[Leanan]

Well, not really, but her column deals with high gas prices today:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'D')EAR ABBY: I was sitting with a friend today, and we began talking about the rising gas prices. After a few minutes she said, "Why don't Americans do what they do in Europe?"

I asked her what that was, and she told me that Europeans take a regular day off from driving -- which not only saves gas but also brings families closer together. What an excellent idea for people here in the United States.

I think it is a simple solution to a growing problem and could make a huge difference. Do you think this is possible? -- JIM H., NAPLES, FLA.

DEAR JIM H.: I certainly do. When people are determined enough, anything is possible. We may not be able to control gas prices, but we can decide how we want to spend our money. For those who need to economize, walking, riding bicycles, ride-sharing and public transportation are sensible solutions.

[Raxozanne]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Leanan', '
')Do they really do that in Europe? Does everyone take the same day off, or do they stagger it?

[smiley]

We used to have those days during the oil crisis. On Sunday no-one was allowed to drive.

In recent years people have been trying to revive those days on a voluntary basis, with mixed success. In some towns it worked pretty well, but it was IMO mainly due to the fact that the towns organized festivities in order to celebrate the no-driving day and everyone was too drunk to even contemplate getting behind the wheel of anything other than a bicycle.

Now that I think of it that actually might be a good idea to cut driving. Lower the legal alcohol limit and the taxes on alcohol.

[crow]

Let's pick someone in our group and write her a letter about peakoil?!

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '"')Dear Abby,

I have a growing concern about a problem recently brougt to my attention called peak oil which will probably cause a massive die-off in the next few years including your sorry ass. How can I go about surviving without turning to cannibalism?"

[Leanan]

LOL! Now that might be energy-efficient use of ethanol.