"I love these (gas) prices. The higher, the better."

[booksenkatz]

"I love these prices. The higher, the better," said Frank Gafke, of Galveston, a senior service leader for Halliburton on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Gafke said Halliburton's profits - and his savings account - had increased markedly since fuel prices began rising. He predicted that prices soon will reach $3 per gallon for automobile drivers, as well as for recreational boaters.

And, he said, relief at the pump probably won't come anytime soon.

"Oil just hit $66 per barrel and gas jumped up 6 cents," Gafke said. "And if we take any action against Iran, that's only going to cause more price increases...."<snip>

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/energy/3309530

Gee, I wonder how many Gafke kids are in Iraq right now?
:puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke:

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. oh all of none, i bet

[proud patriot]

2. I wonder freepers feel about this

:think: :dilemma:

[TahitiNut]

3. However they're told to, of course.

:silly:

[proud patriot]

38. Ahhh yes , that's correct

:silly:

[Child_Of_Isis]

15. You heard them.....They Don't Care!!!!!!!!! n/t

[snacker]

4. Gas went up 10 cents a gallon

overnight--up to $2.69 a gallon. YIKES!!!

[zoeb]

17. 14 cents in Eastern KY $2.45 this morning to $2.59 this

afternoon. One station downtown was still offering gas at $2.41 so traffic was backed up into the street.

[ktowntennesseedem]

33. In Knoxville, it happened three times in the past two weeks:

Prices went up 5 cents between the time I drove to work at 11:00 and the time I ran home for lunch in the afternoon. I've learned not to complain about the price in the morning, because if I wait till my lunch-break to fill up I'll probably pay another nickel on each gallon.

:banghead:

[Clark2008]

79. Yep. It's $2.43 in North Knoxville, now, ktown.

And, as you know, North Knoxville isn't as pricey as our westerly neighborhoods. I shudder to think what it will be over there when I drive to work.

I put $5 in the car yesterday and LOUDLY complained that THIS is what voting for Dubya got us. Everyone just shook their head and stared. They probably agreed, but didn't say a word because they had voted for the dumbass.

[ktowntennesseedem]

80. The price at the corner station stayed at $2.49 all day yesterday.

You know gas prices are bad when you get excited because it didn't go up.

[geomon666]

5. geez

That whole article is scary.

"Yeah we'll keep payimg, whatever the price is."

[Desertrose]

6. The only good thing is it gets everybodys attention

the bad thing is that it really hurts to fill your tank.
(least it does for me)

[greenbriar]

9. its not just gas

its heating costs
food costs


and everything else

[LynzM]

47. Exactly....

People start complaining about gas, but don't realize the huge ripple effect that it has onto the whole rest of the economy... wait 'til that really starts happening... :scared:

[okieinpain]

69. yes, yes, yes, wait until winter kicks in and the older seniors

that just love them some bush, gets that out of this world gas bill.

[Nobody]

78. It's going to cripple the trucking industry

If it costs significantly more for trucks to fill up to haul food across the nation, what about public transportation costs for people who rely onit to get to their jobs.

This is going to hurt the poorest of us the most.

[Buns_of_Fire]

20. Lordy, you FILL your tank?

I scraped up enough to get $5 worth today, which basically got me enough gas to get home and then to get back to the gas station for my NEXT $5 worth! :banghead:

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. Isn't it interesting

that when the price per barrel goes up, pump prices go up immediately, but when the ppb goes down it takes two weeks for the 'markets' to react?

[rkc3]

10. I said the same thing to a bush supporter last week.

He was complaining about the price of gas at the pump.

It was a lot nicer than what was going through my mind, which was, "You fucking idiot, you voted for the prick and you're surprised by these prices."

[Dukkha]

28. Uh, yeah. Read my sig.

I live with a clear conscience. I did not cause this economic catastrophe. The blame rests squarely on the shoulders of the 54 million Warmongers, Jesus Freaks, and SUV Whores of America.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

32. I would have asked him

"Aren't you gald you voted for that idiot?" "Prices were a lot lower under Clinton."

[revelhag]

29. problem is

when oil reaches 90 a barrel companies WILL close, transportation WILL stop--intercontinental and transcontinental--more people will be let go. We think we have a big cushion. we don't. but again as the Bush Believers say -- They don't care. Personally I would rather see our soldiers back here working on fuel cell production. maybe not as exciting or glamourous but it would sent a legendary message around the world better than any bunker buster could do.

[LynzM]

49. Yup.

I posted about this above... people complain about gas prices, but don't see the big picture of what they will do to the economy, in the long run :scared:

[ProfessorGAC]

66. Not Even The Long Run

It's already crimping the growth of real GDP. Remember that the idiots who adhere to conventional economic theories don't include direct fuel expenditures in inflation values. (Too hard, they say. Statistical inferences, however, would be simple to obtain. But, no!)

Today, the average person (15k miles per year, 25mpg) will pay nearly $1,500 dollars for gas this year. The same value in gasoline, just 2 years ago would have been less than $1,300. That's $200 per year per average american that is NOT being used to buy anything other than fuel.

Take that number times about 80 million households, times 2 drivers per household (all averages) and the total economic impact on discretionary spending at the retail level is about $32 billion dollars. That's 0.3% of GDP that is not buying anything extra. Since the growth rate is only about 5% nominal, that is 6% of the potential overall growth that's being eaten up by gasoline price increases. Since the price of gas is IN the GDP calculation, the growth will seem the same, but $3 out of every $1000 is now not buying things we used to buy.

That's not long term impact. It's happening as we speak.
The Professor

[Don Claybrook]

53. Welcome

Nice post. Glad to have you here.

[holboz]

81. Friend's trucking company went under last week

My friend and her husband had a small trucking company in central Arkansas...one of these wonderful small businesses that Rethugs like to act like they support and encourage. The high gas prices just got to be too much and they had to close.

So now she's a cashier in a grocery store. THANKS, BUSHIT!

[Nothing Without Hope]

44. Exactly - any excuse to gauge still more profits, and they jump

immediately. Let that excuse be resolved, and it takes a long time - if they ever do - for the prices to come back to where they were.

How Rethug voters can't see this as the transparent, blatant profiteering it is, is a puzzle. The age of the Robber Barons has returned, and all too many of their victimis are praising them as patriots.

[CityZen-X]

8. Buy A Bicycle Now...

before they too will be priced beyond your financial ability.

[CatholicEdHead]

25. Have 3 of them to use

A good road, good mountain, and older steel mountain bike. The latter is least likley to be stolen.

[CityZen-X]

27. The Future Vehicle

until they make affordable for the masses (hydrogen, alternative fuel) we will have to rely on bicycle power!
I have 4-bikes in my household+ necessary parts. I believe that we will have to resort to this kind of mode of travel, for this situation is going to get worst before it gets better.

[LeftyMom]

30. Might want to buy or build a trailer for cargo too

Otherwise it's a bitch getting anything bigger than a backpack home when you've got no car.

[Clintmax]

34. I was thinking the same thing, Cityzen...

Pretty soon, I'll be priced WAY out on gasoline. A bike seems the best solution.

[trogdor]

37. I recommend this bike.

Great all-around two-wheeled transport. The Harley-Davidson of bicycles. Still handmade in the USA for around $900 (I got mine on sale for about half of that), and worth every penny.

[Warren DeMontague]

41. Cannondale makes a damn fine, sturdy bike.

I bought one over 10 years ago, and it still serves me wonderfully.

[Clovis Sangrail]

59. handmade in the USA

except for the derailers.
and the wheels
and the shock
and the tires
and the crank
and the brakes

I love Cannondales; I've got 2 pretty nice ones.
But I chuckle everytime I look down and notice the "made in the USA" sticker.

[trogdor]

68. Kinda like New Balance sneakers, huh?

Sometimes you just can't find U.S.-made parts. That's how bad it's gotten. Cannondale isn't in the business of making bike tires; the tires on mine were made in Germany.

Tell you what. Go look at the crap they sell in bike stores under, say, $600. Check out the big, sloppy welds on 'em. You never saw such sloppy workmanship like that on Schwinns back when they were made in the USA.

[Clovis Sangrail]

77. I'm not knocking 'dales

Like I said, I've got 2 pretty nice ones, and I think they're great bikes.

But the "Made in America" schtick is less than honest.

A bike is not just a frame, it's the sum of the components... most of which on both of my 'dales are NOT from the US.

As an aside, ever since the whole anti-France thing I've been trying to only run Hutchison tires... they say "Made in France" on the sidewall.

[RaleighNCDUer]

63. Thanks, but I'll stick with my 1969 Dunelt 3 speed.

Picked it up at a flea market for $20, put about a hundred into maintenance over the last three years.

And it looks so classy.

[bikebloke]

65. Took that route

I gave up on driving a long time ago. Recently, I wore out my bike. Seeing very hard times ahead, I coughed up a little extra money for a more durable bike. Parts will eventually be hard to come by in the future. With so much manufacured in Asia, transport will raise prices. Though the smaller cottage-type manufacturers still here may see their businesses grow with demand. Hard to say.

If you'e going to get a bike, get one built for touring. Besides durability, they're designed for carrying loads. Great for grocery shopping. Though I realise, there are folk whose circumstances make a bike an impossible choice.

[Pool Hall Ace]

11. Well goody-goody-gumdrops for Mr. Gafke.

I'm looking forward to his profits somehow trickling down to me. :sarcasm:

[SammyWinstonJack]

12. WTF!

Gotta be a repuke! There are no words! Wait there are.....What a selfish greedy bastard! :grr:

[Kipling]

13. Money he makes will Trickle Down, Black = White, Ketchup = Vegetable, etc.

[ComerPerro]

21. Actually, FReeper logic works more like Black = Ketchup

White = Hard Drive

[booksenkatz]

22. Gak! How do I clean soda off an LCD screen??? LMAO nt

[LynzM]

50. LMAO

Thanks for the laugh, dude! :rofl:

[Kurovski]

14. Does anyone have a link to Cheney saying

"You have to get your act together, oil prices are too low."? This was years ago at a corporate meeting. I have searched, but turn up nothing.

I recall I once had a link, but I'm questioning the source.

If he did say such a thing, I could certainly understand why it would be removed from the record.

[jurassicpork]

16. So, let me get this straight...

God knows I'm not an expert on even the rudiments of petroleum economics, but how can the US basically grabbing the second-largest oil reserves on the planet raise prices? I mean, it's not as if it's a Saudi prince getting startled by a car backfiring or anything.

This Gafke cocksucker ought to be boiled in some of that light sweet crude.

JP
http://jurassicpork.blogspot.com

[AX10]

18. Gee, wasn't Bush supposed to have ties to oil companies that...

would help 'ease' the price of oil?!? :crazy: That's what his supporters said. :eyes:

[susanna]

55. I heard the same bull from a co-worker.

I told that person, "just wait and see; he's got to pay them back somehow."

My co-worker drives a monster SUV. He refuses to complain about gas prices, because he knows I'd nail him on it after his asinine statements. Of course, I never hesitate to comment that I drive a compact, and since it's only 10 miles to and from work each day, a tank of gas lasts me almost a month, thank goodness! ;-)

I'm very bad.

edited subject line

[stevietheman]

19. oh, the naked greed of people like this...

it no longer shocks me... but I do feel they need shock therapy.

They may as well be saying, "Fuck the economy and the American people... I'm getting mine!"

[okieinpain]

71. that is what they are saying. i was watching faux's stock market

program and this is basically what they were saying.

[deadparrot]

23. No f'in shit...

George's buddies are happy. Who gives a shit about the rest of us?

[Gabi Hayes]

24. not from the Onion, eh?

they really are just about as brazen as can be now, aren't they?

[Jara sang]

26. Frank Gafke cheats on his wife.

I saw him at a Motel 6 outside Houston with a prostitute. They also had a donkey, a monkey, 10 gallon tub of Crisco, a disco ball and a fogging machine. (((Hey, this is how rumors on the internets get started right?))) Fuck you Frank Gafke!!!

[Johnny Noshoes]

31. Too funny

:rofl: :rofl:


"Some in the name of peace, prepare us for war, in the name of liberty, prepare us for submission, in the name of courage, prepare us to be fearful. Let all Americans challenge war, submission, and fear!" -- Rep. Dennis Kucinich

[Burried News]

51. No Jello? No whipped cream? Only one prostitute?

Best laugh I had in three days. Thanks

[Cocoa]

35. funny his name is Gafke

the first thing I thought of when I read his comments was the saying "a gaffe is when someone tells the truth."

Then I saw his name...

[lildreamer316]

36. He. Actually. Said. That. ..??????

HE ACTUALLY
oh nevermind.
words escape me

[opihimoimoi]

42. Bush is an OIL Man....His buddies are too. They want higher prices

They know it will chaos, they want that too. Never mind high prices will cause a bidding war with the losers unable to feed their Nations resulting in a shortage of food. The PNACers want that too. They want peeps of the World to die

They want a Global Famine....

Ya see them hgelping African Nations who have Famine War Chaos?

The less Humans the better for the PNACers...More fuel for their SUVs etc.

[lildreamer316]

46. Oh; I know..

I just keep being suprised by their unmitigated gall; when I really shouldn't be.

[Skittles]

60. HEY OPI - INGORE IS YOUR FRIEND

IT IS GOOD ADVICE

[meow2u3]

39. I guess you like exorbitant food prices, too

as well as sky-high prices for other essentials. I think you also like it when oil companies are making a killing at the expense of the American people.

Pal, when gas prices go as high as what we're seeing now, that's not the only thing that skyrockets. Exprbitant gas prices take the prices of food, clothes, medicine, and other necessities of daily living with it. So stop celebrating the windfall profits of Bush's largest, most faithful contributors.

[sepia_steel]

40. If you can

now's the time wake up the auto industry (and the oil companies) and BUY HYBRID.

[DollyM]

45. I just wish people would take these prices seriously and do something!

I live in Illinois, we have a large tax on top of the gas price which makes our gas prices even worse. Yet I still see people zoom by me on the highway, where I am driving the speed limit, so they can save, what 10 seconds getting to where they are going! We have drastically reduced our trips using the cars. We make a trip do it when we have to get groceries and supplies. My husband has an 11 mile commute to work down largely rural roads so he drives 45. Yes, it pisses people off as they zoom around him to save those 10 seconds they need to get somewhere. I am self employed so I can work from home. A tank of gas lasts me a month.
The oil companies say the cost is justified because it is based on demand and people are still demanding the same amount of fuel. It's time for us to get serious about reducing our demand. (Remember WW II when we learned to reduce our demand? Actually, it was done for us with rationing.) I think we need a nationwide push to reduce fuel consumption. We need to show the oil companies that we will no longer be held hostage for fuel. America is not prepared for 6 or 7 dollar a gallon gas prices, as much as people think that they would continue to pay whatever the price. Most of rural America does not have access to public transportation and everything is "out of town" where I live. If we don't act now to reduce our demand, what will happen to the small towns across America with people who have to commute to work or to the Dr. or the grocery store and so on. We will not be able to afford gas to get us to the places that support our very lives. I am just one person but doesn't change start with one person? Maybe we need a "no gas day" like the "Not One Damn dime" day that was held to protest the lavish Bush re-election party. I will be contacting my Representatives (okay, my Democratic ones anyway!) and asking for support of our state doing just that. Any other takers?

[girl gone mad]

56. Welcome to DU, Dolly!

My family is making some of the same sacrifices yours is. I fear it will get worse before it gets better.

[Freedomfried]

43. I hope the price of gas goes to 12 dollars a gallon!

Just to wake everyone up!

[SammyWinstonJack]

70. That's helpful.

:eyes:

[Writer]

48. Oil was $18 a barrel in 1997.

We are getting gouged.

[okieinpain]

72. nope I think they refer to it as peak oil around here. china, and india

economies were just getting started in 1997. they are running neck and neck with us now. and of course our love affair with hummers, and excursions, and super v8's did not help.

[girl gone mad]

52. Once in a while...

the veil drops and we get a glimpse into the black soul of these neocons.

The Enron tapes were another example.

[tlsmith1963]

54. Unbelieveable!

This Halliburton guy actually thinks our pain is good for his business?!!

Oh, I hope these people go down in flames...:grr:

Tammy

[William Bloode]

57. They ain't gonna get much of my money.

It has gotten so bad i just repaired my old Isuzu Diesel for my wife, since a full tank in it lasts over 2wks. As for myself i will be buying a scooter very soon. By doing this i will minimize the amount they can rape me for.

[slybacon9]

58. I agree with this guy... sick as it is.

I want gas to go up to 4...5...6 bucks a gallon. 10. The higher the better. Then people might wake the fuck up. Lord knows spilt blood doesn't matter to the pubes... only their money... well, hit em where it hurts.

[Name removed]

61. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[aTm_exrugger]

62. Let me clear a this up a litte.

I work in the oil industry. And I work with these guys all of the time. He started out making minium wage driving trucks, either bulk trucks (cement opertions) or pump trucks (stimulation). He stayed with it and became an operator assistant. Basically running more complicated equipment. Then comes service supervisor. The one responsible for the quality of any specific job. Then comes service leader. You might get promoted to this if you have 20+ years with the company.

He saw the boom of the eighties, where they had 10 times the equipment we have now. He saw the slump (energy services) and saw skeleton field camps for the ones they were not closing. Basically job security comes first and the easiest way to get it is wish for high prices.


Matt

[Ganja Ninja]

64. If it gets people out of SUV's then it's not all bad.

I'd like nothing better than to see America's highways filled with small economy cars and motorcycles.

[Blue_Tires]

67. sick n/t

[Dora]

73. $20 for 8.5 gallons of gas this morning.

$20 bucks to fill my tank halfway. Yeah, that's an optimism quiz: So, is my tank half empty, or half full?

Is it time yet to pick up our clubs, dip them in pitch, and light our torches and take it to the goddam streets?

candlelight vigil? pft.

TORCHES.

[Imagevision]

74. Many people will have to switch to econmoy cars before they're prices

start going thru the roof. supply and demand or it'll take maqny things your used to having.

[NewWaveChick1981]

75. Bastards...

Just as I suspected. Oil companies are showing record profits from the "oh, gee, we're afraid supplies are going to be down at some point, so drive up the price now while we can milk it for all it's worth" attitude. It's an artificial price increase (OF COURSE led by Bush cronies). Meanwhile, no Gafke kids are in Iraq (I'm sure of that!), and I'm 100% certain that the dramatic price increases we've seen in the past few months are artificially inflated by assholes like him.

Fortunately, I drive an older car that gets 35 mpg in the city, 40 on the highway, but gas has jumped over 45 cents a gallon over the past week in my area. If we'd all drive much less than we do now, the demand for oil would be less and bastards like Gafke would watch their profits dwindle. Nobody I know will be able to withstand much higher prices than what we have now.

[artv28]

76. Comments from a freeper

I posted this article on a softball message board where many threads turn political and most opinions lean strongly to the right. I don't understand their logic. The fisherman and construction worker analogies make no sense to me. I guess it's OK with him if a construction worker said "I love hurricanes. The more, the better,"


Freeper:

"Halliburton and others like them make their money servicing oil field activity. The higher the prices (for oil & natural gas), the more drilling activity. The more drilling activity, the more need for Halliburton's services........simple as that.
Do you call fisherman who make a lot of $$ on their catch in "up" years for their business douche bags also? I guess construction workers who are helping rebuild Florida after last years hurricanes are douche bags too because I am sure their profitis are up due to the high demand for their services (ie. plenty of business & OT)"

[holboz]

82. Did you see the quotes from these spoiled brats?

High fuel prices failed to discourage Anthony Scruggs, 19, and his brother, Michael, 16.
The teens pulled up to the Three Amigos dock to gas up their Jet Ski for the ride to their family's weekend home near Shoreacres, on Galveston Bay north of Seabrook. They put in $17 worth, after spending about $40 earlier Saturday.

``Our dad is in the oil business. The more the price per barrel, the better it is for business,'' Anthony Scruggs said. ``When you think about it, there's not really anything we can do about gas being more than $3 a gallon. Just accelerate faster and pick more bugs out of your teeth.``

That brought a quizzical look from his younger brother, who seemed ready to explain about lower fuel consumption at lower speeds.

He stopped, however, and remarked: ``Our parents pay for the gas.''