The US Postal Service is stepping up security starting today… in anticipation of “adverse reactions” by employees as they learn that their workplaces are slated to be phased out. With 150,000 employees facing layoffs thanks to some clever moves by Congressional Republicans that have left the Post Office with an artificially induced requirement to pre-fund pensions at the rate of $5.5 billion annually.
Today’s the day I get to face our latest energy crisis… Our Honda-bomb needs its thrice monthly fill-up. Prices have shot up faster than NBC’s Consumer Bob can make up metaphors to describe the situation. “Why, oh, why?” we ask… As NPR noted this morning, the number of drilling rigs in U.S. oil fields has quadrupled since 2008. Domestic oil production hit an 8-year high in 2011. For the first time in 60 years, the U.S. is now a net fuel exporter. Oil demand was actually down 4.6 percent last week over last year, while the supply of gasoline has actually increased slightly since a year ago. “Why, oh, why?” we ask… McClatchy News tells us that it’s the same sort of wonderful “free market” mechanisms that caused the current recession.
The war in Iran has already started... While we’re on energy related topics, Robert Grenier, former Director of the CIA’s Counter-Terrorism Center mulls over what it all means today at Al Jazeera. It’s worth reading if you’d like to escape the confines of the SDUT’s world view.
Bridging the gap between Red and Blue State America… How to install a gun rack in your Chevy Volt
Kids say the darndest things… “We, the Web Kids,” does a great job of explaining a generational perspective that appears to elude many “adults”. (Read It With Your Kids!) Money quote:
The Web is a process, happening continuously and continuously transforming before our eyes; with us and through us. Technologies appear and then dissolve in the peripheries, websites are built, they bloom and then pass away, but the Web continues, because we are the Web; we, communicating with one another in a way that comes naturally to us, more intense and more efficient than ever before in the history of mankind.
Local history alert… A nifty write up/explainer on the history of the Ocean Beach Woman’s Club. Dating back to 1924, it’s one of the oldest civic groups in San Diego, is responsible for many of the decorative trees planted around the community and led the fight back in the late 1930’s for year-round lifeguards.
Last but not least… I made it all the way through today’s column without a mention of last night’s GOP Presidential debate. But this summary by Bill Maher is just too good to pass up:
My favorite moment of the debate was the last question, when they all were asked to summarize themselves in one word: Ron Paul said “consistency,” and you know what? I have no argument with that. It’s true, and he’s earned it.
The other ones however, I think I could find a more honest word. Mitt Romney said “resolute.” I would have gone with “shapeshifter.” Or perhaps “irresolute.” Rick Santorum said “courage” , whereas I would have said “Bellevue.” And Newt Gingrich said “cheerful.” I was thinking “pus.”
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