LINING UP FOR GAS in Nashville. “People have panicked and there hasn’t really been a calming voice. Until this morning, most of the media (new and traditional) has exacerbated the problem.”

UPDATE: Atlanta, too. Part of the problem seems to involve people topping up tanks out of panic that gas will run out. If everyone does that, gas does run out, even if there’s no shortage to begin with.

Plus, praise for Phil Valentine.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Bob Krumm emails: “It’s true that of the five gas stations I saw today, four were out of fuel and one had a line. However, if people would stop topping off their tanks when they have 5/8ths there wouldn’t be a problem. I figure that by the time I need gas, everyone else will have filled up. (I hope).”

And reader Mark McCarthy reports gas shortages in Asheville, N.C., too.