Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey As many times as I've seen a Coach bag that I'd LOVE to have, I can't part with $300+ for a purse. My current purse is a linen Target slouch that cost me $9.99. Shoes are different. Some shoes are ridiculously overpriced because you're paying for the name (Donald Pliner, Manolo Blahnik, etc.), but I don't mind paying $100+ for a pair of shoes that I know I'm going to use a lot and that I know will last me. I'm probably going to plop down a nice chunk of change for some Dansko clogs before school starts, but I've been told their ridiculously comfortable and last for years.
Originally Posted By bayrr326 Well, trying to get back on topic. The messed up thing for me is that I live about 1 1/2 hours from WDW with a car that gets pretty good gas mileage but if gas gets to the $5-6 range it will probably be a break even proposition if I am going over there for 2 days to spend the night in one of the 3 star hotels I get on priceline or hotwire when I need a hotel. That is just crazy.
Originally Posted By Skellington88 Wait is the Grand Floridan more expensive than the polynesian? I thought they were the same price.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey Gas prices and the recession (or near recession) are making everything more difficult. I'm thinking about making an overnight trip to Biloxi in a few weeks and the gas prices may keep me from going. Driving to WDW from my house would take about 9 hours and at least 3 tanks of gas. Unless you have money to burn on cashmere onesies for your twins (J Lo!), you have to really think about all those little trips. Heck, when I drove from a workshop on one side of town to a workshop on the other side of town today, all I could think was about the gas I was burning.
Originally Posted By sharon2 ^^^Coach is for commoners Nikki!! You're better than them..plus, one can buy them at Marshall's...yes, the off price retailer..I did once buy a cute pair of Joan & David shoes there on clearance for $27. All this talk about gas & the terrible economy is sad...let's get back to fun!!
Originally Posted By barboy ///Coach is for commoners/// So is Dooney & Duck and a lot of white woman in my area have them.
Originally Posted By sharon2 ^^^Yes, white woman are shallow..always trying to buy happiness. True joy comes from within.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> ^^^Yes, white woman are shallow..always trying to buy happiness. << ....and it works for me too.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<All this talk about gas & the terrible economy is sad...let's get back to fun!!>> Unfortunately, too many people in the real world have that 'tude and that's why they're so apathetic and have allowed the mess to transpire. And now our idiot governor (who really wants to be VP badly) has totally flip-flopped and thinks it will be swell to drill for oil off our beaches ... all so that in 2030 we can save a nickel a gallon (if we don't simply allow the oil companies to sell the stuff to other countries ... i.e. exactly where much of Alaska's oil goes). For the first time in my adult life, gas is a factor in whether or not I'll drive up to WDW. That's not a magical thing!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> And now our idiot governor (who really wants to be VP badly) has totally flip-flopped and thinks it will be swell to drill for oil off our beaches ... all so that in 2030 we can save a nickel a gallon (if we don't simply allow the oil companies to sell the stuff to other countries ... i.e. exactly where much of Alaska's oil goes). << Nobody knows for sure how much oil is off of Florida's Gulf, and Atlantic coast. The nickle a gallon is a figure presented by environmentalist, who oppose the use, and drilling of fossil fuels totally. I believe they say ANWR would only lower the price by a penny. For those of you who believe that, look at the spike in oil prices every time there is a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico that could possibly effect the oil riggs off of the Texas, and louisiana coast. Also I suggest you check the years of environmental studies that have been done on these riggs. If you look into why oil is sold to foreign countries all you have to do is look at the distance to Asia rather than some points in the U.S.A.. President Clinton lifted the ban on exporting oil, I believe in 1995. The oil producing States had requested the lifting of this ban (especially Alaska) due to economic reasons. We export in the neighborhod of 0ne million barrels of oil, and oil products a day. Almost none of it is crude. Canada receives approximately 23%, and Mexico 13%. Don't ask me why though. For those of you who don't believe this I suggest you go into google, and research the issue for yourselves. For some of you no answer will be good enough for drilling for fossil fuels. Were you a Jim Davis supporter Spirit? Do you really think that Charlie Crist wants to be part of a ticket that has a really good chance of losing the Presidential race. By the way, most oil rigs are quite a distance off shore, not on the beachs. As a matter of fact I think you will find that China is already drilling off the coast of Florida (at least I think they have started).
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: My sisters and I believe the BEST solution to your problems in America would be to find alternative sources for energy. From what we've been studying over the past several years, there actually HAVE been several different inventors out there who have come up with these alternative choices. But their patents are bought out by your government and then many of their ideas are never presented to the general public. Why? Because the special Interest Groups and Oil Companies don't WANT you to find alternative solutions. They want to KEEP you all dependent on oil for as long as they can get away with it. You're all being led astray by a Shadow government that doesn't care a thing about its people. Ever since the Congress of Vienna back in 1815, America has been under attack by an army of secrety societies that have finally gained the upper hand. Their evil plans were plotted long, long ago--before any of you were born. And now you're seeing the frighening results.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Nobody knows for sure how much oil is off of Florida's Gulf, and Atlantic coast.>> You know what, though, this Spirit could not care less how much (or little) oil is off our coast. The answer that most of our politicians (who often take money from the oil lobby ... let's leave the current administration out because we all kind of know their hands have got crude all over 'em) don't want to face -- and push -- is that we need to drop the oil addiction period. It is a finite resource. One that definitely is getting closer and closer to end game ... and it's not exactly an environmentally great form of energy either. But therein lies a basic problem. Companies like ExxonMobil, Chveron and BP truly decide US energy policy. And they want every last drop squeezed out of the ground, no matter what damage it does, before they cease to have a reason for existing. That may seem simplistic, but it is no less true. We need alternate energy sources and we need them like ... back in the 1980s and 90s. The fact that in 2008 we're more dependent on oil than ever shows that every President, every Congress has let us all down! And it's all about abject greed. <<The nickle a gallon is a figure presented by environmentalist, who oppose the use, and drilling of fossil fuels totally.>> It's pretty widely accepted as is the timeline. <<I believe they say ANWR would only lower the price by a penny. For those of you who believe that, look at the spike in oil prices every time there is a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico that could possibly effect the oil riggs off of the Texas, and louisiana coast.>> Why do I see MPierce pulling his Cadillac with horns on the front into the SouthFork parking lot as I type this? I think the reason for the above is the same reason why we're likely to see $6-7 gas this summer/fall. Speculation. Pure and simple. At some point a storm will stir out 1,400 miles from the nearest gulf rig and oil will spike. Speculators are sickening because they cause so much pain to so many yet have no risk whatsover. I wish my investments worked that way, but I live in the real world. <<For some of you no answer will be good enough for drilling for fossil fuels.>> I am one of those. I remember the energy crises' of the 1970s. And how we all were going to have to change to different energy sources. What has changed in 30 years? Absolutely nothing except my local news is touting $3.97 a gallon gas as 'a bargain' as I type. <<Were you a Jim Davis supporter Spirit? Do you really think that Charlie Crist wants to be part of a ticket that has a really good chance of losing the Presidential race.>> I really don't want to make this a political thread, buddy. But Charlie Crist absolutely wants to be VP. And I don't want to shock you, but I don't think it will be a losing ticket. Things would have to get very, very, very, very, very bad for this country to put an African-American in the White House (with possibly a woman VP)sadly. Racism is still a huge issue and what people say and what they do when they step in the voting box are two different things. <<By the way, most oil rigs are quite a distance off shore, not on the beachs.>> Put 'em on your beaches than, buddy! I don't want them. And most Floridians agree. There's no such thing as environmentally sound drilling as the Alaskan Exxon Valdez disaster proved. I don't want to risk that so we can turn around and sell the oil to Bolivia or Peru (can't put controls on the free market after all!)
Originally Posted By MPierce >> we need to drop the oil addiction period.<< I agree, but that will not happen for years to come. We are still going to need oil 20 years from now. No amount of wishful thinking is going to change that. >> It's pretty widely accepted as is the timeline. << We could argue about that for hours on end. I have a feeling neither one of us would change our mines about the subject. >> Speculators are sickening because they cause so much pain to so many yet have no risk whatsover. << I totally agree. >> Why do I see MPierce pulling his Cadillac with horns on the front into the SouthFork parking lot as I type this? << Man, that would be RedNeck heaven! All of those people drove Mercedes until J.R. finally got that Allante' though. >> Put 'em on your beaches than, buddy! << I could only guess at the number of oil rigs in the Gulf off of the Texas coast. So I guess we already have put them off shore, but not on any beaches. >> There's no such thing as environmentally sound drilling as the Alaskan Exxon Valdez disaster proved. << You are equating a disaster in transportation of oil due to negligence on several peoples part, to the act of drilling. By that reasoning we should stop transporting oil World wide. That might be a very good thing, but not very practical in the near future. >> But Charlie Crist absolutely wants to be VP. And I don't want to shock you, but I don't think it will be a losing ticket. Things would have to get very, very, very, very, very bad for this country to put an African-American in the White House (with possibly a woman VP) << We shall see in November. While alternative forms of energy are desireable, nobody is close to perfecting one yet. We do need affordable energy in some form until we can come up with a solution. I agree with you that the Executive, and Legislative branches of our government from Jimmy Carter until today have been negligent when it comes to alternative energy. As always it was enjoyable speculating, and bantering with you Spirit.
Originally Posted By Socrates The Stone Age didn't end because we ran out of stones. Socrates "The unexamined life is not worth living."
Originally Posted By sharon2 ^^^Correct...we moved on!!! Change comes from neccessity..or however it's spelled.. I'm in the market for a new car but, why bother. The auto industry will hopefully revamp itself to a new energy source in a few years. Hybrids really are not a great saving when you factor in the $5000 cost of the engine. I live in MA we have snow, lots of it, I can't drive a Prius!
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey ^^^^^I definitely plan on buying a Honda Civic hybrid in about three years. I'd love to buy one now, but my finances can't handle a car note right now. The Civic hybrids start around $22,000; if I were to buy another SUV, I'd pay more than that. Depending on the amount of miles you drive, the higher price of the hybrid may work out to be a non-factor. I figure I'd get double the gas mileage from a hybrid, and I'd only have to fill up about twice a month as opposed to four times a month, saving me roughly $100 a month at current gas prices. Plus, it's better for the environment.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> we need to drop the oil addiction period.<< <<I agree, but that will not happen for years to come. We are still going to need oil 20 years from now. No amount of wishful thinking is going to change that.>> Nope. That's right. But see we knew this was coming ... we knew this decades ago. Let's say we actually planned for a future with limited or no reliance on fossil fules back in 1978. By now, we wouldn't need it and we wouldn't be in the mess we're now in. We're like a heroin addict looking for our next fix. And it's sickening to me that our leaders (most all of them) answer is simply 'let's look under that rock, maybe there's more there' ... >> It's pretty widely accepted as is the timeline. << <<We could argue about that for hours on end. I have a feeling neither one of us would change our mines about the subject.>> Perhaps, but you're one of the few folks I think I could have a rational, adult debate with regarding things like this ... and at the end still want to sit down and share a supream pizza with! ;-) >> Why do I see MPierce pulling his Cadillac with horns on the front into the SouthFork parking lot as I type this? << <<Man, that would be RedNeck heaven! All of those people drove Mercedes until J.R. finally got that Allante' though.>> Did they? I thought old Jock used to drive a Lincoln. And poor old Cliff Barnes never had a Benz, at least that I can recall. >> There's no such thing as environmentally sound drilling as the Alaskan Exxon Valdez disaster proved. << <<You are equating a disaster in transportation of oil due to negligence on several peoples part, to the act of drilling. By that reasoning we should stop transporting oil World wide. That might be a very good thing, but not very practical in the near future.>> What I am saying is one thing directly led to another. If we hadn't been drilling there to begin with, then the drunk wouldn't have been piloting that tanker and that horrific spill wouldn't have happened. I don't know if you've ever been to Alaska, but it is one of the most amazing places on earth. It's magnificent in such an amazing way ...and no, Cindy's Castle or even the Tree of Life just don't compare. We've ruined or come damn close almost every area of natural beauty in our nation ... I, myself, live literally spitting distance from the Everglades in a beautiful upscale community that NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUILT because it was all natural wetlands that provided a buffer from the Glades to civilization. Now, there really is none. You have million dollar homes, a nicely landscaped berm and BAM the Everglades. It sure was great for land developers, but at what price? Alaska can forever be pristine. And it should. <<While alternative forms of energy are desireable, nobody is close to perfecting one yet. We do need affordable energy in some form until we can come up with a solution. I agree with you that the Executive, and Legislative branches of our government from Jimmy Carter until today have been negligent when it comes to alternative energy.>> I'd go back even further, all the way to Nixon. But all I remember from Carter (and please realize I was a young kid in the 70s) is his answers were put your AC on 78 degrees (mine is always on 72, sorry, us Spirits likes it cool) and drive 55. We have been let down from one adminstration to the next from one generation to the next. The answer isn't to simply let the oil industry do whatever it pleases and maybe in 2018 or 2034 or 2076 we can address the real issue when there absolutely is no oil left. Maybe the Mars Observer should be digging for oil up there instead of ice!!! <<As always it was enjoyable speculating, and bantering with you Spirit.>> Likewise! <
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<The Stone Age didn't end because we ran out of stones.>> WOW! Heavy, dude. And likely the wisest comment I've heard here in quite a while.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< We're like a heroin addict looking for our next fix. >>> What's sad is that even if we don't want to kick our addiction to heroin (i.e. energy), and want to continue to run our A/C's at 72 (that's what mine's set to BTW), we could have at least over the past 30 years made the investment so that we had alternate sources of heroin that were more healthy and would never run out. But we didn't. In addition to wanting to maintain and expand the addiction, we insisted that it be done in the absolutely cheapest short-term way (in order to Increase Shareholder Value, btw).
