Forest recovering from fire. Ocala National Forest.

1. Last night on the NBC Nightly News there was a story about high gas prices (yawn), and a bit about airlines actually slowing down their planes to save gas. Do you think there was one single solitary word about driving one’s car slower to save gas? Of course not. People don’t want to do anything about the issue of fuel and fuel prices, they want someone to adjust the universe so they can continue to drive that Escalade as fast as they want to and as cheaply as they want to. Solutions without sacrifice (as though slowing down is a “sacrifice” in any ultimate sense), that’s what we want. We’ll elect the candidate who promises that (knowing full well they cannot deliver, meaning we, the electorate know that).

2. Last night one of the local TV stations (the CBS affiliate) began a series it had been heavily touting: How To Get Into Heaven. One of the teaser ads said “If you are not a believer now, you may be after this show.” So, on the first night they interviewed a Muslim Shaman and a Catholic Houngan. Muslim sayeth that you must believe in god, and when you die god will weigh up the totality of our life to see if you get into heaven, and said that heaven is not restricted to Muslims (he didn’t mention the crap about martyrdom and instant admittance to heaven with the virgins, etc.). Catholic sayeth that you must be baptized and take communion to get into heaven, not much mention of being a good person generally, and no opinion offered up as to others than Catholics making the grade. We are promised a Jewish view tonight, and one other I forget.

All This Stuff Is During The 11:00PM News Show! The Freaking News! Oh, they haven’t mentioned slowing down to conserve fuel either.

3. I read on the Web (the “Weave”) that some groups are having impromptu prayer sessions at gas stations to beseech the almighty for reduced fuel prices. I am not making this up! They seem to think “greed” is behind the prices. Cheap gasoline is now apparently a god-given right, and they seem to feel that, although their deity is omniscient, gasoline prices have temporarily slipped his mind, because, being omnipotent and all, he could easily correct the situation. Christians, you gotta love ‘em.

4. Today I read on the Weave that about 10,000,000 children die every year in the world due to lack of access to medical care. [NOTE: Ever notice that everything that happens in the world apparently happens in round numbers? Proof there is a god, no doubt.] I did not read about any prayer sessions on that subject.

5. Roger Clemens apparently had a long-term platonic relationship with some country singer I’ve never heard of, starting when she was 15, and which, if I read the story correctly, overlapped a period in his life when he was married. It was platonic, for sure, because “Honest Rog” says so. Maybe, if we are very lucky, there will soon come a time when we no longer have to hear about this creep. Maybe I’ll start a prayer group.

6. Big Trouble in Burma. Yes, that’s right, I said “Burma.” Just because some evil fascists took over the country and announced that its name would now be “Myanmar” (which translates, I believe, as “We got the guns, so screw you peasants”) doesn’t make the name change worthy of note. BBC still calls it Burma, as does, I believe, our own administration. I suppose the Evil Thugs in charge over there will reluctantly give in and “accept” foreign aid.

7. Did you know that the “mission statement” of NASA at one time included language about studying and protecting the Earth? During the Bush administration, this was quietly taken out. All the “explore the universe” bullshit was left in.

8. I don’t understand “mission statements.” Is there anybody involved with any organization who doesn’t know what the hell the organization does (I mean besides the government?). Lessee, I work at GM, it is a complete mystery to me that “we” make and sell cars, and hope to make a profit. I work at a hospital, I am shocked to learn one day that our job is to take in sick people and help them get better, and make a profit.

“Mission Statements” are, in my lexicon, in the same category as efforts at “Awareness.” Remember the “End World Hunger” awareness campaign? Never put a single bite in the mouth of any human being. That’s okay though. It was about “Awareness.”

9. So, I’m always harping and carping. What about some real solutions, Mr. Twoblueday, or whatever your real name is? Okay, the federal government should re-institute the 55 mph speed limit.

10. My Honey and I continue to put rock/gravel in the planter beds. It’s hot. The bags weigh about 35 lbs. each. They cost about $2.98 each. They, the rocks, are cheaper if purchased in bulk and not in bags, but what you get is a huge pile of them at the curb. Do you know how hard it is to shovel and wheelbarrow rocks? We are saving thousands of dollars in labor cost, maybe millions, doing this ourselves. We weed as we go, and put down a plastic weed barrier under the rocks. We have changed the plantings somewhat. We added two decorative larger rocks, and placed a little statue we had in a hidden spot out where it can be seen. We hope to be done by the time we head to Cape Cod (where I can get to gardening in earnest!).

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