Out Of Gas In The Dirty South
Posted by Sonja Ebron
Hurricanes Gustav and Ike have struck again, not with high waters and strong winds, but with the partial shutdown of a gasoline pipeline serving the southeast. Half the gas stations in Atlanta are out of gas. Those with gas inventories have long lines of cars with drivers willing to pay very high gas prices. Georgia officials recently negotiated a waiver of environmental regulations that required gas in Atlanta to carry anti-smog chemicals, so gas has been imported from surrounding areas. But even gas imports haven’t reduced the lines at gas stations, which are expected to last through mid-October.
A Windmill In Malawi
Posted by Sonja Ebron
I often wonder how much faster the world’s problems could be solved if resources were allocated fairly, if the natural genius in people weren’t stifled by hunger or lack of education or violence or other ills. William Kamkwamba is that rare genius who shows us that human talent can thrive regardless. Using a bicycle, chunks of wood and plastic pipe, this young man built a huge windmill to provide electricity to his small village in Malawi.
The Cuban Counterpoint
Posted by Sonja Ebron
Any post-Katrina disaster response would have been better than the fiasco three years ago in New Orleans, but the response to Gustav was startling. I was happy to see a generally well-orchestrated mass evacuation of New Orleans last week as the hurricane approached. Mass transit in the city had never worked so well. And was I dreaming or were they flying people out of town? I agree with Kanye that “George Bush doesn’t like Black people,” and Katrina’s devastation caused no change of like minds or hearts. So give thanks that the Republican convention schedule motivated the government to get it right this time.
We’re Apolitical, But…
Posted by Sonja Ebron
Gotta give it up for Obama! Here’s to the next president and a young president-in-training.
