I have a plan.
Actually, we need to adopt a plan hatched just a few nights ago by Columbus resident James Pelfrey while discussing with me world affairs. It's called a plan of action to subdue speculators who continually and artificially drive up the price of oil at everyone's expense, and certainly not their own.
Here's the Pelfrey Plan: Every motor vehicle operator, every boat captain, every pilot, every kid with a power lawn mower, every farmer with a tractor, every motorcycle operator, the folks who operate military vehicles, every law enforcement agency, every trucker and anyone else who purchases fuel for any type of motorized vehicle during July 3-4, 2008 shall collectively fill their vehicles with gasoline and diesel fuel ---- then not purchase a drop of fuel for a period of seven consecutive days, or until the period of July 10-11.
It's known as a new Independence Day -- independence from commodity speculators who make billions of dollars by stealing money from the mouths of your children, preventing you from paying your mortgage or rent on time, forcing you to pay higher utility and food bills, and essentially attempting to force you into some type of economic repression that fattens their bank accounts at your expense.
Fill all the gas tanks, fill all the fuel containers and inundate the retail market with the largest ever single day purchase of motor fuels July 3-4, then shut down the bleeping industry and the oil speculators. Don't buy a single drop of fuel for one week and the result will be to put oil speculators and other commodity brokers on notice that consumers actually drive the market price --- not a handful of sideline bettors who risk nothing at your expense.
What the Pelfrey Plan will accomplish is to put speculators on notice that their day is done in setting the daily market price for oil and other commodities. It will serve notice that at any time and without warning, consumers will collectively take matters into their own hands and there no longer will be any safe bets on speculating about where commodity market prices shall go.
The Pelfrey Plan, if well implemented by American consumers July 3-4, will also serve notice to speculators of oil prices that a developing hurricane located 1,500 miles or more southeast of the Bahamas will not have any influence on daily market prices. If well implemented, the Pelfrey Plan also will serve notice to the nation's media industry that they too, will no longer influence daily commodity prices.
American consumers need to adopt and exalt the spirit of Howard Beale, a character portrayed by the late actor Peter Finch in the 1976 Sidney Lumet-directed film "Network". His noted phrase "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore" should today be America's collective refrain to put the commodity speculators out of business under the goal of the Pelfrey Plan.
Until the American consumer takes responsibility for its commodity consumption, its public relations imaging and its desired lifestyle --- there always we be the speculators and others who will profit from the inability of consumers to truly shape their economic realities by establishing new rules governing supply-side economics. And guess what, the fact American consumers will continue to believe the bullshit explanations offered by "economists" and "industry experts" as communicated ever so diligently 24/7 by the media industry (it's supply and demand?) is what gives the commodity speculators their power.
The Pelfrey Plan gives you, each and every American consumer, the opportunity July 3-4 to put these con artists to sleep with the fishes, if you fill your tanks with their motor fuels, then cut them off for just one week. Learn to make that sacrifice now and consumers collectively will recapture their power to influence commodity markets as supply and demand should truly dictate. Once you take off the heads of the oil speculators, the plan is to then move into other commodity markets such as housing finance and food prices and finally put an end to someone controlling your destiny, other than you -- the American consumer, the American citizen and you, the American family member.
Adopt the Pelfrey Plan and put speculators out of business. Buy all the motor fuels you can July 3-4, then shut down the oil and retail gasoline industry for a period of just one week out of the 52 weeks we have to live this year. You can do it and you can do it again later this year if needed to take back control of your own lives and not the ones that are being shaped by strangers who profit from their overt speculating.
It is time for American consumers to become mad as hell and not take this anymore.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Tim Russert Death Shocks Many
Announcement Friday, June 13 of the sudden collapse and death of veteran broadcast journalist Tim Russert came as sad and tragic news that rocked the journalism profession as well as many broadcast viewers. Russert was moderator of NBC's "Meet the Press", which aired each Sunday morning, served as NBC's bureau chief in Washington D.C. and was regarded among the most respected and recognized political anaylsts in the news business.
Russert, age 58, was a husband and father. He in fact had just returned from Italy where he was celebrating a son's recent college graduation. He was devoted to his religious faith and to his profession. He embraced and well exemplified an obligation of duty to his viewers and listeners. In a rather historic moment, at least in our so-called modern day, NBC's evening network newscast June 13 was devoted entirely to one subject alone -- the unexpected death of a respected colleague and friend.
Through all the remembrances, the messages and sentiments of condolence sent in by dignitaries worldwide, and the global news coverage of Russert's death, the solitary thought which embraces me is one single word ---- "was" --- in that we are now speaking of Tim Russert in the past tense.
Many of these condolences are expressed in these words, which many perhaps know all too well: "our prayers are with his family."
While a certainty in our world, death often comes as a bit of a shock and unexpected surprise, even when we know it may be imminent. A highly publicized notice of death seems to grip us with a little more reticence, particularly when it is someone we have come to admire or someone whose name we may have recognized without aforethought.
Russert's death no doubt fostered this reaction among his family and co-workers and other professional colleagues: "Why, I just saw him a few minutes ago and he was fine," or "I just saw him on the evening news a few nights ago."
Among noted American celebrities, the shock of Russert's death perhaps recently was only eclipsed by news on that fateful day of February 18, 2001 when professional race car driver and NASCAR giant Dale Earnhardt Sr. had suddenly perished during a crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500 race in Florida.
Earnhardt's death in 2001, and certainly Russert's death earlier today, should remind us solemnly that we perhaps better need to reflect upon the value we assign to our lives and those of others whom we cherish. We often become so absorbed in what we each perceive as life's daily challenges that we simply forget that a life vanishes in a brief moment and often without advance notice.
Russert's contributions will be long remembered by declining numbers of people in the years ahead as will Earnhardt's contributions to racing over the course of this century. Ask yourself if the manner in which you live your life each day is indeed the message you wish to leave for others when your soul is immediately called upon to depart this existence. How do you want to be remembered by those who have come to love you and to know you?
Russert, age 58, was a husband and father. He in fact had just returned from Italy where he was celebrating a son's recent college graduation. He was devoted to his religious faith and to his profession. He embraced and well exemplified an obligation of duty to his viewers and listeners. In a rather historic moment, at least in our so-called modern day, NBC's evening network newscast June 13 was devoted entirely to one subject alone -- the unexpected death of a respected colleague and friend.
Through all the remembrances, the messages and sentiments of condolence sent in by dignitaries worldwide, and the global news coverage of Russert's death, the solitary thought which embraces me is one single word ---- "was" --- in that we are now speaking of Tim Russert in the past tense.
Many of these condolences are expressed in these words, which many perhaps know all too well: "our prayers are with his family."
While a certainty in our world, death often comes as a bit of a shock and unexpected surprise, even when we know it may be imminent. A highly publicized notice of death seems to grip us with a little more reticence, particularly when it is someone we have come to admire or someone whose name we may have recognized without aforethought.
Russert's death no doubt fostered this reaction among his family and co-workers and other professional colleagues: "Why, I just saw him a few minutes ago and he was fine," or "I just saw him on the evening news a few nights ago."
Among noted American celebrities, the shock of Russert's death perhaps recently was only eclipsed by news on that fateful day of February 18, 2001 when professional race car driver and NASCAR giant Dale Earnhardt Sr. had suddenly perished during a crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500 race in Florida.
Earnhardt's death in 2001, and certainly Russert's death earlier today, should remind us solemnly that we perhaps better need to reflect upon the value we assign to our lives and those of others whom we cherish. We often become so absorbed in what we each perceive as life's daily challenges that we simply forget that a life vanishes in a brief moment and often without advance notice.
Russert's contributions will be long remembered by declining numbers of people in the years ahead as will Earnhardt's contributions to racing over the course of this century. Ask yourself if the manner in which you live your life each day is indeed the message you wish to leave for others when your soul is immediately called upon to depart this existence. How do you want to be remembered by those who have come to love you and to know you?
Thursday, May 8, 2008
High Costs Fuel Family Vacations Near Home
Perhaps one positive result to record high fuel prices this spring can be defined in upcoming summer family vacation plans. Young couples and families, for example, commonly had small vacation budgets during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, which made outdoor camping trips highly popular. These often were low-cost vacations that featured a vartiety of outdoor living experiences.
In Ohio this year, for example, reservations at state park campgrounds and lodges are running 15%-20% ahead of last year's pace. The parks offer a diversity of recreation opportunities well suited for families. Choosing a vacation destination closer to home, such as a state or national park, may be the perfect answer for higher fuel and travel costs.
Higher fuel costs bring into question travel options that may be centered closer to home. Considering an in-state vacation to another city can offer a great opportunity for discovery that may have been previously overlooked. Also consider a family getaway that takes advantage of the unique lodging experienced at a bed and breakfast. These private home lodging businesses can be a great change of pace from staying at a hotel and more confortable than a campground.
We often look to great distances to enjoy our travel and now may be time to look at the opportunities that can be enjoyed at or near our homes. Consider day-trips from home and invite family members to join in as a way to enjoy a vacation without worry about higher fuel costs.
Also consider simplicity. Build a travel iternary that maximizes affordability and enjoyment of diverse activities that do not require long hours and miles of travel away from home. Perhaps the higher fuel costs this year will lead us into another direction that will help bring families closer together.
In Ohio this year, for example, reservations at state park campgrounds and lodges are running 15%-20% ahead of last year's pace. The parks offer a diversity of recreation opportunities well suited for families. Choosing a vacation destination closer to home, such as a state or national park, may be the perfect answer for higher fuel and travel costs.
Higher fuel costs bring into question travel options that may be centered closer to home. Considering an in-state vacation to another city can offer a great opportunity for discovery that may have been previously overlooked. Also consider a family getaway that takes advantage of the unique lodging experienced at a bed and breakfast. These private home lodging businesses can be a great change of pace from staying at a hotel and more confortable than a campground.
We often look to great distances to enjoy our travel and now may be time to look at the opportunities that can be enjoyed at or near our homes. Consider day-trips from home and invite family members to join in as a way to enjoy a vacation without worry about higher fuel costs.
Also consider simplicity. Build a travel iternary that maximizes affordability and enjoyment of diverse activities that do not require long hours and miles of travel away from home. Perhaps the higher fuel costs this year will lead us into another direction that will help bring families closer together.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Just For The Moment
It's St. Patrick's Day.
In the days of my youth, the holiday was spent largely with drunken revelry. It was New Year's Eve in March. Another reason to unwind and become silly all in the name of a holiday. Oh well.
In recent years, this and other holidays seem unable to stir much passion within me. However, I took a new approach this year and that was simply to spend part of an early St. Patrick's Day evening with friends and family -- simply to celebrate that they are my friends and my family.
Over the past weekend, there were a half dozen or so New York City families whose lives were forever altered. A building crane fell, killed six or more people, and forever changed family destiny. In northwest Ohio during this same St. Patrick's Day weekend, five persons died in a horrific motor vehicle accident. Again, families and lives forever altered by a passing solitary moment.
So, when it came time to simply going home after work for a quiet St. Patrick's Day evening, I decided instead to join some friends and family briefly at a local neighborhood bar. It was not so much because it was a drinking holiday, but because every day in one's life should be thought of as a celebration of life............and to be thankful we can continue to enjoy our time together with family and friends. It indeed, is just that simple.
In the days of my youth, the holiday was spent largely with drunken revelry. It was New Year's Eve in March. Another reason to unwind and become silly all in the name of a holiday. Oh well.
In recent years, this and other holidays seem unable to stir much passion within me. However, I took a new approach this year and that was simply to spend part of an early St. Patrick's Day evening with friends and family -- simply to celebrate that they are my friends and my family.
Over the past weekend, there were a half dozen or so New York City families whose lives were forever altered. A building crane fell, killed six or more people, and forever changed family destiny. In northwest Ohio during this same St. Patrick's Day weekend, five persons died in a horrific motor vehicle accident. Again, families and lives forever altered by a passing solitary moment.
So, when it came time to simply going home after work for a quiet St. Patrick's Day evening, I decided instead to join some friends and family briefly at a local neighborhood bar. It was not so much because it was a drinking holiday, but because every day in one's life should be thought of as a celebration of life............and to be thankful we can continue to enjoy our time together with family and friends. It indeed, is just that simple.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Keep On Moving
Adrienne moved again.
Displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, this 30-something woman relocated to Oxford, MS where she was trying to begin a new chapter in her life. It was a short chapter. She writes in her recent blogs of how her Mother was diagnosed with cancer and recently passed away. The call home to Long Island, NY this winter began for her another chapter in life. Not only is she looking for work, but she is cooking chickens, sneaking into her cousin's hot tub, and planning to keep driving her pickup truck.
I do not know Adrienne, but I am drawn to her writing because it is simple, open and honest. She gets virtually no response to her blogs, but I am struck by her honesty.
But the subject of moving and starting new chapters in life affects families worldwide. Through war, natural disaster, death, divorce and many other reasons, we choose to move on from one chapter in our life to another.
The urge and perceived need to relocate has driven mankind forward since the first days humans inhabited the planet. We are forever searchers --- searching for new beginnings, older foundations and perhaps a new challenge. To keep on moving is a key to life. Only when we become stagnated or immovable, by choice, do we risk living life less than full capacity.
"Keep moving and stay low" is a quip a good friend of mine always uses when saying goodbye at the end of a conversation. I say, "keep moving and may your sails be full of happy winds and contented seas.
Displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, this 30-something woman relocated to Oxford, MS where she was trying to begin a new chapter in her life. It was a short chapter. She writes in her recent blogs of how her Mother was diagnosed with cancer and recently passed away. The call home to Long Island, NY this winter began for her another chapter in life. Not only is she looking for work, but she is cooking chickens, sneaking into her cousin's hot tub, and planning to keep driving her pickup truck.
I do not know Adrienne, but I am drawn to her writing because it is simple, open and honest. She gets virtually no response to her blogs, but I am struck by her honesty.
But the subject of moving and starting new chapters in life affects families worldwide. Through war, natural disaster, death, divorce and many other reasons, we choose to move on from one chapter in our life to another.
The urge and perceived need to relocate has driven mankind forward since the first days humans inhabited the planet. We are forever searchers --- searching for new beginnings, older foundations and perhaps a new challenge. To keep on moving is a key to life. Only when we become stagnated or immovable, by choice, do we risk living life less than full capacity.
"Keep moving and stay low" is a quip a good friend of mine always uses when saying goodbye at the end of a conversation. I say, "keep moving and may your sails be full of happy winds and contented seas.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Fire Tragedy Kills Ohio Family
A 29-year-old mother and her three children, including a four-year-old cancer survivor, died November 28 when fire swept through their two-story, three-bedroom rental house in Toledo, Ohio. Investigators said the fire resulted from the careless burning of candles and found no evidence of smoke detectors in the home. The Toledo Blade also reported the electricity had been turned off earlier in the day. The children included two girls ages 11 and 7, and the 4-year-old boy. Neighbors and firefighters were unable to enter the burning west side home in time to save the family. A fifth victim, a man who also lived in the home, survived the fire and was taken to a Toledo hospital where he initially was listed in serious condition.
Sadly, more fire tragedies like the one in Toledo will occur during the winter months and forever change the lives of families. Faced with higher heating costs, many families will not be adequately able to heat their homes and apartments. Using various sources of open flames, space heaters, stoves and ovens, and other devices to heat homes, will again lead to fire deaths.
Many fire officials suggest a home safety inspection, particularly for those people relocating to another residence. A neighbor who first reported the fire and attempted to enter the burning home said the fire victims moved into their rented Toledo residence only a few months ago.
The lack of properly functioning and properly placed smoke detectors helps lead to needless fire deaths worldwide. U.S. officials strongly encourage their citizens to ensure each residence has a working smoke detector. For decades, communities have spread the word about fire safety awareness and yet, there always are a number of people who do not heed the warnings.
You can help prevent the loss of lives and devastation to families this winter by ensuring your families and friends have properly working smoke detectors. Help ensure they have adequate and safe heating sources and that if needed, consider providing special assistance so improper heating and light sources are not used.
Most communities have resources and information available regarding heating assistance and fire safety protection programs. For those of you in need of a holiday gift idea -- consider giving your families, friends and perhaps a neighbor or two, a smoke detector and offer to install it for them. It may save lives and and help keep families together.
Sadly, more fire tragedies like the one in Toledo will occur during the winter months and forever change the lives of families. Faced with higher heating costs, many families will not be adequately able to heat their homes and apartments. Using various sources of open flames, space heaters, stoves and ovens, and other devices to heat homes, will again lead to fire deaths.
Many fire officials suggest a home safety inspection, particularly for those people relocating to another residence. A neighbor who first reported the fire and attempted to enter the burning home said the fire victims moved into their rented Toledo residence only a few months ago.
The lack of properly functioning and properly placed smoke detectors helps lead to needless fire deaths worldwide. U.S. officials strongly encourage their citizens to ensure each residence has a working smoke detector. For decades, communities have spread the word about fire safety awareness and yet, there always are a number of people who do not heed the warnings.
You can help prevent the loss of lives and devastation to families this winter by ensuring your families and friends have properly working smoke detectors. Help ensure they have adequate and safe heating sources and that if needed, consider providing special assistance so improper heating and light sources are not used.
Most communities have resources and information available regarding heating assistance and fire safety protection programs. For those of you in need of a holiday gift idea -- consider giving your families, friends and perhaps a neighbor or two, a smoke detector and offer to install it for them. It may save lives and and help keep families together.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Many Minnesota Families Feel Tragedy
The tragedy came without warning and news quickly followed of the terrible bridge collapse in Minneapolis August 1. Though only four persons were confirmed dead, as many as 30 others were initially reported as missing. The following day, only eight persons were reported to be missing. Officials at the recovery scene expect the death toll to climb.
It is easy in our fast-paced world to get too comfortable. We simply fail to readily acknowledge how quickly lives can be taken from us. Families often come together when tragedy strikes. Perhaps the hidden tragedy is that some families do not close ranks until one of their own dies or becomes critically injured. Hug your family members and tell them you love them. We never know when that fateful and final moment will arrive -- for any of us.
It is easy in our fast-paced world to get too comfortable. We simply fail to readily acknowledge how quickly lives can be taken from us. Families often come together when tragedy strikes. Perhaps the hidden tragedy is that some families do not close ranks until one of their own dies or becomes critically injured. Hug your family members and tell them you love them. We never know when that fateful and final moment will arrive -- for any of us.
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