... a powerful, apt term to describe an aspect of daily life without which life is unthinkably horrific. It takes work to overcome addiction. Right now, we have a choice - cold turkey or weaning.

Soon, it will be cold turkey and no choice. There are those who would argue that a boycott is not non-violent enough to be a propeace gesture. I disagree. Cold turkey is violence to the self. A one-day boycott is an exercise in weaning.

"Blue in a Red State"

One day the oil will run out. One day people will find alternatives to oil. One day is not enough. if 100 people began to wean themselves of oil then 1000 would do the same and 100000 would do the same and 100000000... not for one day, but for THE day, THE day we begin to live in a new world, THE day we are free of our addiction.

"Stick it to them" day has taken on a new "spin" (pun intended three ways) with the impact of Katrina. Gasoline is approaching $6 per gallon in Atlanta and is over $6 along the Gulf - of Mexico, that is. I filled yesterday at $2.89, and today it's $3.29. From what I've heard from the hostel group, that's commensurate with the rest of the country. What's going on?

Katrina took out the offshore oil rigs, and the oil companies won't turn loose their "reserves." What's a reserve for if not to tide us over in an emergency? Does this not qualify as an emergency? We're being routed by the resistance in Iraq; the corporate elite can't gouge the Iraqis any more, so they're gouging us.

Please let's have a spine and let them know that we're on to their b#&%^%*t. Don't buy gasoline from any source on the 10th! It won't cost anyone their job or even make any difference in the "bottom line." But we need solidarity. Let's let our (so-called) leaders and representatives know that we are not pleased.

After that, continue only to buy from the companies listed earlier. That kind of action will make a difference in the bottom line and cause a shift in market share, though probably not in total consumption. And the next time you buy a car, make it a diesel. Forget the hybrids, no matter what mileage claims you hear. A diesel burns vegetable oil and cellulose derivatives with no special overhaul. You may have to change your fuel lines a few times in the lifetime of the car, but in the name of renewable resources, isn't it worth it?

"Blue in a Red State"

Thanks for the additional information. However, I would also recommend that we add BP to the list we want to boycott. They may not import any Middle Eastern oil, but they have been named by the World Tribunal on Iraq as war profiteers.

"Blue in a Red State"

I agree that alternatives to fossil fuels need to be developed, and they are being developed. Hopefully coordinated consumer actions can encourage a quickening of the pace of development.

Here is some other interesting information along those lines, something to think about every time you are looking to purchase gasoline. Print this out and keep it in your car.

These companies import Middle Eastern oil:

At $70/barrel, these imports amount to over $36,000,000,000.

Here are some large companies that do not import Middle Eastern oil:

All of this information is available from the Department of Energy and each company is required to state where they get their oil and how much they are importing.