On the Couch: Oil & Gas
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Thursday, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I have been seeing several commercials featuring the legendary Texas oil baron, T. Boone Pickens making his pitch for a dramatic investment in wind and solar power to help alleviate the energy crisis battering every segment of American society. According to Pickens’ plan, by ratcheting up wind power to meet out electricity needs, we will have enough leftover natural gas to fuel our cars.
It is inspiring to see a person of great influence and power step up to solve a problem without resorting to partisan rancor. As Pickens himself says, “it’s our crisis, and we can solve it.”
Hey, unless there’s something I’m missing here, sign me up.
And of course I recognize that there is financial self-interest involved here for this man. He’s investing huge amounts of his money to build a gigantic wind farm in a rural part of Texas. And I’m sure he expects to make a lot of profit from this. Well, bully for him. This doesn’t bother me lick.
I mean if we don’t encourage wealthy entrepreneurs to dig in and get involved in the energy crisis, who is going to do it? Do we really think it will be the government? I don’t think so. The insidious partisanship in Congress prevents almost every meaningful reform. Shackled as they are to the influence of lobbyists and special interests, there’s just no way I believe the government knows how to solve the problem.
So here comes T. Boone Pickens, who says straight out, “I’ve been an oilman all my life.” From where I sit if he’s the kind of guy who can become a billionaire in oil, he’s probably the kind of guy who can become a billionaire in wind. And if Pickens becomes a billionaire in wind, it means that we are probably going to be less dependent on the psychotic Middle East for our energy.
Have at it T. Boone!

It was 39 years ago this week that Neil Armstrong (proud graduate of Purdue University!) jumped down off the last ladder step of his space craft and walked on the moon! Even today, in the midst of our breath taking technological revolution, this is an astonishing feat.
The impact of the nation’s economic slow down are felt everywhere. From the obvious pressures of gas prices and the mortgage crisis, virtually every business is feeling the pinch. And this month even Starbucks has announced that it is closing 600 stores around the country! I didn’t see that coming.
It is likely that many Starbucks aficionados, now denied their daily cup of venti soy hazelnut vanilla cinnamon white mocha with extra caramel, will suffer significant emotional and physical withdrawal symptoms. The slide down the java ladder to cheap consumer coffee is sure to alter their sleep habits and gastrointestinal routines. And these disturbances are sure to have a further impact on their mood. Their families and co-workers will feel the mounting frustration and irritation caused by their soy loss. Relationship balances will be unhinged and profit margins squeezed! The Starbucks crisis will have a domino effect that can lead to social chaos and global ruination.
A newly released study confirms previous research, but offers an interesting surprise. Professors Troy Blanchard of Louisiana State University and John Bartkowski of University of Texas led a research team that studied communities with large churches which are actively involved with the local people. And the findings showed that the people lived longer.
Dr. Glenn Sparks and I see this study as yet another ion a long line of social science research that supports the thesis of 
I realize of course that there is a vast distinction between the harmless bugs and the more toxic critters. But frankly I cannot tell the difference. Whether a spider suspended in the air or a moth fluttering around my porch light they all creep me out. If that makes me a wimp, well, spit in your eye. I don’t care.
I have a friend, Dr. Tom Turpin, an eminent entomologist at Purdue who works hard to demystify the world of insects. He is devoted to helping us understand the mysterious universe of bugs. He loves bugs. And good for him! Nonetheless, from my point of view this is appeasement of an enemy that will soon rise up and swallow us all! I know I sound like an hysteric, and perhaps I am. I hope I am wrong, but it is foolish to take chances.
The news broke today that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are the proud parents of a new set of fraternal twins, born in France. This now brings their brood to six kids. Good for them. At a time when so many celebrities are known for their jet setting lifestyle, privileged wealth and freedom from the kinds of responsibilities average people confront, it is refreshing to see a couple of superstars focus on higher values. Pitt and Jolie have made it clear that the riches they gain from their work as movie stars is to be used toward raising awareness about poverty, oppression and other forms of injustice around the world that hurt innocent people. Bravo!
Our local newspaper, an affiliate of Gannett, have the story of these babies placed prominently on page two. Coverage of the war and the election followed on subsequent pages. And it all begs the question: do they print this because we’re curious; or are we curious because they publish this stuff? I must admit that I suspect it is the latter. If it wasn’t publicized I don’t know that we would care. Because it is put out there, it creates the impression that this has become important. I wish Pitt and Jolie blessings and support for their devotion to worthy causes. And I understand that they will use the money gained from pictures of their babies for charity. But it doesn’t make this matter any less twisted and whacked.
It was this week in 1955 that Walt Disney created the “Magic Kingdom,” outside of Los Angeles and lured visitors from around the country and the world to come to his escape. Disneyland captured the imagination of America, and in fact became associated with America itself. To millions around the world, especially those living in poverty and oppression, Disneyland represents the possibility they can only imagine. Every character associated with Disneyland is gentle and upbeat, from sweet Mickey Mouse through harmless Daffy Duck and the gentle dimwit Goofy. Walt Disney created an alternate universe that was far more appealing than the reality most people were living.
Any visitor to Disneyland, or its franchise Disney World in Florida, knows that while the motivation may be to take the children for a fun and safe vacation, understands that the adults often enjoy the escapist experience every bit as much. In fact, for the parents visiting Disneyland or Disney World, it is a common experience to desire to be there without the responsibility of watching over their kids. In other words, most adults also need a Disney experience. There is no one who would not revel in the delights of an adult Disneyland. And for many, there is such a place. It’s called Las Vegas.
Although I am certainly a person with clear opinions, I am also willing to admit readily but for many large social problems I operate the way most citizens do: on the basis of the (usually limited) knowledge available to me. So while I have a point of view about such hot button issues as the war, politicians and global warming, in fairness I have to say that my information is based on impressions gleaned from the media I can access. I have no friends in the CIA or any others who operate “behind the curtain” of secrecy. So with that caveat, I am pretty convinced nonetheless that the American Healthcare system is an abominable mess. Further, I have no confidence that too few people are profiting obscenely at the expense of the rest of the population getting screwed to the wall by our system.
Now I am certainly not anti-competition. Quite the contrary. I love that our local Best Buy and Circuit City have to compete for my business. It’s in my interest to have both stores do well. But obviously this is not the case with our local health-care providers. For several years before I was on Sally’s health-care plan, I had to pay for our coverage independently. Although we are not young, we are very healthy. About five years ago my monthly premium for health care was around $650. Two years ago, the last year we were covered, my premium was $1350! This is just nuts! It’s damaging, obscene and from my point of view immoral.

