gas prices

A couple of months ago, I received an interesting E-mail from a ill-informed coworker that was sent to all employees company wide via corporate E-mail, theoretically (but not practically) for internal company and business uses only. Most people consider it spam, but this loser thought it a good idea. Rather than describe it to you, I'll just let you read it for yourself.

(Names have been changed to protect the loser)

From: Inept Employee
Sent: Tue 4/26/2005 17:05
To: Everyone who works here
Subject: Gas~~ read this

IT HAS BEEN CALCULATED THAT IF EVERYONE IN THE UNITED STATES DID NOT PURCHASE A DROP OF GASOLINE FOR ONE DAY AND ALL AT THE SAME TIME, THE OIL COMPANIES WOULD CHOKE ON THEIR STOCKPILES.

AT THE SAME TIME IT WOULD HIT THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY WITH A NET LOSS OF OVER 4.6 BILLION DOLLARS WHICH AFFECTS THE BOTTOM LINES OF THE OIL COMPANIES.

THEREFORE MAY 19TH HAS BEEN FORMALLY DECLARED "#$%%&^%_$#&#*_" DAY AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION SHOULD NOT BUY A SINGLE DROP OF GASOLINE THAT DAY.

THE ONLY WAY THIS CAN BE DONE IS IF YOU FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN AND AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN TO GET THE WORD OUT.

WAITING ON THIS ADMIN STRATION TO STEP IN AND CONTROL THE PRICES IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REDUCTION AND CONTROL IN PRICES THAT THE ARAB NATIONS PROMISED TWO WEEKS AGO?

REMEMBER ONE THING, NOT ONLY IS THE PRICE OF GASOLINE GOING UP BUT AT THE SAME TIME AIRLINES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES, TRUCKING COMPANIES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES WHICH EFFECTS PRICES ON EVERYTHING THAT IS SHIPPED. THINGS LIKE FOOD, CLOTHING, BUILDING MATERIALS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES ETC. WHO PAYS IN THE END? WE DO!

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IF THEY DON'T GET THE MESSAGE AFTER ONE DAY, WE WILL DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.

SO DO YOUR PART AND SPREAD THE WORD. FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND MAKE MAY 19TH A DAY THAT THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES SAY "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH"

My first thought? What kind of IDIOT?!

Let's examine this closely. First, he must not be a fan of George W. Bush. Fine, I can understand. Second, the man can't spell "administration" but I flunked elementary spelling, so, I have no room to complain. Finally, it's a blatant misuse of our E-mail system and a violation of company and IT policies. Aside from the sheer stupidity, this is my biggest grievance. I get more than enough E-mails in one day that are work related, I don't NEED to hear from morons of this caliber.

My response was one of dozens, none of which were from energetic supporters of this lost cause. Again, I'll just let you read.

From: Nicholas Casey
Sent: Thu 4/28/2005 20:03
To: Inept Employee
Subject: Gas

While this sounds like a great idea, (the noble steal from the rich way of thinking) it is incredibly illogical.
Think about it, if you lost 4.6 billion dollars on a product that made you rich, what would you do?
Would you raise the prices to try and make up what you lost?
I would, and I'd bet a fortune that is what the oil companies would do, raise prices even more.
Face it, as long as there is demand for gas, prices will continue to rise.
So, if you want to pay more for gas, by all means, stick it to the man, boycott gas for one day, in the end you defeat your own purpose.
If you want gas prices to drop, lower the demand for oil, do YOUR part.
Walk more often, the average American walks less than five miles every day.
Ride a bike to work, if you don't own one buy one. It's good for the heart.
Who cares how much oil companies raise prices if no one buys their gas.

On May 19th, I'll probably buy gas. Not to spite your cause, but because I'm fat and lazy, just like 90% of Americans are also fat and lazy.

I doubt he got the point, despite the barrage of hate mail.

Someday, I fully expect to see his name listed as an honored recipient of a Darwin Award.
http://www.darwinawards.com