As I look at the latest pics from the South, I feel ridiculous worrying about gas hitting $4 a gallon. These folks have no cars to PUT gas into! They have no homes to return to and in some cases, they have lost family and friends. Four bucks a gallon? Big deal. I'll walk.
As for looters? Shame on you. In the midst of one of the biggest natural disasters this country has seen, you're stealing computers from Wal-Mart? I even read of a woman who had a bunch of laundry detergent she was stealing...and she doesn't even have a washing machine anymore. Tell me that human beings are growing closer to perfection due to evolution. Hah! I laugh in your face! This is just further proof that mankind is growing ever more imperfect as time goes by. Why aren't these looters spending their time trying to help their neighbor instead of stealing from their neighborhood? Why? Because they are interested in themselves, and noone else.
Perhaps that is one of the most glaring tragedies of all. In the face of heroic rescue efforts and people donating time and money to help those affected by this storm, there are still those people out there who show us the worst face of human beings.
I'll pay the $4 a gallon....and pray that we get our rain in manageable doses.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Crazy ... or Brave?
As I watched the continuing coverage of Hurricane Katrina last evening, I was struck by the news reporters from the various networks, standing out in the middle of the storm reporting what it felt like. Frankly, I thought they were nuts, but I couldn't turn away. It was amazing to see the power of nature in that way.
Still, I had to wonder if it wasn't a touch of hypocrisy, them telling people to evacuate and get to safety while they were standing outside with a wind gauge telling us what the gusts were reading. You know, guys, that's what the National Weather Service is for. We really don't need you putting yourselves in harm's way just to see that the rain is blowing parallel to the ground. Thus, my guilty feeling over actually watching the broadcasts.
Later, one network (CNN) was talking to one of their reporters by phone and she was in tears, describing hearing the voices of people screaming for help and being passed by. She had lost her composure badly. At this point, she was no longer a "talking head", but a stressed woman with feelings for her fellow human beings. But what did the anchor say to her and to the public? He started defending reporters, saying how they weren't crazy but were dedicated people! Come on, pal! Stop defending your profession while this woman is losing it! (Unbelievable.)
Latest report shows New Orleans 80% underwater, and over 80 dead in just one town in Mississippi. And this guy's defending his profession. Shut up and report.
Still, I had to wonder if it wasn't a touch of hypocrisy, them telling people to evacuate and get to safety while they were standing outside with a wind gauge telling us what the gusts were reading. You know, guys, that's what the National Weather Service is for. We really don't need you putting yourselves in harm's way just to see that the rain is blowing parallel to the ground. Thus, my guilty feeling over actually watching the broadcasts.
Later, one network (CNN) was talking to one of their reporters by phone and she was in tears, describing hearing the voices of people screaming for help and being passed by. She had lost her composure badly. At this point, she was no longer a "talking head", but a stressed woman with feelings for her fellow human beings. But what did the anchor say to her and to the public? He started defending reporters, saying how they weren't crazy but were dedicated people! Come on, pal! Stop defending your profession while this woman is losing it! (Unbelievable.)
Latest report shows New Orleans 80% underwater, and over 80 dead in just one town in Mississippi. And this guy's defending his profession. Shut up and report.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Oil woes
With the damage being caused by Katrina in the Gulf of Mexico, is anyone else changing their budgets to allow for higher fuel costs? Do it now, because prices are rising as I type.
Just think...if the oil companies hadn't been in league with auto manufacturers all these years, we might already be driving smaller, more fuel-efficient, or alternate fuel vehicles.
Greed is a terrible thing, isn't it?
Have fun at the pumps, folks. It won't be getting better anytime soon in this old system of things.
Just think...if the oil companies hadn't been in league with auto manufacturers all these years, we might already be driving smaller, more fuel-efficient, or alternate fuel vehicles.
Greed is a terrible thing, isn't it?
Have fun at the pumps, folks. It won't be getting better anytime soon in this old system of things.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Classes Start Monday
Well, I just opened up the synopsis for my English class that starts Monday. What have I gotten myself into? I knew it would be literature, I knew it would be a lot of writing...I guess that seeing it all down on paper is just a shock to the system.
I guess the question that I'm asking myself is this: What is the point of this class? I'm 41 years old, I support a family...what good will a class on literature do me? I guess the pat answer is that it will make me a more "rounded" person. The reality probably is a bit different. It is society trying to keep the idea of fine literature, and the ANALYSIS of fine literature alive. With so much of the population turning to quick blurbs on the internet, snippets on television, and single word sentences, we may be losing that spark of creativity that God has granted to us. We have the capacity to expound on a variety of subjects, and share a wealth of emotions. Once we lose that, we lose a bit more of the connection between one person and another.
I suppose this class isn't so useless after all.
I guess the question that I'm asking myself is this: What is the point of this class? I'm 41 years old, I support a family...what good will a class on literature do me? I guess the pat answer is that it will make me a more "rounded" person. The reality probably is a bit different. It is society trying to keep the idea of fine literature, and the ANALYSIS of fine literature alive. With so much of the population turning to quick blurbs on the internet, snippets on television, and single word sentences, we may be losing that spark of creativity that God has granted to us. We have the capacity to expound on a variety of subjects, and share a wealth of emotions. Once we lose that, we lose a bit more of the connection between one person and another.
I suppose this class isn't so useless after all.
Hurricane Warning
A hurricane is on its way to New Orleans. I was watching the coverage of the evacuation and listening to the talking heads giving the predictions of doom. It's hard to imagine what a category 5 hurricane is like, especially since I have lived in California all of my life. To think that by tomorrow, the entire city of New Orleans could be under 20 feet of water is a very sobering thought. Add to that the possibility of the loss of human life, the destruction of oil refineries and rigs, the disease that could follow, and you have a full-fledged disaster in the making.
It seems like there are more and more disasters, both natural and man-made, every year. If you have any doubt about what it portends, check your Bible. These are truly the last days. There is hope, however, because the Scriptures tell us that all of the pain and suffering will not be for eternity. A paradise is around the corner.
As Katrina hits, though, all we can do is hope that people have taken every precaution and have placed more value on their lives than on things left behind. And to those idiots who stand there by the sea walls and let the 20 foot waves break over them...well...life is a gift, and you morons are treating it like a disposable diaper. Sorry if that sounds harsh or unfeeling. I just value life, and I think that anyone who plays with it like that needs a swift kick in the backside. Unfortunately for them, that kick may be fatal, because Katrina may be the one administering the boot.
It seems like there are more and more disasters, both natural and man-made, every year. If you have any doubt about what it portends, check your Bible. These are truly the last days. There is hope, however, because the Scriptures tell us that all of the pain and suffering will not be for eternity. A paradise is around the corner.
As Katrina hits, though, all we can do is hope that people have taken every precaution and have placed more value on their lives than on things left behind. And to those idiots who stand there by the sea walls and let the 20 foot waves break over them...well...life is a gift, and you morons are treating it like a disposable diaper. Sorry if that sounds harsh or unfeeling. I just value life, and I think that anyone who plays with it like that needs a swift kick in the backside. Unfortunately for them, that kick may be fatal, because Katrina may be the one administering the boot.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Starting My Blog
You know...there are so many blogs out there. A lot of them deal with politics (which I need to avoid), and opinions (of which I have too many!)
So this blog will just be random thoughts and observations. Some of them will be mundane...others will be profound (yeah...right
). Still, I'll do my best.
That having been stated...I'll try to update this as I can. Don't expect perfection...there isn't anyone out there that can give it to you. Especially me!
Thus I say "Welcome" to you who dare to read this. Let's see how this goes.
Adam
So this blog will just be random thoughts and observations. Some of them will be mundane...others will be profound (yeah...right
). Still, I'll do my best.That having been stated...I'll try to update this as I can. Don't expect perfection...there isn't anyone out there that can give it to you. Especially me!
Thus I say "Welcome" to you who dare to read this. Let's see how this goes.
Adam
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