The summer of our national malaise need not be a cause to ignore the good news that occasionally breaks our way, if we will only recognize and acknowledge it.
For example, in a news report yesterday by Abby Gruen in a regional newspaper, PSE&G was reported to be reducing its rates for natural gas by 6.8%. This will result in an average annual decrease of $94. That may not sound like much, but isn’t it better than watching your Bridgewater or Raritan real estate taxes ratchet up every single year?
Another example: The United States is sitting on top of what geological experts say are among the greatest reserves of natural gas in the world. What we have is the technical knowhow to safely get it out of the ground. What we need are the will and oversight to make sure this happens in the proper manner.
Even the incomprehensible scope of the oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has been the source of at least a modicum of hope in the last 48 hours in the form of a newly engineered cap that, if technology and luck go our way, could stem the flow of crude into the Gulf until a permanent solution is effected.
Even though this most recent alternative may not work –there appears to be a 50/50 chance that it may – why the reticence and the lack of “hope” emanating from the White House?
What needs to be expressed and underscored is that despite the alleged gross negligence on the part of British Petroleum management and the known failure of regulatory oversight by the U.S. Minerals Management Service, there are now hundreds of scientists, engineers, and just plain oil grunts busting their butts day and night in offices, on the ground, and on the seas to fix this crisis.
Yet when was the last time that you saw a news story either in print form or through the electronic media about these dedicated people completely focused upon the single objective of plugging that damn hole and cleaning up the mess?
Well, you see, it is sometimes more convenient to look for someone’s “ass to kick.”
Enjoy your weekend and stay engaged. I’ll see if I can do something about following my own advice.
No comments:
Post a Comment