How would you recommend responding to these people? Or is it pointless?

I just jumped over to the Digg thread where this article is being discussed. Look at that, and fear for what we are up against. A sampling of comments:

this is complete propaganda. if you believe this crap your dumb. Why is Exxon making records profits. and where were these summer/winter blends in 1998 or earlier?when gas was 1.09 a gallon. why have gas prices just skyrocketed since the war?? dont just stop at this little report about it, continue to research oil and gas and im sure you'll stumble upon some hard to take truth.

well despite the reasons behind the price increases the best way to drive the prices down is to purchase the cheapest gas around, so by forcing higher priced stations to compete with lower competitors will drive the cost down.

Show me any other year where the seasonal fluctuation is over 90 cents per gallon. Until gasoline refining is nationalized we will always face these kinds of price gougings.

Don't the refineries own calendars? Last time I checked, summer comes at the same time every year. You'd think they'd be able to figure that out by now.

Summer blend my ass!

I didn't rtfa, but I am pissed off that these scumbag thieves (big oil) can take gas from 2.20 to 2.80 in Three ****ing weeks.

While this article clearly states the variations in winter and summer gasoline, I'll clairify it very simpler for you in a way that the oil companies never wish you to hear, but know about anyways. First of all, Menthol Hydrate is used in winter gasoline and since many people don't drive pleasureably in winter, the only way to do it is to reduce the price in order to get people on the go.

Menthol Hydrate? Is it any wonder that educating people on energy is such an uphill struggle? This the mindset of the majority of Americans, and our politicians are trying to pander to this sort of nonsense. That's why our energy policy is so screwed up. The one comment just typified the average person: I didn't read the article, but I am going to share my uninformed opinion anyway.