You had to know this was coming.
A U.S. group has founded a new chain of gas stations across the country. But these are unlike any others motorists will pass on the road.
The reason? They all guarantee they will be selling products made solely from "terror-free oil."
The fuel pumped at the outlets will come almost exclusively from the U.S. and Canada, bypassing any crude shipments from countries in the Middle East.
Any nation that openly shows it doesn't support terrorism can supply the gas for the stations, but the
"Terror Free Oil Initiative" that started the idea will be vigilant about keeping all other sources out.
"We believe that we are financing our own demise by purchasing crude oil from the Middle East," explains the group's Joe Kaufman. "We'd like to avert another 9/11 if possible."
It may seem naïve to believe a small number of stations can keep that from happening, but there may also be another big flaw in the premise.
Gas suppliers admit they can't always tell where the oil they're using in their products actually originated.
Sinclair Oil, which will be supplying much of the initial gas for the chain, agrees most of the petrol will come from North America - but some is also bought on the world markets. And the products are frequently mixed together.
"It's a basket of crude oil," contends spokesman Dalton Kehlbeck. "We cannot be sure where the conglomeration of the product comes from."
The first station opened Thursday in Omaha, Nebraska with more to follow across the country.
Will drivers go for the idea? It's too soon to know, but if history is any indication it's not patriotism that drives this market - it's price.
And whoever winds up with the best one usually emerges the winner.
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