Let's change now

Well OPEC is drooling again. They really seemed to like that 80 and 90 bucks plus a barrel a short time ago and oil seems to be edging back up to those prices. The new leader with their "change" mantra have made quite a few changes regarding some other smaller issues as well as some larger ones but where energy is concerned we are still very dependant on foreign oil and we are not working very swiftly to change that.

These are the things wars emerge from and we should be really sinking our teeth into this problem now full force. But there are many issues to overcome before we can actually move in that direction. You see once we have money coming in for something we do not want to lose that at any cost. We have the oil companies and the auto industry and the military all wanting that technology first. The oil companies want to have it to replace the revenue stream from oil which is very lucrative indeed and they are willing to do just about anything to keep that revenue stream from drying up without being replaced equally lucratively. The auto makers want to be the once to have that new technology so they not only have the auto revenue stream but the energy stream as well. The military wants the new technology so no one else can have it and we can have the ultimate power again. Also there are other companies that would like to be the once in control of these technologies such as utility companies, communications companies, computer companies, and electronics companies.

Well this is precisely why we are not driving electric cars or fuel cell cars and why the oil spigots are still flowing full boar. And these types of thinking and acting could ultimately lead us into a major war. We are so very vulnerable to the oil rich countries turning the screws on us any time they want to and they could bring nations to a halt if they so chose to.

Now the oil companies would have you believe and they spend a lot of money to get our government to believe that we just need to open up all these areas (pristine treasures of beauty in America) to drilling. Well the truth is that is only to get the last dollars out of a very lucrative revenue stream for them not us. We do not have near the oil rich fields to supply our countries needs for an infinite future and we are fooling ourselves if we buy into that.

Granted it is a large and long historied industry and there are many many jobs at stake and that must be considered as well. But we need to get with it right now and get these new technologies replacing the old not just to power things but for health and environment reasons as well. But as new industries start up these create those new jobs and that all balances out.

There are people all over our country running their own versions (home-made) of electric cars and other forms of technology born of necessity and a caring for health and environment. Many have quietly been doing this for years and years. As a matter of fact when they were first inventing cars back in the day several tried other forms of power such as electric and steam but oil was chosen at the time because it was cheaper and seemed infinite. Well we all know that is not the case now and we need to put greed and fear aside and get busy.

Lets look at this another way some of the stallers might understand. If you oil companies continue to block progress you will end up empty handed. Now they think they are ok because they play all sides (being worldwide corporations) but they will be in for a surprise as other countries can choose to seize their assets at any time they choose.

As for the auto industry, their treachery has a very long and deceitful history and in light of their current problems, blocking or suppressing technology until you can control it as well as turning out cars that only a small portion of society can afford practically ensures that in the very near future you will be having the same problems and asking for more money from the government.

I say let's get it out there and use it now to head our country in a better more peaceful and prosperous direction while we can control that direction. It doesn't even have to be a one single fix everything system, it could be various technologies but let's not let someone else be standing over us able to shut us down in an instant if we don't want to pay their price or everyone loses.

Common Courtesy

You know once upon a time people used to be taught to say things like "yes sir" or "ma'am" and "thank you" and "please" and "excuse me" and hold doors open for people,etc. Firstly and most importantly it was taught in the home (where it should be) but then also it was re-enforced in the school system and thirdly out in society itself.

Yeah those were the good old days when after a war we realized just how fragile life is and how important another human being was and how much it meant to have respect for each other as well as our homes and property.

Now days it seems like with all this "gangsta" garbage and the survival mentality that these things are a sign of weakness. The parents are kids themselves and don't know how to discipline their children or are afraid to and the schools are afraid to discipline for fear of lawsuits or other consequences.

Well I say manners, respect and courtesy still have a place in our society and in fact they are needed now more than ever.

As the world gets more crowded we all seem to have gone into this jungle mode where it is everyone for themselves. You can see it everywhere in stores and schools and work and especially on the roads.

Is that one car length really so important that you can't let someone in front of you. Give me a break people. We used to drive with courtesy in mind but now everyone is in so much of a hurry they disregard it completely.

You know the reason for the driving rules such as 1 and 1/2 car length separation between cars has a purpose and that is not only for stopping safety but also so that another person can change lanes when they need to and it used to be common courtesy to allow it.

Everyone now drives like they are in nascar and we are putting not only our lives but others lives in jeapordy by doing so.

Another thing is we are so wasteful and throwing or leaving our garbage everywhere. Yeah I know you think there is someone whose job it is to pick it up. Well maybe that is true but not always and anyway we ALL have a stake in a cleaner environment.

Now I know everyone is stressed and tired and rushed most of the time but we are using this as an excuse to be rude, mean, disrespectful, slobs not only with each other but in the not picking up after ourselves and leaving waste everywhere in parking lots, campgrounds, beaches, our homes, etc.

Anyway the point is it is time we stopped using excuses for acting more like animals than human beings and got back to teaching some basic societal rules that make us better people and our world a better place don't you think.