Obama said what?

Just as I suspected, there are no credible news sources regarding any comment by Obama regarding inflating tires.  Just a few right-wing blogs, and many of them are so poorly written as to be indecipherable.

The best I could come up with is that supposedly he said something along the lines of if Americans would keep their tires properly inflated, we could save as much fuel as we will be able to get (from new drilling) from the known untapped supplies that we have.

Which makes perfect sense to me.  Driving with under-inflated tires is a huge fuel waster.   And all credible geologist estimates that I've read regarding our untapped supplies of fuel say that what's there is actually very small in terms of our current barrels-per-year usage.

Myra, I looked last night and there were some video clips of him saying it.  I didn't have time to watch the WHOLE speech, so I don't know the context and I'm assuming whatever he said was majorly taken out of context.  While I was searching for the clip I also found a doc. published by the government with figures on how man gallons of oil are wasted by tires that are underinflated.

Liesje

True, but a lot of people don't have a problem with that.  I'd rather see long-term solutions like OTHER sources of energy be developed than more drilling (which like Karissa said will take YEARS before we even see the benefits and lower prices from that).  I don't really care what the price of petrol is at the pump, I care about energy sources in general and how we will sustain ourselves longterm.  And no, I'm not an environmentalist.  I just see other energy sources as more practical and more efficient, cheaper and more sustainable in the long run.  In the meantime, yes, proper maintenance of vehicle DOES cut back on wasted gas/energy.  A lot of people don't realize this.

That's great that it doesn't bother you how expensive gas is now, but believe me, it is a huge handicap for many, many, many people.  I think most people would like to see us move away from oil altogether, but drilling here is going to give us relief a lot sooner than bringing alternatives to fruition.  Look at what happened with ethanol...it takes more energy to create a gallon of ethanol than it saves!  And because corn growers get so many government subsidies for using their crops for ethanol production, the price of food corn has gone way up...which trickles down to other food items, such as beef (costs more to feed those cows now, so the extra expense is passed along to the end line consumer).  And I have heard many, many, many, many oil experts say that it will not take years for oil to reach the pumps if we are allowed to drill off shore or at ANWR.  Not to mention, because this is the way capitalism works, it would not surprise me in the least that the minute the US announces bans have been lifted for domestic exploration, OPEC will freak and lower their prices immediately.  They don't now because they know we're not really serious about it and they will continue to rake in the profits.

But back to Obama's statements...it also says to me that he just simply doesn't care.  He tries to act like he does, but he doesn't.  He cares about getting elected and that's it.  After all, he's a politician.  That's how they think, no matter the party affiliation.  I also saw a video where he was asked about high gas prices, I think this was a couple months ago, and he said he would have rather seen a more gradual price increase so it wouldn't have been such a "sticker shock."  So, see, he doesn't care about high gas prices and how it is affecting average Americans.

Now, actually, I have a lot of issues with McCain, but I will say that I do not think he is an average power-hungry politician.  He has listened to the people and changed his views on drilling because he realizes it is a part of the solution (he used to be against drilling in ANWR).  Also, if you look at his record, he has never once in his long Senate career voted for an earmark bill.  That's a huge plus to me.  Earmarks are the signature of politicians who cowtow to lobbyists and voters who want "something in return" and a huge red flag that they are simply in it to win another reelection, the American public be damned! 

aerial1313

But back to Obama's statements...it also says to me that he just simply doesn't care.  He tries to act like he does, but he doesn't.  He cares about getting elected and that's it.  After all, he's a politician.  That's how they think, no matter the party affiliation.  I also saw a video where he was asked about high gas prices, I think this was a couple months ago, and he said he would have rather seen a more gradual price increase so it wouldn't have been such a "sticker shock."  So, see, he doesn't care about high gas prices and how it is affecting average Americans.

Now, actually, I have a lot of issues with McCain, but I will say that I do not think he is an average power-hungry politician.  He has listened to the people and changed his views on drilling because he realizes it is a part of the solution (he used to be against drilling in ANWR).  Also, if you look at his record, he has never once in his long Senate career voted for an earmark bill.  That's a huge plus to me.  Earmarks are the signature of politicians who cowtow to lobbyists and voters who want "something in return" and a huge red flag that they are simply in it to win another reelection, the American public be damned! 

THANK YOU for supporting your anti-Obama beliefs with some actual logical facts...

I can't describe how angry it makes me when people talk about "B. Hussein." If you have to make fun of the guy's name, for heaven's sake, you must not have a very strong case against him, eh?

For what it's worth, I feel the same when I hear people argue that McCain shouldn't be President because he spent time in a  POW camp and must therefore be crazy and mentally unstable. Um, seriously? Is that the best you've got?

Same with people who didn't want to vote for Hillary(!) because she "is a b*tch." Last I heard, being warm and fuzzy wasn't a leadership requirement, and I have it on very good authority that she's actually quite lovely in person. Just has/had some media image problems.

Petty criticisms reflect more on the person making them than on the candidate they were aimed at, IMO. 

aerial1313

and he said he would have rather seen a more gradual price increase so it wouldn't have been such a "sticker shock." 

Perhaps he is just aware of the basic fact that what people use most...gets MORE expensive over time...it does not...ever...stay the same. It certainly NEVER gets cheaper. I'd call that living in reality. If the wages people were being paid went up to offset I doubt we'd even have half the uproar we do, about gas.

I am not happy about the raising of the price...but come on...did folks really expect to keep paying $1-2 a gallon for the rest of your life? SOMEONE was going to pay more, eventual. Everything's eventual. Sheesh how expensive is MILK now vs 10 years ago? Apparently that's going to skyrocket even more now due to the corn prices...why ARE the corn prices so high now...I wonder...lol.

Other countries have shown us...the USA, that owning/driving a car in spite of what we think...is a luxury...esp a BIG OLE CAR. exp more than ONE car. Now it's time to pay the piper...just like everyone else in the world. USA needs to get off her kiester and install MORE public transport...but I doubt they can because the citizens where there want to put it...won't want to pay for it...or use it :eyeroll:

Gas is about $3.73 today...BTW.

ETA: cars could run on water and you know what? they'd charge you out the whazoo for water...that's how it works. Someone will always want to profit off of things like fuel....and as Americans who believe in going out and grabbing your dream...who are we to say, they should not?

aerial1313

Liesje

True, but a lot of people don't have a problem with that.  I'd rather see long-term solutions like OTHER sources of energy be developed than more drilling (which like Karissa said will take YEARS before we even see the benefits and lower prices from that).  I don't really care what the price of petrol is at the pump, I care about energy sources in general and how we will sustain ourselves longterm.  And no, I'm not an environmentalist.  I just see other energy sources as more practical and more efficient, cheaper and more sustainable in the long run.  In the meantime, yes, proper maintenance of vehicle DOES cut back on wasted gas/energy.  A lot of people don't realize this.

That's great that it doesn't bother you how expensive gas is now, but believe me, it is a huge handicap for many, many, many people.  I think most people would like to see us move away from oil altogether, but drilling here is going to give us relief a lot sooner than bringing alternatives to fruition. 

Ten years?  I'll take my chances with alternative sources....

The price of oil has already impacted our household and I fully expect that to continue but like Gina said, natural resources are not indefinite and everything gets more expensive over time and based on demand.  With everyone complaining about gas prices, the actual demand has gone down like a percentage of one percent so obviously people who really want gas are still not having trouble buying it.  There's just not a change in demand that reflects the complaints of the general public.  I'm of the camp that would rather look into alternative sources of energy, or alternatives to every household demanding 2+ vehicles for personal transportation than do whatever is the quick fix for temporary price cuts at the pump (which wouldn't even happen since it would take ten years...).

Myra

This (and similar juvenile, repugnant tactics) are the reason that I will not consider voting Republican.

 If there is nothing wrong with the name why does the use of it enrage everyone? I really must get me one of those bumper stickers now, the ones that say Barack Hussein Obama.....deal with it.  The name itself does not bother me either way, but I do enjoy irritating liberals.

*sigh* IMO everyone who loves Obama does so because he's got this celebrity status...he's being treated like the freaking second coming of the Messiah. It's kind of a cult-like thing, the following he has now. CREEPY. And he would definitely NOT be in the position he is now if he weren't black.

If Obama is our next president, all I can say is that at least Bush won't look so bad compared to him!!

I can't believe people still support him - have they had their eyes and ears shut for the past year? Do they not see *really* who this individual is?

dgriego

Myra

This (and similar juvenile, repugnant tactics) are the reason that I will not consider voting Republican.

 

  I find it hysterical that so many Obamanites get so worked up over someone calling him by his middle name. It is his middle name, not one I assigned him, not one the republicans assigned him, but one given to him by his father and carried by him all of his life. if the name is so terrible that the mere use of it enrages you, then why not go to the source and ask him to please change it.

 If there is nothing wrong with the name why does the use of it enrage everyone? I really must get me one of those bumper stickers now, the ones that say Barack Hussein Obama.....deal with it.  The name itself does not bother me either way, but I do enjoy irritating liberals.

Yes it is his middle name, not his first. So why do McCain supporters feel the need to harp on his middle name?

 Admin speaking..

I lose track of how many times I say this but ALL opinions are valid.  I'd like to caution anyone participating in this thread, or any others, against assuming they know why anyone else does...well, anything really.  But it's especially wrong to make generalisations about why any specific person or group supports certain political views.  There are as many different political stances as there are members of this forum.  Not a single one of those is wrong.

Think before posting inflammatory statements.  It's a fine line between posting a controversial opinion and intentionally baiting others, the latter is of course not permitted here.

Truley

Yes it is his middle name, not his first. So why do McCain supporters feel the need to harp on his middle name?

 That is easy, because it always gets a reaction. Those of you who support him should just let it drop, either his name is a problem or it isn't but as long as you continue to get so upset over the use of it, people who do not support him will continue to use it. After all I just told you I am considering purchasing one of the bumper stickers only because Obama supporters seem to go nuts whenever his middle name is used.

 You have to admit if McCain's middle name was Hussein, or Osama the democrats would surely make a point of using it often.

dgriego

Myra

This (and similar juvenile, repugnant tactics) are the reason that I will not consider voting Republican.

 

  I find it hysterical that so many Obamanites get so worked up over someone calling him by his middle name. It is his middle name, not one I assigned him, not one the republicans assigned him, but one given to him by his father and carried by him all of his life. if the name is so terrible that the mere use of it enrages you, then why not go to the source and ask him to please change it.

 If there is nothing wrong with the name why does the use of it enrage everyone? I really must get me one of those bumper stickers now, the ones that say Barack Hussein Obama.....deal with it.  The name itself does not bother me either way, but I do enjoy irritating liberals.

Honestly though, do you think people (on EITHER side) would ever mention it if it weren't "Muslim"?  Truthfully now?  I simply cannot believe people use it "just because".  The only other politicians - or people in general - that use their middle names are because they like it (they refer to themselves including their middle name), or they have the same name so it distinguishes them (George HW vs. George W).  In the past I have used my middle name in contexts where people I don't know wouldn't know my gender because my name isn't "American" and my middle name indicates gender in America (when actually it's a male name in French but whatever...), but if random people I don't know started calling me L. Alaine I'd wonder what they were smokin....

I just realized I don't even know John McCain's middle name.... 

 OK, just a personal thought here, but if I recall correctly, I have seen threads HERE in which people complain about having colleagues or friends call them by some name other than what they choose, or having mail addressed to a version of their name which they don't use.  If he wishes to be known as Barack Obama, then that's what he wishes.  All of you are entitled to choose how people refer to you by name.  Is he entitled to less?  People using his middle name with the intention of being prejudicial...well...it's a weak argument, to me.  Here's hoping that no one with the middle name "Adolf" ever runs for president. 

Benedict

I have seen threads HERE in which people complain about having colleagues or friends call them by some name other than what they choose, or having mail addressed to a version of their name which they don't use.  If he wishes to be known as Barack Obama, then that's what he wishes.  All of you are entitled to choose how people refer to you by name.  Is he entitled to less?

Exactly!  What is the point of anyone calling someone a name other than what that person wishes to be called or calls themselves? 

yes names are funny things. For example I LOVE...absolutely LOVE the name Judas. It is a beautiful name to me.

I am not a religious person at all so I could use it...but for saddling my kiddo with that name, would really hold them back in life. People as is evident here...even (and perhaps especially) adults...are not above the school yard antic of using someone name to wound or belittle them. So a perfectly lovely name...is probably never used.

Judas is one of my favorite songs on an even more toally unrelated note...by Depeche Mode...the lyrics are moving...folks should check the song out.