Re: Price gouging hits College Park, MD

On 2 Sep 2005 20:18:17 -0700, the following appeared in
talk.origins, posted by "Cyde Weys" <cydeweys@xxxxxxxxx>:

>
>cydeweys@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
>> I went to my friend's place tonight for dinner, to play games, etc.
>> When I went there at around 4 in the afternoon the gas prices at the
>> three stations along the route were all about $3.20. Six hours later
>> when I was returning home the gas prices were $3.80. That's an increase
>> of ten cents an hour.
>>
>> I'm seriously thinking some form of civil disobedience is in order.

Excellent idea! Refuse to use the product; if enough people
follow your lead the price will come down (supply/demand,
y'know...).

>> These oil companies posted their most profitable quarter EVER last
>> quarter, raking in untold billions. And now they're raising our gas
>> prices by double digit percentages within a few hours?
>>
>> I'm thinking the most effective method of civil disobedience would be
>> to simply not pay them. Go to a gas station that doesn't require
>> payment beforehand, pump up, and then simply drive away.

Good idea; a life of crime might be exciting. If you do it
enough times some station owner will eliminate you from the
gene pool. He/she may be convicted, but that won't help you.
Alternatively (or additionally), it may force station owners
to hire armed guards, whose wages will be factored into the
price of gasoline.

> Some of you
>> may object on the grounds that it is theft; I say, *** 'em. If enough
>> people start doing this the police simply won't be able to catch up.

Sounds a good bit like the attitude of the looters in New
Orleans making off with big-screen TV's and other luxuries.
Are you *sure* you want to be associated with them?

>> At some point the gas stations will wise up and require payment
>> beforehand, at which point I would suggest just parking your car at the
>> pump and throwing a tailgate party.

.....and be arrested for trespassing. In some states (PA, for
instance) failing to leave the property after being told to
do so by the owner converts simple trespass to criminal
trespass, which is a felony. You might want to look up the
implications of a felony conviction before engaging in this
sort of tactic. And no, it's *not* covered by your right to
free speech.

>Hrmm, damn Google Groups ... anyway, in case anyone was wondering, yes,
>it's me.
--

Bob C.

"Evidence confirming an observation is
evidence that the observation is wrong."
- McNameless

.

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