thedrifter
09-17-07, 03:33 PM
Politics at the pump
Citing Citgo-Chavez link, some won’t fill up at exchange stations
By Patricia Kime - pkime@militarytimes.com
Posted : September 24, 2007
A number of Marine Corps service stations sell gas manufactured by Citgo, the controversial company whose profits support the Venezuelan government.
Through an arrangement with the Naval Exchange Service Command, 18 Marine Corps Exchange gas stations sell Citgo gas.
Citgo’s dividends — $697 million in 2005 — go to the government of President Hugo Chavez, a socialist known for his anti-American rhetoric and for likening President Bush to the devil in a 2006 speech before the U.N. General Assembly.
Most recently, Chavez announced Aug. 19 that Venezuela is buying more than 2,000 Russian-made sniper rifles to defend his country against U.S. “imperialism.”
During his speech, Chavez said the rifles would have night-vision goggles, and switching to English, he added, “Because I’m going to see you in the night, too. Boom!” He then mimicked shooting U.S. service members.
Citgo has long been criticized by conservative groups and Internet pundits for its ties to Chavez.
But it also has been praised as a company that employs Americans, paid $298 million in corporate taxes in 2004 and provided 25 million gallons of low-cost heating oil to poor residents in New York and New England in 2006.
And the Navy says the company provides good value for its customers. “We are about giving our customer the best price and most reliable supply of gasoline. For 17 years, Citgo has helped us do that,” NExCom spokesman Phil Garcia said in December.
The command has 53 gas stations that sell the Citgo brand and has a contract with 18 of 34 Marine Corps Exchange stations to do so.
Garcia said the Navy’s two major contracts with Citgo will expire in 2008 and 2010, and will be rebid. If good relations continue with Citgo, it will be allowed to compete for the new contracts, he said.
Marine Corps Exchange gas stations are supported mainly through contracts with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service and NEXCom, said Bryan Driver, a spokesman for the Personnel and Family Readiness Division at Manpower and Reserve Affairs in Quantico, Va.
The gas stations that sell Citgo are at Quantico; Camp Allen, Va.; Marine Corps Air Stations New River and Cherry Point, and Camp Lejeune, N.C.; MCAS Beaufort and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C.; MCAS Miramar and MCRD San Diego.
Following last November’s “devil” speech by Chavez at the United Nations, the conservative advocacy group American Family Association specifically called on the Navy to stop selling Citgo gas.
“Chavez is pushing a socialist revolution and has a close alliance with Cuban dictator Fidel Castro,” AFA chairman Don Wildmon said. “Why should U.S. citizens who love freedom be financing a dictator who has vowed to take down our government?”
Some sailors say they support that ban. Cmdr. Brian Berryman, a physician who serves at Naval Support Activity Millington, Tenn., said he buys his gas off base and will continue to do so until the Navy’s contract expires or it switches suppliers.
“It amazes me that we are doing business with a government so critical of the United States,” Berryman said Sept. 5.
But others don’t see the point of a boycott. Aviation Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Ravinder Singh, of San Jose, wrote Military Times to say that boycotts of products made in countries perceived as hostile to the U.S. could cripple the U.S. economy.
“Since many people believe Saudi Arabia is a secret harbor state for terrorism because of its perceived ties to the 9/11 attacks, we boycott its oil. Then, we boycott China because it’s a communist state that is using our money to boost its military might with the ultimate goal of U.S. defeat. Next, we boycott Mexico because it’s the biggest source of illegal immigration. ... Inflation begins to grow, and the price of goods continues to climb. ... The stock market collapses and the economy is decimated,” Singh wrote.
Citgo employs 4,000 Americans nationwide, and another 100,000 people work at Citgo brand gas stations. Of NEXCom’s $378 million in total gas sales in 2005, more than nearly 40 percent — $160 million — were Citgo gas.
In 2006, 7-Eleven announced it would stop selling Citgo gas, although a company spokeswoman said the move was unrelated to Chavez’s politics.
NEXCom is the only military exchange service that has contracts with Citgo. The Army and Air Force Exchange System has contracts with 26 other fuel companies in the U.S. and overseas.
The Coast Guard Exchange System also does not do business with Citgo, spokeswoman Angela Hirsch said Aug. 24.
Chris Amos contributed to this report.
Ellie
Citing Citgo-Chavez link, some won’t fill up at exchange stations
By Patricia Kime - pkime@militarytimes.com
Posted : September 24, 2007
A number of Marine Corps service stations sell gas manufactured by Citgo, the controversial company whose profits support the Venezuelan government.
Through an arrangement with the Naval Exchange Service Command, 18 Marine Corps Exchange gas stations sell Citgo gas.
Citgo’s dividends — $697 million in 2005 — go to the government of President Hugo Chavez, a socialist known for his anti-American rhetoric and for likening President Bush to the devil in a 2006 speech before the U.N. General Assembly.
Most recently, Chavez announced Aug. 19 that Venezuela is buying more than 2,000 Russian-made sniper rifles to defend his country against U.S. “imperialism.”
During his speech, Chavez said the rifles would have night-vision goggles, and switching to English, he added, “Because I’m going to see you in the night, too. Boom!” He then mimicked shooting U.S. service members.
Citgo has long been criticized by conservative groups and Internet pundits for its ties to Chavez.
But it also has been praised as a company that employs Americans, paid $298 million in corporate taxes in 2004 and provided 25 million gallons of low-cost heating oil to poor residents in New York and New England in 2006.
And the Navy says the company provides good value for its customers. “We are about giving our customer the best price and most reliable supply of gasoline. For 17 years, Citgo has helped us do that,” NExCom spokesman Phil Garcia said in December.
The command has 53 gas stations that sell the Citgo brand and has a contract with 18 of 34 Marine Corps Exchange stations to do so.
Garcia said the Navy’s two major contracts with Citgo will expire in 2008 and 2010, and will be rebid. If good relations continue with Citgo, it will be allowed to compete for the new contracts, he said.
Marine Corps Exchange gas stations are supported mainly through contracts with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service and NEXCom, said Bryan Driver, a spokesman for the Personnel and Family Readiness Division at Manpower and Reserve Affairs in Quantico, Va.
The gas stations that sell Citgo are at Quantico; Camp Allen, Va.; Marine Corps Air Stations New River and Cherry Point, and Camp Lejeune, N.C.; MCAS Beaufort and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C.; MCAS Miramar and MCRD San Diego.
Following last November’s “devil” speech by Chavez at the United Nations, the conservative advocacy group American Family Association specifically called on the Navy to stop selling Citgo gas.
“Chavez is pushing a socialist revolution and has a close alliance with Cuban dictator Fidel Castro,” AFA chairman Don Wildmon said. “Why should U.S. citizens who love freedom be financing a dictator who has vowed to take down our government?”
Some sailors say they support that ban. Cmdr. Brian Berryman, a physician who serves at Naval Support Activity Millington, Tenn., said he buys his gas off base and will continue to do so until the Navy’s contract expires or it switches suppliers.
“It amazes me that we are doing business with a government so critical of the United States,” Berryman said Sept. 5.
But others don’t see the point of a boycott. Aviation Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Ravinder Singh, of San Jose, wrote Military Times to say that boycotts of products made in countries perceived as hostile to the U.S. could cripple the U.S. economy.
“Since many people believe Saudi Arabia is a secret harbor state for terrorism because of its perceived ties to the 9/11 attacks, we boycott its oil. Then, we boycott China because it’s a communist state that is using our money to boost its military might with the ultimate goal of U.S. defeat. Next, we boycott Mexico because it’s the biggest source of illegal immigration. ... Inflation begins to grow, and the price of goods continues to climb. ... The stock market collapses and the economy is decimated,” Singh wrote.
Citgo employs 4,000 Americans nationwide, and another 100,000 people work at Citgo brand gas stations. Of NEXCom’s $378 million in total gas sales in 2005, more than nearly 40 percent — $160 million — were Citgo gas.
In 2006, 7-Eleven announced it would stop selling Citgo gas, although a company spokeswoman said the move was unrelated to Chavez’s politics.
NEXCom is the only military exchange service that has contracts with Citgo. The Army and Air Force Exchange System has contracts with 26 other fuel companies in the U.S. and overseas.
The Coast Guard Exchange System also does not do business with Citgo, spokeswoman Angela Hirsch said Aug. 24.
Chris Amos contributed to this report.
Ellie