Anger boils in Europe over rising fuel prices ($10/gallon)

The Chronicle Herald ^ | June 15, 2008 | Shelley Emling

[Wuli]

Let them ride bicycles, that’s what China did when it had its socialist system. If they believe themselves to be true socialists then why aren’t they following the models presented by their Marxist saints - walk, ride a bike or drive a Yugo (unless you’re part of the political class).

[CHICAGOFARMER]

Thank you all for spreading the truth.

[CHICAGOFARMER]

Thank you all for spreading the truth.

[PubliusMM]

Well, a little sabre rattling is a bit short of nukin’em, so I’ll go with you on that one.
But, I also believe that we could put major downward pressure on crude prices if we would just make the right decisions to open up drilling, increase refinery capacity, and expand R&D into alternatives...and MEAN IT BY DOING IT.

Once the OPEC nations see us advancing along the highway to independence from their goods, the speculative bubble will burst so fast, they’ll get spritzed. Heck, a few might even take up drinkin’...

[wbill]

I think that if gas hits $10/gallon, then we'll start seeing environmentalists swinging from lampposts.

The heck of it is, some (not all, but some) of the high gas prices are completely avoidable. I think that if prices stay where they are for an extended period (6 months or more), then we'll start seeing some of the inefficiences that are inherent to the current system get wrung out.

"Botique Blends" of gas mandated by local governments, for one. Ethanol blends, for two. Like I said, touchy-feely environmentalism is just fine until people can't afford to feed their kids.

It's a simple "what if". What if, as a gas station owner, I told the local, county, or state gov't that's mandating a specific blend to "Get Stuffed" and went out to get whatever gas I could find or was cheapest. Who would know, or care? And how would those laws be enforced? Through fines that I could recoup by selling cheaper gas? We might be on the cusp of seeing a general revolt.

Honestly, though, I think that gas is headed back down, contrary to popular opinion. We won't see $0.99/gal again, but, - unless there's a major shock to the market, then all bets are off - I think that we're looking at the top right now.

[Fishrrman]

“Break up the OPEC cartel, by force if necessary. These petty dictators have their foot on the neck of the Western economies. Its time to correct that situation.”

Beat you to it:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2027042/posts?page=61#61

- John

[Hacklehead]

“Beat you to it:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2027042/posts?page=61#61";

Not so fast:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2019632/posts?page=28#28

You were on that tread as well. Let’s call it a draw :-)

[Rummenigge]

Still him :)

US Airlines as an example are operating much older fuel inefficient planes than european airlines.

Some time ago Europeans where laughed at because of their environmentalist approach on fuel saving. Now we are prepared for this - at least much better then the US are with a dwindeling dollar and 70ies design transportation.

[avacado]

You’re kidding me right! Europe pays through the nose for gasoline. What we pay for gasoline here is peanuts by comparison.