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1. Live Blogging Hurricane Ike From The Woodlands, Texas « Blog Entry « Dr. Melissa Clouthier
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Comment pages: « 1 [2]

101. #101
     On September 13th, 2008 at 9:50 am, jenmom said:

     I feel for the Houston area and all of Texas that is getting hit by this! My husband and I lived in Houston for 4 years. Still have a lot of friends down there.

     We live in OKC and when I heard that people were artificially driving up the prices of gas around the country I sent my husband out to fill up my gas tank. Never know what will happen!

102. #102
     On September 13th, 2008 at 10:03 am, TexasEngineer said:

     Bansharia…I am willing to overlook certain politico-personality traits for good music.

     I’ve never had Don or Glen preach at me from the stage about what a conservative stooge I am. Joe Walsh is just an all around good guy and has finally gotten his defecation into one piece of hosiery. They get up there and sound as good live as they do on the recordings.

     I won’t pay a dime to see Barbra & Her Nose, Dixie Chicks, The Pretenders and others who look at their concerts as pulpits to preach the Kool-Aid Path.

103. #103
     On September 13th, 2008 at 10:03 am, bansharia said:

     I hope we get an update as to what Michelle is going to do with the vortex created by sea dubya leaving. Lord knows she cant do it all, nor does she desire to.
     Prayers to you M.

104. #104
     On September 13th, 2008 at 10:07 am, bansharia said:

     Tex give us an update when you get back, it is my understanding they have been doing just that and often.
     At the very least they have been doing off stage and won’t get a dime from me.

105. #105
     On September 13th, 2008 at 10:12 am, bansharia said:

     Tex and lets say they don’t trash America while they are on stage just off stage, is that okay with you?
     I keep life simple there is no such thing as loving the troops and hating thier mission.
     thats liblogic darling….
     NO SALE eagles

106. #106
     On September 13th, 2008 at 10:21 am, txvet2 said:

     Meanwhile, I’d like to extend my personal thanks to all of those people and governments around the world who are rushing disaster aid to Texas.

107. #107
     On September 13th, 2008 at 10:41 am, Bruce said:

     I am outraged that our wretched, incompetent government in tandem with an out of control, blood thirsty media over-hyped IKE to the point that immoral, greedy, selfish gasoline wholesalers AND retailers could use it as an excuse for conclusion in their efforts to rape the American people.

     For absolutely no reason at all, where I am, we now have to pay over $5 per gallon with the locals here saying that we will be over $9 before mid week.

     SHAME ON THE GOVERNMENT, THE NEWS MEDIA, AND THE SELFISH REPROBATES WHOSE RECKLESS BEHAVIOR IS RESULTING IN A CALAMITY FOR WORKING FOLK THAT FAR EXCEEDS THE MINOR DAMAGE THAT RESULTED FROM THE WEAK CATEGORY 2 IKE!

108. #108
     On September 13th, 2008 at 10:47 am, sofla texan said:

     I live in Ft. Lauderdale but I have family and friends in Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi & Houston.

     The networks have been talking about the Nassau Bay Hilton all morning long and I have finally seen pictures coming out of Clear Lake. A Fox News reporter was driving around filming and it looked like maybe she was on Nasa Road. 1? Does anyone know anything about Taylor Lake Village or Timber Cove? My Father lives over that way and Thank God he is in Ohio visiting friends…a trip he had planned for 6 months.

     If anyone has any info, could you please post? Thank you!

109. #109
     On September 13th, 2008 at 10:59 am, graysonret said:

     We have 1 gas station up in Newport News that just went up to $5 a gallon for gas. Now, in defense of small, independent stations, sometimes you have to raise prices early to be able to afford the expense of your next gas shipment, especially if they warn you of impending price increases. Without an early increase, some small stations couldn’t afford to ship in enough gas to stay in business. For example, if I paid $10K for gas each month and made a fair living at it, then found that it is going up to, say, $13K, I would be in trouble, unless I want to go without any income for the month, or my employees. But, I have seen now 1 station up to $5 a gallon, and another up to $4.50, overnight. I think that’s a bit too much. A little price gouging panic? I think so. Anyway, to those of you in “harm’s way”, God watch over you and your loved ones. Hopefully, you’ll be back to some sort of “normal” soon.

110. #110
     On September 13th, 2008 at 11:09 am, hadsil said:

     Blaming Bush in 5, 4, 3, …

     Others accusing Bush of racism due to a good response because Texas is not majority black in 5, 4, 3, …

111. #111
     On September 13th, 2008 at 11:17 am, sofla texan said:

     #110

     I could see that happening, but those accusations would be immediately debunked because both Houston and Beaumont have sizeable African-American populations.

     The quick response is due to Gov. Perry taking all the necessary steps to request the assistance prior to Ike’s approach…something Gov. Blanco refused to do because of her intense BDS!

112. #112
     On September 13th, 2008 at 11:21 am, babbledabble said:

     I saw people on Fox news drinking & partying waving their beer cans at the cameras. They will be the first people to blame Bush, & yell where was FEMA, where was the coast guard, where is their Gov check. Sorry, but if they got blown away, I will not feel much sympathy for them.

113. #113
     On September 13th, 2008 at 11:22 am, bansharia said:

     TX lolo what a hoot

114. #114
     On September 13th, 2008 at 11:24 am, bansharia said:

     um Bruce,
     feel better?

115. #115
     On September 13th, 2008 at 11:24 am, FamilyMan said:

     The only good thing to come out of the storm was watching Geraldo Rivera get whacked in the forehead by some flying debris.

116. #116
     On September 13th, 2008 at 11:28 am, bansharia said:

     babble ^10
     nawlins prided themselves on cane parties. 40% of galveston refused to vacate? I for one won’t mourn such suicides, I’ll Pray for those who have to pick up thier bloated corpses……

117. #117
     On September 13th, 2008 at 11:33 am, sofla texan said:

     Bruce,

     You can read more about the hype here:

     http://www.chron.com

118. #118
     On September 13th, 2008 at 11:33 am, bansharia said:

     Man,
     saw the footage of geraldo the want to be spitter being knocked off the wall, made me darn near barf that emergency crew were even in area to ^5 him.
     Dear first responder types,
     nothing better to do than keep media
     hacks safe?

119. #119
     On September 13th, 2008 at 11:46 am, Trollman said:

     I just got in contact with my parents in Houston. They said the electricity went out around 1am.

     The flooding isn’t bad where they are, just up to the curb. Part of our old oak tree was knocked down and blocks the street.

     Hopefully the electricity will be restored within the week.

120. #120
     On September 13th, 2008 at 11:52 am, sbw999 said:

     Let the countdown begin to MSM stories (and of course Barry and Joey) about how the federal response was horrendous, that Bush and FEMA failed again…blah blah blah. Mark it down.

121. #121
     On September 13th, 2008 at 12:31 pm, bayou22 said:

     As I said before, this is nothing compared to greater storms. The media is blowing this up because they wanted a freak of destruction storm and of course all you’ll see is the greatest damage. However, Gustav put over a million without power (like me - still without power) and resulted in flooding, trees snapped, etc. all over LA and especially Baton Rouge. In fact, we house the largest production refinery in the US. It wasn’t incredibly impacted and was back up and running quickly after.

     I agree with Bruce, the government, the media, and those who profit from bad news are all to blame for the non-existent gas panic that so many sheep in the US think is the end times (the end times of their trips to Starbucks and the mall…)

     Just adding financial misery to the cleanup efforts when it is not warranted.

122. #122
     On September 13th, 2008 at 12:56 pm, babbledabble said:

     #116 - I agree. Do you think they were smart enough to write their ss numbers on their forearms so they could be identified? Not likely.

     BTW, how is the Gov to blame for higher gas prices?

123. #123
     On September 13th, 2008 at 1:01 pm, txvet2 said:

     On September 13th, 2008 at 10:41 am, Bruce said:

     Don’t buy it.

124. #124
     On September 13th, 2008 at 2:08 pm, tamarah180 said:

     Thread Hijack Alert! (In honor of DagneyT)

     Ummmmm, (had to add that so the Dems among us will pay attention and feel at home without The One here):

     Tidbits of Rand Institute monograph from 2005:
     The Green River Formation covering parts of CO, UT and WY is estimated to hold about 1.2-1.8 trillion gal of oil in bound in oil shale and about 800 billion gallions are recoverable. This is more than TRIPLE the Saudi reserves.

     Why are we not tapping this pile o’oil? Well, Chilluns, it was not economically feasible until oil hit - are y’all ready? - $70-95/barrel for mining and extraction operations. Shell Oil - are you holdin’ onto yer panties? - has an in-situ process for extraction of oil that was competative with $20/barrel crude oil.

     And, now y’all ask, WHY did Shell & Friends not continue the their march to American Oil independence then when Rand Inst. said they would be 6 years from being able to extract a million barrels a day, create millions of jobs in the USA AND possibly cause a DECREASE in crude oil prices of 3-5%? (this now being about 4 years from then?!?!?)

     Now, I know you are all glued to your screens because I KNOW that YOU KNOW that oil has been well over that price for, ummmm (trying to let the democrats catch up), ummm, (caught up yet, lgm?) too bad, eh, let us continue…many months…

     Ahhh, so CONGRESS has not bothered to investigate oil shale and how to regulate, i.e. tax the crap out of it and us, you think. Well, think again. There were hearings in Congress related to this where some other Rand Employee addressed Congress in 2007 and said this:

     “As part of RAND’s examination of oil shale development, our research addressed the strategic benefits of having in place a mature oil shale industry producing millions of barrels of oil per day. Such a level of production would yield considerable economic and national security benefits,
     primarily by causing world oil prices to be lower than what would be the case in the absence of oil shale development. As a result, consumers would pay tens of billions of dollars less for oil. Lower world oil prices would also cause a decrease in revenues to oil exporting nations, some of which are governed by regimes that are not supportive of U.S. foreign policy objectives. These benefits
     associated with lower world oil prices accrue to our nation as a whole; however, they are not captured by the private firms that would invest in oil shale development.

     If shale-derived oil can be produced at prices well below world oil prices, then the private firms that do invest in oil shale development could garner economic profits above and beyond what is considered as a normal return on their investments. Through lease bonus payments, royalties,and taxes on these profits, we estimate that roughly half of these economic profits could go to
     federal, state, and local governments and, thereby, broadly benefit the public.”

     SO, with all THAT good news, WHY are we not pumping the black gold out of our grand country?

     While the prospects of major economic and national security benefits motivate the development
     of oil shale, federal actions need to be tempered by the need to address the adverse environmental impacts and risks that accompany such development. Moreover, with the growing realization of the role of carbon dioxide in promoting climate change, these adverse impacts are not just local and regional, but also global.

     (Hint: It’s Al Gore’s fault…lol)

     And this:

     there are the naysayers, who in their concern for environmental protection appear to dismiss the economic costs of importing high-priced oil and the national security consequences of continued wealth transfers to certain oil exporting nations.

     Entire testimony found here

125. #125
     On September 13th, 2008 at 2:25 pm, sofla texan said:

     #121,

     I simply don’t understand your logic. Which greater storm are you refering to, Katrina, Andrew, Hugo, Camille? Did this need to be a Cat 5+ to satisfy you? Damage is damage, whether it comes from the wind or the storm surge. If you were paying attention, most of the media outlets were stressing the danger of the storm surge, wave heights and flooding.

     Galveston is an absolute mess, the Balinese Ballroom is rubble, the Strand is flooded. Brennan’s in Houston burned to the ground. Most of suburban Houston is flooded. If you are watching any of the coverage now, you will see that Nasa Road 1 is flooded with water across the parking lots and up to the doors of the businesses. There are submerged businesses there. Boats in Clear Lake and Nassau Bay are submerged or scattered across Nasa Road 1. There a 2 million + people without power and it could take weeks to restore, and all this from a measley Cat 2!

     I have been through 7 hurricanes in the last 13 years ranging from Cat 1 - Cat 3 and let me tell you my anxiety level as to the the uncertainty of the outcomes were all the same.

     We still don’t know the extent of the damage in Beaumont and Port Arthur. My guess is pretty darn bad for a Cat 2!

     I agree with you that the media tends to hype these events for the ratings angle, but the devestation, pain and eventual suffering of these victims will be very real to them.

     The “hysteria” you speak of will fade away and gas prices will begin to adjust and fall early next week,as the refineries and platforms will go back on line. Unfortunately the people of East Texas and Western Louisiana will still be trying to put their lives back together, which I’m sure will be a long, painful and very real process for them.

126. #126
     On September 13th, 2008 at 2:44 pm, AlohaGuy said:

     The only good thing to come out of the storm was watching Geraldo Rivera get whacked in the forehead by some flying debris.

     Is it too much to hope that by “flying debris” you meant Charles Gibson?

127. #127
     On September 13th, 2008 at 2:46 pm, TXRose said:

     I have friends all over the area that is being most impacted by Ike. Have been talking to some of them by email and a lot of them are in hotels and evacuation centers as well as RV Parks. (That’s what I would prefer to do if I had to evacuate). I am praying for everyone that is in this monster’s path
     I read somewhere that there could be a problem with refineries and rigs being shut down. It said that when everything cooled down and was started up again, that things could begin breaking down. I think the author actually said things could start cracking to be specific. She said that her father had worked with this type of equipment all of his life.
     A friend called me after having worked at an evacuation station since last night. She said that she isn’t hearing the griping that we both have heard from the LA evacuees.
     They never think the accomodations are up to their standards. She said that TXNs
     are all grateful. I’m not working this one because I have friends in my home, from
     down there.

128. #128
     On September 13th, 2008 at 3:13 pm, Yami said:

     I’m in Houston, and got my power back already this afternoon. The most helpful thing I can do is plan ahead so I’m not a drain on resources needed for actual emergencies, keep my eyes open for friends and neighbors I can help.

     Kudos to all the emergency workers, repair and clean up people! Be safe!

129. #129
     On September 13th, 2008 at 3:49 pm, sofla texan said:

     Hard to believe all this damage was caused by “nothing compared to greater storms”.

     http://www.mysanantonio.com/about_us/express-news/slideshows/Hurricane_Ike_Damage.html

130. #130
     On September 13th, 2008 at 4:01 pm, Goldwater Knight said:

     I don’t think it’s a problem with the seawall failing. It’s just that the seawall has “gotten shorter” with sand accumulation, and it will be overtopped, especially considering the combination of the storm surge and high tide.

     The sand accumulation is not a problem at all in fact it’s left there for a reason. If it were important for it to be removed It would. The function of the sea wall does not keep 100% of the water back that’s not its design purpose.

     The design could actually be made better by having energy dissipaters on its face.

     I really like the no nonsense design of this wall though; back in the days when five cents got you a bag of groceries.

131. #131
     On September 13th, 2008 at 4:29 pm, fgmorley said:

     Hey I hope the people that are in the hurricane path are safe. But I just have to ask this question. Why are they still there? Is it so important to report the non-news that there is a hurricane? Come on people. Every time there is a storm these days it is as if the Great Flood is happening. It’s getting old to hear it. It is getting old to see the idiots who stay behind to report it. Yeah I know … this is biggest storm that ever will hit in our lifetimes. BS.

132. #132
     On September 13th, 2008 at 4:56 pm, blacktygrrrr said:

     I hope Jason at Texas Rainmaker is ok.

     I am praying for him and his fellow Texans.

     Respectfully,

     eric aka the Tygrrrr Express

133. #133
     On September 13th, 2008 at 5:17 pm, 24Klady said:

     fgmorley #131

     God Bless Texas
     They suck it up and start cleaning up!

     I’ve lived in a number of different states and I’ve never witnessed a more hard working or steadfast resolve in the citizens than in Texas. Yes, there were idiots that stayed behind and none of us know whether they were natives or move-ins from other areas. Doesn’t matter. When someone needs to be rescued, first responders do just that. If the fact the media converges on a disaster area and it’s non-stop coverage - rent a video or buy a new CD, you’ll be a happier person.

134. #134
     On September 13th, 2008 at 5:41 pm, fgmorley said:

     On September 13th, 2008 at 5:17 pm, 24Klady said:

     Well said. I don’t rent videos, but I can find better things to do than watch the non-stop “the sky is falling” coverage. I guess my complaint is about the weather news coverage in general these days. I mean just imagine the 1930’s Dust Bowl coverage on the news today. You think Global warming conspiracy coverage is overblown? The news about the Dust Bowl today would be completely crazy, and that’s what I think this is. Oh. but I just remembered…It’s Bush’s fault.

     BTW, I am living now in Botswana, and the severe droughts that continually plague this region of the world would have the U.S. weather newscasters predicting doom and gloom for the planet from sunrise to sunset.

135. #135
     On September 13th, 2008 at 6:05 pm, 24Klady said:

     fgmorley - We live near the Metroplex in Dallas. We’ve learned to sleep with NOAA weather radios, the TV on in case of a redline event, and depend on your family and neighbors to wake you up in case of an emergency. To see a storm, moving on shore, that is the size of the entire state will get the attention of just about anyone. You also learn to read the sky in Texas. To ignore the constant updates means you’ll die. The one bright side of 24 hr. coverage was seeing Geraldo dunked last night!

136. #136
     On September 13th, 2008 at 6:23 pm, fgmorley said:

     On September 13th, 2008 at 6:05 pm, 24Klady said:

     Of course I understand your attentiveness in this instance, and I truly hope that you and other Texans can find a safe place to weather this storm. Good luck, and I wish you peace.

137. #137
     On September 13th, 2008 at 7:08 pm, Flag2911 said:

     I sure hope that the cities and Fema send each and everyone of the– no, I will not evacuate– bozos a bill if they called for help.

138. #138
     On September 13th, 2008 at 7:16 pm, FilmLadd said:

     Texas Evacuees Ask for ‘Nagin Special’

     In a news conference Thursday afternoon, Mayor Ray Nagin had encouraged Texas evacuees to book hotel rooms in New Orleans by requesting the “Mayor Ray Nagin special rate.”

     The offer was designed, the mayor said, “to say to our friends in Houston and Texas that we want to take care of you, since you have taken care of us, ” according to a transcript of his remarks. Thousands of New Orleanians evacuated to Texas shelters and hotels because of Hurricane Katrina.

     Trouble is, as Bernard found out, the special rate doesn’t exist…

     Read all about the Nagin Special…

     You get what you vote for.

139. #139
     On September 13th, 2008 at 7:28 pm, Trollman said:

     FilmLadd said:

     Read all about the Nagin Special…

     You get what you vote for.

     You have to have a golden ticket to stay at “Willy Wonka’s Chocolate City.”

140. #140
     On September 13th, 2008 at 7:38 pm, 24Klady said:

     Flag2911 #137 - yep, send them a bill. Yes, I can understand people wanting to protect property and also not to have to enter a shelter with it’s limitations and uncomfortable conditions. However, you might want to set some kind of $$reserve aside to enable you to move north/east or west if you don’t choose to enjoy the delights of shelters. Paying for a military chopper to rescue your sorry b-tt just might cure the affliction of “bozos” not leaving when advised.

     That said, we will do everything we can to help those that encountered total loss. Again. I don’t know what the answer is, but living on a coast or area prone to hurricanes may become a thing of the past if the Feds, FEMA, insurance companies, and those communities that shelter them stop the aid or refuse funds to rebuild there. My insurance bills make my eyes cross when it comes in, but we have do it.

141. #141
     On September 13th, 2008 at 8:07 pm, freeus said:

     My prayers to one and all in TX and LA! Tomorrow is our tornado day, and you folks in AR, MO, IL, etc. are going to get hammered with rain!

     For those who want to help out, after Katrina we found a huge need for industrial gloves that can take exposure to chemicals. These things are hard to find, but greatly needed for people to go through some of their stuff when it has been covered or soaked in filth and Lord knows what else. The police, troopers, and firemen also liked using them when working. We found some at Lowe’s and sent them down with State Troopers who were going to Waveland, MS.

     Besides donating clothing, I would like to remind people about kids, and in particular older children who might have lost all their stuff. Many folks find it easier to buy for or only buy things for smaller children and forget about those crazy teenagers.

     Please take care of yourselves in Houston and the other areas! There looks to be so many power lines down. We lost a soccer coach in Biloxi due to a downed power line.

142. #142
     On September 13th, 2008 at 8:15 pm, freeus said:

     I forgot to add a three cheers for the Mayors of these towns that stayed behind and are working like mad for their towns! Hurray for Mayors!

143. #143
     On September 13th, 2008 at 8:26 pm, Marie said:

     Will anyone tell Anderson Cooper that he looks like a dork in water up to his waist? That job should be given to lesser reporters…..

144. #144
     On September 13th, 2008 at 8:29 pm, Marie said:

     Ooops, It was given to a lesser report -Geraldo!

145. #145
     On September 13th, 2008 at 9:53 pm, FilmLadd said:

     On September 13th, 2008 at 7:28 pm, Trollman said:

     You have to have a golden ticket to stay at “Willy Wonka’s Chocolate City.

     Awesome! I burst out laughing, scared my wife!!

     On September 13th, 2008 at 8:15 pm, freeus said:

     I forgot to add a three cheers for the Mayors of these towns that stayed behind and are working like mad for their towns! Hurray for Mayors!

     Yes, and a big raspberry for the chocolate city mayor and his “Nagin Special”…

146. #146
     On September 13th, 2008 at 10:40 pm, NJ-Aviator said:

     Let hope the people in TX and that area get through this safely.

     But on an Energy note.

     The gas prices here in NJ went from 3.29 to 3.55…. Today.

     Not that this is the top of the list of priorities, but what the hell are gas stations doing (and their distributors) raising the price of gas this much before the storm even left????

     West Tex Crude went up 1 dollar on Friday. 1 dollar. It had dropped about that much Thursday.

     I mean… the gas they had in their tanks was the same as it was when they opened at 8am today. By 2pm it went up 25 cents per gallon. And that is at stations all over this area.

147. #147
     On September 13th, 2008 at 11:41 pm, love2rumba said:

     My prayers are for all people in the in the storm region tonight.

148. #148
     On September 13th, 2008 at 11:56 pm, deepdriller said:

     I just talked to my wife in Tomball (Northwest of Houston), they’re still without power & water. There’s no real damage to our house, but it sounds like we lost a few small trees.
     Be praying for the safety of the power company repair crews over the next few days.

149. #149
     On September 14th, 2008 at 12:14 am, Connie said:

     Hot Air down?

     The connection has timed out

     The server at hotair.com is taking too long to respond.

150. #150
     On September 14th, 2008 at 12:52 am, Connie said:

     Nevermind, it’s back. I didn’t want anything to happen to the visibility of Ed’s article on why McCain can’t email. That needs to last through to Monday a.m. along with Michelle’s and the 40 other sites that have picked it up.

151. #151
     On September 14th, 2008 at 12:58 am, bayou22 said:

     NJ-Aviator… you are spot on. The gas ahs already been paid for and does not need to be jacked up for a non-event in unrelated areas. This is independent retailers taking advantage of a bad situation. Pilot stations here are listing Unleaded for $4.69 and Diesel for just under $4. Exxon across the street lists for $3.89. How do you explain that? Either morons as buyers for Pilot.. or more likely, gouging. Shameful. National pricing inconsistency is a clear indicator.

     This is one instance where the government talks big about pursuing and prosecuting gougers, but in the end, they don’t do anything excpet talk tough. If they really want to do something, they need to ease restrictions on building refineries inland as well as get a grip on politicians who spout off about gas prices with no information whatsoever setting off a national (unfounded) panic. By opening their mouths, they created an artifical shortage by allowing dealers to run out based on the panic.

     And for those who thought I was unhappy with Gustav or Ike’s wake… wrong. I’m still without power in Baton Rouge from Gustav on 9/1. All I was saying was that the media was really looking for a colossal home run of mass hysteria and destruction and all they could muster for sensationalism was the same side of the JPMC building in downtown Houston for roughly 12 hours. Texas will heal, but this could have been much worse and more widespread with a high Cat 3 or Cat 4.

152. #152
     On September 14th, 2008 at 6:22 am, graysonret said:

     Bayou22, yes the gas you are buying is paid for, but what about the next order that an independent gas station places? Many small gas station owners aren’t exactly millionaires and have to purchase the gas before they can sell it to you. For example, and being basic here, if I buy something for 90 cents and sell it to you for a dollar, I keep 10 cents as profit. However, if I buy that same thing for 90 cents and know that it will cost me a dollar next time around, I have to sell it to you for $1.10 so I still have that 10 cent profit. Small businesses would not be able to afford to buy gas next time around if the price goes up and take care of themselves, other expenses and employees. Either that, or they buy less, and create a gas shortage. Be sure, there is price gouging and unscrupulous people around, but not everyone raising prices is gouging. As a small business owner, I am faced with a decision. Do I raise prices to protect myself and business, or hold tight and hope it doesn’t go up? I station near me is up to $5 a gallon now. That’s a bit much, I think. The same can be said for home repair people. If I get a truck, load it with supplies and materials, hire some people and go from the East Coast to Houston; of course, I’m going to charge more for work. I have to, or not go at all, which may leave a shortage of people to do the work. That’s not gouging either. As I said before, there will always be profiteering. People like that should be prosecuted. But, understand, not everyone who raises prices is out to rip people off.

153. #153
     On September 14th, 2008 at 7:56 am, jamesgreenidge said:

     I need to confirm something disturbing from relatives in Louisiana, and asking the same on milblogs too; what are National/Coast Guard storm rescue helicopter crew orders on a helicopter filled with pets and owners aboard which spots more people in severe distress on a rooftop and no other aid is available? My relatives relayed that Nat Geo trauma consolers don’t even want to discuss the scenario and it’s a “victim handling nightmare” to rescue crews. Need feedback on this.

     Thanks.

     James Greenidge
     Queens New York

154. #154
     On September 14th, 2008 at 8:39 am, DougT said:

     Pricing is what I do for a living and graysonret, you’ve pretty much nailed it. Though the logic you use isn’t limited to gasoline. Any pricer must take replacement cost into account or expose themselves to unnecessary cost risk, and subsequent lowered or negative margins.

     Speaking of margins, by the time the gas is at the station, the station owner makes hardly anything on a storage tank of gasoline. Gross margins are around 6%, but real operating margins plummet when you subtract operating expenses from the remaining profit. These expenses are things like payroll and credit card fees (who uses cash anymore?) Plus there are the lease or mortgage payments for the property, plus property taxes and water, sewer, power payments. Let’s just say that these so-called gouging gas stations aren’t gouging anyone at the pump. (Undoubtedly most are slow to lower prices versus quick to raise them, but they’re trying to make an additional penny or two on a gallon of gas. It helps them, but not by much.)

     The real gouging occurs in their convenience stores and car washes, or, if any stations still have them, their service bays. Margins are amazing on the water, beer, cigarettes, food, etc that they sell inside.

     Most service stations are just convenience store that use their gas pumps as bait. If you think a gallon of gas at $4 is a rip-off, try a 20 oz water bottle at a $1.99. Gross profits on water run up to 60%. Where’s the congressional action on water gouging? Well, that isn’t politically expedient, so they focus on those big bad oil companies.

     If it weren’t for those convenience stores and car washes, gasoline would probably cost twice as much or we would have far fewer filling station choices.

155. #155
     On September 14th, 2008 at 9:24 am, Goldwater Knight said:

     DougT said:

     The margins the make on a cup of coffee is astronomical; the same goes for pizza (if you’re in the pizza business).

156. #156
     On September 14th, 2008 at 11:52 am, FilmLadd said:

     On September 14th, 2008 at 7:56 am, jamesgreenidge said:

     consolers don’t even want to discuss the scenario and it’s a “victim handling nightmare” to rescue crews. Need feedback on this.

     ??

     What are you saying? That they have orders to toss Fido, Garfield, and Polly the Parrot out to make room?

157. #157
     On September 14th, 2008 at 2:57 pm, plymouthacclaim said:

     This is why I want a monolithic dome for a house. It’s the most disaster-proof structure mankind has invented.

158. #158
     On September 14th, 2008 at 6:39 pm, mattm said:

     If this hit NOLA the MSM would be covering it non-stop, going out of their way to find every bad piece of news possible.

159. #159
     On September 14th, 2008 at 7:54 pm, gunslingerpatriot said:

     After just reading Mayor Nagin’s comment and attempt at humor makes me more than a little disgusted.

     Let me get this straight with Nagin;

     He botches NO response to the backside of Katrina.

     Orders the confiscation of law abiding citizens firearms.

     Is facing numerous lawsuits from the NRA, and gun owners that haven’t gotten their guns back.

     Facing a contempt of court charge from said named lawsuits.

     States NO is going to be a “Choculate City”

     Yet he still gets reelected by an illiterate group of citizens.

     To the residents of New Orleans, do American society a favor, don’t evacuate and get out of the gene pool.

     After seeing what your great citizens did to Memphis after Katrina and Gustav. Don’t come here.

     There are too many horror stories about how New Orleans treated volunteers that came from out of state to help them, and they way they treated the shelter workers here.

     My favorite one is when a single mom with three kids (including a baby less than 1 year) came in last November wanting some assistence from the last social agency I worked for. A member of our disaster relief services started taking her information, asking what home she lost, when did it occur, what kind of assistence did she need and etc..

     The lady replied that she needed money for rent, new school uniforms, baby diapers and food and that they are Katrina refugees from New Orleans. 2 1/2 years and this woman is still wanting a handout.

     Fortunately the company closed out that relief mission last Dec 31, and no other claims for Katrina victims are given out.

     As far as I am concerned; New Orleans can rest in hades and I won’t give a bit of sympathy to them when the next hurricane hits.

     I would rather help out people that need help, appreciate the help and are willing to help themselves out. Something I didn’t see from NO Katrina or Gustav evacuees.

     GSP

160. #160
     On September 15th, 2008 at 8:30 pm, Southpaw said:

     “But city officials estimated that as many as 40 percent of the island’s about 60,000 residents remained in their homes.”

     Well, I guess we know what percentage of the Galveston population are idiots.

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