborhood belongs to Mayor Bob Edwards. Did you get that Ruby? Throw away your stick!"

Ergo my comment about you living in a neighborhood with a pool was right on target. Or perhaps you are fibbing now? Get your stick Ruby the horses is still squirming!

Mike,

I don't know what your problem is with me, I have noticed a chip on your shoulder, and I don't even know you.

A few days ago this post was discussing the oil situation, and for some reason it turned around to what I have in my neighbohood.

Pat, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure you out. I bought you a cup of coffee one time, and you have been mad at me ever since.

Gordon,
Once again you are wrong, I do not drink coffee in restaurants. The only coffe I drink is Swiss Mocha International coffee that I drink at home. Can't you get anything right?

A chip on my shoulder?
Pat, do you see a chip on my shoulder? Ruby?
All I did was respond to your statement, and I quote

"Also, I, or any of my Payson neighbors, have any water problems."

Maybe you should check your shoulder.
I invited Pat and Dean to a party and found them to be two charming ladies :)

Thank you Shovelhead, we enjoyed meeting you.
We have tried to meet other people on here but they don't want anything to do with us, I wonder why? (:

Shovelhead,

I've never met you, but sure would like to. However, you just have to remember that Gordon has a psychological need to always be a victim. You don't even have to make an effort to help him be one -- he will make it work no matter what you say.

By the way, the only motorcyclists I find offensive are the idiots who try to prove they are supermen by speeding at outrageous mph and endangering other people doing so. Other idiots do the same thing in autos.

I learned to ride ( sort of) in 1938 on an Indian motorcycle on a gravel road at the foot of the Sandia mountains near Albuquerque, N.Mex. But I lost it in the gravel when I tried to miss an armadillo that ran across the road. Decided that next time I'd just hit the little jerk. Quit riding when my light weight street bike (I think it was a Suzuki 185) was getting "sucked in" every time a truck passed me. Decided it was time to find a new toy since I couldn' afford a Harley anyhow.