Expanding Gasoline Explodes Oil Company Profits

Hoo haw, you're going to love this next story.

Have you ever wondered why you fill up your gas tank and your gas guage needle indicates there's little left to be desired? Blame it hot gas. According to a recently published story by the Kansas City Star, hot gasoline is costing consumers about $2.3 billion dollars per year. Worse yet, you're not getting anything for those billions.

I guess this partially explains record profits. Not.

The One Hundred Angriest Cities

One more list. I know Coshocton didn't make the 100 angriest cities lists, but I know a few people who do travel outside the county, occasionally. They need to read the list and plan accordingly.

A couple of angry city observations.

Florida has 5 of the top 12 angriest cities. I guess too much sun makes Jack an angry boy. After all, this is the state that Katherine Harris wants to represent as a senator. If you've ever read Fark,
you know that Florida rates its own icon and the icon rarely represents a positive story. Of course, this is a state that says, if you feel threatened, you can use deadly force to remedy the situation. Kiss kiss, bang bang.

The other observation: Fargo is listed as only the 98th angriest city. I guess the list makers never saw, Fargo.

Fear Is A Man's Best Friend

Instilling fear into a populace, especially one weened on horror and violent entertainment, has it's drawbacks.

Take for instance, yesterday's incident that stopped a Manhattan subway because of half full bottle of liquid refreshment. How about turning around an international flight and sending up F-16's because people are passing around cell phones? How much do these incidents cost the taxpayers and service providers? Those costs will be passed on to you, the consumer, in one of two forms, increased taxes or higher costs, probably both.

Human paranoia has become stoked to the point of being ludicrous. Are these the same paranoid people, with a cigarette in mouth and filled with anti-depressant, who don't mind busting down an interstate at 80 m.p.h. sans seatbelt? I could list a littany of inconsistency, but it's time to move on.

America Food Supply Vulnerable?

Since I'm on a fear/conspiracy theory/what in hell is the world coming to kick today, I wanted to throw this story into the mix.

Once again, alarms are sounding about the vulnerability of the US food supply. "Experts" are throwing up (no pun intended) scenarios of botulinumum toxin/milk cocktails and poisoned grains.

Of course, there's a big government funded half billion dollar bio/agro defense facility hanging in the balance. What better way to secure funding than scaring the bejeezus out of people?

Quite frankly, I'm wondering if terrorists would be as effective as the food industry.

According to the World Health Organization, the US suffers through 76 million foodborne illnesses which result in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths annually. With problems such as listeria, salmonella, e-coli, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in our food supply, this is an annual cost in the tens of billions of dollars.

Maybe, we could use that half billion dollars for a problem which exists now...instead of playing fund-the-bogeyman. One more thing. Why should we fund yet another pork barrel project when the government has yet to catch the anthrax terrorists?

Former British Intelligence Agent Says 9/11 An Inside Job

Here's something you won't find in the local media.

A former British intelligence (MI5) agent, David Shayler, has been saying that 9/11 was an inside job. He's risking jail to tell his story about what he says happened on 9/11.

Certainly, there exist many unanswered questions.

Also, the documentary, Loose Change, asks many questions about circumstances surrounding 9/11. You can watch the film, in it's entirety, online. You can read this dissection of Loose Change.

You can read what the mainstream media says about Loose Change.

Conspiracy theories will never disappear as the plain truth will never appear. I present this information in the hope that people begin asking questions from both sides of the equation.

Your Personal Carry On Luggage Checklist

Have an upcoming flight soon? Confused as to what you can carry on the plane and what should be checked?

• You can take up to 4 oz. of non prescription medication--think Robitussin--but you'll have to check the half gallon party size Nyquil.
• You can carry on 4 oz. of personal lubricant, but toothpaste isn't allowed. Your minty fresh post flight smile will be replaced your warming, personally lubricated, Astroglide smile.
• You can carry on knitting and crochet needles--as long as they aren't the John Rambo--First Blood Assassination Assistant Knitting Needles.
• You can bring on lipstick--just not the spray on type.
• You can bring your Transformer robot--but no realistic replicas of incendiaries. I guess they've never seen what type of incendiary havoc a Dark Crumplezone Transformer can create.

For a complete list of items, you can read this TSA list. Print it off. Memorize it. Chastise lazy flight passengers who obviously didn't read the list. Also, use your list to scrutinize any suspicious, dark characters. You'll be tellin' who might be gellin'.

Oh, by the way, you finish the TSA list, and you're feeling all warm and safe inside, you'll want to make sure to read the Wall Street Journal article about unchecked cargo sliding into your flight's belly.

Psycho Raccoon Gang Terrorizes Olympia

A gang of mean raccoons has been terrorizing Olympia, Washington. Reports of multiple cat killings, dog maulings, and attacks on humans have the community in an uproar. One report had five raccoons attempting to carry off a small dog.

According to the article, residents say it seems as though the raccoons have lost their fear of almost everything.

What's the world coming to? Is this a message from the Emergency Broadcast System? Can't we all just get along?

I'd wager the smells of raccoon stew might get the little buggers in line.

Free Energy Source Found?

Speaking of energy independence, it's been reported that an Irish firm has developed a free energy technology which can power everything from cell phones to automobiles.

Scientists are lining up to test the firm's claims. There's a great deal of skepticism over the claims (as there should be) as there have been many claims and hoaxes in the past.

But a thought occurred to me...what if this is the real deal? What would happen to our economy? How long would re-tooling take? How nasty would corporations to protect their profits? How would politicians and the electorate react?

How Brazil Deals With Oil Dependency

A recent BBC article shows how Brazil has dealt with oil dependency...for the past twenty years.

What's holding up progress in the US concerning these matters? Is it science? Politics? Profit motive? Has oil become so ingrained within our economy that we'll procrastinate on our current path until we have no options?

Muslim Doctor Says Removed From Flight For Reciting Prayers

A Canadian doctor, who's a Muslim, was removed from a United Airlines flight after reciting a prayer.

A passenger, who thought the prayer ritual suspicious, asked that the doctor be removed. In a knee jerk reaction, the flight crew complied.

Was this an incident of a racist having someone removed from a flight...just because fear now rules airlines?

JonBenet Ramsey's Murderer Arrested?

Who can forget the JonBenet Ramsey case?

This poor little girl's death has been tabloid fodder for ten years. I can't fathom the agony her parents and family have endured at the hands of a ravenous press.

Now that a suspect has been arrested, I'm sure the media frenzy will begin again. Once more, we'll deal with speculation, outright fabrications, and a hard hearted press, specifically tabloids, whose main interest lies with copy and advertising sales.

Here's an update.

Travelers Leave Your Liquids At Home

A suspected terrorist tries to light his shoe while traveling on a plane. Now, we have to remove our shoes when going through airport security.

A group of suspected terrorists plan to smuggle liquid explosives aboard planes. Now, we can no longer take liquids (drinks, hair gels, lotions, etc.) through airport security.

What happens when the next terrorist smuggles in an explosive placed within the lower regions of his colon? Will there be full cavity searches for all airline passengers? Will the sound of jets be drowned out by snapping rubber gloves and wimpering travelers?

Two Men Arrested In Ohio; Charged With Terrorism Activities

Two men were charged with aiding terrorists in Marietta, OH. The men, in possession of large amounts of cash, disposable cell phones, and airport checkpoint information, were nabbed by Washington County authorities during a traffic stop.

Cell phone salespeople are starting to squirm--ed.

Top Ten Cities Hit Worst By Soaring Gas Prices

The $50 fill-up is all too common today, but some cities have it particularly bad. Here are the top 10 cities feeling the gas crunch -- and 10 that manage to keep their pain in check.

Remember this list the next time you fill up at a Coshocton station, eh?

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Pastor's Wife Pulls Gun

If church were this interesting, maybe more people would attend.

More Illegals Nabbed In Ohio

Illegal aliens are starting to look over their shoulders.

A temporary labor company and three executives were indicted Tuesday on charges that they employed more than 1,000 illegal aliens to sort freight at a cargo company in southwest Ohio.

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The Next Earth Stopping Disaster

I'm wondering how much taxpayers will have to cough up over the New York hurricane scenario?
Can a multi-billion Corps of Engineers project be far behind? Fear sells.

Would a category three hurricane cripple our economy? Maybe, for a short time. Most corporations have developed disaster plans post 9/11 and can continue business outside of New York City as evidenced by companies who didn't miss a beat after 9/11.

Now, if the power grids fail...

A desolate mountaintop sounds delightful. Problem is...there'll be a traffic jam getting there and a developer will have luxury condo's being built.

Black Gold, Texas Tea

Oil, lack of oil, and ever increasing gasoline prices weigh heavy on everyone's mind. The oil companies are raking in record profits and consumers are feeling the effects, not only at the pump and in the heating bill, but in surging prices for everything.

So much disinformation exists, who can you believe? The Chicago Tribune provides us with an eye opening look at the problems.

Everyone's gasping as our oil based economy slides further into trouble. One fact exists. Look to the past and recognize that American oil production has peaked. How far behind can other oil producing countries be from a similar peak? No one seems to know, but a lot of people will trying to find out.

Until we develop alternate sources or conserve, we'll be locked into doing business with hostile regimes worldwide. Plus, vicious competition with other oil guzzling countries like China will become a way of life.

Hear That Giant Sucking Sound?

Who needs NAFTA sucking sounds when you have the Department of Homeland Defense? Wasted taxpayer dollars continue disappearing the rabbit hole.

I thought Republicans stood for fiscal restraint and smaller government.


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Worth His Weight In Jellybeans

The one millionth visitor to the Jelly Belly jelly bean factory won his weight in jellybeans...all 288 pounds of them.

Exactly, what can you do with that many jellybeans?

• Celebrate Easter every day for the remainder of your life?
  
• Hold a "Guess The Number Of Jellybeans In My House" and winner takes all?
  
• Contact the Guinness Book of World Records and qualify him for the world's largest jellybean collection?

Since this guy is from Indiana, I'd wager fellow Hoosier David Letterman will call soon.