On Thu, 28 Feb 2008 07:13:19 -0800 (PST), Chuck Gould
wrote:

Would it seem a bit excessive to create an infrastructure to store and
transport refined products so you can run a filling station?

Not if you are running a chain of stations, a station co-op
association or your own distributorship.

Who refines the products "openly traded on the commodity exchanges"?

A wide range of companies who sell into the open market, highest bid
gets the fuel. It's called a free market economy - anything else
leads to shortages and rationing. Do you want rationing? I don't.