As I was getting in the car this morning I heard my cell phone make the "new text message" chirp. After starting the engine I went fishing in my pocket for my trusty Nokia, no small feat for a guy my size. After writhing like a fish out of water in the front seat I finally pull the phone out and read the message. It was a forward about a gas strike proposed for today May 2nd. A gas strike is where you are urged, usually via email, not to purchase gas on a specific day in an effort to strike a blow to the oil companies. Now, in addition to email, the message is being sent via SMS messages on cell phones. It appears this myth knows no bounds.

First of all

Gas strikes don't work. They can't. Stop shaking your head and listen for a minute. Cars are symbols of freedom, power and prestige in our country. Everyone wants a car. Even our poor have cars. Cars are so ingrained in our culture that to not have one is considered absurd. In turn, if you have a car then you must buy gas. I know this statement sounds simple, but it doesn't seem to be sinking in to popular thinking. I am amazed at how much rhetoric I hear about decreasing oil consumption while at the same time the number of cars purchased continues to rise year after year. More cars=more oil...it's that simple