Harry Krause wrote:


Hundreds of thousands of them.
Might as well be living in the third or fourth world.


One thing puzzles me. Well, OK more than one, but...

How is it that there is so much apparent difficulty with obtaining
gas in the area?

Even if all the inground tanks are flooded, would it not be possible
for gas tankers to dispense gas at any location? In an emergency,
why can not a gas tanker show up at a mall or somewhere and provide
this, an essential service? A few such mobile emergency vehicles
could be in a strategic reserve for such emergencies. Certainly, our
military would never be stalled for want of such a facility, would it?

Or would incapacitated business operators complain too loudly? Or,
do they not need such service, being able to pump enough fuel for
their own needs? Essential businesses have a responsibility, and
their licenses to operate could be made dependant on their ability
to carry on despite emergencies. Isn't there some kind of homeland
security department that could insist on this?

For that matter, why can not an independant enterpreneur or
contractor market gas from a tanker trailer parked in the mall?

Such "Gypsy" style gas sales capability would be one way to increase
competition in the marketing of gas, provided anyone with a tax
number had the right to shop refinery yards for a thousand gallons
of gas, or more, for cash, or even debit, credit, or on account. I
realize there are hazards, but I expect something could be done,
like providing a drip catching plastic ground sheet, absorbants,
serious fire extinguisher equipment, etc.

I personally believe gas stations should not market anything not
directly related to servicing consumable vehiclular requirements,
other than perhaps coffee for customers awaiting service such as
attendant refuelling, oil checks, tire inflation, windshield or auto
washing, waxing, vacuuming interiors, lamp replacements, brake fluid
replenishments, antifreeze or coolant water, etc. Remember the good
old days, when such was a competitive incentive to use one or
another gas station? Did we kill that service attitude for the sake
of 2 cents a gallon savings for pumping our own gas?

It might enable small convenience stores and quicky marts to compete
in the milk and bread market without having to face down
conglomerate combines unfairly and covertly monopolizing gasoline
marketing.

Terry K