Two things happened today:

1. I received another "boycott Exxon/Mobil on May __ to force them to lower gas prices" e-mail today.

2. I read a great opinion piece about the topic over on Daily Fuel Economy Tip (article here).

Here's my additional comments on the matter.

A boycott? How do you boycott something by changing the day you purchase it? That's not a boycott, it's simply a switcheroo (not a word. Yet). If Exxon/Mobil normally earns $11-ty billion each day, but instead earns $0 billion on Monday and $22-ty billion on Tuesday, will anyone be worse for wear?

Another example: when Don Imus was in trouble but still employed consumers call the advertisers for his program, threatening to never buy their products or services again until they ceased sponsoring his show. What if consumers called and said "No one will buy necessary products from you tomorrow, but instead we'll all be desperate and spend our money with you two days from now!" Would they really feel threatened?

If you want to truly boycott, send a message that says "I will not use your products and services until you change X, Y, and Z." That means you would need to make sacrifices, not change your schedule. To boycott gas companies, STOP USING FUEL. Put your Hummer in the garage and ride your bike, or take public transportation (the buses run the same routes anyway, so you'll not be using more gas than when you don't ride the bus). Ride with your neighbor.

This really isn't that hard to figure out. I'm reiterating what a lot of other people have said. But the idea that this would work is absolutely absurd, and I felt inclined to pass along my frustrated thoughts about the matter. Seriously guys, it's common sense.