In an unusual twist, news of higher gas prices started this week in Los Angeles. Generally, our prices top LA’s first. On Saturday, the Los Angeles Times reported that prices had reach nearly $4.00 a gallon just in time for President’s Day. Later in the week, the $4.00 gallon reached the Eastern Sierra.
The LA Times and other sources point to the higher price of oil and the shutdown of some California refineries for maintenance as what caused the price hike. Analysts see the $5.00 gallon of gas shortly ahead. The Auto Club was quoted as saying the $5.00 gallon may turn up in some places in April or May.
In the Eastern Sierra, as of Tuesday, a gallon of unleaded in Mammoth Lakes sold for $4.36 to $4.39. In the Owens Valley, prices ranged from $3.80 on the low end up to $4.15. In the typically pricey neighborhood of Bridgeport, a gallon of unleaded sold for $4.89.
Various sources say that the price of oil is mostly to blame. About.com said the the price of oil impacts 55% of gas prices. The Los Angeles Times wrote that oil makes up 80% of the price of gasoline. CNN’s Fareed Zakaria has reported that oil producing companies raise the price of oil to balance their growing budgets. Others say fears of military action against Iran impact oil prices. So do commodities traders who buy and sell futures contracts, which are agreements to buy or sell oil at a specific price on a specific date. By bidding up oil prices, traders can actually create higher prices.
And, there is typically a greater demand for gasoline in the Spring and Summer. It all points to the pocket book of the consumer.
Okay. You’re right. We no longer have a voice in this country. Lets just put our heads down and hand over the money, “thank you sir, may I have another”. I have a feeling that “Upthe creek” never planned on using a paddle. The journey was just going to be… Read more »
On that note, some have suggested that only those who USE oil should be able to buy it on the commodities market.
The speculators are the problem. Apparently some legislators have thought of introducing legislation that would
regulate the commodities market and only allow oil users to purchase.
Benett Kessler
Nice idea. But in my imagination, I can see shadow companies funded by OPEC nations being the speculators who’s main purpose is not to make money but to drive up the price of oil for the benefit of OPEC nations. It’s not a big leap of imagination. In fact, I… Read more »
…and the producers are vertically integrated companies who are also the users (refiners) who sell the end products at their gas stations and benefit from high gas prices. And who really knows how and where petro-dollars go? Do you think somebody somewhere actually pays real money for a barrel of… Read more »
Good post
I came up with the user name “enoughalready” based on many of the posters and silly articles on this site that seem to just go on and on and on. All that blabber in the middle of this posting is wacky. Name calling, finger pointing etc…enough already! Benett, you managed… Read more »
amen enough
@enoughalready Since when does Congress or the President LISTEN to “We the people”., Mail, Call or email They will not listen to their Sheeple. I for one have “Had Enough” Long long ago. Do you remember (Not long ago) when 80% of the people said NO to the bailouts. Guess… Read more »
Sure dislike the fact that Gasoline is a Natural Resource and our way of living is non sustainable, to think that it isnt urgent for us to make a diference on our dependence on oil is my opinion “ignorance”, think about generations after us. Or just keep living in your… Read more »
Disgruntled- It matters to me. I pull into the station with the best price. Always will.
All this bluster about who has “balls” and threatening people with unspeakable violence and then when I point out the arrogant stupidity of such bluster it’s all, “…Mommy, Mommy he called me a bad name and made me sad…”
Pathetic!
It is silly to me see the president get the blame for gas prices. we are dealing with a natural resource that we take for granted. if anything is to blame, blame all the inventions that make our lives more convienent that take gasoline to make it possible. And to… Read more »
I’d like to see a report on how much the gas stations really pay for their fuel.
Trouble,
It doesn’t matter what the gas stations pay for their fuel, what matters is what the customer will pay. Owning a gas station is not a government run charity subject to price control. Gas has been $10/gallon in Europe for years.
Disgruntled- just to be far, I do agree with your statement that gas stations are not a charity. I just think putting pressure on them to keep the prices lower is always a good idea. As a consumer i think shopping around is a good idea. Knowing what they pay… Read more »
You probably would be surprised Trouble, to see where the profit goes and how much?
Please Benett,
Your comment to Steve needs to be addressed to Ken Warner as well. Lots os his comments are inflammatory and insulting. People like him create a lot conflict also.
Once again, I said, “all else included” in regard to a halt to insults.
BK
OK I have to agree with Benett on this one .. she did say so and so …. and all others, she was referring to more than one person, and there is more than a couple here that like to sling the crap around so I think some should chill… Read more »
Thanks Joe Biden and Tourbilion, I thought I was alone here. I guess my piercing words have always attracted the most attention from people with opposite and similar views. I will once again keep it as civil as I can. After all, It is Bennetts site, and I have to… Read more »
Thanks, Steve. I appreciate the tone of your disagreement.
BK
Ken, you are the copy paste master on this site. I disagree with your lame posts ALL of the time! You really annoy me. Keep up the good work. I love know it Al’s that know really know nothing. One word! OPEC What now, copy paste? And actually FOX news… Read more »
Steve,
Chill out. And, please, all else included, find another way to communicate
besides insults. No wonder the world has conflicts.
Benett
While you are lecturing Steve (others you fastidiously avoid naming) about “insults” perhaps you might turn your delicate sense of new-found decorum on other comments you have chosen, in your editorial discretion, to post in this thread: “FoxNEWS dupes” “You all have seen too many John Wayne movies.” “Stop looking… Read more »
Tourbilion, You missed the fact that I said “all else included” when I asked for a stop to insults. That includes you. Although, as you see, I have posted your comment. Feel free to point out any inaccuracies in our news stories so we can address them. There is a… Read more »
I like how Ken backs up his statements . I hope he keeps it up. I really enjoy seeing the right wingers getting annoyed.
just b/c someone disagrees with you or ken or anyone else does not make them a ”right-winger”….it just makes them someone who has a different idea than you or ken or anyone else….quit putting people in a political box! since when aren’t people allow to disagree…?????? oh, yeah that’s right,… Read more »
Agreed kaat
Kaat- you are correct in many ways, but my point was, I don’t like seeing those” annoy a liberal stickers” either.
First of all Steven (and other FoxNEWS dupes) you opened with a justified outrage at U.S. soldiers being killed in AFGHANISTAN because an offense to the Muslim religion. Then you gradually morphed your rants into “…we need to bomb Iran now…” because of some murky reasoning about religion and atomic… Read more »
@ Ken: “…because of some murky reasoning about religion and atomic bombs and Israel…. which I can’t really follow…” Sir, your quote is exactly the reasoning that Iran’s pres uses to justify taking out Israel first and then the US…. You love facts and figures, that I can see, but… Read more »
In what reports do you believe the news is trying to be best friends with Iran?
Benett Kessler
not the news or media, just the current president and hillary.
Bush’s State of the Union Address 2002 (excerpt) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/transcripts/sou012902.htm ————- North Korea is a regime arming with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while starving its citizens. Iran aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while an unelected few repress the Iranian people’s hope for freedom. Iraq continues to flaunt… Read more »
Benett…If Bin Laden had been killed during the Bush years in office,the Republicans….and FOX NEWS would have made him out to be the greatest President in the past 50 years…Just like they blamed Obama for not having gotten him sooner.And going to war with Iran because they have nuclear weapons?….We… Read more »
…and Iran’s guy isn’t maybe a little “c@%&y”? Again, he/they are driven by religious beliefs, not political ones….it’s hard to understand…but understand the US must. Forget Rep or Dem’s, that isn’t the issue….focus on what Iran is actually saying….listen…they are being very, very clear…it’s not hard to miss the message… Read more »
kaat..My guess would be if Iran did something really stupid,and forced Obama’s hand to do something,it would be a quick hit….with big-time consequences for Iran,and not some long,drawn out 8 year war…like what Bush got us into with Iraq.
Live by the sword. Die by the sword
Americans are the biggest threat to Americans. Do you know how many Americans have died in Iraq? 4484 (aprox.) Do you know how many people are murdered in the U.S. each year? Over 15,000. Do you know how many people die in traffic accidents each year? Over 30,000. Do you… Read more »
@ Ken: Most posts, including your own, show that there is a complete lack of understanding about Iran and their motives regarding the USA…Iran’s goals are religious ones, not political, which is hard for most Americans to grasp or even believe….Iran clearly shares it’s goals with us and the rest… Read more »
Well you’re right kaat, they do hate us, that is .. the religious leaders in the islamic world who are bent on carrying out the jihad. I don’t see every single muslim person feeling this way from what I have seen. Just as I don’t see Christianity in the same… Read more »
Typical reply. Tear down America and the people in it like the President does all the time. Sorry for this sorry for that. We Americans are evil and bad. I come from a military family and my uncle and cousin did not die on the battlefield in Vietnam and Iraq… Read more »
We should not be sorry for who we are, you’re right Steven, the American people have a good heart. The greed of the world is the culprit for so much of the trouble in the world today, for all it has raped and pillaged. We the people always have to… Read more »
American soldiers burn a coran because it was being used to send plots against Americans. In revenge, now these terrorist culture of people we are over there protecting and trying to make more like us, have killed at least 7 Americans because of this. And all our pathetic President can… Read more »
Steve, These deaths are unspeakable. Instead of attacking the President’s anatomy, however, how about we get out of Afghanistan? Going to war with Iran would likely be a disaster unless there is no other recourse. That’s not yet obvious. Making an effort to live peacefully has to be first. Our… Read more »
Actually, it was brave American soldiers who over saw it and put their lives at risk! I give Oblama no credit. All he did was watch on a TV with the other goons. I see your point and I also wish for peace, however, that culture over there knows nothing… Read more »
So, if Bin Laden had been killed during the Bush Administration, would you have credited President Bush and his “balls”?
BK
No. Bush is gone now. I have no interest in talking about the mess he left behind. I am not a Republican ether. There is nobody running for the office that can do the job right this time, and we the people are going to pay dearly for it, starting… Read more »
Peace or no peace, we can’t afford to go to war at this time, we do have weaponry, but our military strength is right now is stretched. We were barely able to keep two fronts going, and don’t forget Korea. If he had to open up another front, we couldn’t… Read more »
I have to agree with Ken Warner. You all have seen too many John Wayne movies.
You’ve missed my point entirely. The point – intelligent thought applied to
serious and threatening situations should precede war. Human relations, even
in families and neighborhoods, require consideration and reason first.
BK
Benett,
I have to disagree with you. You can not use consideration and reason with religious fanatics, or any other kind of fanatic or crazy person. You can try, but you will probably be disappointed in the results.
The point I am trying to make is that angry responses to highly serious, involved and major international issues does not work well. I’m suggesting that it takes a great deal more thought and consideration of all the factors before taking action. For example, Zbigniew Brzezinski appeared on Fareed Zakaria’s… Read more »
You’ve been watching too many John Wayne movies.
Here is a more reliable description of the incident which Steven uses to construct his fantasy: “Afghanistan erupted in violent demonstrations after the troops burned the Islamic religious material at the beginning of the week. Two American troops were killed Thursday by a man wearing an Afghan National Army uniform,… Read more »
I do not have this report confirmed, but did hear that several of the news networks
reported that the American soldiers were cleaning out or closing down a library,
and they decided to burn all of them. Sounds like we don’t have all the facts.
Benett
…facts? We don’ need no stinkin’ facts!
Ken, you are right, all you post are opinions or propaganda.
You mean if Keith Oberman doesn’t report them,…don’t you Ken? Talk about spin….(yes, I know that you were joking, but can’t you see your own hypocrisy here…now THAT’S a joke!)
By the way…good job on these facts Bennett, our soldiers need this kind of media support sometimes, and to know that we love them….they are NOT bad guys…
Just think we could have had sarah palin for vice president she is the biggest joke besides the whole republican party, I mean the whole congress is a joke to think they are there on there own beliefs and values is another joke. they have all compromised there beliefs for… Read more »
@inyoindian It doesn’t matter who you vote for. If you think the government (let alone the president) is looking out for best interest, Think again., The system has been broken for decades. Only now the sheeple are starting to figure it out. Your government is OUT OF CONTROL Good luck… Read more »
Your right who i vote dosent really matter, but when thier is a canidate that mentions native americans as supportors and shows his support through action, there could not be a more deciding factor for me. I understand that our government is out of control, they have a special set… Read more »
InyoIndians with their hand out all the time are part of the problem. Time to join the mainstream and become just plain ol’ Americans.
Now go pay your gas taxes
@ Rob I fully agree with you. but dont pass judgement on me. I pay my taxes and I dont hold on to any of those grudges that are irrational to our time period. I am as proud to be part of this country as the next man. Now you… Read more »
Amen inyoindian …. dangut Rob! where did that come from? You know people talk about the so called indian mentality, kind of what you’re saying, and there is some truth to that, but I am not pointing it out as a dig here! I think even inyoindian knows what i’m… Read more »
excellent response for sure. Don’t be a stranger InyoIndian you appear to be extremely level headed. We need more of that around here. I could stand to learn a few things from you.
Its not the ones who recieve the handouts that are part of the problem its the law makers that think you can get something for nothing.
Here’s the text of the President’s weekly address: ——— Hello, everybody. In the State of the Union, I laid out three areas we need to focus on if we’re going to build an economy that lasts: new American manufacturing, new skills and education for American workers, and new sources of… Read more »
Okay, folks have you had enough yet? Do you think the economy will recover with these gas prices? No, it won’t. How can it? If there is going to be a revolution we waited too long. Now we will have to walk. Where is the Occupy Movement?(not that they matter… Read more »
I agree enough.
First Obama is called a socialist because he want’s everybody to have adequate health care. Now he’s not socialist enough because people can’t afford to fill the gas tanks of their Firestorm 16000 so they can drive Rover to the dog park. He’s anti-business and anti-American because he doesn’t flood… Read more »
I’ll bet gas prices go down right before the election
I wonder what 5-6 dollars gas will do to the tourist Biz. ?
We may find out this Summer
Staycations anyone???
You don’t remember 2008 when we had another gas spike? I recall $5.35 at the shell station. Oil was selling for $180 a barrel. It’s about $105 a barrel now. There was no particular reason for the 2008 gas spike except speculation.