Day: August 31, 2005

I figure while I’m spouting uninformed opinions I’d weigh in on gas prices. Part of me is glad that gas prices are going up. Americans spend far to much money maintaining and running far too many cars. We spend municipal money on roads and overpasses that could be spent on mass transit, parks, or bike trails. Maybe the high gas prices will finally force americans to take a close look at our wasteful consumption of resources. In my neighborhood we live less than a mile from the school, but the vast majority of parents drive their kids to and from school. Maybe if Americans used their feet more and their cars less we could also solve the growing problem of American obesity. Just a thought.

On the other hand, ouch. My budget is pinched enough without having to spend any more. I think I’m done persuing garage sales for the year because it costs too much to drive to them. I’ve started walking Link home from school and I may start walking him to school as well. Kiki’s school is further and walking isn’t really an option. I’m increasingly tempted by the thought of buying a bike with a child trailer attached. Unfortunately I can’t tell whether this is an expensive whim, or whether it would be wise financial planning. Biking to school and back is certainly easier and faster than walking. It is even possible that Kiki’s school might be in bike range, although probably not. Gleek’s preschool rotates through houses in the neighborhood, so no gas expense there. And the only out-of-neighborhood after school activity is Link’s soccer, which just became more expensive because of gas. I think that I may ask my neighbor if I can borrow her bike and trailer for a spin around the neighborhood some afternoon. I’ll either come home wanting one even more or I’ll decide it isn’t worth the money and storage space.

I watched some footage of looting this morning. I have to say that I understand why it happens. It is very hard on the store owners, but the store owners and clerks aren’t there to take money and people NEED supplies. Most of the people I saw in one clip were adults carrying large packages of diapers or food. I have no arguement with those people. Anything they can do to keep their loved ones alive and healthy while waiting for evacuation is okay with me. That flavor of looting will voluntarily cease to exist if emergency teams can provide other sources for essential supplies. Unfortunately in this case some of those people won’t get help for days. If I were in their position, I would loot too. I would also try to provide restitution when survival was no longer at stake. Many of these people will do the same.

I DO have an arguement with the healthy young men who were filmed running off with bags of dry cleaning. I suppose it is possible that they needed the clothes for survival, but I doubt it. Their faces and body language were too gleeful.

Oh, and I’m also mad at the New Orleans mayor who thinks that choppers should have been pulled off of rescue efforts in order to plug the levee and prevent property damage. People first Mr. Mayor.