Twinge of fear at the pumps last night.

[EnviroBat]

I stopped to fill up the zookie last night. I was getting pretty close to the 300mi mark on the last tank, so I pulled in to "take the hit" once again. For some reason the entire gas station was "off line". None of the pumps were working, and the attendants were trying to explain this to the other customers. Turned out it was just some computer update being pushed to the stations, but I have to admit that my first thought was one of fear. I was thinking "Oh fuck, we just attacked Iran, and now there's some impending fuel crisis or something..." I'm so fucking sick of living under the cloud of fear and outrage that this administration has fostered. Everyday, I'm becoming an angrier person, a person that I don't like any more. I yell at my girlfriend, I've limited my friendships with people. I get "pissed at the world" sometimes, and I don't know what the hell has happened to me, I used to be such a friendly person. I've tried to turn some of that anger into constructive energy by calling my reps in Congress and demanding that they cut off all funding for Blackwater. We'll see if it does any good...

Ebat

[NMDemDist2]

1. yeah, it's a horrible state of affairs when the slightest thing out of the normal

and we jump to the worst possible conclusion isn't it?

[EnviroBat]

2. the saddest part is, I'm starting to fall for this shit.

When I was younger, nothing rattled me. When 911 hit, I was the one fielding calls from friends and family, trying to calm them down, and trying to let them know things were going to be alright. Now I'm getting jumpy too.

[progressoid]

9. The difference is..

Prior to 9/11 we had at least a little confidence in our government; that the system would survive even this administration. Now, I'm not so sure.

So much damage has been done at such a critical time that it's hard to be optimistic.

I'm thinking about taking up recreational drug use ;).

Well...maybe just prescription drug use.

[ddeclue]

27. We had a "run" on gasoline here in Orlando in 2005

right around the time of Katrina because people thought they would be able to get any more. Prices spiked, gas ran out at a lot gas stations... kind of reminded me of when I was a kid in the 1970's gas crisis.

Doug D.

[Theres-a]

3. Absolutely

In addition to taking action,try to find a little time to reflect on how short life is,and no matter what happens all we have is today,so try to be at peace with yourself and know where your priorities are.
I get the same kind of heebeegeebees every now and then.Something wicked this way comes,to be sure.We can be grateful that we wont be surprised,at least.Unlike many who are blissfully unaware.
there are alot of people and organizations out there every day,fighting the good fight.Remain part of the solution and try not to let the bastards get you down.You are not alone.

[EnviroBat]

4. Thank you for that...

Much appreciated.

:pals:

[Theres-a]

5. Don't thank me

Thank DU. I mostly lurk here,but the humor and intelligence here heartens me daily.Before I found this place,I thought we were doomed.Now I know it's just life in these times,and we can make a difference.And "in spite of all it's sham and drudgery,it's still a beautiful world.":pals:

[BeFree]

7. Yeah, to the DU

It's like a new-age bible, telling the contemporary history and keeping those fortunate enough to partake imbued with the knowledge that none of us are alone.

It is a beautiful world.

[spooky3]

8. and on a more cynical level

don't forget that *'s approval ratings decline when gas prices go up.

http://www.pollkatz.homestead.com/

It seems to shake even those backwash Bushies into realizing something is wrong.

[truedelphi]

16. But does MSM admit that B*'s approval rating declines

When gas prices go higher?

I remember when the economy declined under Carter due to sharp spikes in oilprices (caused no doubt by Kissinger and George the Elder)

Every day the news media harped about it. Every day. When they used the word "gas" or the word "oil they next said Carter.

I left the USA for Euriope in May of '79. Carter had 61% approval rating.

When I returned less than four months later, Carter's approval had gone down to 11%.

Why isn't the same thing happening now?

[spooky3]

18. good point-pollkatz says Krugman wrote about it

and we all know that the corp. media is quick to follow.

:sarcasm:

[raccoon]

6. If fear totally rules our lives, then the Neocons have won.

Hang in there, Ebat! I would suggest limiting your exposure to news. News, even on the local level, is very often designed to scare people.
Think of the teasers for your local news: "How a toothpick could choke you to death. Details at 6."

And of course the current admin and their minions in the corporate news peddle fear 24 hours a day.

Find something you can laugh at, a Carl Hiaasen book, the Three Stooges, whatever.

[Dora]

10. You must, for your own health, nurture your joy.

It is hard in times like these. Everything around us nurtures our frustration, anger, and fear. We must make a conscious effort to counter that.

[Iwasthere]

11. Take two days off

I did it last weekend and hung with the family. It was hard to avoid ALL my sources but I did it and I feel much better. And my family feels better too.

[EnviroBat]

13. That's good advice...

With the Easter weekend coming up, I may find some solice in my guitar pickin...

[SpiralHawk]

12. "Thank you for your generous donation to the Republican Crony Oil Cartel"

Sticker seen on a gas pump.

[EnviroBat]

14. That's a good one...

The only sticker I ever see on the gas pumps, is a picture of some thug sheriff, staring back at me to remind me of the police state we are surviving in. You've seen the one, "If you steal this, we'll TAKE this.." Meaning your drivers license. It's always about the "We've got our eye on you citizen..." mentality.

[crikkett]

22. you're kidding me!

I haven't seen that. Where are you? can you get a picture?

Now I'm all pissed off. This is better than red meat, to get your blood going.

Time for work...

[EnviroBat]

25. It's all over the place here in Ohio...

Some real asshole State Cops and County Sheriffs here...

[femrap]

15. I know how you feel, Ebat....

Ever since the '04 Election, I seem to have one of two emotions: despair and/or anger. My sense of humor, which kept me sane, is dwindling. There are days when I wish I didn't care...that I could just watch 'Access Hollywood,' go shopping, and be stupidly unaware of the fascism around me...but I can't.

Of late, I have this underlying anxiety that something terrible is going to happen. I can't quite put my finger on it....maybe it's something personal or maybe it's something worldly. I don't know. But I haven't had these feelings since Summer of '89 which ended with the 7.2 earthquake in San Francisco in October. I know this might sound silly to some....but I have that same tension and jumpiness now that I had then.

But then maybe it's just the result of 2 1/2 years of suffering from 'bushitis....' a most horrible disease.

I'm thankful for DU.

[EnviroBat]

26. It don't sound silly to me at all...

[ArmchairMeme]

17. Self Help

The best thing I did for myself since 9/11 was to greatly moderate my tv watching. I read most of my news on the web where I can take it at MY pace and I don't have to put up with the drum beats and the flame colored screens and the constant reminder that danger is here. Fear is something that sells on tv.

On the web I am getting news sometimes 24 hours before it shows up on tv news. Another thing that I don't need is the advertisements. I TIVO programs so that I can FF through adverts and save 40 minutes per hour!

I spend more time with friends and family and this has been the best. Local relationships bring me into reality and this is the best place to live.

I no longer want to live in the propaganda of tv. I no longer want my life to be programmed by corporations.

[uppityperson]

19. I check in here twice a day to see if Mrbush has attacked Iran yet

I am tired of this.

[Canuckistanian]

20. Same thing happened to me a few weeks ago

Because of a refinery fire, there was a shortage of gasoline and diesel at certain gas stations.

I never paid attention to it until I saw a station with some of those traffic cones surrounding every pump.

I understood what it meant immediately, but for a few seconds it scared me. And I thought, I wonder if this is going to be what the future's like?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

21. That is something to fear ...

What if "the end of the world as we know it" happened, and I was not paying attention. What would be my first clue? A gas station is as good as any. Having no news stations on the radio might be another.

On the other hand, I think of the people living in Iraq. Their gas stations go "offline" at randome times, as does the water and electricity. They know they are living in a cloud of fear.

If you get the funding stopped for Blackwater, I'll buy you a couple of beers.

[EnviroBat]

28. You got a deal there...

I'm a BIG fan of Guinness! I really dig the people here, it helps to know I'm not alone...

[KillCapitalism]

23. You'll know for sure when we attack Iran...

the price signs at the gas stations will instantly go from $2.79 to $6.99.

[jgraz]

24. Just smile and take your Soma...er...Xanax

[EnviroBat]

29. Right, with a Jack Daniels chaser!