More From the Road

Amazing how the thoughts can flow while behind the wheel. Been traveling a bit more recently, today on minimal sleep after overnight paving on the major Philadelphia border street in front of my house. Outside of obscene amounts of special-shift overtime for the participants, is there anything good that comes from this process, in which slumbering homeowners literally feel the earth shake while serenaded by a cacophony of heavy equipment?

Outside of waking next to my spouse and finally having the opportunity to say "I felt the earth move last night." Not a common occurrence for those of us who have been married twenty-odd years, who snicker when we drive by movie theatres whose signs announce "Corpse Bride" among their features. Er...yes, a friend told me this, really. I would never say such a thing.

Another thought: What is it with all these f*ing magnetic ribbons on cars? I traveled for awhile behind one today with SEVEN of them on its tailgate. Dedicate yourself to one or two causes and act like they mean something to you, OK? And how about a little truth? Don't give me this "Support the Troops" (should be "I Need More Cheap Oil") and "God Bless the USA" (as thoughtful people of faith know, "God Blesses Everyone -- No Exceptions.") crap. I would like to design a ribbon magnet saying "Stop The F*ing Ribbon Madness."

Clarification on supporting the troops: Bushies can't see beyond their Karl Rove Mind-Bending Goggles far enough to understand this, but it IS indeed possible to support our troops while disagreeing with the contrived reason why they are there. It is sad and horribly disingenuous to see a "Support Our Troops" ribbon on a 12-mpg behemoth taking up a lane-and-a-half on the highway. Coincidentally, I was at a lecture today with the Rev. Jim Wallis, from Sojourners magazine, and author of "God's Politics: Why The Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It." During the Q&A that followed, a reservist just home from a year in Iraq made a similar comment -- how can those who support the troops but believe the reason is wrong (as he did) voice this sentiment without being demonized by the so-called Right? Can't dissent or speak one's mind at the risk of being called unpatriotic...sad that when supporting a morally unjustifiable position, the Roves, Limbaughs, O'Reillys et al can answer dissent only by attacking the dissenter...

Observations from the road

Just a couple of quickies from way too much time spent in the car yesterday:

• WTF is going on with the proliferation of gas station convenience stores with names ending in "Farms?" We see Cumberland Farms, Country Farms, Kwik Farms (obviously, there isn't much time for edjacashun after the chores are done)...are we supposed to have a good, down-home feel for these places, like the potato chips and cheez doodles are somehow wholesome, fresh, and natural? I suppose "Kwik Krappy Snak Shak" just doesn't play as well.
• Not far from home, I saw a cane lying in the middle of a 45-mph speed limit road. This is, as they say, Not A Good Sign.
• On the way home, around 7 p.m., stopped at Whole Foods Market to pick up a couple of things. In retrospect, seeing as how I hadn't eaten since a salad at lunch, this was probably Not A Good Idea. None the less, I snacked (all words are spelled correctly at Whole Foods) my way through the various samples, at one point commenting to an employee (who was also enjoying the smoked salmon spread) that I "should know better than to come here hungry." Half a store later, the same employee tracks me down and asks "did you check out the roasted vegetables in the produce section?" (I had, and thanked him for looking out for me.) You've got to love customer service...it seems so rare these days.

From Camelot

Received via e-mail from a Massachusetts friend:

Liberal that I am, I still couldn't resist passing onthe following:

"What the American people have seen is this incredible disparity in which those people who had cars and money got out and those people who were impoverished died."

-- Ted Kennedy on Hurricane Katrina

"Ditto"

-- Mary Jo Kopechne

Potato Chips and Energy

I stumbled over the weekend upon this fascinating quote from Vice President Cheney, one which neatly sums up our nation's energy policy:

"Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound, comprehensive energy policy."

So, what Dick is basically saying is that the Bush administration espouses the Lay's Potato Chip theory of energy policy: "Eat all you want, we'll make more." But with the little bit of icing on top: "You choose to be responsible with your energy usage and not squander the resources God has given us? Good for you! Here's a pat on the head. Now get your f*ing Prius out of the way of my Hummer."

I never cease to be amazed at the sheer gluttony of individuals and blindness of the Administration and of big business over the use of resources, particularly energy resources, and their disdain for the environment. Coincidentally, our associate minister preached yesterday on the Biblical passage (from Genesis), one likely much loved and definitely twisted by Bush and his ilk, that man has dominion over God's creation:

...In God's image, humanity is given dominion over the rest of God's creation on earth. In effect, as (Walter) Brueggemann writes, "The human creature attests to the Godness of God by exercising freedom with and authority over all the other creatures entrusted to its care. The image of God in the human person is a mandate of power and responsibility." But it is not any power-it is power as God exercises power. In God's image, we are to exercise power as God would. It is not an abusive power, but a power which "invites, evokes, and permits." The "dominion" here is with reference to the animals. The dominance is that of a shepherd who cares for, tends and feeds the animals. "The task of 'dominion' does not have to do with exploitation and abuse. It has to do with securing the well-being of every other creature and bringing the promise of each to full fruition."

With 3% of the world's population using 25% of the world's resources, are Americans truly securing the well-being of every other creature and bringing the promise of each to full fruition? Or are we simply rushing and bullying our way to the trough?

Side effects may include...

I participated yesterday in the Philadelphia Dragon Boat Festival, a great event on a picture-perfect day. I couldn't help but be amused by a team in a tent near ours, though -- one from whatever pharmaceutical giant manufactures Levitra, one of the popular ED drugs. Their uniform shirts had a big Levitra logo on back and banners on their tent proudly advertised their product. But I couldn't help but think that their team should have had a disclaimer: If you are still paddling with long, deep strokes after four hours, you should contact a physician immediately.