Ignorance or conspiracy?

"If you wonder if it is ignorance or conspiracy, it will be ignorance 99% of the time."

Carl Sagan Origins Of The Universe Part1

BP Oil Spill

I plead ignorance. I assumed, which I realize is a dangerous thing to do - that the deep sea oil drillers had all the research, experimentation, technology and ability to handle a drilling disaster of any magnitude they undertook and that they were tightly regulated. It seems obvious now, that not only the U.S. but also other countries of the world have allowed the oil companies to poke holes in the earth and create environmental disasters they are not capable of handling. It is too bad that the environmental catastrophe in the gulf had to occur before regulation will take place. Much like the WTC Buildings had to go down before the world took notice of Al Quida.

We can be sure, oil companies will be required by law and regulation to handle (plugging holes or some method) before they can drill. We can be sure that these oil companies will have that second hole dug to before they start pumping from the first. The cozy relationship with the regulators and oil companies is ended. As citizens of the earth, we must watch our government. It will cost us more at the pump but that is the price we have to pay.

Finally, where is England in all of this? This is a British company? And this is not President Obama's fault - it is the years of fighting safety regulations, primarily by republicans. Where is "drill, baby drill, Sarah Palin now? Hiding on her porch in Wasilla? And this is who the republicans wanted one heart beat away from the presidency?

Right now, all we have is hope, hope that this oil leak will not last 40 years or however long it takes to deplete the oil field under the ocean. I have always been a political independent - but this one belongs squarely in the the hands of the republicans who want only de-regulation. There is a place for governments of the world and government in our lives. Government being involved to prevent such disasters.

True Knowledge

"True knowledge is knowing you know nothing" - Socrates

About Meaning in Life

"Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by his life; and he can only answer to his life by answering for his own life, to life he can only respond by being responsible." Victor Frankl

In addition, I would add, we owe it to all humanity, to be as kind as possible to each other.

The Strangest Secret

http://www.youtube.com/v/V0vRa3KiUEU&hl=en&fs=1

Silence

"Do not talk if you cannot improve on silence"

- A quote I read - Aime

The Bush Tragedy

In my July 24 and September 3, 2007 post "Post-Mortem on the Bush Presidency (Part I and II), I provided my analysis of this failed presidency. There was a book released January 15th, 2008 (today) called "The Bush Tragedy." In my earlier op-eds, it was my struggle to try and understand how this person could be elected president, then re-elected, despite what seemed to a consensus of many of an incompetent leader. "The Bush Tragedy" by Jacob Weisberg ( I have only previewed it) provides a psychological/historical analysis of this president. Weisberg is not a professional psychologist nor a professional historian, but the book it is good and I think will receive fairly good reviews (I venture a guess - a B- review). What strikes me is that some of the ideas and themes I wrote about in the "Post-Mortem" op-eds half a year ago are eerily similar. Weisberg includes research and familiarity with the Bush family- mine was from everyday news listening.

Election 2008, The Times They Are a Changin

I feel vindicated. In my September 3rd, 2007 post (60's,70's again), I simply entered the lyrics of the Bob Dylan song "The Times They Are a Changin." The theme of the 2008 elections started with Barak Obama " CHANGE." Now all the other candidates, democratic and republican are echoing the words.

Unrealistic Hopes for 2008 Revisted

In my December 30th, 2007 blog, I wrote of unrealistic hopes for 2008. Number one was that super tuesday of the primary elections would overturn the Iowa caucus and NH primary results - so these states would have less influence in picking presidential candidates. Since these events are now history, overturning the results on the democratic side on super tuesday would likely have put Joe Biden or Chris Dodd as front runners, but it is not to be, since they dropped out the race. I liked Joe Biden, here is what he said:

"Barack Obama hasn't passed any bills. There's not a major bill I know of with Hillary's name on it. John Edwards has only passed 4 bills. They are all about post offices - I mean, literally."

Aime Casavant