Gas Gougers = Hometown Terrorism
© 2001 Guy Malone

It’s already been called "the worst day in American history" and "the new" Day of Infamy. On this day a number still uncounted immediately lost their lives, while their desperate families scurried for reliable information. Hundreds more risked – and lost – their lives in acts of heroism we will never learn of, rescuing the living wounded. Volunteers mobilized, while people across the country gave their time to donate precious life-blood. Churches held prayer vigils, off-duty medical personnel appeared at the scene, and all in all, the very best of what it means to be an American shone brightly.

A very few however, saw only the chance to make a quick buck. "In some areas, the price per gallon more than doubled," reports CNN.com. Surfing other Internet news sources, one AP writer quoted on Yahoo.com cites "$5 a gallon" in Oklahoma City OK, another news report of gas "jumping to $4 a gallon" in Topeka KS, and "$3.29 Tuesday night (dropping to) $2.19 on Wednesday morning" in Devil’s Lake ND. MSNBC.com’s site displayed an actual photo of a Columbus Ohio station charging $4.99.

Perhaps worse than the inflated prices, was the localized panic. In my town of Roswell NM, people who might have been helping someone else, were sitting in cars backed up into the streets, while rumors of $6-8 per gallon were flying. USAToday.com reported a line "50 cars long" in Illinois. MSNBC.com’s article also mentioned "fistfights, and at least one arrest for aggressive assault," of a 78 year man who "allegedly pulled a pellet gun and bumped his car into another to get a pump" (AP / Yahoo).

The cause of all this mayhem? CNN’s article reported that apparently certain stations "were simply gouging customers." Amidst the background of national tragedy, mourning, and overall hometown heroism, too many elected to instead become hometown terrorists. The fact is that during a state of Federal emergency, price gouging is a punishable crime. However, a state of emergency had not been officially declared, so raising prices was not technically illegal. It was just immoral. Greedy. Despicable. We need to let these opportunists know exactly how we feel about their decisions. Just as our President must show the world that acts of international terrorism will not go unpunished, "we the people" need to take a similar stance.

The only thing these people apparently understand is money, so that’s the language to speak. If you were the victim of gas gouging or even know it occurred in your hometown, you need to make a quality decision to never do business with that location again. More, inform them of your decision either in person or with a written letter. To be fair, most were just following orders. Remain courteous with counter help when seeking out an owner’s contact information, but a financial message certainly needs to be delivered. A formal apology must also be pressed for from those who added such inappropriate insult to the day’s injury.

The AP reports quoted at least one station owner who says he will be offering refunds. Others will likely follow suit, but I’ll bet you’re out of luck if you didn’t keep your receipt. Yes, some acted on bad information, but a few somebodies, somewhere "invented" the bad info, and knowingly raised prices without justification. Others just walked outside, grinned, and changed their sign. They increased the national panic for the sake of personal profit - on the one day when our country just really didn’t need that.

We may be in for tougher times ahead America. Rumors may fly and other legitimate emergency situations may yet arise. Bread and milk may be the next issue. Those who would act only in their own self-interest at such times need to hear loudly and clearly from all of us, today. Forward an e-mail, send a letter, and most of all, do not continue to support those who would take material advantage of human suffering. Choose to spend your money with those whose personal and business integrity proved itself this past Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tomorrow, anyone of us may face the decision to become either a local hero or a domestic terrorist – whether to push someone down or to lend them a hand. When the time comes, dig deep, say a prayer, and do the right thing. The enemies of liberty shall yet learn that we are a people who will fight and die for freedom from tyranny and oppression – both foreign and domestic.

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Copyright 2001 Guy Malone  "He's No Cal Thomas"
Guy Malone is a counter-cult researcher residing in Roswell New Mexico (see www.alienresistance.org)
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Please contact Guy Malone at seekye1@earthlink.net    or 505-627-2001 with any questions.

Also by Guy Malone
"To Britain with Love : Thank You"
COME SAIL AWAY : UFO Phenomenon & The Bible    a graphics-intensive book online
GODATHON  a short story