ANNOUNCED JUST RECENTLY, CITGO, BEING AWARE THAT SALES ARE DOWN DUE TO U.S. (CUSTOMERS NOT WANTING TO BUY FROM "CHAVEZ"), HAVE STARTED TO CHANGE THE NAME OF SOME OF THEIR STORES, TO: "PETRO EXPRESS"

DO NOT BUY FROM CITGO OR "PETRO EXPRESS"

"PETRO EXPRESS" IS ALSO 100% OWNED BY "CHAVEZ" Now, per The Charlotte Observer dated October 17, "Petro Express Incorporated, Charlotte, NC, is phasing out Citgo Petroleum Cooperation gasoline. By next year, the company will no longer sell the brand."

More and more public outcries against Citgo have brought about this change. Citgo, the "refining arm of Venezuelan national oil company PDVSA, has become the subject of a growing boycott in the Untied States since Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez referred to the president as ‘the devil’ in a United Nations speech."

Obviously, public opinion counts.

That is why it is crucial for grassroots’ opinion to express itself loudly and clearly. Because of the response against Chavez and Citgo, changes are being made to benefit freedom-loving people.

"Petro Express hasn't cited global politics as the reason for the change, but the brand is disappearing from 45 of its 66 locations this year. The company joins convenience store giant 7-Eleven, which this month dumped Citgo at its 2,100 locations."

It is interesting to note that entities responding to public outcries often don’t accept the outcries as having anything to do with the changes. However, logic points to the reality that outcries have everything to do with the changes.

"Dallas-based 7-Eleven said it had a change in the works for several years, but noted in a written statement that ‘regardless of politics, we sympathize with many Americans' concern over derogatory comments about our country.’

"Petro Express announced last week an ongoing remodeling of its locations and called the changes ‘renewed emphasis on the Petro Express brand.’

"’We have chosen to market the Petro Express fuel brand in lieu of any national brand,’ the company said in a written statement. The statement did not mention Citgo. Petro Express spokesman Simon Moye didn't return repeated telephone calls from the Observer."

But what about Citgo’s public relations effort of providing millions of gallons of discounted heating oil to the poor in various states? This has surely brought a happy face to Citgo, and thus to Chavez.

These states have included New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont. However, at present, some areas are no longer reaching out to Chavez’s gift giving.

"Maine Gov. John Baldacci, who approved an agreement last winter to buy discounted oil, said he had no plans this year to seek a similar arrangement. In Boston, a City Council member wants a landmark Citgo sign near Fenway Park taken down and replaced with an American flag.

"In Florida, a lawmaker asked the state to cancel Citgo's exclusive contract to sell fuel at turnpike service stations.

"And some Alaskan villages recently refused free heating oil from Venezuela, on the patriotic principle that no foreigner has the right to call their president ‘the devil.’

Yes. Public opinion does count. But it must be expressed. Keeping it under wraps does no good whatsoever. It’s getting the message out from the home site to the globe’s ears that counts.