1- I don't argue that there is a price lag between the rise in the price of crude oil and the retail price at the pump. I would imagine it to be even more than a month but don't you find it ironic that when the price of crude goes up, there is an almost immediate rise at the pump or am I and everyone else dreaming?

2- I never said that diesel didn't have more energy per gallon however it didn't just begin to have more energy per gallon recently, It had more energy per gallon also when it sold for 1/3 less than gasoline now it is 1/3 more. Where is the justification there?

3-I never said that you get 42 gals of gas from a barrel of oil. Please re read my post

Here is what I said
A barrel of oil is 42 gals. Assuming that you actually get 42 gals. from a barrel of crude WHICH YOU DO NOT, that would make the cost $3.33 a gal coming out of the ground.

I also didn't say that the margin of profit on a barrel of oil is .67
What I said is that when you factor in the cost of getting it onto a tanker, the cost of transportation, off loading, refining, delivery etc. it is hard to believe that it could only be .67 total.
Look at the record profits posted by the oil companies every quarter. Where have all those profits come from?

4-Yes, I never argued if live in a free market or not. Like you, I too try to get the most for my dollar. I merely point out that it is the government on all levels that stated they would prevent gouging. If 2 stations in the same town price ther fuel with a dollar difference, I call that gouging.
I defend the stations right to sell for whatever they wish. I only state that the government said that it would protect the consumer from these practices.