The Internet has become a wondrous communication tool - you can literally send a message to someone on another part of the planet nearly instantaneously. The advent of electronic mail has helped communications, and some would rightly argue hinder communication with unwanted messages and spam.

Anyone that has a computer, access to the Internet and an email account has forwarded a funny, sad or inspiring story to their friends. Many hoaxes and "urban legends" gain strength and momentum through the passing of email. You take the good with the bad, and just like life, you hope it all balances out in the end.

We received an interesting forwarded email this week suggesting some good old fashioned rebellion, this time against high gasoline prices. Here's the email:

Don't buy gas on Sept. 1

It has been calculated that if everyone in the United States and Canada did not purchase a drop of gasoline for one day and all at the same time, the oil companies would choke on their stockpiles.

At the same time it would hit the entire industry with a net loss of over 4.6 billion dollars which affects the bottom lines of the oil companies.

Therefore September 1st  has been formally declared "Don't Buy Gas" day and the people of these two nations should not buy a single drop of gasoline that day.

The only way this can be done is if you forward this e-mail to as many people as you can and as quickly as you can to get the word out.

Waiting on the government to step in and control the prices is not going to happen. What happened to the reduction and control in prices that the Arab nations promised two weeks ago?

Remember one thing, not only is the price of gasoline going up but at the same time airlines are forced to raise their prices, trucking companies are forced to raise their prices which effects prices on everything that is shipped. Things like food, clothing, building materials, medical supplies etc. Who pays in the end? We do!

We can make a difference. If they don't get the message after one day, we will do it again and again.

So do your part and spread the word. Forward this email to everyone you know. Mark your calendars and make September 1st a day that the citizens of the United States and Canada say "enough is enough."

I realize that you are reading this on the evening of the first, or on the second, if you get your paper in the mail. I share this message with you because I feel that the original author is correct in the basic idea behind this one day boycott. It's a wonderful, reckless swipe at authority, the kind of righteous cause that you have to admire, but know is doomed to fail.

But what if it worked?

As always, I welcome your comments. You can reach me by email at tstangl@lemarscomm.net, telephone 712-546-7031, x40 or toll free 1-800-728-0066 x40.

Thanks for reading, I'll keep in touch. Feel free to do the same.