Hi. How you doin''? Yeah, I've been here. I've been at the blog every day, staring, daydreaming, but uninspired. That's why I haven't written a damn thing on this blog for well over a week. Why? I guess the why doesn't matter. What matters is the solution. I stopped watching the news.
You have to understand that although I avoid politics and junk on this blog, I am a junkie when it comes to current events. When CNN came on the air in the early 80s I had it on all day. I probably got this addiction from my grandfather who was obsessed with the news. It could be genetic or it just could be the fact that as a student of history I like to see if we (humanity) are actually getting somewhere. Lately it doesn't seem to be the case. It feels like we are taking several steps backwards, ignoring history and instead acting like a bunch of scared bunnies. Now I like bunnies, but bunnies don't make intelligent, learned decisions. They can't -- they're bunnies. We're not. We're humans.
I'd like to get a few things off my chest once and for all. If you don't like semi-political commentary, please, look away now. I have to do this. It is my therapy so I can post about fun stuff. Just bear with me. Let me run down the list of a few things that have been bugging me.
Presidential Race
Why are we having debates now? The election is a solid year away. I DON"T CARE! Most of them get up there and lie anyway, and those that actually tell the truth will be crucified by the media or members of their own party. Some think they're entitled to the presidency (I don't need to name names here) while others don't have a snowball's chance in hell. It's a circus that means nothing and only fuels the egos of those running. It's more fodder for the 24 hour news channels that need something besides the car chase of the moment. Over the next year the candidates will move to the middle, the left, the right, and everywhere else just so that they can have a shot at winning. It makes me ill. Right now I know who I won't vote for and who I would like to win. I'll just leave it at that.
The Environment
As a science fiction fan I'm not ignorant to the plight of the planet. Earth is a small rock in the vastness of space. Right now we don't have the capability to go anywhere else. Hell, getting into orbit lately has been quite a feat and we're re-learning how to go to the moon. We are stuck here for the near term.
Living on spaceship Earth takes responsibility. We must use renewable sources for energy, building, and all that other stuff that we need as humans. It only makes logical sense. Oil is a finite resource. It made sense in the 1800s because that was the best that they had with the technology of the time. In the 21st century we need to think bigger.
The key to solving these and other problems related to being good stewards of the planet can only be found through science. Yes, scientific solutions are the keys to the environmental issues of today. Yet, the environmental movement is not home to logical scientific debate about solutions. Instead it has become home to anti-humanists, communists, and overpaid actors who have nothing better to do. It has become a religion unto itself embracing ideology and fear instead of the science needed to solve the problem.
Driving less is not a solution. Has anyone looked at a map lately? Alternative energy solutions including bio-diesel and hybrid technologies are. Using less is not the key -- efficiency is. As we advance we will continue to need more energy -- just take a look at India and China with their growing economies. And the only way to find new and efficient sources of energy is through science. The irrationality and fear mongering need to be removed from the debate immediately in order for us to actually do something.
I think all those one-sheet-toilet-paper celebrities and others who get $20 million to make crappy films should invest some of that money into actual scientific research that could actually save the environment instead of wagging their fingers at the rest of us as they board their G5s.
Kyoto Treaty
It's worthless without the participation of India and China. Their economies are growing and need to play ball with the rest of the economic superpowers. If they sign on then we have something. Until then, shut up about it.
New Congress
The New Congress is a lot like the Old Congress -- including their approval rating. The Democrats and Republicans pull the same antics and don't seem to benefit anybody. Why do we need more laws anyway? The country is almost 221 years old. You'd think we'd have enough by now. Maybe they can take a break.
Paris Hilton
I don't care. She broke the law, violated her probation three times, and came to her hearing twenty minutes late. Everybody else would get jail. She got jail. Hail to the judge. Why is this at the top of my news when we have three wars going on?
Dan Rather vs. Katie Couric
Thanks to CBS for saving JERICHO.
The Economy
There are a lot of people out there who say the economy is bad. With unemployment at record lows, the Dow at all time highs (including the S&P), and the fact that more Americans own homes than ever before, you'd think there would be dancing in the streets.
Thanks for reading the rant. I needed to get all that out. Now I can return to blogging.
