Recent Comments

1. about 14 hours ago on B.C.

   Two forms of Tyranny: That of the few and that of the many. The Revolutionary War was fought against the former, while the Constitution hedged the latter. Basic American History/Government…

2. about 14 hours ago on Pearls Before Swine

   As if on cue, see today’s (12OCT24) Dogs of C-Kennel!

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3. 1 day ago on Pearls Before Swine

   And then Pig turns off the TV, spurring the infotainment industry to go back to addicting sensationalism…

4. 1 day ago on Pickles

   Another might be:" Well. At least he didn’t impale himself…"

5. 3 days ago on WuMo

   MAGA vetting process… #RVAT

6. 6 days ago on Pearls Before Swine

   I LOVE how you’ve categorized them! You all, also, have the system with a Prime Minister, which has advantages and disadvantages. In this case, it’s certainly an advantage. In our Presidential system, we’ve allowed the office of the President to accumulate too much power over the past century and the past 20 years, in particular.

7. 7 days ago on Pearls Before Swine

   UGH… Historiographer, here. With two parties, the winner has the support of about half of the population. When a third party steps in, the winner represents, by default, a minority (about one-third). In US history, this is seldom a good thing.

8. 9 days ago on Pearls Before Swine

   Yes, you’re right, but I’m referring to the actual wholesale price. In this case it was what Union 76 (now, part of Phillips 66) was charging the station owner. Station owners only make a few cents per gallon – the refineries know how much the market of a particular station will bear and charge accordingly to maximize they’re profits.

9. 10 days ago on Pearls Before Swine

   HATE it when I have to stick up for a sleazy industry, but this just points to the fact that Mr Pastis hasn’t worked in a corporation – not dig, because I’m envious. I worked for two that had to be competitively priced, without giving away the farm (both had REALLY narrow margins). There’re three obvious means of checking what one’s competitor is up to: loss of sales; customer complaints; and, just plain LOOKING. Oil companies don’t need to collude because all of these work for them.

   The really interesting part is how they price gas to different stations. I lived in north San Diego County – about 90 miles from the LA refineries. He paid twice what his friend with a station in Blythe (240 miles away) did. These markets are old and established, so companies know what a local market will bear. AND, when you hate the price at your local station, member, they’re making almost nothing off of gas – it’s service and snacks where they make their money.

10. 13 days ago on Speed Bump

    Have one just like that. Snuck out, ONCE, found the dog, next door, and will not repeat that error. Stands vigil at doors left open, like “DON’T THEY KNOW THERE’S A DOG OUT THERE!?!”