As a result of the blockade of refineries and distribution centres around the Uk,roads are emptying of cars,people are not being able to get to work and schools are closing either because of teacher shortages or the withdrawal of school buses.At the moment most people support the action taken and are becoming rather anti Blair.There is still food in the shops.

However,all you "doomers" will be very pleased to know that at least one little old lady in deepest Devon doesn't give a hoot as she has her Y2K supplies still handy.

My thanks to you all.

Chris's Mom.

-- Chris (enquiries@griffenmill.com), September 12, 2000

Answers

Ever see the movie "On the Beach"?

Coming soon to the UK, just not because of radiation...

-- Yeah Right (Ahhh@Haa.haa.haa), September 12, 2000.

Didn't the U.S. have a truckers' strike several years ago?

-- helen (b@t.j), September 12, 2000.

Does Chris's Mom like to Fudwrestle?

-- King of Pain (putrid@ahole.bum), September 12, 2000.

As Chris's mom has been known to turn people into pillars of salt with just a glare at 20 paces,Chris doubts very much whether she has ever needed to wrestle with anything !!

Pity poor Chris with a headmistress (retired)for a mom.LOL

-- Chris (chris@griffenmill.com), September 12, 2000.

Chris,

Did you mom say how others were taking it? I'm concerned about the elderly, who may not have the money, or the stamina to wait out a long strike. Does Britain import much of it's food, or is the supply chain fairly local?

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), September 12, 2000.

OIL PANIC 2000:

THE DAY BRITAIN RAN DRY...

OIL PRICES FUELING WORLD PAIN...

STANDSTILL BRITAIN...

PANIC BUYERS START TO STRIP SUPERMARKETS...

BLAIR PLEDGE TO BEAT BLOCKADES...

COME ON OUT YOU TANKERS...

BLAIR GETS TOUGH BUT WILL IT WORK?

DO WN TO THE LAST DROP...

THE DAY THE FUEL RAN OUT...

WE'LL BE UP AND RUNNING IN 24 HOURS...

-- Uncle Bob (unclb0b@aol.com), September 12, 2000.

Just another bunch of ANONYMOUS "EXPERTS" LIKE MR. CEO. THEY'RE ALL IN IT TOGETHER WITH Toast-Ed and Garee DUCT TAPE North. And what about the ALIENS WHO ARE IMPLANTING THOUGHTS IN MY MIND? AND THE MILITIA IN THEIR WHITE SHEETS? AIEEE!!

-- crp (buytexas@swbell.not), September 13, 2000.

To CPR, you must be the most malicious of human beings to ever enter the air waves. HOW CAN you discount the same type of information that Chris's Mom has displayed on this forum? When I heard the same information today on public radio? If it ain't so, get off your sorry duff and go see/look, and report. Sorry CPR, you aren't exactly a kind human.

-- Papa was (a@rollingstone.com), September 13, 2000.

Deb Much of the food in Britain is imported nowadays.The move to boost Uk farmers's income via campaigns to "Buy British Pork" etc and the settling up of local farm produce markets may well get a boost though. Most people including elderly now shop in supermarkets (quite a few have delivery services for elderly)Local shops in small communities are a dying breed.Blair has promised to ensure that fuel will be made available for food deliveries.Whether that will cover the Senior Citizens's gin and whiskey is another matter.I haven't come across any refs to the possible impact on power generation but fuel shortages include oil for central heating.The weather is still mild .

In towns and cities many old folks's heating is by electricity.Next I suppose would be gas fired systems followed by solid fuel in rural/light urban areas.

cpr.I do believe that you have fallen into the same trap that you accuse the doomers of falling into.Failing to believe the evidence.I can assure you that the situation in the UK is real and widespread but perhaps because its not yet happening in the States it doesn't count.LOL

I think that the situation in Western Europe does need following very closely ..if only to act as a guide to US gov.strategy. The hauliers,fishermen & farmers to name a few interested groups are beginning to co-ordinate their efforts as well as supporting & encouraging their buddies in other European countries.My brother on a motoring holiday in France only got home yesterday by avoiding all the highways and finding small garages to top up whenever he could.it put an extra 300 miles on his journey.Luckily he was warned to make sure he had enough petrol to get home once he landed at Dover.There were NO garages with fuel between there and the West of England. Ireland is building up steam for action towards the end of the week but this will depend on the outcome of a meeting with the Premier today.

What makes the situation interesting is that dissatisfaction seems to have polarized ,not around the price increase in crude but in the high level of government taxation on fuels.This is why ordinary people are behind the blockade and why the means of resolution is so poltically sensitive.

-- Chris (chris@griffenmill.com), September 13, 2000.

Thanks Chris...its always good to hear from those that are in the trenches (CPR is in the latrine ditch, thats a bit different.LOL) Taz...tell Mum hello and to expect me to be sleeping on her couch when I get to London. Taz...who has already checked the tanks with the dip stick!

-- Taz (jharal2197@aol.com), September 13, 2000.

Chris,

Thanks and God Bless you and your family. Here's hoping that the strike will do some good, for those that are suffering the most *and* that the suffering won't be so bad.

Now if Blair would get the wax out of his ears and *LISTEN* to what the public is saying...

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), September 13, 2000.

Deb

You shouldnt believe what you read in the papers.

The public is saying "boo hoo . . I have to pay too much for my luxury toys . . why why why . . I want it all for free . . if I dont get cheap fuel I'll scream and scream until I'm sick."

These are the same people who campaign for less road congestion, cleaner air, a "greener" planet, and better services.

Less tax, and more services. Ok, you're in charge, lemme have your policy manifesto by . . ooh . . 6pm ?

Cheers.

W

PS - Compare and contrast :-

Last fuel tax level under Tory Govt - 78% (plus an escalator scheme that automatically increased the tax levy in line with inflation + a small percentage)

Fuel tax level under current Blair administration = 73% (escalator system scrapped, and regular reviews of fuel tax limits).

-- w0lv3r1n3 (w0lv3r1n3@yahoo.com), September 14, 2000.

w0lv3r1n3,

Who would you vote for in FS's presidential poll? Any opinion from your neck of the woods?

-- flora (***@__._), September 14, 2000.

Opinion. Everyone's got one eh ?

My only qualification to have any kind of opinion on this is as an interested observer who reads politics for fun, and I realise that it's not the same as living in a country. However, the US influences the world to such a degree that I suppose I'll dare to make a stand.

Right now, I'd have to say I'd vote Gore. But I'd sure like a better alternative. =)

Regards

W

-- w0lv3r1n3 (W0lv3r1n3@yahoo.com), September 14, 2000.

"But I'd sure like a better alternative. =)"

Ain't THAT the truth!

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), September 14, 2000.

Ditto!

-- flora (***@__._), September 14, 2000.

For those interested, there has been a fascinating development on the UK Fuel crisis story.

I have posted the details on the "other" UK/fuel thread.

Regards

W

-- w0lv3r1n3 (w0lv3r1n3@yahoo.com), September 14, 2000.