Friday Meanderings (for July 18, 2008)

Gas actually dropped a tad today. And it’s risen only three cents in the past month. I suppose it won’t be long before we Americans get de-sensitized to the situation… and go right back to our old ways. Shoot, if gas drops below three dollars a gallon again (and don't be surprised if it does), many people will put their heads right back in the sand and trade in their hybrid for that big ole Hummer down on the lot.

Of course, the prices are not going to shoot down as quickly as they shot up. Some analysts actually said this week’s dramatic drop in oil prices means we’ve peaked. I don’t believe it. I think things will get worse before they get better, especially when you consider what a few named storms in the Gulf can do.

What to do is the question everyone has.

The problem is, there’s no easy answer. And the quick answers are those few want to hear. Answers like restoring the 55 mile per hour maximum speed limit. That would save a ton of gas, probably a lot of lives and bring down the price. Most people don’t what that. A good many don’t want to sacrifice. Just tonight, I bet a couple dozen big SUVs blew by me, weaving in and out, busting the speed limit at the seams. Burning gas unnecessarily. The lines at the fast food drive-ins are still long. Burning gas unnecessarily. Get out and walk. Don’t park so close to the Wal-Mart. Save a few drops of gas by not searching for a spot a few feet closer. Get out and walk. Conserve fuel, save money and lose a pound or two at the same time.

The solutions to the problems are long term. Weaning ourselves from foreign oil with exploration, intelligent and responsible drilling… all the while developing alternative energy sources, building new fuel-efficient vehicles, expanding nuclear power (heck, the liberal French do it) and conserving what God gave us. It will take time, money and sacrifice but it doesn’t out of the question. It does seem to be unavoidable. And get out and walk more.

Some other musings from the week. How about Willis-Wukela? The battle for Florence mayor looks a lot like the battle for Florida in the 2000 presidential race. Both Willis and Al Gore came up short. Neither, however, thought they lost, so the protests, recounts and appeals began. For Gore, they ended with the U.S. Supreme Court. For Willis, there’s a good chance they will end with S.C. Supreme Court. Actually, the final totals from Bush-Gore in Florida (numbers certified AFTER the Supreme Court decision) were closer than Willis-Wukela. Bush won by 9/1000 of a percent. Wukela is up by 34/1000. We’ve had people write us, saying in a race this close, you need to vote again. Why? Haven’t we always been told that every vote counts; that yours may make the difference? Isn’t this the proof to that lesson? Let’s face it; every election has a problem, a mistake here and there. I’m sure there were some problems in this race. I’m also sure that, on June 9, not many people thought Mr. Wukela could beat Mayor Willis. I’m not even sure Mr. Wukela did. But he worked it. He busted his tail and campaigned door to door. He did not hide his intentions if he won. He didn’t sway to the middle to win conservative votes, only to swing back after he was sworn in. Those who oppose him knew what they would get. They just didn’t think he’d win. Look, I like Mayor Willis. I think he’s done a great job. His juvenile crime efforts are blueprints for larger cities all over the country. He loves Florence and he’s a great guy. I’m not saying by any means that Stephen Wukela would be a better mayor. I’m also not saying Mayor Willis took Wukela lightly. But I am saying it looks like he did. In sports, that’s a killer. And to use another sports analogy, when Michigan loses at home to Appalachian State, crying foul and blaming the officials likely falls on deaf ears.

Are you as sick and tired of the Brett Favre saga in Green Bay as I am? How many times can a guy cry his eyes out, retire and come back?

Are you also as impressed with Dr. Rodney Arnold of Myrtle Beach as I am? Last week, a young man working for Dr. Arnold’s food delivery business was badly burned when someone threw a lit, Roman Candle-type firework into the boy’s car. The boy was nearly killed. Upon hearing the news, Dr. Arnold drove to the scene, asked questions of the people there, got some tips, tracked down some names and gave the information that led to an arrest to the police. That’s great public service. It’s also pretty good police work by someone who’s not a police officer!

Perhaps he could solve our energy problems, too.

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