AP: Free Gas Sets Off Fights in Milwaukee

[Eugene]

Free Gas Sets Off Fights in Milwaukee

The Associated Press
Wednesday, July 12, 2006; 4:46 PM

MILWAUKEE -- Two vehicles crashed and four people were arrested in excitement
over a gasoline giveaway Wednesday to reward the city for its safe-driving
record.

For the most part, hundreds of drivers waited patiently for hours for about $30
worth of free gasoline each that Allstate Insurance provided at one station.

However, some motorists started lining up before midnight and the queue stretched
far from the station into a residential area, trapping some residents in their
driveways, said police spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz.

That led to fights and arrests for disorderly conduct.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/12/AR2006071201271.html

[unpossibles]

1. ok, keep in mind that I have been really poor more than once

in my life - like trying to scrape together money for food and rent - but wait in line for hours for $30 worth of gas? Get in fights for $30? WTF, people?!? Even at minimum wage, you'd be better off working for 5-6 hours and buying the damn gas instead of waiting in line all night/day!

[SoCalDem]

6. Out here that would only be 8 gallons of gas... not worth the wait

:(

[Warren DeMontague]

2. Ggggotta get it! Ggg-gggotta get it! Ggg-Gggotta Gget my ff-FIX, MAN!

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

[SoCalDem]

3. Shame on them for such a goofy "promotion". Why not just issue

each driver a $30 coupon...or if it was not for insurance customers only, they could have done a mail in form on the gas receipts..

This is a mean publicity stunt..

[MadHound]

4. In this day and age, it probably isn't a wise decision

To offer free, or even discounted gas. Situations like this blow up all too easily, and all too often. I remember back during the seventies oil embargo how there would be some free or discounted gas promotions, and the same thing would happen, lines backed up for miles, fights breaking out, car wrecks, etc. Another case where America fails to learn the lessons of history.

[SoCalDem]

5. Sadly, they DID learn it too well

Companies/news outlets LIVE for this kind of occurrence.. they revel in it.. and laugh all the way to the bank...AT the silly consumers who will fight each other over free stuff....it's entertainment for the bigwigs

[dweller]

7. i swear to god, i didn't know turkies couldn't fly ...

reminds me of the promotional on WKRP where they gave away free live T-Day turkeys by tossing them from a helicoptor.

sorry, my mind is driveling trivia.
dp

[RagAss]

8. ...what a great show...thanks for reminding me of it.....