Archive for April 16, 2013

Boston Bombers: You Got to Us

You proved something to us.  We’re mourning our 3 dead and 176 injured.  And those of us who weren’t there when your bombs went off are watching news coverage of the medically trained marathon volunteers as they rush in to tend the wounded, as well as the many other runners and spectators putting their fear aside to help however they can.  We’re learning of the two soldiers just back from Afghanistan who rushed in to put pressure on wounds, then ran to the hospital to give blood.  We‘re hearing about the many faiths who are organizing an interfaith prayer service for the victims.  We see law enforcement agencies from all levels of government working together to aid victims and find clues to who did this terrible deed.  We’re finding out about people from as far as California, at our nation’s other coast, mobilizing to offer assistance in Boston.  We’re listening to government leaders from the President on down speaking with determination, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Yes, you got to us.  You got to our spirits and hearts, to the soul of America.  You brought us even closer together as a nation, as a united people.  You brought out our compassion, not our fear.  You emphasized our oneness, not our divisions.  You caused us to focus on what is right and good, not on what is selfish, jingoistic, or evil.

I doubt that that was your intention.

 

PG&E: Give Us Our Money Back!

PG&E is full of gas!  A new PUC report shows that the utility decided NOT to spend $93.5 million authorized for improving gas lines.

According to that PUC report, between 1987 and 1999, of the money they were authorized to spend to upgrade old pipelines, they chose to spend $183 million less.  Yes, they have made some upgrades , spending a little more than $2 million on that in the last 25 years.  As they’re undertaking repairs/replacements now, I can’t help wondering at how much higher a cost, what with inflation and putting off the work that needed to be done.  Note that PG&E spent $89.9 million more than they were supposed to 2000-2010.

Why didn’t PG&E use that money in the first place, before 1996, when most of their non-spending was going on?  They’ve always claimed that public safety and a reliable system are their cherished goals. Yet, they put off what turned out to be critical repairs and upgrades  They could do this because of utilities’ ability to oversee themselves and spend on what they deem important—or hold back the money for later.  The PUC gives them this autonomy.  The PUC claims they’ll start auditing PG&E more closely, but I’d bet that San Bruno residents would say it’s too late!  Besides, it took the PUC two months just to get the spending data out of PG&E!

We’ve been paying extra for pipeline repair for some time and not getting it.  I agree with the San Francisco-based consumer group The Utility Reform Network that PG&E should prove to us that they’re spending that money wisely and making significant repairs and upgrades…or GIVE US OUR MONEY BACK!

 

Thoughtful Thursday: Aesop Knew Kindness

“No act of kindness, however small, is wasted.”  (Aesop)

[How much simpler can it get?]

 

Powerball: Easy Way to Win

Power Ball begins in California today, and I know I’ll win.  I looked at the odds for the set-amount prizes: 1 in 5,153,632.65 for the million dollars (5 numbers but not the Powerball); 1 in in 648,975.96 for the $10,000 (4 winning numbers, no Powerball); 1 in 12,244.83 for $100 (3 winning numbers plus the Powerball);2 in 706.43 for $4 (1 number plus the Powerball); 1 in 55.41 also for $4 (no numbers except the Powerball).  True, crunching all the numbers looks good, in that my chances of winning SOMETHING are 1 in 31.85.  So I open my wallet, then snap it closed.

Maybe, as people say, you can’t win if you don’t buy a ticket.  On the other hand, not participating also means that I can’t lose.  To me, not losing that green stuff in my wallet is a big WIN, every time!

 

Earth-Friendly Tip: Hand Sanitizers

Hand sanitizers are creating antibiotic-resistant “super bugs” and polluting our water with chemicals.  Instead, disinfect hands with natural antibacterial ingredients, like organic alcohol and essential oils (such as thyme oil and lemon oil), and moisturize them with products containing jojoba, coconut, or olive oil.

 Leaf 6

 

 [For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]

 

Thoughtful Thursday: Day, Evil, & Civilization

“To correct the evils, great and small, which spring from want of sympathy and from positive enmity among strangers, as nations or as individuals, is one of the highest functions of civilization.”  —  Dorothy Day

[Talk about a whole lot to think about in one short sentence! Read it several times and you’ll get more and more to chew on.]

Jesus was Insignificant

Jesus is neither historical nor influential.  According to Google.  That’s what they said when asked why they posted a picture of Caesar Chavez yesterday rather than an Easter-related picture.  I guess they have no historians at their office who would take note that the man Jesus really did live and created quite a stir in history.  Historians, including those from major religions (Christians, Jews, Muslims, etc.) AND agnostics and atheists agree that Jesus has influenced millions of people.  Not just people interested in him as part of their religion, but as a great teacher and example for promoting the ideas of peace and human beings caring for one another.  Ask Gandhi!  But don’t ask Google.