Subj : Re: So.......
To   : alt.tv.farscape
From : John I
Date : Tue Sep 13 2005 19:36:27

From Newsgroup: alt.tv.farscape

Steve Brooks wrote:

> John I wrote:
>> Steve Brooks wrote:
>>> Kath wrote:
>>>
>>>> ......who filled up with petrol [sorry, gas] against government
>>>> advice?
>>>
>>> Not me. I've still got more than half a tank.  Should last 2-3 weeks
>>> easy.
>>>
>>
>> Are you all having a gas shortage too?
> 
> Now there's a question.
> 
> A few years ago - when fuel tax was still rising every year supposedly
> to cut usage - a group of truckers, farmers and other petroleum-hungry 
> malcontents organised a protest against the price of fuel.  Amongst
> other things they blockaded refineries and fuel storage depots. Many
> tanker drivers refused to cross their picket lines and there was a real
> shortage of fuel nationwide. They got significant public support, the
> government caved in and the tax was frozen (or possibly even reduced
> slightly, I don't remember.)
> 
> Now a similar group are planning a new protest. However, they know they 
> don't have the same level of public support since everyone knows the
> recent rises have other causes. They are planning a different kind of
> protest and there are unlikely to be real shortages.[1] Unfortunately a
> whole bunch of over-excitable people have read about this and are
> remembering what happened last time. They are panic buying. This may
> well cause localised shortages by itself. It's a bit of a nuisance but
> no more. I can say that smuggly because I could walk to work.
> 
> [1] This doesn't mean they won't get what they want. The CBI
> (Confederation of British Industry ), while carefully avoiding
> supporting the protesters, does support a cut in fuel duty. They carry a
> lot of weight. 
> 

Here's something interesting that happened to me this weekend:  I rented a 
car.  You can either buy a tank of gas and return the car with an empty tank, 
or fill it up just before you turn it in at a regular gas station.  

The price at a regular gas station?  $3.00/gal
The price at the rental place? $2.70/gal

People:  We are being gouged.

.