[Clouseau2]

The news media is just giving the sheeple what they want.

People don't want to hear complicated stories, they want simple news like MJ and Martha Stewart. Sex scandals and other fluff. Thinking hard is a downer.

News that hints at the end of our cornucopia is NOT welcome and is rejected like an transplanted organ.

Why do we have so many SUVs? Because people want them.

Why is Wal-Mart the biggest corporation in the world? Because people want Wal-Marts.

[Wallygator]

Yeah I have to agree that people like simple things and if the story has an unhappy ending then they don't want to hear about it. However I must admit that I could be that way too. When I was in my late teens or early 20's I used to always pay attention to the news on TV and read newspapers. I was really curious about different things in the world. Now I'm 31 and I'd rather watch the Simpson's then the boring news. Why? Because it's the same regurgitation of bad stuff. I guarantee you there's going to be more bombings in Irag. I know for sure that at least one Palestinian or Israeli is going to die in the next couple of weeks. Of course there's definitely going to be some other bin Laden video tape coming out within the next couple of months telling how the American's safety lies in their own hands simply by cooperating with Arab states. On and on it goes. As for me: "Change the channel. The Simpsons are on."

I was thinking about fuel prices over in Europe. The Europeans have consistently paid twice as much as North Americans for their gasoline. Europe is not hurting and is not in a recession. My question is "If the price of oil does go to $100 and our gasoline price doubles will we not be in the same situation as the Europeans? Will we not adjust the same way as our friends across the Pond?"

[gnm]

sure - all we need is a major transition to nuclear energy (heavily used in Eurpoe) and installation of massive coverage rail (both local and interstate) - and everyone needs to move in with thier grandparents (forget about owning a car or home yourself).

Oh and we have about 5 years to do it...

-G