An e-mail making the rounds taps into Americans’ desire to do something about the war on terrorism. It’s been around for a few years, but the message is increasingly enticing as gasoline prices continue to rise. In part, it says:

“Every time you fill up the car, you can avoid putting more money into the coffers of Saudi Arabia. Just buy from gas companies that don’t import their oil from the Saudis. Nothing is more frustrating than the feeling that every time I fill up the tank, I am sending my money to people who are trying to kill me, my family and my friends.”

The unknown author goes on to list the oil companies that import oil from the Middle East and those that do not. The author then implores recipients to forward the e-mail to at least 10 other people, noting that in a matter of eight short days 300 million people will have been contacted and the offending oil companies can be brought to their knees.

Well, how great is that? Americans can fight terrorist enemies and the only possible inconvenience is to switch gas stations. Too good to be true, right? Right.

The urban legend Web site snopes.com thoroughly debunks the e-mail. First off, the list of “friendly” oil companies is erroneous; most of them do import gasoline from the Middle East. But even if they didn’t, a participating motorist could unknowingly purchase gasoline from one of the “enemies,” because companies sell it to each other after importation. In other words, consumers can’t gauge the origin of the gasoline just by looking at the station’s logo.

If massive numbers of Americans undertook such a boycott, the “friendly” stations would be overwhelmed, which would result in long lines. To meet the demand, the “allies” would have to buy from the “enemies,” who would probably jack up the price.

It’s a gross overstatement to say that all Middle Easterners who profit from oil are trying to kill us, but oil profits have been known to finance terrorists. If Americans really want to do something about that, there is a legitimate step they can take right now: buy less gasoline.

That’s the message being sent by such national security stalwarts as Frank Gaffney, Robert McFarlane and James Woolsey. They are urging national leaders to pass laws that will result in meaningful conservation, along with the exploration of alternative fuel sources. Buying less gasoline would lessen the nation’s dependence on foreign oil and thus strengthen national security. Of course, that would mean that Americans would have to sacrifice by either driving less, buying smaller cars, car-pooling or taking mass transit.

The underlying message of the bogus e-mail is: Don’t get mad, get even. Its allure lies in the fact that it doesn’t require any sacrifice. In the real world, fighting terrorism does take sacrifice. Just ask soldiers and their families.

Since the 9/11 attacks, U.S. leaders haven’t asked ordinary Americans to sacrifice much of anything. Even payment for the war on terror is being put on the national credit card. Future generations will wonder why we couldn’t be bothered. It isn’t too late to start.