Bristolian

Well, Earl. It’s not a bad Idea. Hell, we’ll even join you if you like. But there’s a few things we have to talk about first. Like who did you vote for in the 2004 Presidential elections?

Not so fast guys. There’s a broader picture and deeper issue than just you being pissed off about the price of gas because NOW you’re feeling the effects.
Your equipment causes a lot of pollution, Earl. Were you aware of that?

The BHC has the original article by Amy Hunter.

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Earl Humphreys works from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, but he can’t afford to fix a leaky roof at his lawn-care business, nor can he accept clients who live outside city limits.

“We’re just getting by,” he said. “All we’re doing is turning money over.”

The reason: high gas prices.

Humphreys said he has been struggling financially for some time, but when prices climbed well beyond $3 per gallon recently, he decided it was time to do something about it.

On May 5, Humphreys and representatives from at least a dozen area businesses are staging a rally to protest suffocating fuel costs, he said.

“We want to spark a movement across the U.S. to send our politicians the message,” he said.

Humphreys, owner of Lawn Boyz Home and Garden Center on Bluff City Highway, said Tuesday that gas prices are double what they were this time last year, and he has been hit especially hard because his business relies heavily on gasoline.

LOL! No, Earl. This time last year gas prices were over three dollars a gallon. You mean “gas is twice what it was BEFORE BUSH INVADED THE WHITE HOUSE“.

C’mon, Earl. Who’d ya vote for in ‘04?

“We have to use premium gas in our equipment, which is the costliest gas. We use it in our trucks, mowers, Weedeaters and blowers. We average $120 per day in gas,” he said. “And the gas doesn’t only affect us in terms of our vehicles. There are increases in [prices of] straw, grass seed, mulch, weed killer and more, which is because shipping costs have risen.”

Humphreys isn’t alone. Over the past months, gas prices have become the main topic of conversation, he said. Fed up, he began calling his competitors in efforts to unite them in protest.

Finally fed up are we? Where ya been since ‘05, Earl? Don’t tell me, you’ve been lost at sea and are just now finding out how fucked we are after eight years of Republican leadership?

Vote Republican in ‘04 and ‘06, Earl?

“We’re sending a message to the politicians in Washington that in the next election, if they don’t do what their supposed to do, we’ll replace them,” he said.

Which politicians would those be, Earl? The ones that voted for lower energy costs, or the one’s that didn’t?

Did you vote for David Davis for Congress in ‘06, Earl?

Humphrey’s knows exactly what he’d like decision-makers in Washington to do.

First, he said, there should be an independent investigation in Washington conducted by people who aren’t connected to big oil.

Second, he would like Congress to pass a bill giving farmers tax incentives so they can grow more corn for ethanol.

Uh, Earl. Hellooooooo. Earth to Earl…

Investigation into what? The Bush administration’s profits from Big Oil? Cheney? Bush Sr.?

Ethanol, Earl? Wise up. Ethanol is almost as expensive as gas.

And third, he thinks the United States should deal outside OPEC and negotiate with countries like Russia and Venezuela for cheaper crude oil.

“This is not a red and blue issue – it’s a red, white and blue issue,” he said.

Well that’s just dandy, Earl. And how does Mr. Humphreys suggest we convince the single most greed laden administration in history to break from their Saudi owners?

Red, White, and Blue issue? That’s cute, wrong, but cute. Democrats have constantly pushed to move away from Arab oil and Republicans like David Davis and George Bush just continue to bow to Abdullah like Republican, FOX News watching morons continue to bow to them.
It’s a “Red” issue, Earl.
By the way, who did you vote for in ‘04 and ‘06?

The rally is planned from 7 to 9 a.m. May 5 in the parking lot of the former Southside Shopping Center at Bluff City Highway and Lavinder Lane. Call (423) 989-3770 for information.

The early-morning hours were set because “we’re struggling right now and need to work,” he said.

Humphrey’s couldn’t say for sure whether his protest will be a success. But, “We’re united. And anytime this country gets united things get done,” he said.

And what point do you intend to make at the protest, Earl? What candidates do you intend to endorse in order to generate some action?
Do you intend to engage in some good old-fashioned civil disobedience? That would get us interested. Block Volunteer Pkwy? Block entrances to gas stations?
Or just sit and lament the state Republican leadership has put this country in?

ahunter@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2531