Modesto Bee editorial: "We're not buying lame excuses for high gas prices"

[Newsjock]

http://www.modbee.com/opinion/story/7347932p-8270179c.html

Does anyone actually believe the oil refiners' current crop of excuses for spiking gasoline prices?

We didn't think so.

But let's look at them, just for a moment:

A burst pipeline in Arizona caused prices in California to skyrocket. That's an interesting theory, but stupid on its face.

... The blackout on the East Coast forced refineries to shut down, sending up gas prices everywhere. Another nice try but hardly believable.

... Oddly, the refineries haven't had to resort to their old standby -- they've had to switch from making gasoline to (heating oil, jet fuel, diesel -- take your pick).

... The oil refiners should not be allowed to extort money from consumers.

more

[bahrbearian]

1. You'd think the energy task force is behind it.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. Since the installation...

of this maladministration, we have seen increases in the prices on all energy fronts. All the while we have seen infrastructure "interruptions" occur and be blamed for the increases. All this, with a maladministration that has genetic ties to energy.

Coincidence? I think not. Lack of oversight, a stacked deck if you will, is a lot more likely.

[bahrbearian]

4. And since we don't work to conserve i.e. Suv's and Hummers

they know they have us over a barrel. forgive the pun

[Sagan]

3. What a surprise...

Is anyone but me completely unsurprised by the fact that sky-high gas prices are accompanied by an Administration of oil men in Washington?

I mean...duh!

[Dissenting_Prole]

5. While you are busy blaming

please keep in mind that (even though we won't know for certain until a couple of years from now) we are likely experiencing the beginning of the peak in world oil production, and that will cause energy prices to fluctuate wildly and irregularily.

I'm not saying that some of what were seeing isn't manipulated.

What I *am* saying is that we shouldn't be so shocked when it happens.

[KG]

9. we are being gouged.

simple as that.

[PATRICK]

6. it's the boy who cried

Wolf! yet it gets repeated and backed up continuously by the media that barely retreats when public outrage overwhelms the absurdity. As far as everyone(on all sdies) is concerned it doesn't matter in the slightest whether there is any validity in the excuses. It's the game, not the facts.

When the public tries to focus on the truth they get sidetracked and worn down. Or prices go down again as they would anyway when the period for profit taking passes. On the other hand, if the public were more apathetic we'd be at $3 a gallon by now.

[PROUDNWLIBERAL]

7. Legislation

Isn't there an energy bill pending before Congress---everybody just vote for it (don't read the bill) and everything will be fine! Please disconnect brain and follow Chenneys' plan!

[benfranklin1776]

8. This is a good article.

The first time I have seen a mainstream news editorial slamming the deception and dishonesty of the oil companies. This paper rips them for the lying manipulating gougers that they are. Always they have an excuse, it was refinery maintenance, it was the Venezuelan instability, it was the blackout, next it will be Mars. I suppose that it will be too much to expect that we will see more such editorials by the Wash Post or NYTIMES.