Have never been to New Orleans, but many favorite people reside in or hail from that region.

I want to see, first hand, what has happened, so that I may know, on a deeper level, the beauty and steadfastness of the brave and decent people whom our nation(?) has so easily forsaken …

Good evening all, as always, a pleasure.

Is it too early to launch a recall Carol campaign in MN? You know, Just Say Mol-No….

I recently returned from a weekend trip to Las Vegas. On the plane home, full of disconsolate, exhausted zombies, it struck me that Vegas is a microcosm of modern society in 3 important ways.

1)On the plane ride to Vegas, everyone was giddy, sociable, even manic, anticipating all kinds of unexpected reward in the Babylon of 21st century. Once you get off the plane, its like you are on one extended 72 hour search for unexpected reward. Can’t find it here. Let’s go there. Craps, horses, poker, women, golf, swimming, booze, craps, massage, sleep, craps, women, sushi over and over. It’s society compressed into a weekend. (that trip was my last).

2)I probably know more about the issues surrounding Peak Oil than 99% of people on the planet. Yet among the bright lights, freely flowing drinks, friendly company, and non-stop excitement, not only did I forget about our pending date with a global oil peak, but for about a 12 hour period, under influence from friends, Peak Oil actually seemed impossible. There is no way all this glitz and glamour could end – the vitality in the casinos was viral. The recency effect, and other psychological phenomenon are very powerful indeed to thus anesthetize a peak oil curmudgeon like myself. (2 hours back at the cabin reading the Drumbeat straightened me right out). My point is that few will believe until events force them too. I’ve known this for a while, but this little personal vignette sealed the concept.

3)There is a shared mythology in America (and spreading) that we can each enjoy fame and opulence at the top of the social pyramid. Even though everyone (I think) knows the odds are stacked against them – they have hope they will be the big winner. 78% of Americans still believe that anybody in America can become rich and live the good life(15). The reality is that the longer one gambles in Vegas, the higher the odds are stacked against you. In our economic system, not everyone can be Donald Trump by definition – there are not enough resources – its the carrot of possible reward that keeps people working 50 hours a week until they retire at 65. All cannot be first. All cannot be wealthy, which makes capitalism, on a finite resource planet not dissimilar from a Ponzi scheme….”