GAS PRICES

[just another payment]

WHERE YOU RANK

Current gas prices by state

State Regular Mid Premium Diesel State Regular Mid Premium Diesel
Alaska $2.11 $2.23 $2.36 $2.22 North Carolina $2.13 $2.26 $2.36 $2.24
Alabama 2.11 2.25 2.32 2.21 North Dakota 2.18 2.26 2.34 2.29
Arkansas 2.10 2.21 2.35 2.21 Nebraska 2.21 2.26 2.33 2.28
Arizona 2.22 2.31 2.45 2.41 New Hampshire 2.08 2.25 2.33 2.32
California 2.45 2.61 2.65 2.62 New Jersey 1.98 2.13 2.21 2.22
Colorado 2.18 2.34 2.44 2.33 New Mexico 2.19 2.33 2.43 2.32
Connecticut 2.17 2.36 2.42 2.45 Nevada 2.38 2.51 2.60 2.47
District of Columbia 2.21 2.35 2.42 2.35 New York 2.22 2.38 2.43 2.46
Delaware 2.07 2.20 2.30 2.34 Ohio 2.16 2.30 2.40 2.29
Florida 2.21 2.39 2.43 2.34 Oklahoma 2.08 2.15 2.27 2.15
Georgia 2.09 2.24 2.34 2.20 Oregon 2.27 2.39 2.43 2.57
Hawaii 2.47 2.61 2.66 2.71 Pennsylvania 2.14 2.25 2.35 2.40
Iowa 2.13 2.24 2.35 2.24 Rhode Island 2.11 2.24 2.32 2.40
Idaho 2.13 2.25 2.31 2.49 South Carolina 2.06 2.19 2.29 2.16
Illinois 2.20 2.37 2.44 2.37 South Dakota 2.20 2.34 2.43 2.27
Indiana 2.19 2.35 2.42 2.24 Tennessee 2.11 2.23 2.34 2.20
Kansas 2.17 2.23 2.31 2.28 Texas 2.07 2.19 2.27 2.20
Kentucky 2.13 2.29 2.39 2.18 Utah 2.11 2.22 2.32 2.38
Louisiana 2.09 2.23 2.34 2.19 Virginia 2.10 2.20 2.28 2.22
Massachusetts 2.07 2.23 2.31 2.36 Vermont 2.13 2.29 2.39 2.42
Maryland 2.15 2.29 2.34 2.34 Washington 2.27 2.35 2.47 2.63
Maine 2.15 2.32 2.39 2.37 Wisconsin 2.25 2.33 2.44 2.33
Michigan 2.23 2.36 2.46 2.28 West Virginia 2.19 2.29 2.40 2.34
Minnesota 2.11 2.20 2.26 2.25 Wyoming 2.07 2.16 2.30 2.31
Missouri 2.07 2.16 2.28 2.16 Current average 2.16 2.30 2.38 2.31
Mississippi 2.11 2.22 2.33 2.17 Month-ago average 1.92 2.04 2.11 2.15
Montana 2.17 2.26 2.37 2.57 Year-ago average 1.75 1.86 1.93 1.71

Source: AAA Fuel Gauge Report, 4/1/2005

[kevnmcd]

Fucking Cali prices!!!! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/furious3.gif Paid $2.45 yesterday afternoon...$2.53 at the same station this morning! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/dunno.gif We are getting raped.

Just when I thought this summer would be easier on the gas bill than last summer! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/traurig001.gif

[titties and beer]

2.38 -87oc / 2.45 dsl,by the time summer rolls around 255$ to fill the boat http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/puke.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/traurig001.gif

[RxBenefit$]

As I was reading, I was thinking "what were gas prices last year?". Saw a 1.75, they have changed our thoughts and made us all used to this 2.00 and above. It will be a long time if ever, until it gets down again. Tons of turmoil in the old USSR republics that are only going to make futures go even higher.
I am taking gas money donations.............

[PUMP 'HER']

Find low prices near you here (http://www.governmentguide.com/govsite.adp?bread=*Main&url=http%3A//www.governmentguide.com/ams/clickThruRedirect.adp%3F55080088%2C25416508%2Chttp %3A//www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/gasprices/states/index.shtml)

[kevnmcd]

Cheapest I have seen today is $2.69!!!! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/furious3.gif That is only a $0.24 increase in 2 FUCKING days! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cussing.gif When is it going to end! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/traurig001.gif

[Havasu Dreamin]

This is total BS! I agree, they got us used to the $1.75 so now we'll be thrilled when it drops that that.

[Essex502]

We have a dearth of refineries in the U.S. and that bottleneck allows the oil companies to keep their RECORD refinery margins in place. There's no motivation for competion in the oil business. We buy every drop they have. Nothing will change unless fuel cell technology is made commercially viable. Alternate energy sources or drastic efficiency changes to the internal combustion model will be the only thing that changes the current practice of gouging the public. The 11 nation OPEC oil cartel doesn't help when they control the availability via coordinated prodcution levels. Again, little to no competition. Add international strife such as the collapse of Russia, Iraq and other toruble spots and you have panicky traders speculating on what the prices will be thus driving up oil futures. Then, some A-hole analyst comes out as says "We can expect to see oil as high as $100 a barrel with a super spike" and that fuels the speculators even more.

There is no shortage of oil. The inventories are higher this year, right now, than last year. What we have is greedy speculators and greedy oil companies reaping obscene profits and their unrepentent, arrogant execs laughing all the way to the bank. They feel "justified" by the few years they made less profit and claim its a cyclic market and they deserve the profits they are reaping. Stir into the pot the current administration in Washington (who by the way are mostly oil men) that doesn't truly give a damn but worries about Social Security. Hell, they could do what they want with social security and it won't make a God damn bit of difference when energy prices escalate faster than ever. God how I wish politicians would get their heads out of their asses and focus on what the people want.



Oh well...

[just another payment]

Has anyone priced out a gallon of Pepto Bismol or Nyquil lately? gas is cheap in comparison. something to think about

[kevnmcd]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (just another payment @ April 05 2005, 12:30 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Has anyone priced out a gallon of Pepto Bismol or Nyquil lately? gas is cheap in comparison. something to think about[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Yeah, but how much of that stuff do you use in a week? Gas is my second largest bill each month! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/furious3.gif

[PUMP 'HER']

Then there is this. Sounds like a building monopoly. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/puke.gif

ChevronTexaco to buy Unocal for $16.4 billion
Energy demand in China, India make oil company's assets in Asia attractive

BLOOMBERG NEWS

Tuesday, April 05, 2005

SAN RAMON, Calif. — Looking to expand its holdings in Asia, ChevronTexaco Corp. agreed to buy asset-rich Unocal Corp. for $16.4 billion in stock and cash, the oil industry's biggest acquisition since 2002.

The $62-a-share bid, however, disappointed investors who have been driving up the price of the El Segundo, Calif.-based company on rumors of a sale. Unocal rose to a record $64.60 last week, up 49 percent for the year, after reports that Eni SpA of Italy and China's CNOOC Ltd. were among bidders for the company.

Unocal shares closed Monday at $59.60, down $4.75 or 7.4 percent. ChevronTexaco closed at $56.98, down $2.33.

However, Unocal chief executive Charles Williamson, 56, said the ChevronTexaco bid represents "fair value'' for his company.

ChevronTexaco is paying $9.37 per barrel of proved reserves from Unocal. That's 33 percent more than the company's cost of finding reserves last year.

ChevronTexaco said the purchase will be made with 75 percent stock and 25 percent cash. Unocal stockholders will get 1.03 ChevronTexaco shares or $65 in cash for each share. Should more than one-fourth of stockholders opt for cash, the distribution will be prorated, keeping the value at $62 a share. As part of the deal, ChevronTexaco also will assume $1.6 billion of Unocal's debt.

Unocal was an attractive takeover target because half of its reserves are in such Asian countries as Indonesia, where ChevronTexaco is the largest producer, and Thailand. Demand in the region is surging as the economies of China and India expand, helping to push energy prices to record highs.

"Unocal has got some significant reserves in locations beneficial to ChevronTexaco," said Douglas Ober, a fund manager at Adams Express Co. in Balti- more.

Unocal has invested $5 billion in Indonesian oil and gas projects, including the offshore West Seno field. The company has agreements with the Indonesian government to produce oil and gas in the archipelago through 2028.

ChevronTexaco has been expanding exploration and production in Asia as well as output declines from old fields in other regions.

"Unocal's assets fit into these strategies. In fact, they fit like a glove," ChevronTexaco chief executive David O'Reilly told investors Monday on a conference call.

Oil and natural gas prices during the next six to seven years may dictate whether the purchase pays off for ChevronTexaco, Ober said. The company's cash holdings swelled to $10.7 billion at the end of last year as rising energy prices inflated profit. U.S. crude oil futures briefly passed $58 a barrel Monday and have jumped 66 percent in the past year.

Acquiring Unocal, which was founded in 1890 as Union Oil Co. of California, will boost ChevronTexaco's daily output by 16 percent to the equivalent of 3 million barrels of oil, halting a three-year production slide for the nation's second-largest oil company.

O'Reilly, 58, said ChevronTexaco will shed $2 billion in "non-strategic assets" after the Unocal purchase. He declined to identify the location of the assets to be sold. ChevronTexaco last year shed 400 of its oldest oil fields, raising $3 billion to finance exploration and refinery expansions.

O'Reilly estimated cost savings of $325 million in the first year after the acquisition closes. Two-thirds of the savings will come from trimming of overlapping operations and the rest from shedding poor-performing assets, he said. O'Reilly declined to say how many jobs may be cut.

[Havasu Dreamin]

Fockers, every last one 'em! No offense to you BH.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (just another payment @ April 05 2005, 12:30 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Has anyone priced out a gallon of Pepto Bismol or Nyquil lately? gas is cheap in comparison. something to think about[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
How about a gallon of beer? Â*It's about $10/gallon...

[beer hunter]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Havasu Dreamin @ April 05 2005, 1:29 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Fockers, every last one 'em! No offense to you BH.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
None taken...I think http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[RxBenefit$]

I am too young to remember, but I think my dad said and I read in economics class, that they forced the breakup of shell oil many years ago. Thats how we ended up with all these oil companies to begin with. Kind of strange, what makes it ok in today's times.

Also, GW is and has been in bed with the oil companies ever since conception. This is no suprise, he could tap the strategic reserves any time and put OPEC scrambling for its ass. But he and all his large contributors are laughing all the way to the bank.

[Essex502]

Standard Oil and the Rockefellers back in 1911.

See the following oil company history lessons:

History of Oil Companies in the Gulf (http://www.virginia.edu/igpr/apagoilhistory.html)

Older California Market Share Report (http://www.energy.ca.gov/gasoline/statistics/gasoline_market_share.html)

Not Very Long!! (http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/Sciences/Earthscience/Geology/OilandGas/AboutOilandGaz/Petroleumhistory/Petroleumhistory.htm)

Lastly (http://timelines.ws/subjects/Oil.HTML)

[kevnmcd]

Put $100.00 in the burb this morning and it still didn't fill it up! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/traurig001.gif

[SteveC]

Just paid $2.479 this morning!

[Essex502]

Here in Torrance - $2.41 Unocal.

[Havasu Dreamin]

Paid $2.59 yesterday and it cost $98.30 to fill up my suburban.

To me gas is all relative. Gas going up .10 is only $4.00 to fill my Ex. I spend that getting a beer after work or buying a magazine.

[kevnmcd]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (VelocityDriver @ April 06 2005, 3:19 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">To me gas is all relative. Â*Gas going up .10 is only $4.00 to fill my Ex. Â*I spend that getting a beer after work or buying a magazine.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
It is nice to see that some peeps have money to burn. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[titties and beer]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kevnmcd @ April 06 2005, 10:08 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (VelocityDriver @ April 06 2005, 3:19 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">To me gas is all relative. Â*Gas going up .10 is only $4.00 to fill my Ex. Â*I spend that getting a beer after work or buying a magazine.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
It is nice to see that some peeps have money to burn. Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
i need to keep my wife /mom out of where he works http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumb.gif

[kevnmcd]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (titties and beer @ April 06 2005, 9:27 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">i need to keep my wife /mom out of where he works Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumb.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I take it they don't win too much....that must be why he has money to burn. Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Havasu Dreamin]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (VelocityDriver @ April 06 2005, 3:19 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">To me gas is all relative. Â*Gas going up .10 is only $4.00 to fill my Ex. Â*I spend that getting a beer after work or buying a magazine.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
That's all well and good, and actually makes sense. Why worry about it costing an additional $5 to fill up, have one less beer/magazine/eat out for lunch per week and it's covered. However, since it's gone up over $1 per gallon over the last year or so, or at least seems that way, you're actually spending an additional $40-$50 to fill up each time, it's just been spread out over time.

[just another payment]

JUST FILLED THE EXCURSION, HAD TO FILL A CREDIT APP, COST $119.65 AND WILL ONLY LAST ABOUT 5 DAYS

[Essex502]

I commute more than 25K miles a year and my daily commuter equates to $62.50 for every dime increase. My wife on the other hand commutes 17K miles each year and that costs her $87.50 for every dime increase. Now factor in the boating cost and cost of towing the boat outside of the above figures. Without the recreational costs we pay $150/yr for every dime increase. Now...since I bought both cars - one in 2000 and the other in 2001, the gas cost has gone from $1.50/gallon to $2.50 per gallon...that's equal to $1,500 extra per year and increasing. I don't know the recreational costs but Gawd Damn...that $1,500 could sure be used elsewhere! And...that's just the COMMUTING costs - not the extra miles that we use for personal reasons. My cost of a round trip to Havasu has gone from $25 to $45....there's another $500 or so per year. Then the around town - shopping, etc. - that I can't figger (sp) as it has never been tracked.

All and all...we're getting focked and not even getting "kissed" while being focked.

I commute about 60K miles a year, not counting the personal miles. I use 3 different vehicles that range in milage from 10mpg to 45mpg. The differance is about $2K in fuel from $1.80/g to the current $2.40/g. Something you just have to live with, it's part of life.

[ex cracker]

All I can say is thank god for the company gas card.

[kevnmcd]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (VelocityDriver @ April 07 2005, 10:19 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">it's part of life.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
It may be a part of life, but it doesn't mean we can't bitch and moan about it. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Essex502]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (VelocityDriver @ April 07 2005, 10:19 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I commute about 60K miles a year, not counting the personal miles. Â*I use 3 different vehicles that range in milage from 10mpg to 45mpg. Â*The differance is about $2K in fuel from $1.80/g to the current $2.40/g. Â*Something you just have to live with, it's part of life.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
So was the "tea tax" in the 1700's and we are a nation today because we stood up and said NO to it.

The oil industry (OPEC and big oil) is raping the world on prices.

[Nordic'rner]

It won't be just the gas prices. Pretty soon everything will be going up because of the cost in getting it to us. Oh and by the way they are already starting to talk about rolling blackouts on the powergrid here in Ca. again this summer. Seems some Dumb A$$ forgot to build some more generating stations.......... AGAIN!!!!! Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cussing.gif

[Essex502]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Nordic'rner @ April 07 2005, 11:39 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">It won't be just the gas prices. Pretty soon everything will be going up because of the cost in getting it to us. Oh and by the way they are already starting to talk about rolling blackouts on the powergrid here in Ca. again this summer. Seems some Dumb A$$ forgot to build some more generating stations.......... AGAIN!!!!! Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cussing.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
It's not so much the power plants as the ability to shift power from the north to the south this summer IF the weather is the 1 in 10 scenario. Of course more power plants would be welcome too. The whole fiasco of deregulation of the power industry was engineering and paid for by the power companies and we let them off the hook for the crisis.

[Havasu Dreamin]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kevnmcd @ April 07 2005, 10:37 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (VelocityDriver @ April 07 2005, 10:19 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">it's part of life.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
It may be a part of life, but it doesn't mean we can't bitch and moan about it. Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Exactly! Especially when the companies are taking advantage of the situation, IMHO.

[Essex502]

No need to be humble Scott! Shout it at the top of your lungs - BIG OIL SUX!

[TooMuchFun]

AgreEEEDDDDDD with E502 ... have not been driving about for a few days and when coming in to work today saw 2.55, 2.65, and 2.75 in Vegas for the three grades of gas ... and at the cheap places http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif $250-$300 to fill up the boat -- give me a break http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/insane.gif Even the folks at the register around here seem embarrassed ... free ice and some munchies the last two times in to fill up. They're going to need to give the beer away for me to calm down http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumb.gif

TooMuchFun

[beer hunter]

Buy oil stocks. If this continues, I'll retire in my forties http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Red Horse]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (beer hunter @ April 07 2005, 7:11 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Buy oil stocks. Â*If this continues, I'll retire in my forties http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
We have ExxonMobile. It is going like crazy http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

[Essex502]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (beer hunter @ April 07 2005, 7:11 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Buy oil stocks. Â*If this continues, I'll retire in my forties http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
That's what Enron and Global Crossing employees thought. Beware putting too many of your eggs in the Big Oil companies baskets.

[beer hunter]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Essex502 @ April 08 2005, 06:42 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (beer hunter @ April 07 2005, 7:11 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Buy oil stocks. Â*If this continues, I'll retire in my forties http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
That's what Enron and Global Crossing employees thought. Beware putting too many of your eggs in the Big Oil companies baskets.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Great advice as always Mike! However, I didn't suggest investing your entire nest egg in "big oil" http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

FYI, the cost of crude oil has gone up nearly 400% in the last 10 years (similar to housing) while the average cost of gasoline has gone up only 200% in that same period. Adjusted for inflation, gasoline isn't that bad of a deal.

I understand this is a "bitch about high gas prices" kind of thread, but let's be fair, gas isn't the only thing that's gone up in price in last ten years and crude oil (the raw material my Co has to purchase to produce its product) is at record highs.

Beer <--- doesn’t like $100 fill-ups either ---> Hunter

[kevnmcd]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (beer hunter @ April 08 2005, 08:28 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I understand this is a "bitch about high gas prices" kind of thread, but let's be fair, gas isn't the only thing that's gone up in price in last ten years and crude oil (the raw material my Co has to purchase to produce its product) is at record highs.

Beer <--- doesn’t like $100 fill-ups either ---> Hunter[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You are exactly right, BH. Look at the price of groceries over just the last 2 years! Food prices have also sky-rocketed over a very short period of time! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cussing.gif

[beer hunter]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kevnmcd @ April 08 2005, 09:21 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (beer hunter @ April 08 2005, 08:28 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I understand this is a "bitch about high gas prices" kind of thread, but let's be fair, gas isn't the only thing that's gone up in price in last ten years and crude oil (the raw material my Co has to purchase to produce its product) is at record highs.

Beer <--- doesn’t like $100 fill-ups either ---> Hunter[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You are exactly right, BH. Â*Look at the price of groceries over just the last 2 years! Â*Food prices have also sky-rocketed over a very short period of time! Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cussing.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Or how about the soaring cost of quality collage education. I'm scared to death that I'm not saving nearly enough to keep pace with these out of control tuitions. "Big Education" has me worried far more than an extra $10 bucks at the pump. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/insane.gif

[Essex502]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kevnmcd @ April 08 2005, 09:21 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (beer hunter @ April 08 2005, 08:28 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I understand this is a "bitch about high gas prices" kind of thread, but let's be fair, gas isn't the only thing that's gone up in price in last ten years and crude oil (the raw material my Co has to purchase to produce its product) is at record highs.

Beer <--- doesn’t like $100 fill-ups either ---> Hunter[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You are exactly right, BH. Â*Look at the price of groceries over just the last 2 years! Â*Food prices have also sky-rocketed over a very short period of time! Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cussing.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Do you think that the escalating transportations costs have something to do with that? It is a vicious cycle. Raise one...raise the other.

[Essex502]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (beer hunter @ April 08 2005, 10:25 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kevnmcd @ April 08 2005, 09:21 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I understand this is a "bitch about high gas prices" kind of thread, but let's be fair, gas isn't the only thing that's gone up in price in last ten years and crude oil (the raw material my Co has to purchase to produce its product) is at record highs.

Beer <--- doesn’t like $100 fill-ups either ---> Hunter<span id='postcolor'>
You are exactly right, BH. Â*Look at the price of groceries over just the last 2 years! Â*Food prices have also sky-rocketed over a very short period of time! Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cussing.gif[/quote]
Or how about the soaring cost of quality collage education. Â*I'm scared to death that I'm not saving nearly enough to keep pace with these out of control tuitions. Â*"Big Education" has me worried far more than an extra $10 bucks at the pump. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/insane.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Apples and oranges again, Mike.

When you have that child you can start a college education fund and start contributing to it in a tax advantaged way. Also, with grants and scholarships the real cost of eductation - not on campus living expenses - is reduced dramatically. Good parenting will help kids get good grades to qualify for these. SO...some of the cost can be directly impacted by the consumer - unlike gasoline pricing. Yes, we can affect our fuel costs by using more efficient vehicles but who here wants an electric boat?

[kevnmcd]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Essex502 @ April 08 2005, 11:36 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kevnmcd @ April 08 2005, 09:21 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I understand this is a "bitch about high gas prices" kind of thread, but let's be fair, gas isn't the only thing that's gone up in price in last ten years and crude oil (the raw material my Co has to purchase to produce its product) is at record highs.

Beer <--- doesn’t like $100 fill-ups either ---> Hunter<span id='postcolor'>
You are exactly right, BH. Â*Look at the price of groceries over just the last 2 years! Â*Food prices have also sky-rocketed over a very short period of time! Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cussing.gif[/quote]
Do you think that the escalating transportations costs have something to do with that? It is a vicious cycle. Raise one...raise the other.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I was thinking the same thing when I was writing that!

[beer hunter]

Mike, do you not understand that crude oil and other petroleum products are a commodity and are traded as such? Â*Supply and demand, with a great deal of speculation, dictate the prices, NOT the refiners. Â*Are some oil companies benefiting from the increased margins...yes, but that doesn't mean they have much control over them.

There are many factors that are contributing the high cost of crude oil and gasoline/diesel/jet fuel.

1) The increased energy demands of Asia and other emerging economies i.e. China (demand)

2) Too few barrels being pumped from the ground (supply)

3) Less refining capacity than there was 20 years ago. (supply)

4) Etc...

5) Etc...

The "facts" do not support your argument. Â*World demand for energy is only going to increase, and like it or not, those are the facts. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[beer hunter]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Essex502 @ April 08 2005, 11:36 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Do you think that the escalating transportations costs have something to do with that? It is a vicious cycle. Raise one...raise the other.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
And the soaring cost of worker compensation insurance, medical insurance, employee benefits, wages, etc has nothing to do with that?

Mike, you're a smart guy, all I'm asking is that you be fair and keep things in perspective when howling about "Big Oil" http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Essex502]

Mike - I undestand fully well the refiner margins are averaging $0.66 per gallon in California and $0.22 a gallon in the gulf states. How much of that is profit because it CAN be made due to limited refineries in California?

I also very, very well understand the concept of Zone pricing which should be illegal from the get go. This hideous practice artificially inflates the cost of gasoline to the end user due to manipulation of the wholesale cost to dealers and the limited independent stations in California and other states.

I am very aware of the OPEC cartel that manipulates their output to keep prices high.

I also understand the consolidation of the oil industry so that market power is in few hands. This leads to reduced investments in new refineries as there is no incentive to add capacity when they are maximizing profits with what they have today. Adding refineries dilutes the market forcing the price downwards. Why would the big oil companies want the price to drop? To make less money? Count the number of refineries that have been closed in the last 20 years. Pretty obvious that the market power has consolidated into only a few hands.

I also understand very clearly that within the U.S. we cannot refine enough of the gasoline and the crude supply is actually GROWING as compared to a year ago.

I also understand that we are selling and shipping U.S. crude oil pumped from Alaskan fields to ASIA since we have over capacity in North America.

I know we are importing REFINED gasoline by tanker because of refinery capacity.

I know that the huge Federal budget deficits and escalating national debt are causing a lower valued dollar which also causes the crude oil we do import to cost more.

I am fully aware that the refinery status is a very finely balance and precarious, delicate situation where any little disruption ins capacity via a fire, hurricane, changeover to summer blend, changeover to winter blend, maintenance, etc. causes capacity to dwindle causing shortages of refined product.

And finally, I am truly believe this administrations doesn't give a rat's ass about oil prices.

I am being as fair about big oil as big oil is being fair to me and the other consumers as they as laughing all the way to the bank. They are unapologetic about their record profits and have stated that "we desire these profits because of past years thin profits". Yes, maybe they desire some but the outlandish profits now being banked are obscene. The rebuilding of the Standard Oil monopoly from the little pieces that are joining together needs to be looked at very carefully by govenment regulatory agencies. Not rubber stamped by an oil-based administration. Furthermore, fiscal policy is also a factor and the fiscal irresponsibility of this administration is exacerbating fuel costs and many other areas of our economy. Fuel costs are a root component of the costs of most goods. Spiraling fuel costs affect the entire economy. Hell, our airlines along are almost all on the virge of bankruptcy.

Big Oil is not the root evil of all things but their smug attitude is heinous. Case in point was Shell Oil (Royal Dutch Shell) trying to close the Bakersfield refinery to constrict refinery capacity. Only intervention by the California Attorney General and consumer outcry caused that plant to be sold to Flying J who will be modernizing it. Lack of supply was Shell's reason for shuttering the plant..Yeah, right. Flying J doesn't think so. Neither does Chevron/Texaco which has a refinery close to the same fields. The Bakersfield plant was the most profitable refinery for Shell last year.

BTW...don't you work for Valero? There not "big oil" to me yet. Exxon/Mobil, Royal Dutch Shell, BP/Amoco, Chevron/Texaco/Unocal - there the primary offenders.

[Essex502]

P.S. I forgot the commodity market and the speculation...NYMEX right? Who exactly is speculating? Who's buying these futures contracts? Could it be similar to "gaming" the California electricity market? Everyone said, "Oh no, not me...we aren't doing anything wrong!" History disproved that. Remember Enron? El Paso? Dynegy? Too few hands, too much power - abuses are manifold.

[just another payment]

OUCH SOMEONE HIT A NERVE OR TWO http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/duel.gif

[beer hunter]

E502, you're right about some things, but about others...well, we'll just have to agree to disagree. Â*The next beer is on me. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/beerchug.gif

[Essex502]

No hay problema...differences of opinion are what makes life fun. Hopefully our discussion spurred some of the other members to investigate and form their own opinions which will swing to one side or the other. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

When are you going out to Havasu again?

[beer hunter]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Essex502 @ April 09 2005, 1:11 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">When are you going out to Havasu again?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I'll be in Havasu the weekend of 4/30 & 5/1 and of course May 14th for the Boating Forum Family Day gig at Rotary Beach http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

When do you take delivery of the new boat? http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Essex502]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (beer hunter @ April 09 2005, 5:47 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Essex502 @ April 09 2005, 1:11 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">When are you going out to Havasu again?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I'll be in Havasu the weekend of 4/30 & 5/1 Â*and of course May 14th for the Boating Forum Family Day gig at Rotary Beach http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

When do you take delivery of the new boat? http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Not till July. It won't be going into the mold until sometime around May 1. We'll be in town the May 13/14/15 weekend but BOATLESS. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[beer hunter]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Essex502 @ April 11 2005, 06:26 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Not till July. It won't be going into the mold until sometime around May 1. We'll be in town the May 13/14/15 weekend but BOATLESS. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You're welcome to join us on our boat for all three days if you'd Â*like http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Â*We'll be out that weekend with M2ME and another family from the neighborhood http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Essex502]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (beer hunter @ April 11 2005, 09:58 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Essex502 @ April 11 2005, 06:26 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Not till July. It won't be going into the mold until sometime around May 1. We'll be in town the May 13/14/15 weekend but BOATLESS. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You're welcome to join us on our boat for all three days if you'd Â*like http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Â*We'll be out that weekend with M2ME and another family from the neighborhood http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Gracias amigo! We just might take you up on that! We'll attend the event - probably from shore but the rest of the weekend is open!

[beer hunter]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Essex502 @ April 11 2005, 10:14 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (beer hunter @ April 11 2005, 09:58 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
You're welcome to join us on our boat for all three days if you'd Â*like http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Â*We'll be out that weekend with M2ME and another family from the neighborhood http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Gracias amigo! We just might take you up on that! We'll attend the event - probably from shore but the rest of the weekend is open![/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Cool, we're looking forward to spending some time with you and Lisa http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Havasu Dreamin]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Essex502 @ April 11 2005, 06:26 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Not till July. It won't be going into the mold until sometime around May 1. We'll be in town the May 13/14/15 weekend but BOATLESS. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You always gots a ride with us.

[Havasu Dreamin]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (beer hunter @ April 09 2005, 5:47 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I'll be in Havasu the weekend of 4/30 & 5/1 Â*and of course May 14th for the Boating Forum Family Day gig at Rotary Beach http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

When do you take delivery of the new boat? http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
We're planning on being there both of those weekends as well.

Hell, as far as I'm concearned I plan on being there every weekend unitl, well, there is no end at this point. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumb.gif

[beer hunter]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Havasu Dreamin @ April 11 2005, 12:11 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (beer hunter @ April 09 2005, 5:47 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I'll be in Havasu the weekend of 4/30 & 5/1 Â*and of course May 14th for the Boating Forum Family Day gig at Rotary Beach http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

When do you take delivery of the new boat? http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
We're planning on being there both of those weekends as well.

Hell, as far as I'm concearned I plan on being there every weekend unitl, well, there is no end at this point. Â*http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumb.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You just had to rub it in http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif I guess we'll be seeing alot of each other this summer http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/ohboy.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif