I normally stay on topic around here and keep my conversations on the subject of art and design.
Today will be one of those days where I veer off course.
As I’m sure most of you know, we’re having a bit of an adventure when it comes to getting gasoline in Nashville. Yesterday was the tipping point — estimates are that between 60 – 85% of gas stations are dry currently.
Yesterday afternoon, I see where the story is linked from The Drudge Report. Great. Now we totally look like idiots on the national level.
This morning, I see this story on CNN.
“Everybody has just gone nuts,” said Mike Williams, executive director of the Tennessee Petroleum Council.
He said he has no idea about the origin of a rumor that there was going to be no gas in Nashville. One reporter called him, saying she had heard that Nashville would be without gas within the hour, he said.
Hearing the rumor, drivers rushed to fill their cars and trucks.
“no idea about the origin of a rumor”?????
REALLY?
Because, apparently Mr Williams has had his head under a rock all week as the Tennessean, the NBC, ABC and CBS affiliates here have been adding fuel to the fire (sorry, pardon the pun) all week!
Yesterday, the Tennessean, our local newspaper, even went as far as to put a VIDEO LINK showing the mass hysteria at the Tiger Market on 12th and Broadway!!!!!!!!! That’s right, inject more fear into the situation.
As I work at home and might put a 1/2 tank of gas into my car every month, I won’t point fingers at the people who need gas to take their kids to school or get to work. That is legitimate need. But to hoard gas to fill up a lawnmower or boat? That’s irresponsible, pure and simple.
On another note:
Yesterday was one of the rare occasions I had to leave the house and meet with a client. The meeting was held about 16 miles from me, in an outlying suburb of Nashville, known for the high income residents that populate the subdivisions around a large mall. As I was leaving the meeting, I pulled up behind a gigantic SUV* — this one came close to the size of a Hummer. The bumper-sticker adhered to the back said “Drill Here. Drill Now. Pay Less” — now, I got called an environmental snob via Twitter over my comment (hi Matt!) that the owner of this automobile is an idiot. But I maintain that anyone who is driving something that gets less than 10 MPG is an idiot to have the audacity to put that on the back of their car.
I think we should drill here, for the record. But should we drill here so Mr/Mrs Gigantic SUV can suck more fuel through his/her gas guzzler? Absolutely not.
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*For the record, I drive an SUV as well. But the difference is, mine gets 27 mpg.
