We can't realistically call it good news, this slowing and even slight dropping of the rampaging gasoline prices. But getting back on the downside of $4 a gallon is a bit of encouragement.
Will it last? Will it go down some more? Is the gasoline panic coming to an end?
Our answers, hardly profound or stimulating, are don't know, maybe and no.
The impact of Americans driving less and going to more economical vehicles has really just begun so this can be affecting the oil market to any large degree. The trend, though, may be a factor, and that's good. If the soaring oil price is due to greediness and foreigners milking the silly Americans for all they can, these folks could be seeing some handwriting on the wall, although they will surely deny that.
Our take today is that the gloomy prediction of $5 gasoline by Labor Day is wrong. It won't take place. What could happen is the price may yo-yo some in the next few weeks, bouncing back up from this slight lull and drop that we have now. Stations around Faulkner County are selling unleaded for something around $3.89, and this could easily creep back to $3.99 or even a bit higher before the end of summer.
Hope is eternal, supposedly, and wouldn't it be nice for gas to slide back even more, say $3.75 by Labor Day? Golly, this is ridiculous. We used to fill a tank for $3.75 instead of paying that much just for a gallon.
One thing we find amusing is the folks who chase around for gasoline a penny or two cheaper than a station close to them. Everyone, or most everyone, likes a bargain, but is it beneficial to drive a half-dozen extra miles to save 30 cents on a fill-up? We don't think so.
America's love affair with motor vehicles hasn't ended, but it had already changed quite a bit before this gasoline price thing slapped us squarely between the eyes.
Young people can't appreciate what a filling station was.
For several generations, a filling station was an institution in many neighborhoods and communities and towns. The tall sign out front may have said Texaco or Esso, but the place was more likely known as Bob's or Jimmy's or Hank's. If you live close by and traded at the filling station regularly, you and the owner or manager were on a first name basis.
You drove in and stayed behind the wheel as you shut off the motor and told the attendant to "fill 'er up" or "give me $2 worth." The attendant didn't ask but immediately started cleaning the windshield as he or a helper got the gas flowing. "Check under the hood?" came next. Then "Want me to check those tires?"
All this came gratis with the purchase of the gasoline.
At many stations, the attendant pulled a whisk broom from a rear pocket and swept out the floorboards inside unless you told him not to bother. The attendant often told you that a fan belt was getting frayed or a radiator hose was cracking.
Sometimes you came in before work, told the attendant you needed an oil change and lube and "can you run me to the office?" Sure. You were taken to work then the vehicle was returned at noon or whenever you instructed it to be brought back.
Some filling stations ran a tab for trustworthy customers. They also took oil company credit cards in those times before MasterCard,Visa or bank debit cards.
Those days faded. We rushed headlong into the era of "big box stores," and "C stores" replaced the filling stations. No one came out to meet you any more. You pumped the gas yourself, wiped the windshield unless you were in a hurry, and the hood stayed shut. The attendant didn't move from behind the counter inside the store.
