80% of New Orleans is underwater. Hundreds are dead. Thousands are missing and stranded. Entire towns in Mississippi and Louisiana have been wiped clean off the map. There is widespread looting and violence. Rescue helicopters are being shot at. It is a fucking nightmare.
It has been said that it will take at least 3 months to “dry out” New Orleans before any real cleanup effort can even begin. I don’t have as much time as some to dig around the internet (at work) for the latest facts, figures, and news reports but I know that most of that region is totally fucked.
I hate to say it folks, but not only has hurricane Katrina affected the lives of thousands of people in New Orleans and along the gulf coast, but it has (or soon will) affected all of ours as well. Gas prices went through the roof yesterday (at least here in Chicagoland). The highest I’ve seen is $3.31/gal for regular unleaded, and to think that only seven short years ago (in Indianapolis) I paid $0.79/gal. There are reports of gas shortages and long lines at some stations as well. This is going to get a lot worse. Katrina is going to have a huge impact on our nation’s economy before all is said and done.
I know its not going to solve all our problems or restore New Orleans, but what this country needs to do is reduce its dependence on oil and speed up the development of automobiles with alternate fuel sources. Gas/electric hybrids are fine and well, but we need to do more. There is a guy who has developed an engine that runs on water, but perfecting that technology will take some time. Right now biodiesel presents a great opportunity. It is a cleaner burning fuel than conventional gasoline and is a renewable source of energy.
You want to create jobs? Someone has to cultivate and process the materials used to make bio diesel. That sounds like a good opportunity to me.
MP3 | Stereolab – Miss Modular Dots & Loops
MP3 | Coldplay – Fix You X & Y
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One more thing…walk or ride your bike when you can. It’s not only smart when gas is so freaking expensive, but it’s good for you and the environment.
Amen!
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valid and good points, but sadly the big guy in charge of america still cannot get his head fully round the fact of alternate soultions of oil, tho i think his way of thinking about it has changed about 2.5%….which is a start.
p.s fix you is a beautiful song and their whole album is brilliant.
cool blog
I’m all for riding bikes..that works. But nuclear energy needs to be an option, soon. It works.
Alas, biking everywhere is much less an option for those of us in the ‘burbs than in the metro areas, but I do try to ride every oppotunity I get.