Check in if you're not buying any gas from anyone until they PLUG THE DAMN HOLE

[taterguy]

The only way those oil company bastards will pay attention is if their bottom line gets impacted.

Alas, I suspect that most people care more about their convenience than they do about the catastrophe in the Gulf.

Sigh.

(People with non-refundable vacation deposits are excused from this rant, as long as they promise to rent a bike once they get to their destination)

[slackmaster]

1. N&U - "They" are doing the best they can to stop the leaking oil

Letting it flow wouldn't make sense for anyone to tolerate.

:nuke:

[Ruby the Liberal]

2. How about people with jobs?

Not everyone has access to public transportation.

[taterguy]

6. I get to work every day with no car or public transportation

And in case you hadn't noticed, the world revolves around me.

Or maybe I just care a little too damn much.

[slackmaster]

10. I've got your plug for the hole right here

[Ruby the Liberal]

81. As do I, but not everyone lives in an urban area

or an area where they can do this.

[Dr Fate]

8. I realize it's not for everyone- but I walk. I'm healthier than I've ever been as a result.

Most Doctors say it is the best excercise you can get.

If walking to work is too far, you can at least think about running small errands on foot- work your way up! Better than any fad diet- I promise.

[Ruby the Liberal]

82. I have that luxury as well as I live in the city.

[KonaKane]

3. Convenience? Try "working".

If I could carry my massive arsenal of music equipment on my back, to a paying gig 20 miles away, I would. But since that's clearly impossible, I'm afraid I'll have to pass on this boycott.

[Dr Fate]

11. I hear ya- but you can still reduce your consumption of petrol products.

Maybe you already do- I'm taking about plastic bottles, etc.

All I'm asking is that EVERYONE take some sort of action in their own small (Or big) way.

[KonaKane]

18. Well I agree with you there.

We cut and combine our car trips wherever necessary. Again this is something that we should all be doing anyway.

[taterguy]

20. You get a pass if your band doesn't suck

But it probably does

[KonaKane]

25. I'm a solo artist. Fail.

Next question?

[taterguy]

27. A solo artist with a massive arsenal of equipment?

All Woody Guthrie needed was a guitar strung across his back.

[Egnever]

71. .

[KonaKane]

74. You read me right.

And I'm not a guitarist. Also, Woody Guthrie is dead.

[taterguy]

87. If KonaKane is the screen name for Ben Folds then I'm gonna be really embarrassed

:blush:

[KonaKane]

102. Bite your tongue!

No, I'm just me. Although I like Ben Folds Five, I wouldn't want to be them.

[Name removed]

123. Deleted message

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

[stray cat]

4. Don't buy anything that was shipped or was trucked!

or involved anything that ever required gasoline, oil or transport!

[Dr Fate]

7. BUT- you can look into buying all local or regional products...

...thus reducing the amount of petrol needed to transport your goods.

No need to throw out the baby with the bath water here.

[KonaKane]

14. We did that as a matter of course, before the oil spill.

It's good to support your local economy where you can, at any time.

[Dr Fate]

16. Thank you! Me too! n/t

n/t

[taterguy]

19. Let's not go to extremes

Keep it reasonable people.

[gmoney]

43. That rules out everything! Simplify! Simplify!

Sarcasm!

[Dr Fate]

5. I walk to & from work everyday. About a total of 5 miles.

Been doing so for almost a year.

Most communites have some form of public transportation as well.

[Hempathy]

9. Sorry- no can do.

I have to drive to the Dr., and to physical therepy, and to the grocery store, etc...plus- i have a one-acre yard that needs to be mowed.

But- if you want to forego it...more power to you.

[Cant trust em]

29. How about mowing the lawn every other week?

Just a little sacrifice?

[Hempathy]

33. When it gets too long, it gets problematic to mow it...

Try to bag it, and it clogs the chute...mulch it and it leaves big piles of grass all over the place.

Best bet is to mow it regularly.

[Dr Fate]

36. Compost the grass instead of having it hauled to the dump in a big-ass truck?

Maybe you already do this-I'll bet you do.

The point is that the more we say "I cant do this"- the more ways I find that we can reduce.

[Hempathy]

41. i already do compost.

i alternate between catching the clippings(and putting them on the compost heap) and mulching them.
when it gets to the hot, dry part of summer- i may very well go two weeks between mowings...but when it's been a fairly wet spring- the grass grows like crazy and has to be cut when it has to be cut.

[Dr Fate]

44. I figured you did- thanks! n/t

n/t

[Dr Fate]

34. Most people will freak out when I say this- but imagine the exercise...

..one would get mowing that lawn with a push-blade mower.

Seemed to work just fine for "The Greatest Generation"- so why not us?

[Hempathy]

50. It would take WAAAAY too long.

And probably produce more stress than my 50 year-old heart needs at this point.
Even using a gas-powered push mower would be ridiculously difficult.

However- I did increase our garden by about 50% this year- and that did reduce the amount of lawn needing mowing- but not enough to park the John Deere.

[Dr Fate]

54. Not as long as it will take to clean up this oil spill. But good on ya for the garden!

Even a 50 year old needs regular exercise, but I hear ya.

The garden is VERY positive- it's less food that has to be transported to you using oil!

Thanks for striking a balance on this-that is what I'm asking people to do here...

[ohheckyeah]

106. No can do.

We have 1 1/2 acres, and about 1/2 to 3/4 acres that have to be mowed. We're not kids any more.

We don't buy bottled water or sodas so about the only thing that is in plastic is the milk. Not much I can do about that.

One of the nice things about living in the country is having people to buy eggs from just down the road and a place to grow tomatoes. We buy as much local produce as we can. I have a freezer full of local strawberries that will taste good this winter!

[kestrel91316]

103. One word: scythe.

[Hempathy]

113. another word: stupid.

cutting the lawn with a scythe...riiiight.

And- I DO have a scythe- a grim reaper sized one, in fact.

[kestrel91316]

127. If you want to have a silly, wasteful, STUPID, perfectly manicured lawn,

then a scythe wouldn't be for you. But if you went the intelligent route with a meadow of mixed grasses and flowers, it would.

And of course a push mower would be too much effort, too, I suppose. Or fencing the lawn and getting a couple of sheep.

People who flat out refuse to think or act outside the box deserve their misfortunes, IMHO.

[Jamastiene]

115. I have 2/3 of an acre, but I only mow about 1/3 of that.

I mow a much smaller area and leave the rest wild. I don't know if you can do that in your area(due to local rules and regulations), but if you can, it's worth thinking about doing it.

I live just outside the city limits and like most of my neighbors, our "backyards" (aka the part where our backyards meet) are a combined wild area. Many wild animals live back there and yes, we may sometimes see them come into the yards, but they don't do anything except look around and go back.

[pipoman]

117. One of the biggest problems with letting it go

out here on the plains is the fire hazard. We have 5 acres and mow 3, the other 2 are away from structures far enough not to create a hazard.

[Hempathy]

124. Our neighbor did that with a small part of his yard last year...

mostly for his dogs- so that they'd have tall grass to play in.

BUT- it became a haven for rabbits, and once one of his dogs killed one, rather than mow it- he fenced it off as a kind of "rabbit sanctuary". and they had OUR backyard garden to keep them fed.

THIS year- he took the fence down and mowed over the sanctuary, and I did a much better job of rabbit-proof fencing the garden. We'll see.

[Bluebear]

12. Again with the bike. Do you work for Schwinn?

:)

[Dr Fate]

17. He's obviously a corporate shill for the multi-national bike industry.

;)

[taterguy]

55. Obviously not since it's impossible to be gainfully employed without a car

At least according to some in this thread

:toast:

[TwilightGardener]

13. That's one of those "this will hurt us more than it hurts them" ideas, right there.

[Dr Fate]

21. If you say so- I'm healthier than I've ever been in my life.

All b/c I walk regularly, and b/c a buy locally produced food (which is healthier than corporate food, and takes less gas to transport)This was long b/f the spill, but there you have it.

Plastic bottles? Saran wrap? Pshaw! Great Grand Dad got along just fine w/o it. We re-use our old jars, containers etc.

Not really even fair to call it a sacrifice- just good clean living.

[taterguy]

22. Sweat hurts

Didn't you get the memo?

[Dr Fate]

26. LOL! I shower at the gym near my work!

I also keep dedorant, towels and clean clothes in my office

I live by example, not excuses!

I realize that not everyone has access to a shower at or near work-but many people do. Certainly they can start walking for their errands, or reduce their petrol use in some other area.

Thanks for the thread- people are so dependent on oil, plastic, etc. that they forgot how to live like regular people used to live all the time.

[TwilightGardener]

24. I think those are goals to shoot for, definitely.

My husband rides his bike to work now if the weather's nice--we live close enough now where he can do that.

[gratuitous]

15. Probably not feasible for most folks to quit buying gasoline entirely

But how about resolving to take public transportation or carpool one day a week? For folks who commute to work, that would be a 20% reduction in one's gas bill.

[Dr Fate]

23. Why not? Great suggestion!

We can all pitch in where possible- enough with the "but I cant do this" posts, folks. There IS something you can do.

[Cant trust em]

28. I wish more people would see the difference between starving yourself and reducing consumption.

We're not asking people to sell their cars and move back to horse and buggy, but do we have to drive our cars to the store that's a mile away just to pick up milk?

[Dr Fate]

31. BUT AL GORE LIVES IN A MANSION!

Exactly, old friend.

No one ever said we have to live in huts & wear grass skirts.

We want people to reduce in proportion to their lifstyle.

Why not take 5 seconds to read a label to find out how far your can of beans was shipped, then buy the one from your state or region?

My thing is that when you walk more and eat locally produced foods- you will not only being doing the right thing, but you will also be physically healthier.

It's a win-win!

[nadinbrzezinski]

30. Are you planning to stop eating too?

:-(

[Dr Fate]

32. No, I'm planning on eating the most healthy, nutritious food I've ever had...

...via LOCAL, sustainable organic farms. At the least, I'll by regional prodcucts- rarely or really never anything shipped from over seas.

My food takes much less petrol to ship than the food at the large corporate chains.

As I said earlier, no need to throw out the baby with the bath water here, folks.

[hlthe2b]

35. Since my work requires a 60 mile commute each way 2x weekly

I'd say definitely no, though I can never recall buying BP gas.

TG, you are really being unrealistic, don't you think?

[Dr Fate]

42. Taking all of the suggestions in this thread as a whole, I dont see the spirit as unrealistic.

We are basically just talking about living the way before everyone started wathcing too many dman TV commercials.

I agree- you cant walk to work, but you can reduce your purchases of petrol products in general. There is something you can do- I'm guessing that you are already working on it...

[hlthe2b]

89. That two day commute is the only place I drive....

Fortunately, I live in a highly walkable neighborhood and I enjoy doing so.

[tranche]

37. We should stop using all plastic products as well.

[Dr Fate]

39. Very easy to do, actually. At the least, re-use your old cottage cheese containers, etc

Jars, whatever.

We have not bought saran-wrap or baggies in some time.

Grandma never used them and I never got sick eating her left overs- go figure.

Also, you DONT NEED freaking sodas & bottled water in plastic jugs- it's a waste of money anyway. If you must have it, get a local or regionally produced soda in a glass bottle or can for recycling...

[WeDidIt]

38. Nope, gonna top off two tanks tomorrow.

And fill up my lawnmower as my lawn needs cut.

[Dr Fate]

40. And I'm gonna kill an owl, just to piss off them libruls!! (Revs up chain saw!)

Take THAT you hippies! HAR HAR!

[WeDidIt]

45. I don't have a chain saw.

And my weed wacker is electric.

I depend on my vehicles for transportation and will continue to use gasoline and them until such a time as an alternative that is cheaper has been developed.

And if I don't mow my lawn, the city will and they will charge me $500 to do it.

[Dr Fate]

47. I'll bet you could reduce oil or petrol product consumption in one area or another.

We've listed several ways to do it in this thread.

Carpooling, public transportation, walking (shudder!) and push mowers (Oh no-exercise!)mowing every other week, etc. come to mind.

It's time for us to be part of the solution, even if it is in a small way.

[WeDidIt]

52. Already cut back as far as possible

My wife takes the train to the city for work. I work from home. We do multiple errands on single trips. We don't use a lot of gas.

My mower is seven years old and still uses little gas. My one gallon gas can was empty as of my last mowing two weeks ago. I last filled it up over a year ago.

Tomorrow is the planned fill up day and fill up I will.

Besides, any talk of boycotting gas companies is ludicrous on its face. Without widespread participation, it's laughable and there's no way you'll get more than 1% of the country to participate.

[Dr Fate]

58. I love that. So it's a matter of semantics for you?

Okay- let's dont call it a "boycott"- let's simply say that we will not buy gas or petrol products except when it is absolutely necessary?

So only 1% of the country wants to save money & be healthier? Not true- like all politics, it's a matter of framing.

It has to start somewhere- if only 1% is part of the solution, then at least it's a start.

Would have been better if this was your initial post- thanks for reducing where you can.

[WeDidIt]

86. Nope, can't agree with that.

The household budget dictates that all tanks are filled on payday. Tomorrow is payday. All tanks are filled regardless.

And that's how it works. Gasoline is an absolute necessity. Failure to top off the tanks on payday can result in not having enough fuel to get through to the next payday in the event of an emergency, ergo, the tanks get filled tomorrow.

[Feron]

46. Practically everything we have is dervived or shipped in part from oil.

Lots of luck with that boycott.

Personally I'm only interested in boycotting BP. I'll never intentionally give those fuckers a penny of my money ever again.

[Dr Fate]

48. But you can buy local products-they take less oil to ship.

And we have other ideas listed above.

Sure- lots of food comes in plastic containers- how about reusing them instead of buying more saran wrap, etc? That's just one example.

If you just stop & think b/f you buy something, you can cut down on petrol products.

[kestrel91316]

104. Those who CAN grow some or most of their own produce should do so,

or be considered part of the problem. Those who CAN get to work and go on errands without using gasoline should do so or be considered part of the problem.

Everybody's situation is different, but EVERYONE has the ability to do SOMETHING and therefore be less a part of the problem.

[kimmerspixelated]

49. I like your "By the short hairs" approach.

This would definitely frost their nutsax!!! I wish I could comply, although I won't have to buy gas for a few days now, does that count?

[Dr Fate]

51. You can stop buying or reduce your use of plastic prodcuts.

See my comments above.

You CAN comply with that one- and I hope you give it some thought!

[kimmerspixelated]

131. You bet I will!

I already do some plastic conserving-banning!

[Blue-Jay]

53. .

[Dr Fate]

63. You can either be part of the problem, or part of the solution.

I know which side I want to be on.

[Blue-Jay]

67. OR you can blow your own horn until people get fucking sick of you.

[Dr Fate]

70. LOL! You can get sick of the good guys all you want.

That's all part of it- getting attacked for not only doing the right thing, but daring to suggest that others follow.

If you have read my posts on this thread, I never went so far to say that everyone has to stop driving- but I like the spirit of the OP- it makes me think of all the ways we can reduce, reuse, be healthier, etc.

Imagine the healthcare costs that we would save if we all just walked or biked a little more. I know, I know- too radical. To self righteous.

[Blue-Jay]

75. I probably drive less than most people.

Plus, I'm a damned strong cyclist. Wanna race? I promise not to be a big douche about it on DU.


EDIT: Oh, and ELL O ELL back atcha.

[Dr Fate]

78. I would have never argued with you had this been your first post!

"I probably drive less than most people" sounds pretty damn positive to me- thanks!

I dont own a bike- but I walk like a mad man!

[Blue-Jay]

84. Here's the thing.

I encourage anyone and everyone to ride a bike as often as possible. For health reasons, ecological reasons, economical reasons, whatever. Just get out and get on your bike if you're able. That said, it wears my ass out when people judge/shame others for not walking or riding everywhere. Pin a rose on your nose; you're not that fucking superior.

[kestrel91316]

107. Our only gripe is about the people who flat out refuse to do a thing

to decrease their petroleum consumption. We all know that most people are in no position to eliminate all driving.

But you knew that........

[kestrel91316]

105. I smell a Hummer driver..........

[Blue-Jay]

126. aaaaand, you'd be wrong. You couldn't pay me to drive that sort of shit vehicle.

I drive a small 2-door (sure, it's got a V6, but I like the acceleration.) I probably spend less than $5.00 per week on gas. I walk, bike, and take public transportation whenever I can.

[notesdev]

56. I can adhere to this

It'll probably be 3 months before I need to fill the tank again anyway.

[guitar man]

57. Can't completely quit buying gas

But I'm about to reduce my consumption significantly. Parking the truck, riding the motorcycle. That will be about 65% less usage. And I damn sure won't buy any BP.

[Dr Fate]

61. Hell yeah! Thank you for thinking about solutions instead of excuses!

n/t

[guitar man]

68. Yep

It's that time of year anyway when I'm on two wheels a lot more than I am four, but I'm really going to think before I start the truck and drive it anywhere. Unless I have something to haul that is absolutely necessary, it stays parked. If I ride in the rain, so be it, I'm a biker, I can handle it.

[katzenjammers]

69. I'm selling BP filters...you put it over the gas pump's nozzle kinda like a rubber

it's called the Gas Analyzing Ratiometer. Any gas that came from a BP refinery gets shoved back up the hose and you won't have to buy any!

And it's 100% double your money back guaranteed...if any BP gas shows up in your tank just send it to our Returns Department and we'll put a check in the mail to you!

You can trust your car
To the men who sell the GAR!

[laughingliberal]

59. Seeing as how our business is restoring and refinishing furniture and cabinetry, not likely.

Really is fucking beyond our ability to carry a dining room table or china cabinet to the shop on foot or bycicle.

That said, we long ago quit driving anywhere we don't have to. Errands are scheduled for on the way to or from work and at businesses on the way. We also are not buying at any BP stations.

[Dr Fate]

Thanks for cutting back where you can! n/t

n/t

[HCE SuiGeneris]

60. I am boycotting all BP companies.

Can't quite get past the no gas thing though.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

62. You ride a bike. We get it.

:eyes:

[Dr Fate]

64. You can either be part of the problem, or part of the solution.

I hope we all get that as well.

[laughingliberal]

72. True. I think most here are doing what they can.

The all or nothing, my way or the highway approach of the OP is, I think, the target of the post to which you replied.

[Dr Fate]

76. Fair enough, but the OP never said "all or nothing"

I cant speak for him, but if he meant that, then he should be disagreeing with me, b/c I've been giving people some wiggle room here.

At this point, I think that striking a balance and at least thinking about what & where you buy from is a great start...

[Starbucks Anarchist]

94. I take the subway every day. Problem solved.

[EstimatedProphet]

135. And you've found a way to turn being part of the solution into a problem.

[laughingliberal]

65. Yes, a post or 2 a day about it and we have figured it out. lol. nt

[donco6]

66. MY bottom line will be impacted a lot more than theirs.

Sorry, no can do.

[taterguy]

73. No can do or won't do?

Where's the Can Do spirit?

:hug:

[Dr Fate]

83. We used to say: "Americans can do anything when we put our minds to it."

Our new mantra could be "Gee, that sounds too hard. Oh well, whatcha gonna do? I guess we just have do do whatever the FOREIGN corporations want..."

I'm not picking on any particular poster here, but I'm somewhat disheartened by all the cynical responses on this thread.

I'm with you tater- where is that good old, American Can-Do spirit?

[pipi_k]

91. Cynical responses are born of cynicism...

What, exactly, does anyone think will happen even if half the population of the US were to cut back on driving and use bicycles or their feet or public transit instead?

Will the oil companies care? Hell no!


It would be a drop in the bucket for them, especially if the rest of the world is willing and ready to use oil in some form or another.


All this "rah rah rah where's that American can-do spirit?" crap doesn't mean a damned thing.

People end up sacrificing a lot, and for what?

so they can feel like they're actually doing something when in reality none of it means shit?


Yeah, we all know the drill...be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. You say it doesn't have to be all or nothing.

I disagree.

The only real solution is, IMO, all or nothing.

Anything less isn't going to make a difference to the Big Oil companies.

token acts don't mean shit.

[NoUsername]

112. All to often it's "Sure, I can do that. Whatever it takes"

Until they discover it might require actual effort on their part in which case all bets are off. I've seen it too many times. "Sacrifice is great but hey, I can't do it because my circumstances are different. I'm just waaaayyyy too busy. Besides, "America Idol" is on and I CAN'T miss that."

Makes me wonder if it's greed or just plain apathy that's killing America.

[pipi_k]

125. Some people DO have different circumstances

Like disabilities. Or age. Or jobs that don't allow them to ride bicycles or walk (like visiting nurses or home health aides). Or they live outside the reach of public transportation. Or any one of dozens of other reasons.


It's not always apathy or greed or stupidity (i.e. their favorite shows are on TV).

[verges]

100. I do deliveries.

In my car. That's how I make a living. I cannot stop buying gas. I go through abvout $40-$50 a week.

[pipi_k]

77. Since not everyone can, or is willing to do that...

even a few thousand individual efforts will have the same effect as plucking a couple of hairs off a 500 lb gorilla.

So it's really only about making yourself feel good.

Or self-righteous.

whichever.


Anyway, for people who can't/don't want to give up driving, here's a partial list of things made from oil to give up instead.





This is a list of some of the products made from oil. Nearly everything in our lives is made from oil, made by machinery and systems dependent on oil, and transported by oil as either gas or diesel fuel.



Ammonia, Anesthetics, Antihistamines, Artificial limbs, Artificial Turf, Antiseptics, Aspirin, Auto Parts, Awnings, Balloons, Ballpoint pens, Bandages, Beach Umbrellas, Boats, Cameras, Candles, Car Battery Cases, Carpets, Caulking, Combs, Cortisones, Cosmetics, Crayons, Credit Cards, Curtains, Deodorants, Detergents, Dice, Disposable Diapers, Dolls, Dyes, Eye Glasses, Electrical Wiring Insulation, Faucet Washers, Fishing Rods, Fishing Line, Fishing Lures, Food Preservatives, Food Packaging, Garden Hose, Glue, Hair Coloring, Hair Curlers, Hand Lotion, Hearing Aids, Heart Valves, Ink, Insect Repellant, Insecticides, Linoleum, Lip Stick, Milk Jugs, Nail Polish, Oil Filters, Panty Hose, Perfume, Petroleum Jelly, Rubber Cement, Rubbing Alcohol, Shampoo, Shaving Cream, Shoes, Toothpaste, Trash Bags, Upholstery, Vitamin Capsules, Water Pipes, Yarn


http://www.3k88.com/products.htm





Every little bit helps.


;)

[Dr Fate]

80. Great list- some comments.

Many of those products- we simply do not even need them.

For almost every beauty product you list-there are natural, even organic alternatives that usually work better.

Same goes for most of everything else you list-there are alternatives. For example, most organic grocery stores sell milk in deposit glass bottles.

Food preservatives made from OIL? Petrol based Insectisides? Hell, that stuff is bad for ya anyway. I have no trouble finding food that is free of these additives.

For a lot of the other things, people can think about buying them second hand, so that new ones dont have to be produced. Anyone have a problem with saving money? I dont.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[tammywammy]

79. I've already cut back where I can

Combined trips and errands are on the way home from work. There's no public transportation where I live. Plus it's already hitting highs of over 90 degrees outside.

[taterguy]

85. Thank god for mildly unpleasant weather

How else would people find an excuse for relying on cars?

Riddle me this: Why is Minneapolis one of the cities with the highest rate of bike commuting in the country?

[tammywammy]

92. Mildly unpleasant?

Hot and humid. You start sweating just walking at a stroll, I'm not getting on a bike through rough neighborhoods to go to work where there's no access to a shower and stink all day. Then after work commute to school and ride home at 10pm. And yes I've read you before about how you don't sweat, well I do. It doesn't take much to make me sweat and I've been like this my whole life.

I've combined errands and don't do any unnecessary driving.

[kestrel91316]

108. A month from we will get hit with the start of our ghastly summer heat here.

I can hit 119F, and can be well over 110F for days on end (last June we had a 3-day 117F heat wave). I will have to walk the >1/2 mile to the bus stop in the AM and again home in the PM. My 45 minute walks home will have to stop during heat waves, but the rest will be unavoidable. Our heat is DANGEROUS.

[NoUsername]

111. Yeah, when it's raining, people probably shouldn't drive to work.

They should call in instead of being subjected to that kind of weather having to walk from the parking lot. ;)

Minneapolitan here and I bike. Yeah, we bike in whatever kind of weather gets thrown at us. People will sometimes ask me "What do you do when it rains?" I reply "I ride to work. If I were driving, it's not like I'd get up in the morning and decide that I'm not going to go to work because it's raining. Biking to work is no different in that regard." As for the snow and ice, hell, that's what studded bike tires are made for.

[HughMoran]

88. bicycle terrorist strikes again

My children live 30 miles from me. Oh, and they depend on me having a job to feed them. Convenience my arse.

[taterguy]

90. Terrorist? Really?

Lighten up Francis

[MrSlayer]

93. I don't buy gas from anyone anyway.

I don't own a car. I live in the city, I don't need one.

[Texasgal]

95. Gotta get to work

to help people in need of surgery to see better. Sorry.

[michreject]

96. I wouldn't get very far

My truck only gets 10 mpg. Not buying gas is an option.

[adigal]

97. I have to drive to work, no public transport in rural area

but I pledged to use 1/2 the gas I usually use from now on.

[flvegan]

98. You going local vegan for that duration too?

That is, unless you only care about your convenience and all...

[taterguy]

129. Way to knock me off my high horse dude

You are entirely correct.

My food choices are horrible for the planet.

I accept that.

I just happen to have relatively strong legs, an appalling lack of concern about my physical appearance and a careless attitude about my physical safety.

So I can be smug about avoiding auto usage and encourage others to do the same.

Now if I could only find vegan food I liked as much as the crap I eat I might be a better person.

Mock duck my ass, doesn't taste as good to me as the real stuff.

And don't get me started about tofu barbecue (but maybe it wasn't prepared properly).

[quickesst]

99. Whether I commend you...

..on your dedication to your ideology, or call you a pretentious, holier than thou faux liberal looking for kudos depends on a few things. What do you do for a living? How far is your work-place from your residence? How many tools(in pounds) do you carry to work? How many tools(again in pounds) do you carry/wear during the duration of your workday? How old are you? I work in construction. My job is at least fifty miles away 80% of the time. I carry around thirty pounds of tools to work every day. I wear a toolbelt that is from ten to fifteen pounds for eight to ten hours a day, I'm fifty-eight years old, and you think I should ride a bicycle or walk? What the fuck is wrong with you people? For some, being "liberal/progressive" is like a fucking disease bordering on delusional separation from reality.
quickesst

[kestrel91316]

101. (waving hand) - car-free for 9 months and counting

[KonaKane]

109. Yep - I did away with mine for six years.

Walked, biked, took cabs. It was a good thing to do at the time, but my circumstances changed and my career change necessitated a vehicle once again. Oh well, six years not feeding the oil monster was better than nothing.

[Berserker]

110. OK after they

plug the hole can I buy gas and go back to work?

[Q3JR4]

114. I don't own a car

so anything I personally do at this point isn't going to have that big of an effect on the bottom line of any oil company.

Q3JR4

[PhillyGurl]

116. A bit unrealistic, how about definitely boycotting BP?

I never get gas from those bastards anyhow.

[Obamanaut]

118. Considering all the other countries where the oil companies sell

their products, in addition to what is sold in the US, do you really think they care if all the members of DU get bicycles?

[taterguy]

120. Suppose everyone walked or biked when they didn't need a car?

The oil companies would care.

But I guess we can never agree on 'when you need a car.'

[Violet_Crumble]

119. Checking in! I won't buy any gas and I'll just buy petrol from now on!

;)

[taterguy]

122. Guess it's a bad time for an Aussie to give up driving

I hear your summers are brutal.

:P

[Name removed]

121. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

128. Deleted message

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

[Vinca]

130. Considering I don't have a horse and live miles from town,

I will have to continue buying gas for now.

[taterguy]

133. Does the thread title say "Check in with your excuses for feeding the oil beast"

If that's what I wanted to know, that's what I would have asked.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

132. I don't drive, never did, but since I take the train instead of biking

I guess my ideological purity leaves to be desired.

Even though energy round these parts here is hydroelectrical.

Maybe if I make push-ups inside the train so I get to work all sweaty would help?

[EstimatedProphet]

134. Why do you do this shit?

Really, why? You're on here incessantly posting, and nothing you have ever written amounts to anything more that "Nyaah nyaah, I'm better than you are!"

Really, is there nothing in your life that has any value at all? THIS is what you have to do with your time?

[mkultra]

136. uh, no

interesting thought though. maybe we should just boycott BP

[Common Sense Party]

137. I want a car that runs on smugness and haughty self-righteousness. n/t

[MadHound]

138. 'Scuse me, but I live in the country

I require a modicum of gas to raise my food, though less gas is used in the process than those of you who by those Mexican veggies and fruit.

I also require a modicum of gas for transportation, though less than most commuters since I generally use my 100mpg/60mph Bajaj scooter. However I still use the car or truck in order to carry multiple people or lots of goods.

If I stopped buying gas, it would directly impact me life in many negative ways. Now then, if you want to put up the money for me to buy a new Tesla, and convert all of my farm implements over to biodiesel, great, I'll do it.

But the fact of the matter is that your attempt playing holier than thou falls flat on it's face.

Oh, one question for you, do you fly anywhere?

[yodoobo]

139. Well I don't buy gas for the hell of it

In fact I buy as little as possible.

if it were an option to simply stop buying gas, I would have done that without an oil spill as motivation.