Text of email

UPDATE: Although latter-day versions of this email cite a Saudi boycott of U.S. goods instead of terrorism as the main justification for boycotting oil companies importing Saudi/Middle Eastern oil, the main arguments against its accuracy, propriety and effectiveness still hold.

It's perfectly understandable that people are willing to jump at any apparent opportunity to take action against such a diffuse and intangible menace as terrorism, but this is not a promising avenue. Here's why:

1. It's a chain letter

Sure, there are plenty of credulous folks quick to click their Forward buttons every time an email touting a worthy-sounding cause lands in their inbox, but that doesn't mean they'll follow through with action — and action is of the essence, if we're to take these messages at their word.

Previous experience (e.g., with the infamous "Gas Out" chain letters of 1999, 2000 and 2001) has shown that even when chain letters circulate globally and win international media attention, their real-world effectiveness is negligible.

2. It's off-target

The boycott is based on the false assumption that all oil-producing countries in the Middle East fund or otherwise support terrorism. It would punish enemies and allies alike.

3. The facts and figures are simply wrong

According to DOE statistics (and taking mergers/acquisitions into account), only three of the companies lauded in these messages for allegedly not importing Middle Eastern oil actually belong on that list: Sinclair, Sunoco and Hess. All the other companies mentioned do, in fact, use varying amounts of petroleum imported from the Gulf region.

Therefore, to completely avoid buying gasoline made from Arab oil, a diligent consumer must refuel only at Sinclair, Sunoco and Hess service stations. Now, I don't know how readily available these brands are in your part of the country, but where I live I'd have to use up several tanks of "terrorism supporting" fuel just to find one of those stations. And that seems a wee bit counterproductive.

The bottom line is that this chain letter is so misinformed and misguided that it defeats its own purpose. To succeed, a boycott must be well thought out, organized and based on sound information. This effort fails on every count.

Sources and further reading:

DOE: Oil Imports by Company/Country
Raw data compiled by the U.S Department of Energy

Making a Political Statement at the Gas Pump
Christian Science Monitor, 4 Nov 2002

Cyber 'Gas Out' Protest Loses Fire at Pump
Associated Press, 30 April 1999

Internet-Fueled Gas Boycott Fizzles Around Bay Area
SF Chronicle, 1 May 1999

Reno Motorists Can't Shun Gas
Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2 May 1999

Last updated: 03/14/05