For those who are boycotting BP -- (and for those who aren't, come to think of it)

[gateley]

Randi Rhodes made a good point yesterday and offered a suggestion: As we know, these are independent small businesspeople and they make the least amount of profit from the gas they sell. The majority of their money is made from the stuff sold in the convenience store. These people are being hurt because when we don't buy BP oil, we don't go in and pick up a Snickers or whatever when we pay.

Sooooo - we should make an effort to go in to their little shops and buy the crap we would if we WERE getting our gas there.

[fishwax]

1. BP gets about ten cents for every dollar you spend on Snickers bars there

Just for the record.

[gateley]

3. I didn't know that. Shit. nt

[damntexdem]

2. Or how about this: keep it simple and simply boycott BP?

We need to keep our eyes on the target.

[gateley]

4. It's not fair that people are losing income because of BP's avarice. nt

[Critters2]

7. I'm still buying gas locally, just at different gas stations.

So, the amount of money going into the local economy stays the same. If the non-BP stations pick up business, they can hire the workers from the BP station. Owners of BP stations can go to work in the local economy in other ways, or can change their franchise contract the next time it comes due. But the only way to make a profit-driven corporation sit up and take notice is by biting it in the profits.

[gateley]

9. I'm stunned by some of your statements...

"If the non-BP stations pick up business, they can hire the workers from the BP stations." -- What about the small business owner?

"Owners of BP stations can go to work in the local economy in other ways..." And if they can't find a job to pay their small business loan?

"or can change their franchise contract the next time it comes due." Just suffer in the meantime?

You make it sound so simple. Life isn't simple, especially in these economic times. You may be helping the other local gas station owner, but that doesn't help the BP owner who's hurting. He is being made to suffer for a situation he had no control over.

I understand your point about getting the corporation's attention, but believe me, they KNOW how they're viewed by the world now. They've taken notice.

I certainly honor your sticking to your ethics and refusing to purchase anything at a BP, but your 'solutions' just sound so uncaring.

[Statistical]

13. "Owners of BP stations can go to work in the local economy in other ways"

"Owners of BP stations can go to work in the local economy in other ways" = go out of business and all their employees are added to the 9.9% unemployment.

"If the non-BP stations pick up business, they can hire the workers from the BP station." = why would they do that? A single cashier can run 3 pumps or 10 pumps. No they will not hire anyone and profit twice as much.

[Critters2]

16. One local dealer here has already told the local paper he's leaving his contract

with BP and going to another producer in a couple of months, when his contract ends. Others can (and I suspect will) do the same.

[Statistical]

18. "when his contract ends"

standard contract length is 20 years. For ever one owner who can leave there are thousands who have years or decades left on contract.

[LanternWaste]

20. In every contemporary economic I'm aware of...

In every contemporary economic I'm aware of, there are always (always) innocents who get harmed. I imagine we must ask ourselves if the harm done is worth the perceived greater good.

[jobycom]

5. My thing is, all we're hurting are the small people.

The moratorium hurts the oil rig workers (my dad used to be one), the boycotts hurt the small business owners, all the fear over the seafood and the beaches and the air are destroying the local fishing and tourism trade.

BP doesn't care about all that. If you don't buy the oil from their stores, they'll sell it on the market and you'll buy it from Texaco, or they'll redirect it overseas and sell it in stores in places where no one cares. They might not get the income from us, but they also won't have the expense of providing oil, so it's a draw. A multi-national that large has contingency plans for redirecting their business to more profitable regions just for scenarios like this.

Their actions hurt the small people, our actions hurt the small people, the oil spill hurts the small people... stop me when you see the pattern.

[elocs]

6. So, let's say I've patronized a BP station for years.

I've gotten to know Sam, the clerk there pretty well. I even know about his kids. I see Sam at the grocery store and he tells me that he's been laid off because of the boycott and that business is down. He said he really needed that job. I say, "I'm sorry to hear that, Sam, but I just had to join that boycott to bring the evil BP to their knees. It makes me feel like I'm really doing something. Sorry about the job though. At least I still have mine."

This boycott hurts mostly the little people who struggle just to make ends meet. The fat cats at BP will go untouched and it won't bother them at all. It does make those who boycott feel self righteous about their actions though.

[leftofcool]

8. +1

[superduperfarleft]

10. +1. It's not like recklessness and disregard for the environment is solely a BP problem.

But I guess internet slactivists feel so much better giving their money to Shell instead. :eyes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_Nigeria#Human_rights_controversies

[Critters2]

14. Marathon has the best safety record of any oil company. That's who I'm buying gas from. nt

[superduperfarleft]

19. .

http://knowmore.org/wiki/index.php?title=Marathon_Oil_Corporation

Attorney General Greg Stumbo announced groundbreaking litigation filed today in Franklin Circuit Court against Marathon Oil Corporation, Marathon Petroleum Company, LLC and Speedway SuperAmerica, LLC, charging the corporations with profiteering during the time of emergency following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The companies are alleged to have overcharged Kentucky consumers more than $89 million in grossly excessive motor fuel pricing."

http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=12496

U.S. companies are forbidden from bribing officials. If they do, it can prove damaging. The Securities & Exchange Commission, for example, is probing Marathon Oil (MRO ), ExxonMobil (XOM ), Amerada Hess (AHC ), Chevron (CVX ), and others for allegedly bribing President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea and his relatives for oil rights. The companies say they're cooperating with the SEC and that they acted lawfully.

Full company profile, with plenty of interesting facts. http://www.crocodyl.org/wiki/marathon_oil

[Statistical]

12. +1. n/t

[LanternWaste]

21. Or at least maintain the convictions of one's beliefs.

"It does make those who boycott feel self righteous about their actions though..."

Or at least maintain the convictions of one's beliefs. Six of one, half a dozen of the other I suppose...

[taterguy]

11. Cigarettes are high profit items in convenience stores

If you don't smoke, start.

Doing otherwise is hurting "the little people"

Buy some porn too, if your favorite store still sells it.

[Critters2]

15. Exactly. Those porn sellers need our business.

We really do have the right to buy from whomever we want. I'm sorry BP franchisees will take a hit..but more sorry pelicans are dying and don't know why.

[L0oniX]

17. I never go in to those fucking stinking places anyway. Pay at the pump.