This time it’s certainly not something we would have expected. This is something it’s common to just accept and move on. But this shortage, this one is big. Its use covers everything from personal use to corporations. This one could be worse than Covid. With appreciation for Raw Story:
Panic spread Saturday as reports suggest that the “next supply-chain headache” could reach the United States soon – one sparked by President Donald Trump’s war against Iran that may risk causing widespread shortages of a critical product used regularly by most Americans.
That product is motor oil, an essential lubricating fluid required to keep anything with an engine – namely vehicles – functioning properly, and outlets such as Yahoo Autos, Axios, and others have reported this week on how the U.S. war against Iran may soon bring a shortage of the critical product to U.S. shores.
Well, now, that’s disturbing. This, on top of gas prices, could soon cause a major problem for America. Think of all the places you drive, especially if nothing else than drive to work and handle errands along the way. Trying to be efficient and do as little as possible. We already have the question of gas or food. It may soon be a bigger problem than just at the gas pump. Automobile engines need oil, and how are we supposed to get it changed when the shortage hits? Just like gasoline, the cost of an oil change will be through the roof.
“Lubricating fluids are the new toilet paper,” warned Timothy Dooner, a radio host and podcaster, writing in a social media post on X Saturday in response to the latest report about a potential motor oil shortage, referencing the widespread toilet paper shortages seen at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dooner was responding to a report of an alleged internal memo from the auto parts seller AutoZone. Reported on by the automotive news outlet Carscoops, the alleged memo warns of an impending shortage of lubricating fluids. While its authenticity has not been verified, its contents are consistent with what experts have increasingly warned about.
We all know and like AutoZone. They have everything we need for our cars. They’re a big corporation, so for them to be warning about a shortage is not hearsay. The comparison of motor oil to the toilet paper mess made me giggle. That is a ray of light for what’s coming. A shortage would certainly be equal to the paper goods shortage. And now, I can’t get to Google. That’s going to make other things challenging. Does it count as a Google shortage? [Turns out our internet was down.]
“Actual shortages are starting to appear,” warned Amanda Hay, the global lead for the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association, speaking with Axios in its report Friday.
Other outlets, such as The Drive, reported this week on an alleged internal bulletin distributed to “Toyota service departments with instructions on rationing motor oil stocks due to an impending shortage.”
Responding to the potential of an impending motor oil shortage, the progressive political news outlet The Intellectualist laid the blame squarely on Trump. “Trump’s policies are responsible for shortages and economic despair,” reads a statement from the outlet written on X to its nearly 300,000 followers.
And journalist and author Mike Freeman, whose experience includes writing for USA TODAY and CBS Sports, expressed his own concern over the potential shortage with two words: “oh boy.”
Shortages and economic despair. Well, *that’s* an understatement. We know what Trump said before he left for China. He doesn’t care about the people. He only “cares” about Iran and a nuke. (And his grifts.) It’s so obvious to everyone but him that he damn well needs to do whatever to get the Strait of Hormuz open again. We lost. He has to know we lost. But instead of genuinely trying to make a peace treaty, he acts as if America has the power we don’t have anymore. We’re looking at a lubricant shortage coming down the pike. I shouldn’t ask, but seriously, what’s next? What is going to add on to what we’re already groaning under the weight? Because Trump doesn’t care.
See you soon!
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The grass is growing. That means millions of lawns that are mowed by gas powered lawn mowers (with touch up trimmers that use gas/oil fuel mix) that go through a fair amount during the season won’t be operating. Not nearly enough electric models of either are available to make up for the problem and I’ll bet if you check places that sell them prices have already been jacked up! And same for extra battery packs which those who have large yards would need!