Pandora's Gone, I've Got The Box

A Tale of Two Storms: As I've watched the news footage coming out of an underwater Iowa, I've seen
citizens across that state roll up their sleeves to help their neighbors and work to protect their towns.
Contrast that to the pictures from New Orleans after Katrina.

While Iowans have exhibited good old-fashioned American work ethic and self-reliance, many of those
in Katrina's path had become so dependent on government over the years that all they could do was
stand there waiting for the government to take care of them… and then loot their neighbor's homes
while waiting.

Speaking Of Katrina: Over 3,000 oilrigs located in the Gulf of Mexico were in the path of Katrina. No
oil workers were killed, there was very little damage to the rigs, and there were no oil leaks from where
the shafts enter the ocean floor.

Still not convinced we should be drilling off both coasts? Naturally occurring oil leakage from the ocean
floor is ten times more than what is caused by man's drilling.

Socialized Oil: For years elected Democrats have complained about being called socialists by
conservatives. The latest machinations from our leftist Donkey friends in DC include the call for
nationalizing oil wells and refineries in America.

Though not as prosperous as the United States, Mexico had a decent standard of living and the U.S.
had no problem with Mexican illegal aliens until Mexico nationalized its oil companies. Their economy
went in the tank and many of their residents fled for the border. Plus their national oil company has
been a disaster. Isn't socialism grand?

Still Want Bigger Government? While the Obamamaniacs clamor for government run healthcare
and more welfare programs, even the liberal Democrat controlled U.S. Senate has given up on
government.

Seems the government operated senate cafeteria has gone millions of dollars in the hole over the past
few years. A few days ago the senators voted to allow a private company to operate the cafeteria.
More food choices, lower prices, and better service are just around the corner.

Stock Up On Light Bulbs: Before you stampede area stores, there are exemptions for specialty
bulbs like those for appliances, bug lights, and some decoratives, but most regular incandescent light
bulbs will be phased out starting with 100-watt bulbs in 2012. That will be followed with 75-watt bulbs
in 2013 and smaller wattage bulbs the next year.

The new energy efficient fluorescent bulbs take fifteen minutes to reach full light output, so this should
make for some interesting problems. Have a closet or stairway light that you only need on for a few
seconds? The new bulbs will use more power warming up than your current bulb would use over
several uses in those applications.

Plus these compact fluorescents contain mercury. Accidentally break a bulb and you'll need to
evacuate the house and call out the HAZMAT team.

Speaking Of New Technology: Many of you didn't know that Google was in Bartow County last fall.
Heck, they may still be here running around undercover as we speak. Those Google folks are sneaky.

Anyway… many of our local streets and roads have now been filmed with Google's amazing 360-
degree "street view" technology. Just go to www.maps.google.com and type in your home or business
address.

If your road is outlined in blue, that means Google has paid you a visit, and you'll be able to pull up a
picture of your area and house online. You can pan the view from road to sky and all the way around.
So if you've been bragging to out of state friends that you live in a mansion, you might want to go
ahead and break the news to them before they look at your house online.

Sometimes Technology Stinks: Last November I bought something that had to be delivered. The
driver called me on his cell to say he was in my driveway. I looked out and no truck.

It seems the mapping services that provide content for the navigation units we all use now have a lot of
errors. This one had my house placed a mile from where we actually reside. A few weeks later another
delivery company couldn't find me. Their unit had me pegged a mile away in the opposite direction.

If you want to see my house at Google you're out of luck. Type in the address and you'll be staring into
a wooded lot nowhere near me. That's probably a good thing.

June 22, 2008