Secrets of the City

FYI, if you don’t have a Facebook account, that Facebook link is a locally-created group called “Dont Buy Gas on May 15 Day is Stupid: If You Don’t Know Why Then You Are Too.”

This is MnSpeak. We’re here to dispute the facts.

Does this include propane?

I think my tank is getting low and was really looking forward to firing up the grill.

Why do they call it gas when it’s really a liquid?

It doesn’t work! Goddamnit.

Some of us call it “petrol”. I’m not buying gas today. In fact, I’m not buying gas right now.

Gas = Gasoline…why they named it that, I don’t know, tho…

…totally bought gas this morning. Boy am I embarrassed, I hope all the girls in my email forward club don’t find out!

I’m confused, what exactly is putting-off buying gas for a day supposed to accomplish? I mean, it’s not “don’t use gas day” so the demand side of the equation isn’t changing, thus neither is the supply side.

People are the dumb.

Well, I held out as long as I could, but just I gave in and bought gas.

Sweeeet sweeeeeet gas. Mmmmmm.

Damn! With the lessening of demand for gas today, the price tomorrow is going to plummet. I totally should have waited until tomorrow.

I haven’t bought petrol in … uh … almost six years?

Oops. I forgot (not) and bought gasoline a couple minutes ago. $2.96 at Costco in MG- what a deal!

I did propose in our newsroom yesterday that as we are the Project Energy station we should spearhead a “don’t use gasoline” day. Everyone could take the bus or stay home. Actually, it’d be best if they stayed home. And sat in front of the TV. Locked on channel 4.

Come to think of it, people should never use gasoline, and never leave their TV sets. For the good of the planet, and all.

Obviously God didn’t like us not buying gas and killed Jerry Falwell!

Jason-

Friday is Twin Cities Bike/Walk to Work Day, which is more effective than picking a day to not buy petrol. Maybe WCCO should jump on that bandwagon.

Plymouth Metro Link is offering free rides all next week.

I bought gas on Sunday, but prior to that didn’t buy gas on any day since March 24.

I think I see where they argue it would have no effect. If no one buys gas TODAY, it’s not like gas station owners take the gas they would have sold and shoot it off into deep space or something. It’ll just get sold tomorrow, unless someone has made a diffinitive, long-term change in their gas use habits.

How about we have a Don’t Pass Gas Today Day? It could be for cows and people.

On the other hand, maybe Jerry Falwell flouted ‘don’t buy gas day’ and filled his tank this morning. And God struck him dead.

Just to be on the safe side, I’m switching my cat over to biodiesel. Nobody can say I don’t care.

Has anyone noticed the frequency of car commercials these days on prime time television? I rarely watch T.V., but when I do, I’m always struck by the seemingly desperate attempts of the car industry to sell more more more.

I like that idea! I’m committed to not passing gas all day.

It’s okay to buy E85 today.

The City of Minneapolis just bought a lot of E85 for the new city/county alt fuel station that will officially open next Wednesday — you’re invited, Jason. The City will send out a news release.

I doubt if it will top our “Orange County Choppers” event today in Iowa, but newsworthy just the same.

For the record, Just Plain Bob did not buy gas today.

I like that idea! I’m committed to not passing gas all day.

So I take it then your story for tonight won’t air until tomorrow?

I generally don’t buy gas, because I don’t usually drive. I either take the bus or make my husband drive.

But, it is summer, so I had to fill up my Stella. It was almost $5.00 to fill the tank last weekend. I couldn’t believe it! Luckily that will last me until June at least.

If you never want to buy gas again, you may want to check out the used government vehicle auction May 16 at Northstar Auto Auction, 4908 Valley Industrial Blvd. Shakopee. 100+ vehicles, more than half of them are flex fuel vehicles that can run on E85 instead of gas. Inspection begins at 10 am, the auction will begin at 1 pm.

I’m told you can get a real deal on these well-maintained fleet vehicles.

If you never want to buy gas again, you may want to check out the used government vehicle auction . . . more than half of them are flex fuel vehicles that can run on E85 instead of gas.

What, pray tell, do you suppose the remaining “15″ is topping off that 70-85% denatured alcohol mix?

BTW – I’m all for used (a.k.a. recycled) cars, as well factual rhetoric.

I’m always struck by the seemingly desperate attempts of the car industry to sell more more more.

yeah, imagreen…as opposed to all those other industries who try to sell less less less.

I’ve never owned a car… trump!

So far, the Friday forecast looks good for a walk/bike to work day. The whole damn week does, actually. By the way, Mister Litespeed, hou weren’t so peace, love, and bicycles any of the other times I caught up and tried to draft you, so I’ll make a point of hurling a senseless insult or two in your direction next time around.

Just to be on the safe side, I’m switching my cat over to biodiesel. Nobody can say I don’t care.

My cat runs on malice and destruction. Is that more or less environmentally sound?

I think dead cats may qualify as a biodiesel source for tax purposes.

Yepnope: “My cat runs on malice and destruction. Is that more or less environmentally sound?”

I don’t know – what are the byproducts?

It’s early days yet, but first indications are that my cat is getting much better mileage, although he smells a bit like french fries.

Maz: So there are 102 uses for them now? We can’t stop progress, we can only watch it suspiciously through the window of the coffee house over the street.

Longfeller, my cat’s byproducts are decidedly toxic. A french fry smell would be a marked improvement.

I thought someone would call my bluff on that comment, octane boy, you win the prize! Smart lad!

Yes, of course there is gasoline in E85 — in the winter, a little more than 15%, but I worded it that way to point out that E85 is, officially defined by the EPA and DOE, an alternative fuel. Some still insist on calling it “E85 gasoline” or even “gasohol.” I don’t mind the hyphen (even though AP style says E85), but it’s important to get the message that this really is very different than gasoline.

On Wednesday, God willing, I will get off my biofuel soapbox and post my insider’s view of the Tobacco Wars. There is a good book in this — maybe I should write it — with some interesting stories never told in the media. With any luck, it will be one of the last Mnspeak threads on smoking bans (until late Sept. or Oct.).

What’s the working title? “Tobacco Wars: Tyranny Rules in MN”

Dammit! Someone beat me to the cat running on gas joke!!! Stupid boss expecting me to actually work…