Panic much?

"Out of Gas" signs and yellow caution tape were draped across pumps that were out of gas in parts of the United States early Thursday after many retailers were overrun by panicked motorists looking to top off their tanks as prices soared past $3 per gallon and reports of shortages spread.

Many gas stations in and around downtown Atlanta had run out of gas by sunrise. The same was reported in elsewhere, including parts of North Carolina, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Arizona.

I filled up my tank yesterday. Best get it while you can - prices are going to skyrocket while the oil companies gouge us.

Exxon/Mobile made 21 billion in profits last year. They are slated to hit about 30 billion this year. Expect that to go up closer to 40 billion as gas prices hit about $4.50 a gallon by the end of the year.

The New Orleans situation is falling apart. FEMA just announced they are pulling out as citizens are rioting and shooting each other. It's going to get much much worse. The "Water World" comparison is not so far fetched. We're going to have Mad Max - New Orleans style for a while.

Bush did nothing to prepare for this, and is woefully inept at leading. People die because of that man - and quite regularly I might add.

In fact, the Pentagon is going ahead with their "Patriot Day" celebration next week. You know, this is the event where they trot out the red, white & blue, and try to convince everyone that the war in Iraq has something to do with 9/11 - when all knowledgeable people know it does not. They really should call it "stop Bush's poll numbers from sliding even further" day.

Isn't that amazing? We have anarchy in one of the oldest cities in the United States and the Administration is continuing to plan their wargasm.

I'm sending my $100 donation to the Red Cross today.

Oh.. and I heard on the radio today that "personal savings" in the United States have hit an all-time low. That means people are not prepared for the way we are about to get fucked. They don't have the money for what is coming. And what is coming? Massively high gas prices. And - the gas prices will not come back down after the crises is resolved. They will stay exactly at the high point, because people will pay the price. They have no choice. The oil companies will become ever more profitable - and they will get more and more tax breaks.

What if we drive less? Well, it's still going to cost us as inflation will rise. This is going to put pressure on the housing market - and I think it will finally cause the "bubble" to burst, as so many have been waiting for.

I read yesterday that home prices have increased 47% in the last year in Phoenix. That's absurd because Phoenix is one of those "flat" areas where there is always new room to expand, and it's still gone up 47%. That's going to go bust in about a year.

People are living paycheck to paycheck, either because that's the best they can do, or because they keep buying unnecessary things, or things they can't really afford. I qualified for a $230,000 mortgage and bought a $150,000 house. There is a reason I did that. It's because I refuse to wonder if I have enough money in the bank to cover the bills.

Other people are buying houses at the limit of what they qualify for, and that's pushing and pushing the costs up. It's going to crash in a big way.

The shit is really hitting the fan.