The McCain campaign is mocking Barack Obama’s suggestion that Americans save gas by making sure their auto tires are properly inflated and engines tuned up. The campaign has even started to hand out tire gauges labeled “Obama’s energy plan.”
The gibe reveals less about Obama than it does about John McCain and Republicans’ apparent contempt for conservation measures. Experts recommend conservation as a significant and easy way to save gasoline and money. The Energy Department has been advising Americans to properly inflate car tires for years. Never mind?
It’s odd: Why would a party that touts personal responsibility and thrift ridicule a policy that incorporates those values?
147 Comments
’cause they got nothing else.
Because they’re money grubbing hypocrites who want as many gas hogs on the road to support their big campaign contributors. Duh.
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/08/obama_replies_o.html
Obama’s reply. Kicks McSame’s azz.
Actually, it says more about Obama.
Inflating your car tires is common sense. Everyone has known since there has been cars, that tires need to be kept properly inflated and engines tuned.
“Regular” gives us –
“… it says more about Obama.
Inflating your car tires is common sense….”
Yup.
Voting for Obama over John Sidney McCain the Third (for Shrub’s 3rd term) just makes common sense.
In case anyone missed it, Pre posted (later last night) the Paris Hilton response to McCain using her in an ad. It is a must see!
http://cdn.funnyordie.com/videos/4178033806
“lindainks55″ links us to –
http://cdn.funnyordie.com/videos/4178033806
Paris Hilton has a better thought-out energy policy than McC*nt.
“That wrinkly old white-haired man….”
;^)
It was a great description of the old man! Her Mom had unkind words too. Sounded like she may have regretted giving McCain all that money to waste (her words!). He is such a loser! But soon we’ll have all those who will vote for him anyway on here making posts about anything other than McCain in their defense of McCain. Sound convoluted? It is!
Thank goodness you have the Republicans talking heads like Limbaugh and the Rush wannabee Hannity telling governors like Crist and Swarzenegger how foolish they are for thinking of these ideas. What did they say about NASCAR and the Bush administration for promoting these ideas about inflating tires?
Well, when you make a hundred million dollars you don’t need to worry about tire pressure.
Well, the tire gauge isn’t the joke, little Barry is the joke.
Of course keeping your tires inflated is important, more to reduce tire wear than anything else. Obama put out tire pressure and tuneups as a major solution to our energy problems, specifically the price of gasoline.
I don’t currently own a vehicle that needs a tune up, few people do. Obama is stupid. There’s not one vehicle in ten on the road that has improperly inflated tires. An insignificant contribution to the overall problem. Obama is an idiot.
His campaign seems to be in a little trouble, not much there when you start to examine the man.
“Obama is an idiot.”
He finished at the top of his class in Harvard, McCain finished near the bottom of his taxpayer financed education. If Obama is an idiot, then what does that make McCain? Even Bush was a better student than McCain.
Keep in mind, in 2000 people thought McCain was worse than Bush. Given how bad Bush turned out to be (predictably so, that’s why the majority of people voted for Gore) then what does that say about the expectations for McCain?
And yes, properly inflated tires save more oil than drilling in ANWR. Republicans are idiots for thinking drilling offshore and in ANWR will get us off foreign oil and drop the price of gas.
“But soon we’ll have all those who will vote for him anyway on here making posts about anything other than McCain in their defense of McCain. Sound convoluted? It is!”
——–
I offer as Exhibit A in defense of my statement above the HLP post at 7:35 a.m.
I know people who are having trouble buying groceries and paying bills for essentials. They would like to keep the auto well-tuned but if there is a cost involved it’s out of the question. They can still find ways to keep the tires inflated properly without cost, but even that isn’t as easy as it once was!
Amazing to me that the most simple ways of addressing our problem is conservation and too many mock those efforts. That makes those people part of our problem in my estimation.
Conservation police.
Be prepared. They are coming.
“Sir, you have an under-inflated left rear tire. I’ll have to give you a citation.”
“Ma’am, your engine is throwing off excess hydrocarbons. You can take this ticket to the court house. When your fine is paid and your car is certified clean burning, you can apply for reinstatement of your drivers license”.
“Sir, your neighbors report that you left your outside light on all night. That is your third violation of conservation law. Mandatory jail time”
Of course all proceeds will go into the people’s fund for the promotion of conservation causes. There folks will be able to get help with bricks for their toilets, wind mills for their yards, etc… And further studies can be funded explaining why ongoing cooler global temperatures are a sign that global warming must be addressed with all out urgency.
“There’s not one vehicle in ten on the road that has improperly inflated tires” — Hlpless.
“More than a quarter of automobiles and about a third of light trucks (including sport utility vehicles, vans, and pickup trucks) on the roadways of the United States have one or more tires underinflated 8 pounds per square inch (psi) or more below the level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, according to a report by the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)” —
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07246r.pdf
“Of course keeping your tires inflated is important, more to reduce tire wear than anything else” — Hlpless
“According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “every pound per square inch of tire underinflation wastes 4 million gallons of gas daily in the U.S.” Survey information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that 27% of the cars on the road have a significantly under-inflated tire.” —
http://cp33.newsvine.com/_news/2008/08/04/1720052-proper-tire-inflation-to-off-shore-drilling-
“There’s not one vehicle in ten on the road that has improperly inflated tires.”
I have seen AAA figures that say that well over half are underinflated.
A sort of technical question: Typically I find a significant difference between the car’s “recommended” and the tire sidewall “maximum” pressures. I have typically ’split the difference’ between the two. I find that gives me a slightly stiffer ride and even wear across the tread. I have read of ‘hyper-milers’ who inflate to (or even above) the maximum. I have also read that that is NOT a good idea or safe. Any experience out there?
One thing else I have read (AAA type stuff) is that with radials one cannot ‘eyeball’ them like we could ‘way back when’ with bias ply tires. (showing my age)
addendum – according to Firestone one of the main causes for their Explorer blow-out problems was underinflation leading to over-heating of tires. In that case it was exacerbated by Ford ‘recommending’ a fairly low pressure to give the vehicle a softer ‘car-like’ ride. The Explorer had a lower recommended pressure than Ford’s similar small pick-up truck.
So I guess if we had a “National Inflate Your Tire” day, the price of gas should drop about a dollar by the following week…………
Right……….
I understand also Ben that running tires at below recommended inflation for an extended period can weaken the sidewalls, increasing the possibility of blowout.
“HLP” lies –
“…Obama put out tire pressure and tuneups as a major solution to our energy problems…”
Uhm, no.
It was merely an example of how doing a lot of little common-sense (to use “Regular’s” term) in a lot of ways reaps more rewards than some single grand (to used Shrub’s term) “magic wand.”
“I don’t currently own a vehicle that needs a tune up, few people do.”
I’m sure you will provide the evidence to support the above statement, “HLP.”
“Obama is stupid. There’s not one vehicle in ten on the road that has improperly inflated tires.”
Again. The evidence would be welcome, “HLP.”
HLP
Posted August 6, 2008 at 7:35 am | Permalink
Well, the tire gauge isn’t the joke, little Barry is the joke.
Of course keeping your tires inflated is important, more to reduce tire wear than anything else. Obama put out tire pressure and tuneups as a major solution to our energy problems, specifically the price of gasoline.
I don’t currently own a vehicle that needs a tune up, few people do. Obama is stupid. There’s not one vehicle in ten on the road that has improperly inflated tires. An insignificant contribution to the overall problem. Obama is an idiot.
His campaign seems to be in a little trouble, not much there when you start to examine the man.
—
“It’s like these guys take pride in being ignorant.”
:lol:
http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/08/05/quot-it-s-like-these-guys-take-pride-in-being-ignorant-quot.aspx
“biased1″ offers –
“I guess if we had a “National Inflate Your Tire” day, the price of gas should drop about a dollar by the following week…………
Right……….
So tell us all how much the price of gasoline will drop “the following week” after “Drill Here Drill Now” were enacted.
Ignorance is just a tactic to them.
This year they have nothing but ignorance and their habits of voting for whoever has that little “R” behind their name. Oh, and blaming someone else — they’ve an extra large portion of that!
Probably not the right place for this, but HLP’s comment, or the willful ignorance in it, reminded me of his (and others’) willful ignorance in 2004 when the Swift Boaters attacked Kerry.
Well, it turns out the Swift Boaters are back in 2008.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2008/08/theyre_baaaack_swift_boat_vete.html?hpid=sec-politics
This in turn (again) illuminates the brilliance of Thomas Jefferson, who wrote that “the price of democracy is eternal vigilance.” I’m hoping that this year our vigilance will bite the Swift Boaters in the butt, big time.
Obama proposes increasing tire pressure to increase fuel economy.
Perhaps, he’ll also reccomend eating less fat to lose weight.
Obama has all the answers!
Maybe John McCain should run for the position of Joker, instead of President?
Monkeyhawk- Wants to know how much the price of gasoline will drop “the following week” after “Drill Here Drill Now” were enacted.
So you and Obama are offering up inflating tires in lieu of “Drill Here Drill Now?”
So it’s either or?
Narrow minded and short sighted……
Typical libtard.
“biased1″ lies –
“So it’s either or?”
Nope.
Where ever did you get that idea?
Certainly not from me.
As for “either/or” mentality, you originally posted:
“I guess if we had a “National Inflate Your Tire” day, the price of gas should drop about a dollar by the following week…………”
Which begged my question. Which you avoided.
“Obama proposes increasing tire pressure to increase fuel economy.
Perhaps, he’ll also reccomend eating less fat to lose weight.” — RLF
Running a bit heavy in the gut, RLF? Oh, I know, you’re well over 6′ and a survivalist weight lifter.
However, Obama has suggested we eat less. He has said that our health crisis is a diet crisis. Which is exactly what it is.
Does it upset McCain supporters that Paris Hilton appeared more intelligent and rational than McCain in her mock campaign ad?
:lol:
Definition. libtard: A straw man created by a poster sufficiently bereft of a certain combination of skill and integrity. See “wingnut.”
A Clue: sheer chutzpah cannot always outweigh the rhetorical stench of poor reasoning.
Haven’t you guys learned anything from the Bush administration?!?
Obama points out the obvious and the masses swoon as if this is a new radical idea from some genius!
Baaaah! Baaaaah! More hay over here!
“However, Obama has suggested we eat less. He has said that our health crisis is a diet crisis. Which is exactly what it is.”
———–
Chuckle… So sayeth, the One.
Fact is, neither candidate has spouted anything worth a tinker’s damn when it comes to energy policy.
Cheap gas and energy independence are mutually exclusive. U.S. energy policy up till now has mainly been to keep gas prices low and consumers content. Artificially reducing gas prices would reverse trends that are actually helping to break our dependence on foreign oil. For the first time in years, for instance, Americans are driving less, not more. Gas consumption is going down. People are fleeing big sedans and SUVs in favor of right-size vehicles that get better mileage. More people are using mass transit. Those developments are direct responses to rising gas prices. If prices fall, Americans will go back to old habits, just as they did the last time gas prices skyrocketed and then fell after the oil shocks of the 1970s.
The Obama/McCain Energy Charade: Nothing But Empty Ideas
http://seekingalpha.com/article/89388-the-obama-mccain-energy-charade-nothing-but-empty-ideas
Indeed.
Looks like we don’t need to inflate our tires. All we need to do is rely on the magic power of Republicans. Republicans claim that by their simply talking about lowering gas prices the prices will magically drop. It must be their “faith-based” petrol program.
” House Republicans on Tuesday said their protest of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) decision not to allow a vote on expanded offshore oil drilling has helped lower gas prices.
Heading into a third day of speeches in the near-empty chamber, Republicans acknowledged that the average price of gas and oil has declined in recent weeks. But they claimed credit for part of that reduction.
“I think the market is responding to the fact that we are here talking,” said Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) at a joint press conference with other GOP lawmakers. “I think the market realizes this kind of pressure from Congress may, in fact, lead to a change in policy.”
The Republican members did not answer questions about whether they would take the blame if gas prices go up again.”
Obama, “This notion, that the sky is blue, is uh..the correct notion. This is the hope we need, the uh…hope the the sky is blue!”
Raw! Raw! Raw!, the crowd roars!!!!
Exactly, GMC. I recall reading a couple months back where a Detroit marketing type was bemoaning in the WSJ that the absolute worst thing that could happen to Detroit right now would be a return of cheap gasoline in the USA. A return of cheap gas would be the last coffin nail for Detroit.
What we need ain’t new domestic sources of gasoline, not first anyway. What we need is a coherent energy policy.
I believe that the joke on Barry was the statement he made (it’s on you-tube, I can’t you-tube from here) that we could save more gas by proper tire inflation than we could get by drilling for more oil. It was a rediculous statement worthy of mockery.
Yes people, proper tire inflation will save gas. But Barry’s claim was utter hogwash.
GMC70
Posted August 6, 2008 at 9:05 am | Permalink
Fact is, neither candidate has spouted anything worth a tinker’s damn when it comes to energy policy.
________________________________________________
What do you expect, GM?
The MSM picked McCain as the republican candidate and the anybody-but-Hillary crowd picked Obama.
Where is Hillary anyway? Shouldn’t she be out helping little Barry?
The point, badly made by Obama, is that the greatest source of energy we have is in the conservation of it.
And that is correct.
“Where is Hillary anyway? Shouldn’t she be out helping little Barry?”
Where’s Huckabee? Hillary is campaigning for Obama in Nevada and Florida.
Heckler
Posted August 6, 2008 at 9:13 am | Permalink
I believe that the joke on Barry was the statement he made (it’s on you-tube, I can’t you-tube from here) that we could save more gas by proper tire inflation than we could get by drilling for more oil. It was a rediculous statement worthy of mockery.
Yes people, proper tire inflation will save gas. But Barry’s claim was utter hogwash.
—
How would stating the effect of price by shifting the demand curve left against a fixed supply schedule for gasoline constitute “a rediculous statement worthy of mockery” or “hogwash?”
Obama was right. Ceteris paribus, the price of gasoline would drop.
Note: it’s election time. Every politician now is pandering to all us Americans suffering financially due to the increased price of gasoline, including McCain. Obama and McCain are both incorrect, imo, about whether falling gasoline prices, in the absence of a coherent energy policy, are “good for” the USA.
That said, Obama was not wrong. His point certainly was neither ridiculous nor hogwash.
“It’s odd: Why would a party that touts personal responsibility and thrift ridicule a policy that incorporates those values?”
When the Libs throw this out, you have to wonder if they are the opposite. Is the democrat party the ones who tout personal irresponsibility and waste?
Answer: Yes.
So tell us all how much the price of gasoline will drop “the following week” after “Drill Here Drill Now” were enacted.
Two bucks….
Happy?
All we need now is a commercial with Brittany challenging Songbird Mccain to a sing off!
I bet Mccain has never inflated a tire in his life!
I keep my tires at the propper level, it saves both gas and tires. I must be a conservationist!
You can tell who’s a mccain supporter, they’re the ones running around in cars with tires that look like they’re bulging on the bottom!
Ironically mccain is probably doing some good handing out gauges, bet most people are using them to check their tires an laughing at the old fool.
Will Obama start handing out drill bits?
Move over Drillbit Taylor, here comes Drillbit McCain.
Phantom
Will Obama start handing out drill bits?
No, I believe he want’s to hand out $1,000.00 to every “family” to “off-set” gas prices….
So, is that every “family” that pays taxes or owns a car or just has a drivers license? Or just has a child, or a spouse or a “life partner”….
Anyway, we can all rest assured tha the “One” has solved it.(although 30 years and 5 other presidents couldn’t.)
He’s going to sit down and have a talk with Irans pres. and solve that crisis too. (although 30 years and 5 other presidents and 7 other nations leaders couldn’t.)
Heard Obama say “I heard at his last town hall meeting, McCain kept repeating Drill Here, Drill Now, I understand he was standing in a building somewhere at the time’, or something to that effect.
If you liked bush’s 600 bucks, you should love obama’s 1000.
Pedant
Go find Barrys statement. Put some realistic numbers to it. You will find that it was rediculous.
Oof. What a way to start the day. A ground hog’s day from yesterday. Now I have to agree with Hank.
“What do you expect, GM?
The MSM picked McCain as the republican candidate and the anybody-but-Hillary crowd picked Obama.
Where is Hillary anyway? Shouldn’t she be out helping little Barry?”
Hank, I think the “anyboyd-but-Hillary” crowd says the best way she can help obama is to sit down and shut up. That’s their general idea about what women should do. A liberal way of saying “barefoot and pregnant”.
Pedant, you missed the discussion on the most recent walmart/union thread. Scroll down. It took me all day and night to say the same thing you just said.
I had the feeling the supply siders were turning their heads slowly, at an angle, from side to side when they read it.
Like a dog does when it’s looking at or listening to something new it doesnt understand.
Damn, I wish I could draw pictures like Tara…
Phantom
If you liked bush’s 600 bucks, you should love obama’s 1000.
yeah, that 600 bucks solved the economy crisis and saved us all from a recession…..
oops….
We need a youtube with mccain passing out tire gauges and ridiculing it as obama’s energy plan, and ending with mccain driving off in a vehicle with 4 flat tires.
If McCain spends his dollars to print Obama’s name on a campaign giveaway do you think Mrs. Hilton would see that move as equally wasteful of the money she gave him to using her daughter in a “fluff” ad?
Let me guess: Econ101/Franklin and ksgrm/okobserver were dispensing their economic “wisdom” again, right? (ok, I looked)
I gave up discussing economics with Franklin the time he dug in his heels over the idea that it’s perfectly okey dokey to ignore opportunity costs when calculating whether tax revenue rises or falls in the face of a tax rate cut. Not every economist thinks we have to look at opportunity costs when we make economic decisions, he said. Uh huh.
Ksgrm doesn’t grasp the concept of instantaneous change and so a discussion about when lines describing GDP turn convex or concave didn’t work out either … unless it really is true that my pc desk loves to have a human head bash it regularly (there’s some debate).
You need to bring 2 damn lunches if you’re going to talk economics with either of ‘em (and as you discovered you’ll need the lunches but you’ll settle for a shovel if it means you can reach out through the internets and whack ‘em on the head instead).
It’s pretty simple math:
[insert cetaris paribus assumption]
Let’s say you drive 300 miles a week with underinflated tires. You fix the problem and realize a 3.3% gain in fuel economy – from 25 mpg to 25.825 mpg. Now, instead of using 12 gallons/week, you’re using 11.62. At $3.50/gal, you just saved $1.34/week.
Comparatively, if drilling in ANWR (or the suggestion of drilling) lowers the price of gas $0.50/gal, the 12 gallons/week just cost you $6.00 less.
Hmm…drilling results in about a 447% improvement over the oh-so-thoughtful tire pressure suggestion. Even the spoony liberal geniuses can see that.
What if the drop in price is only six cents a gallon (from memory here of the DOE’s own statements) in 2030? My quick calculation of the delta suggests a savings of $0.72/week, making proper inflation of tires by everyone a better deal.
“Comparatively, if drilling in ANWR (or the suggestion of drilling) lowers the price of gas $0.50/gal, the 12 gallons/week just cost you $6.00 less.” — golf
Of course you do realize that both McCain and Obama oppose drilling in Anwar. And there is not one shred of evidence that dilling in Anwar would lower the price of gasoline 50 cents.
Democrats say it will take 10 years before drilling has any effect.
Which, of course, is exactly what they said 10 years ago.
…
2 major flaws there:
1) You assume that additional ANWR drilling would result in sweet crude and that time to market can be ignored.
2) Where’s your evidence that gas would drop $0.50/gal when it does make it to market?
However, for sh*ts and giggles let’s play along.
Let’s assume that ANWR oil affects supply stocks not before 2 years from now (some experts believe this to be extremely unlikely, and that time to market is more likely closer to 10 years than 2). Further, let’s assume that you’re hypervigilant about your tire pressure.
Let’s see, it would seem that would result in a cumulative savings of $134.36 before the price of gas drops a penny.
Can you hear me now?
“If you liked bush’s 600 bucks, you should love obama’s 1000.” —
Obama’s rebate is dumb-assed. It would pay for the complete modernization of the nation’s highway infrastructure, and then some, as would have bush’s dumb-assed rebates. Both rebates erode the dollar.
However, since he tied it to windfall taxes on oil giants, there is no chance it will pass.
Also, unlike the bush payout, Obama’s has an offset.
I believe the DOE extrapolated a .02 per gal. price cut in a little over a decade fron now, if we Drill Here, Drill Now.
You must be using some of that voo doo math in your
cetaris paribus assumption. Your numbers were relatively valid until you plugged in the wild ass .50 assumption.
If the energy dept has told us for years to inflate our tires then why does Obama tout it as ‘his’ energy plan. Stealing others ideas again! Does this man have any original ideas? What a joke.
Lets not forget this isn’t ALL Obama said, he said there were many things we could do to conserve.
Pedant
“Pedantic” is defined as “paying too much attention to detail/showing off knowledge” —
I would add that the problem with pedantic people is they show off “knowledge” of raw facts, without a clear knowledge of the importance and relative importance of each, individual fact.
“We can’t with minorities and eggheads” Paul Begala.
Obama camp should offer to replenish mccain’s stock of tire gauges, and offer other campaign material for his distribution.
If argumentum ad absurdum is all mccain’s got, it’s all he’s got.
Hell, half the republican’s would become confused and think their guy’s named obama.
Yeah, well thanks for confirming that you’re irony impaired.
By the way, do us all a favor and take WSU’s Econ 101. Then, the following semester, take 102. You’d endear yourself to us all if you’d sit in for 301/302 as well.
Just sayin’.
Obama did say “tune up” and that was an ignorant thing to say.
Modern cars don’t really need “tune ups” or carburetor adjustments, as they used to, since there is no carburetor. In a modern car, with all computerized controls, Obama’s statement was dumb.
Also, all you pencil pushing egghead geeks:
If we take the high end, and assume that 25% of drivers have underinflated tires:
What if EVERYONE checked their tire pressure, at the gas station?
That means 100% of us would be waiting in line, with our engines running, waiting to get to the air pump at that gas station.
Also, what if a percentage of the population actually OVER INFLATE their tires?
That means that the tires will wear out faster, which will cause a greater demand on energy and resources.
Also, as stated above, tire inflation is no substitute for greater oil production.
Also, how much tax revenue is generated by people inflating their tires?
How many people are employed by people inflating their tires?
DRILL HERE, DRILL NOW — generate Billions of Dolllars in taxes and generate thousands of JOBS!
Pedant
Posted August 6, 2008 at 9:10 am | Permalink
Exactly, GMC. I recall reading a couple months back where a Detroit marketing type was bemoaning in the WSJ that the absolute worst thing that could happen to Detroit right now would be a return of cheap gasoline in the USA. A return of cheap gas would be the last coffin nail for Detroit.
—————
Knowing how logical you are tell me why Detroit would want expensive fuel so people wouldn’t be able to buy new cars and certainly wouldn’t buy the SUVs and the pickup types that are covering their lots.
Reference this article so we can all see this logic. And hang onto that shovel you might need to dig that hole a little deeper as the day goes on.
You and Obama have the same type of logic. Oh I guess Farmie belongs in that group also.
I see the irony of mccain promoting conservation while ridiculing the same.
Franklin once again you have thrown logic at a liberal. Trust me it won’t stick. I have tried it time and time again.
“I see the irony of mccain promoting conservation while ridiculing the same.”
It’s also ironic that McCain is promoting his nuclear energy plan at the location of a plant that had a near meltdown. Almost as bad as his plan to promote oil drilling at the location of a massive oil spill.
The only consistent campaign message McCain has is his complete incompetence.
okobserver
Posted August 6, 2008 at 11:40 am | Permalink
Knowing how logical you are tell me why Detroit would want expensive fuel so people wouldn’t be able to buy new cars and certainly wouldn’t buy the SUVs and the pickup types that are covering their lots.
—
There’s this business activity called “planning,” see, and another called “long-term planning.” The long-term activity requires investment, which of course implies correctly forecasting demand. Mistakes in long-term planning are also usually described by the word “fatal,” fyi.
Do you need more dots connected here, or do you now grasp why Detroit needs to know where the price of its consumers’ major input in its product fits in here?
okobserver
Posted August 6, 2008 at 11:26 am | Permalink
“If the energy dept has told us for years to inflate our tires then why does Obama tout it as ‘his’ energy plan.”
Granny, please show us where Obama touted this as his “energy plan”. The guy tosses out a couple of ideas to save gas and you republicans go over the cliff.
Heheheheh Pedant.
“You need to bring 2 damn lunches if you’re going to talk economics with either of ‘em (and as you discovered you’ll need the lunches but you’ll settle for a shovel if it means you can reach out through the internets and whack ‘em on the head instead).”
I’m sparing my pc from headbanging and saving my shovel from damage by relying on the invisible hand to slap them upside the head.
Or, as I said, spank their dumb asses…
Passing out tire gauges by the Republicans has brought attention to the tire pressure issue that even Obama was not able to bring.
Case in point: Would we be blogging about checking the tire pressure on our tires if the Republicans did not take up this stunt?
I’m glad the Republicans are putting some meat to Obama’s poignant suggestions even if it was done with saracasm. If you really think that what Obama has said is right, then passing out tire gauges is not funny. It is helpful.
Backfire Mccain. New slogan.
Pedant can you say ‘inventory’. That is what Detroit has. If fuel starts down to a reasonable level they will be able to sell their backlog.
Planning is exactly what I said Walmart was doing when they talked to their managers and supervisors the other day about the ramifications of Obamas prezidency. The left dismissed it then. So today they are embracing it. The left has as many new ideas as their fearless leader Obama. The problem is that the right always has the answers first. Just as Obama said.
Pedant posted this waaay earlier this morning, seems some here to actually click on the link to learn the facts vs. what they would like to believe.
http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/08/05/quot-it-s-like-these-guys-take-pride-in-being-ignorant-quot.aspx
I agree with you completely RFL! Passing out those tire gauges McCain campaign funds paid for with Obama’s name on them is definitely helpful!
okobserver
Posted August 6, 2008 at 12:09 pm | Permalink
Pedant can you say ‘inventory’. That is what Detroit has. If fuel starts down to a reasonable level they will be able to sell their backlog.
—
“…It might seem odd that America’s leading car salesman would want gasoline prices to stay high, given how much damage the recent surge in pump prices has done to demand for the big sport-utility vehicles and pickups that once powered sales at many AutoNation stores.
But Mr. Jackson’s point of view about energy policy and the auto industry isn’t based on concerns about this month’s sales. What has him worried, he says, is that in the future he — and by extension the whole auto industry — will be stuck trying to make sense of a fundamentally incoherent national energy strategy, which was mirrored by the seemingly incoherent product strategies that the big U.S. auto makers were pursuing until $130 a barrel oil blew them up. …”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121276760051852173.html
Here’s why it’s being “mocked” Cletus:
The statement by McCain is that THIS CRISIS will not be solved with tire pressure. He’s alluding to the FACT that the heroic Democrats have opted to take their leave before business is actually concluded in D.C. There is a big oil price crisis that needs help RIGHT NOW and not in 50 years or 20 years when the technology finally catches up to what “Joe” can afford. Until then, you have economic forces which would be favorably affected *as soon as* the announcment has been made that we can go after our own petroleum based resources RIGHT HERE on this continent.
Economics 101 notwithstanding, what that means to you and I is that the price per barrel will substantially drop as soon as the moratoriums are lifted. It may take quite a while to get at the resources in question but world markets see changes in supply and realize financial repercussions immediately. It also drives the stake through the collective speculators’ hearts right where it should be.
If you don’t understand this, go to WSU and enroll in Economics until you do.
Watch
The Democrats will realize that they are not making as much tax revenue on gasoline.
The Democrats will realize that they are not making as much tax revenue on oil and gas production.
So, THE DEMOCRATS WILL TAX AIR!
Oops. Is the media beginning to figure out that the Emperor has not substance behind that shiny empty suit?
Critical of McCain, Obama quiet on own energy vote
By TOM RAUM – 23 hours ago
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — Democratic candidate Barack Obama criticized Republican John McCain on Tuesday for taking a page out of “the Cheney playbook” on energy, overlooking his own support of oil-friendly policies that the unpopular vice president helped to craft.
. . .
In stumping Tuesday in this key battleground state, Obama sought to link the troubled economy with Republican policies and offer his own energy plan in contrast. He has tried to cast McCain as more concerned about oil company profits and drilling than an overall energy strategy.
However, Obama himself voted for a 2005 energy bill backed by Bush that included billions in subsidies for oil and natural gas production, a measure Cheney played a major role in developing. McCain opposed the bill on grounds it included billions in unnecessary tax breaks for the oil industry.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5isOFwdbq0tsqatW6vJpkDRTI1gMgD92C94JO0
Oops. Obama was for industry subsidies before he was agin’ ‘em. Imagine that.
It seems the sheen is wearing off. Or the swooning media has, perhaps, woke up. And it’s only August.
Mccain didn’t leave congress without an energy plan. Also, the idiot says we can’t wait for a comprehensive plan, we have to do the drilling part solo!
What happened in the last 6 mo.’s to elevate oil to a crisis level, from one of little concern to the republicans?
neelpert1, your analysis fails to account for how energy policy has now become enmeshed with foreign policy and especially national security.
We need a coherent energy policy, first. That’s the key. The key is not increased supply (with one caveat, below). Our energy policy should be in synergy with our national security interests. To me that means that we have one of two choices:
1) Take over Middle Eastern oil patches sufficient to rob Islamic terrorists of the financial lifeblood that threatens the US. That would put both policies, energy and foreign, in alignment, and do it immediately.
–or–
2) Decrease US demand for oil to the point where we effectively kill the threat to US democracy posed by Islamic terrorism by killing its financial lifeblood.
In the long-term, these are mutually exclusive. We need an energy policy that’s in alignment with one or the other.
With the Repubs. in majority, they couldn’t get anything passed with the oil takeaways, or does your memory fail you gmc?
IIRC, they were also up against a promised veto.
McCain admits that Congress did nothing concerning energy in the past 30 years. Of course McCain was in Congress for the past 26 years therefore admitting that he did nothing.
And we should believe if he has another four years in office then that will change?
McCain won’t pick a VP because he is already Exxon’s VP choice.
2) Decrease US demand for oil to the point where we effectively kill the threat to US democracy posed by Islamic terrorism by killing its financial lifeblood.
China and India will pick up the demand we shed.
Then china and india can be at the mercy of the mid-east.
From Pendant’s link to the Washington Post article…
…of Human Events, the hard-core conservative publication, is a sister company to Regnery Publishing…
There are several Conservative/Republican small presses available to those conservative republicans who want to write a book and see it in print. Regnery Publishing is just one of them.
http://www.regnery.com/about.html
You might find the history of the company interesting.
Fact: since Bush announced the lifting of the presidental ban on offshore drilling, the price of gas in Wichita has dropped about $.50.
Coincidence? Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Nowadays with places like Lulu anyone can publish their work! Have you seen the excellent work they do?
t’s odd: Why would a party that touts personal responsibility and thrift ridicule a policy that incorporates those values?
That’s an easy one. A lot of folks they’re appealing to with that “personal responsibility” message in fact are hearing “that clown over there needs to show some personal responsiblity.”
As for themselves, well, yeah they know they should check their tire pressure, but they don’t want the damn government telling them what to do (dammit!), and besides: why is this my problem? You’re the government: you fix it!
I don’t have time to mess with this stuff! I just opened a beer and the game starts in 5 minutes!
So, you see, “personal responsibilty” doesn’t include any responsibilty to govern. That’s why you see those types always complaing about government spending and taxes, spending and taxes, as if the functioning of a complex, multi-service undertaking is a blackhole where money comes in and nothing comes out. If it affects their pocketbook, and is within their limited grasp. Nothing else matters.
Actually taking responsibility for operating a government is much harder. That’s why Reagan’s “government is the problem” message resonated so well. It’s a free ride.
The title of the Dead Kennedys’ final album summed it up: Give me Convenience Or Give Me Death.
That means 100% of us would be waiting in line, with our engines running, waiting to get to the air pump at that gas station.
Make that 99% of us, because I carry a small air compressor in my car. Then again, make that even less, as there are lots of DYI guys who have air compressors in their garages. Most farmers certainly do. I don’t think I ever aired up my tire at a gas station while living on a farm for 24 years. And with McCain handing out tire gauges, people can check their tires in their driveway and know if they do or don’t need to stop for air. There’s 75% out of your equation.
Sorry, but your ridiculous little fairy tale doesn’t work. But thanks for playing the game.
DYI=DIY
dyslexia strikes again!
Pre
I read it just fine :)
By the way, you are making my point: Libs expect everyone to be JUST LIKE THEM, and they are not.
Not everyone will air their tires correctly. Some people will over inflate, which will use more energy and cause safety problems. Many will check their tires while the engine is running, or will wait in line, at the gas station, with the engine running.
Also, there is NO tax revenue generated by filling your tires.
There are also no jobs created by filling your tires.
Conservatives.
Complaining about having to do something a HAIR outta their merry way for ?
conservation.
Truly, a more stupid sort of creature has never walked this Earth before.
The good news is?
They’re going extinct.
Then china and india can be at the mercy of the mid-east.
They would still be funding those that hate us. They don’t hate India and/or China. So the national defense part of your scenario is null.
Fact: since Bush announced the lifting of the presidental ban on offshore drilling, the price of gas in Wichita has dropped about $.50.
China has cut subsidies 17% in the same time frame. Don’t know yet what that has done to the demand.
While I feel the prospect of drilling may weaken speculation pricing, I don’t think it is the only factor in the decrease in oil prices.
KSGOLFNUT:
Fact: After China removed thier subsidies, which eventually lowered their own demand. Good Ol Dubya made his voodoo pitch about oil. Perfect timing on his part to claim credit for lower oil prices.
Coincidence? Definitely not. But idiots like you want to believe that Oil prices went down because of some voodoo psychological blessing that Dubya put on oil.
Or are you arguing that China’s actions had little or no effect on oil prices?
I see we have the WE EDITORS on the Obama campaign officially now.
Are we ever going to see a thread questioning the great liberal messiah?
Apparently not.
Also, there is NO tax revenue generated by filling your tires.
There are also no jobs created by filling your tires.
There you have it, folks. If it doesn’t generate tax revenue or create jobs, it’s worthless.
By the way, you are making my point: Libs expect everyone to be JUST LIKE THEM, and they are not.
So what is it you’re saying, “Franklin”? Only libs can conserve? You’re taking a bipartisan issue and making it partisan. You and all the other CONservatives out there.
CON = against a proposition, opinion, etc. (source: dictionary.com)
That would mean you’re CONCONservative, wouldn’t it?
It doesn’t take all to make a change, but it does take as many as possible. EDUCATE people as to what will help and many will do their best to try to do something. Unlike CONS, who will only bitch and complain…because it wasn’t THEIR idea.
Good luck.
“Why would a party that touts personal responsibility and thrift ridicule a policy that incorporates those values?”
Because they will defend to the death their right to stupidity and waste.
So, THE DEMOCRATS WILL TAX AIR!
Please provide proof of this or apologize.
Critical of McCain, Obama quiet on own energy vote
By TOM RAUM – 23 hours ago
Yeah, the bill sucked. But this is why Obama says he voted for it (note: this is from a 2005 posting from a group that has nothing to do with Obama):
On Tuesday, the United States Senate passed their version of a broad energy bill by a vote of 85-12. The comprehensive legislation contains many helpful policy items for renewable energy technologies. This includes the first federal residential and commercial tax credit for solar energy since 1982, the first-ever national renewable energy requirement on utilities and the first-ever federal policy to foster ocean and tidal energy technologies.
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=33906
You’ll have to make your own judgments on whether it was ultimately worth it.
Obama wants a massive “poverty tax” to fund his bloated “foreign aid” ideas.
Why don’t we just send a bunch of tire gauges to China and India?
That would be cheaper than what Obama proposes.
Franklin
Why don’t we just send a bunch of tire gauges to China and India?
You mean send them back? : )
Good point.
Most tire gauges are not accurate, anyway.
Did John make Cindy give belly shots at the Sturgis Rally?
Pre and BJ your whole premise is predicated on the basis that 100% of American drivers are driving around on underinflated tires. What an assumption on yours and Obamas part. So all of this oil that will be conserved in in effect very small.
His plan can we help it if it is flawed?
Pre and BJ your whole premise is predicated on the basis that 100% of American drivers are driving around on underinflated tires.
WHERE did I say that gram?
Ah! I see. Your functional illiteracy is giving you fits today.
You brag and brag about your car, because that shows us all how much $$$ you have. But when it comes to doing a few simple things to save fuel, you sit back and nitpick it to death, because it only counts if someone shells out money to buy a car.
Too bad common sense can’t be bought.
#
Franklin
Posted August 6, 2008 at 2:36 pm | Permalink
Good point.
Most tire gauges are not accurate, anyway.
=====================================================
This is just freakin’ amazing! Sorry, frank, tire gauges, as well as all pressure gauges, are manufactured to certain standards, so I would like proof of your moronic statement.
But the main point is: Obama makes a statement asking people to check their tire pressure, as correctly inflated tires save gas, and the idiot repukes on this blog blast him, using such stupid statements as, “That’s his energy policy”. Which proves my point that there is a serious intellectual deficit in this country, and it appears the repukes are the main source of the deficit. Of course, listening to rush and his ilk doesn’t help. Talk about just plain stupid.
“Pre and BJ your whole premise is predicated on the basis that 100% of American drivers are driving around on underinflated tires.”
I didn’t posit that. Neither did Pre.
These are not Obama’s words or any reasonable approximation of them either.
They are getting this from Rush Limbaugh. I hear he did an hour and a half on this today.
Fact: Properly inflated tires saves gasoline.
Fact: Lots of people do not bother or want to be bothered to see to the proper and simple maintenance of four tires.
That’s what? Two minutes of life once or twice a month? And a 5 year old could do it.
As changing the wide world goes? Yeah, it’s small.
But it’s there.
Senator Obama has done a good thing giving it so much…..air.
“It’s odd: Why would a party that touts personal responsibility and thrift ridicule a policy that incorporates those values?”
Why indeed?
Perhaps for the same reasons they denounce homosexuality then try to pick guys up in bathrooms? Or for the same reasons they get into an uproar if a nipple is flashed across their TV screen but don’t utter a peep if their 8 year old regularly sees people violently murdered on the television.
I can’t keep myself out of this one. The regression of the Republicans amazes me. They went bonkers over Clinton’s hummer, now they’re going bonkers over Obama and tire gauges.
HLP comes on line and gives us his version of how the country has gone downhill since Liberals came into their own. Right, HLP, women can vote; blacks can vote and sit in the front of the bus; smog controls are now in every car; serious work is being done to clean up the environment. If that’s downhill, I’ll take that any day.
Franklin pops up with how if everybody checked their air pressure, why the lines at the pump would be too long. Might I suggest you buy one of those “inaccurate” pressure gauges, and check it at home? Or buy one of those cheap tire inflaters, and do that at home as well? No need to even start your car. Of course, you’ll still bitch that using electricity to fill your tires pollutes the planet.
JMW is right: you Republicans can’t think for yourself; you need Rush and friends to think for you. Very sad that these people who voted Bush in are the same ones voting for McCain. But you so-called Christians still got your guns, and don’t seem to mind killing people through war or the death penalty. I really wonder what Jesus would think of that. As KFG says, he wept.
A couple of the posters from here stationed strategically at the gas station could keep the tires full of hot air and keep the lines at the tire inflation station short.
Newer cars (some) even continually monitor tire pressure, wonder why?
Phantom that is a feature on a Prius. Since fuel economy is their bragging point I can only assume it follows that tires should always be properly inflated.
Now John McCain says keeping tires inflated is a good idea.
Obama says that John McCain can debate his position with . . . John McCain . . .
safety too. the bigger suvs also have that feature
Heheheeh Pre. It reminds me of John Prine’s Common Sense chorus:
“It dont make no sense that common sense dont make no sense no more”.
I agree.
Couldnt find the video, but here’s the chorus of Common Sense.
“You’ll get mesmerized
By alibis
And limbo dance in pairs
Please lock that door
It don’t make much sense
That common sense
Don’t make no sense
No more”
leave it to John…
A HIGH Quality gauge will have a variance of a FULL POINT (plus or minus .5)
http://www.getagauge.com/faq.cfm#accuracy
The cheap gauges McCain is using to make fun of Obama?
They are much LESS accurate!
The accuracy of a mechanical gauge will have a variance of up to 6 psi (plus or minus 3)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire-pressure_gauge
“Obama had noted that keeping tires inflated and cars tuned was endorsed by both NASCAR and AAA and should be part of any comprehensive plan to reduce reliance on imported oil.”
Okay, but should that be the focus of the Dems energy plan.
I’m sure the Dems would love to develop a massive government/enforcement bureaucracy to monitor and enforce tire pressure laws.
Gawd, they never quit with the growth of government.
Mccain’s job plan, jobs for europe:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121805700442018139.html?mod=yahoo_hs&ru=yahoo
It is the Repubs. trying to make it the focus. Talk about the trivial so you won’t have to talk about the comprhensive.
Phantom
I have mentioned that tire pressure checks won’t generate tax revenues.
I have mentioned that tire pressure checks won’t employ people.
At least not like: DRILL HERE, DRILL NOW!
Of course, it a Dem who said that jobs and tax revenues were not important!
Phantom that is a feature on a Prius.
Honda CRV’s, too.
Don’t you folks get TIRED of carrying the water for obama? Why doesn’t he make things clear rather than relying on kool-aid drinkers to explain “what he really meant”? Here’s one for ya: if his goal in the whole tire inflation issue is SAVING GAS…how about recommending an even HIGHER tire inflation rate? Hmmm? That would save even MORE gas. How about we ban pickup trucks…now that would save BILLIONS of gallons of gas. What you don’t realize is patriotic Americans do NOT want to be preached (especially by an elitest).
“wwm” –
What’s “elitist” about wearing $580 Italian shoes?
#
Franklin
Posted August 6, 2008 at 10:25 pm | Permalink
A HIGH Quality gauge will have a variance of a FULL POINT (plus or minus .5)
http://www.getagauge.com/faq.cfm#accuracy
The cheap gauges McCain is using to make fun of Obama?
They are much LESS accurate!
The accuracy of a mechanical gauge will have a variance of up to 6 psi (plus or minus 3)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire-pressure_gauge
#
Franklin
Posted August 6, 2008 at 10:41 pm | Permalink
Phantom
I have mentioned that tire pressure checks won’t generate tax revenues.
I have mentioned that tire pressure checks won’t employ people.
At least not like: DRILL HERE, DRILL NOW!
Of course, it a Dem who said that jobs and tax revenues were not important!
#
Boxlock
Posted August 6, 2008 at 10:30 pm | Permalink
“Obama had noted that keeping tires inflated and cars tuned was endorsed by both NASCAR and AAA and should be part of any comprehensive plan to reduce reliance on imported oil.”
Okay, but should that be the focus of the Dems energy plan.
I’m sure the Dems would love to develop a massive government/enforcement bureaucracy to monitor and enforce tire pressure laws.
Gawd, they never quit with the growth of government.
=================================================
Gees, stupid, buy a better gauge than. They cost about $2.00. How freakin stupid can you be?
Boxlock, I suggest you climb back under your bed, because your too stupid to associate with anybody of any intelligence whatsoever. Someone asks you to check your tire pressure and you think the guvmint’s going to start a program.
From the posts on this thread, the republicans sure look like a bunch of phukin losers: no brains. And these morons are going to vote.
smarterthanmost,
Someone who claims he himself is “smarterthanmost” never is, and is the biggest fool of all.
Get over it jerk!
My comments are based on typical DemLib response to anything…..more government bureaucracy.
Oh and ‘dumber-than-most’, remember the DemLibs suggestion of mandatory thermostats in private homes that could be regulated by bureaucrats.
Or compact fluorescent light bulbs mandated when they haven’t even figured out yet how to dispose of them properly and don’t even work well outside when cold.
No, the DemLibs have a history of concerning themselves with ridiculously minor issues in peoples lives because then know best how to run everyones life and want to.
Smarter than????
“Gees, stupid, buy a better gauge than. They cost about $2.00. How freakin stupid can you be?
Boxlock, I suggest you climb back under your bed, because your too stupid to associate with anybody of any intelligence whatsoever. Someone asks you to check your tire pressure and you think the guvmint’s going to start a program.
From the posts on this thread, the republicans sure look like a bunch of phukin losers: no brains. And these morons are going to vote.”
—–
SmarterthanTOAST
I admit that my spelling is pretty bad.
However, if you are going to insult the intelligence of other Bloggers — just a tip:
The contraction of “you” and “are” is “you’re” —
“Your” howevever, is possessive. You basically said something or someone that Boxlock owns is stupid.
People who live in glass houses —
O my . . . caught by franklin with a contraction problem. Is that all you got? Jesus wept.
Paul
You do not have the brainpower to be a very good analyst, whether the subject is scientific or political.
Morever, you lack the temperament to be a good analyst. Your pride, your ego, and your impatience with anyone that you consider a “lesser” to you (nearly everyone) makes you a poor a very poor analyst.
Note, for example, your obsession with a minor spelling error above. Since you cannot fault the logic you go after the trivial.
Now what was that about glass houses?
bth
IRONY Ben.
I fully realize that I suck at spelling, so I rarely correct others.
However, “smarterthantoast” said the following:
“From the posts on this thread, the republicans sure look like a bunch of phukin losers: no brains. And these morons are going to vote.”
IF you hold yourself out to be a flawless example of mental perfection (which I don’t) then you deserve a higher level of criticism!
This text is great.