Drew Griffin | BIO
CNN Investigative Correspondent

I just paid less than 2 bucks a gallon for gas. In my world, that’s about 20 bucks a week or 80 bucks a month. No government involvement, no government workers mailing government printed checks, no government wasted time deciding who gets and doesn’t get the government printed checks.

And after I filled up, hopped in my car and flipped on CNN (yes on satellite radio. I’m a news junkie) I hear about another push for another stimulus package we can’t afford.

Why?

Isn’t the drop in gas prices giving us a market driven stimulus package? Didn’t the last stimulus package do little, if anything, to stimulate the economy? Didn’t voters make clear that run-away spending is one reason we wanted change?

I’d be more stimulated if congress actually stopped handing out money it will eventually have to take back.

David Mattingly | BIO
AC360° Correspondent

What did you do this weekend? Like many in Atlanta, I spent my afternoons sitting in lines at gas stations.

All stations within a couple of miles from my house were empty.

Stations that had gas also had lines ringing the block. Some wait times exceeded an hour.

It’s not unusual to hear of motorists following tanker trucks hoping they will lead to a gas station that will soon have gas.

I was one of the lucky ones. My wait times were under a half hour. I wonder what will happen the next time my tank is going dry?

 To Any Politician Who Gives a ‘You Know What:’

Hello. I am a correspondent with CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360. My family and I are also residents of Atlanta, Georgia. My question for you: Are Atlanta and nearby regional cities such as Charlotte and Nashville part of America?

The reason I ask is this: We have almost no gasoline, while almost all other cities in the United States have all the gasoline they want.

We are spending hours cruising the streets and highways looking for gas. Only a small percentage of stations have fuel and you never know who will have it.

Many gas station owners jack up their prices and scores of vehicles lining up are creating dangerous driving conditions on clogged streets and highways.

People cut in line, either accidentally or on purpose, and tempers flare. Violence is always a possibility.

Now, I remember back in the early 70’s and the late 70’s when the whole nation suffered like this. But we suffered collectively, as a nation.

Now, it’s only our small region of the country suffering. The experts say it’s because of supply problems as a result of the hurricanes. Never mind that Houston and Dallas, two cities much closer to Ike have gas.

We are expected to chill and not worry. I say that because some of our local politicians insist that this is not a major problem and that people are “panicking.” Hey, I’m as calm as can be. But I am angry at the lack of understanding.

I hate to tell you political leaders who don’t drive your own cars all that much, but this is a major problem. In the last week, I have traveled to Miami, New York City, and Anchorage, Alaska and watched enviously as drivers got gas easily with no wait.

So here’s my thought: Since we’re all part of America, maybe some of our national politicians can get us some gas. I figure if this was happening in Washington (or places like New York or LA) for that matter, this wouldn’t be allowed to happen.

Meanwhile, maybe some of the politicians in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, can get a little more worked up — whether they agree or not — about something that is causing much havoc in their states.

If y’all don’t think it worth helping us, perhaps we’ll vote you out. That is, if we have the gas to make it to the polls.

Sincerely,
Gary Tuchman
AC360 Correspondent

Steve Brusk
CNN Political Desk Senior Assignment Editor

It’s 2am in MARIETTA, Georgia — Am I really sitting here in the parking lot of a convenience store, waiting for a fuel truck to fill the tanks?

Yup, because the simple task of getting gas on the way home from work has now taken me to eight stations.

Same story at each — nozzle covered by plastic bags, numbers taken off the sign, little pieces of paper taped to each pump with the word “out”.

There’s no real gas shortage, mind you. Just a temporary reduction in the supplies to cities in the southeast like Atlanta, thanks to the twin impacts of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

Keep reading

Police say thieves are drilling holes in cars to steal gasoline straight from the tank. WSBT's Dustin Grove reports.

Bloggers,

It was only a matter of time…

With oil at record high’s and gas prices hitting $4 a gallon, people have taken to drilling for oil… from other people’s tanks.

That’s right; while the price at the pump has already forced some people to curtail their summer plans and stay home… others are looking to their own backyards, to steal gas.

Gasoline prices surged just before Memorial Day weekend and on Monday hit a new record national average $3.937 for a gallon of regular, according to a survey of stations by AAA and the Oil Price Information Service

As the price of gas rises, more people are stealing from stations and siphoning. CNN's Kathleen Koch reports.

Although tank puncturing isn’t on the radar of many law enforcement organizations, ‘AAA Mid-Atlantic’ issued a press release last month that cited a case in April in Bethesda, Md., involving a thief who broke the fuel line underneath a car and sapped five gallons of gas… Montgomery County police said a bus in the same parking lot had 30 gallons of diesel stolen.

Suggestions from AAA? 
Keep reading

Ali Velshi     
Senior Business Correspondent

It’s not easy being the boss.

And I don’t mean YOUR boss - I mean the boss of America. 

Oil AND gasoline both hit records AGAIN today, right as President Bush was landing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  What with the pressure back home, the president could hardly wait for the initial pleasantries to be exchanged before he popped the question:

“Could you all make a little more oil?”.

The Saudi’s, apparently anticipating the question, said “No.”. They said they’ve been adding more oil to the world pot from time to time, as they see fit, but they just don’t see increased demand for oil right now.  So “No, Mr. Bush.  But thanks for asking.”

Its not clear WHY they didn’t agree to help, but at least SOME people say the Saudi’s have less oil than they’re admitting to having.  But that’s another story.

So what’s a Prez to do?
Keep reading

Darius Walker
CNN New York Bureau Chief

In case you’ve been wondering why gasoline prices are hitting daily record highs, and have shot up 68 cents in the past year alone, here’s a breakneck look at why:

• The biggest factor, of course: the rocketing price of crude oil.
• Refineries, some still damaged by Hurricane Katrina, are maxxed out, and no new refineries planned in the immediate future.
• Some investors are betting that the price of crude oil will continue to rise, driving the price up further.
• The U.S. subsidizing, promoting and even mandating corn-based ethanol is spiking the prices of corn, ethanol and the gasoline it’s added to.
• Gas stations are basing prices not on today’s cost, but on how much they anticipate it will cost to refill their tanks later.
• The dollar’s weakness against other currencies means you need more of them to buy foreign oil.
• Increased global demand, especially from China, pushes up prices further.
• And, of course, it’s the time of year. Oil companies have to switch to a more expensive blend of gasoline for the summer.

Thinking of traveling? How does the back porch sound right about now?