Abe Lincoln's Dripping in Oil

$4.09 a gallon. I frequently whine as I approach the gas pump. $30 later and I still only have three quarters of a tank (if that). It's a good thing I get 25-30 miles to the gallon in my little Civic. Flying anywhere is out of the question and people around the world want to blame government.

But on Monday; leaders gathered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for an Oil Summit. Gordon Brown was the only Western leader present. It seemed that the general concenus was more oil production. More supply to meet the demand.

What a novel idea. It seems to me they discussed standard economics.

Granted; Brown was quickly ridiculed for suggesting the Middle Eastern oil companies, like OPEC and others, invest their "illions" of dollars into creating oil refineries in the West and thereby allowing those countries to also invest in the market.

The Saudi kingdom has committed to increasing their oil production from 9 million barrels to 9.7 million barrels by the end of July and up to 12 million barrels by the end of 2009. They even encouraged OPEC to invest their assests in other nations.

But OPEC maintained- the supply is enough. Nor did the commitment from Saudi Arabia settle everyone.

And the conclusion to the potentially useful summit? Well after a number of disagreements and criticisms, among leaders, particularly on the cause of the prices, they'll meet again this year and talk about it.

Both the U.K. and China have said that not only do they need to invest in the production of oil, but their countries are looking for alternative energy resources. President Bush has insisted the oil production could and should begin to take place in undrilled areas of Alaska.

If the problems and answers are strictly economics: supply and demand; you'd think it would be an easy out. At the same time; IF that's the case, then private companies would need to co-operate, but will they? And can democratically-based governments put restrictions on the cost? This I doubt. But what of other coutries, for example, Nigeria, in which a rebel group is being accused of attacking their oil industry?

It seems the summit only brought more questions than resolutions.

Revolution

"Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong, isn't there? ...Fear got the best of you, and in your panic you turned...Fairness, justice, and freedom are more than words, they are perspectives. But if you see what I see, if you feel as I feel, and if you would seek as I seek, then I ask you to stand beside me." -V(movie)

"If you don't claim your humanity you will become a statistic"- Tyler Durden(movie)

"Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves." - Ernesto Che Guevara

"Dangers and difficulties have not deterred us in the past, they will not frighten us now...The way of preparation lies in our rooting out all impurity and indiscipline from our organisation and making it the bright and shining instrument that will cleave its way to freedom."- Nelson Mandela

People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion." -Albert Einstein

I have tried all week to write about this word that echoes in my mind- what it means, how it fits, what it looks like- for my generation. And it seems that I have found several who say better than me. These quotes is excruciatingly powerful. They have inspired people, masses-they are the words of revolution. They are words beckoning for change....and they do not settle for the crutch of survival, but it is also important to note, that it took these to survive in the first place - a struggle to become a limitless inspiration to many.

Revolution at it's core means to 'overturn,' overthrow the existing establishment,' or to change. For Einstein, it was the world of physics and e=mc^2. For Mandela, it was prison to president. Che overthrew governments for the purpose of equality for his people. Tyler Durden was tired of mundane, tired of Hollywood promises and needed an out, and V? The freedom of choice had been taken and a false peace was rewarded for silence. No matter how controversial they were or are- they made history.

So it is our generation's turn. What will we do to overturn the statas quo, the comfortable and the norm? What will you do?

In the City: Carousel 5

Today, while strolling through Little 5 Points, an alternative corner in Atlanta; I met Scott Edens. He is the base player for a band called Carousel 5. They are a pop rock band who is looking to make a break through in the industry.

Edens says that they are currently scheduled to play the Atlanta Blues Festival and hopes that his band has what it takes to go beyond city limits. He also noted that after studying extensively into what it takes to be in the mainstream of pop industry, he thinks that his female led group can compose and perform to the highest standard.

Continuing to brag about Carousel 5; Edens said that he was very excited to have been contacted by former Cranberries drummer, Fergal Lawler. Scott Edens says he hopes his connection will keep them movin' on up!

**For more info. on Carousel 5 or more pictures of Scott, click on the links above**

Beach Burglary

They say "third time's a charm." And certainly my third trip to the Atlantic, this year, could vie for gold.

Walking out onto the beach at sunset was perfect. I could easily detect the smell of salt in the air. The rushing waves invited me and I loved being able to slip off my flops and dig my toes into the soft white sand. The complicated waters and I were adjoined.

But after pacing the along the edge of the ocean for about an hour, running into friendly foreigners, and taking snaps of the sea, I was ready to return to my friends' house for a good night's rest.

There was just one problem.

I couldn't find my car...anywhere.

Up and down the parking lot, I looked for my little box with wheels. The fact that my automatic key lock doesn't work except within about 2 feet of the car didn't help. For a moment, I worried. Could I really have forgotten where I parked?

No, No, I convinced myself, the parking meter and hotel was just right, even the sign for accessing the public beach was in the right patch of grass.

I called my friend Sarah, after about 15-20 minutes of torturous looking (and did I mention a public bathroom was nowhere in sight?). I informed her I thought my car might have been taken. I followed with a call to the police, who apparently sent the beach security to my rescue...I still can't figure out why it took him 2o minutes to get to me if he was that close.

I gave him all the information I could about car. I showed him my driver's license, a card that had my VIN number on it, and described what it looked like. Sarah arrived and helped me think of things to tell the officer. I kept browsing the lot to see if it was around. And Sarah's husband, John, kept calling every five minutes to make sure we were all ok.

All the while, in the depths of my brain; I started thinking that I really just didn't care. The car was gone. Someone had been smart enough to break into it and start it up. How? I hadn't the faintest clue, the most I could ever do was change my oil- but nevertheless, it was gone and I didn't care.

Perhaps it was because I knew I'd be taken care of; receiving more than I owed from the insurance company was sure thing and a new car wouldn't be so bad. A car with my name on it and new beginning- out with the memories the old Honda held. Plus-my friends cruise my dream car around (who-ever heard of a jeep wrangler being one's "dream drive?"), there was always a shot at that!

Finally the police officer finished jotting down notes and said that a police report would ready for me the next day. Sarah and I looked at each other and asked the guy if it was really going to be a priority investigation. His facial expression told me no.

Too many drug dealers, murders and rapists to chase, I suppose.

Sarah and I said thanks and hopped into the jeep. We buzzed through the parking lot, one last time. I actually hoped it wasn't a fluke....crazy indeed. As we approached the end of the parking lot, there it was, my car- dirty and beat up, waiting for me. I couldn't believe it- I had one blond hair after all. Feeling a little embarrassed and really disappointed; I called the officer back and let him know he did not need to file a report.

I got in and started the engine. Driving back to my friend's house I decided it was probably better that I found it, I wouldn't have the hassle of paperwork.

It's ironic: in the past, a stressful situation like this one would have been an emotional crisis. I've had so many car dilemmas that I never felt confident enough about a solution. But this time, it was different, there was not a doubt in my mind that I would be cared for and assisted. Not only that; it would have been a chance for something new, in so many ways, and I would have certainly welcomed the change.

Of course, it is a "tard moment" that John and Sarah will never let me live down. =P

Driving Thoughts

Change. It's a buzz word. But what does it really mean? People use this word to describe coming administrations, politics. People use it to explain religious experience, a different course in life or something new. People use the word as a way to call their perspective better and another's worse. The word is also used describe pocket coins, money. But, again, what does the word really mean? And what does it look like?

Pulling up the etymology of the word is a bit challenging...because almost every language derives a root, somewhere, somehow. It is a word that has such general connotations, and at the same time, contains person depth for each person and their culture.

One of my favorite roots -that I noticed- was the Celtic origin: kamb*which means "to bend, crook." Dictionary.com's first explanation is: "to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone."

How interesting I find that when a person takes a different course, or alters their future to be different than it is- the first requirement is a willingness to bend in a way, that initially, they did not think possible. It means a difference in thinking, a willingness to learn- so that they can achieve the necessary. When something becomes crooked, it must be willing to leave it's origin behind...that is, it's "straightness."

And because humans are diverse from one another, what bending looks like will be just as diverse for each person. I can certainly appreciate that changes that have occurred in my life and with a pocket full of coins, I willingly toss them in your direction.

Project Homeless: Hope for Tomorrow

His name was AL. He is from New York City, the Broncs, he said to me. He traveled to Atlanta, Georgia seven years ago and currently sleeps under the highway bridge. He never said what brought him to Atlanta, but he hopes to find a job where he can save money.

The money he saves he hopes to use toward a small home where he can help other homeless get back on their feet and provide a safe sleeping facility with quality food.

If there was one thing that the city of Atlanta could do for him now? Provide more facilities to sleep in more often.

His name is AL and this is his story.

On the Road

the next few days; i will be traveling to my home town. it will be a short trip, but a good one. it will the first, in a little over a year, that i will be driving on my own. i've had company the last several times, but i am looking forward to ten hours of solitude. it will be the perfect way to begin a busy summer.

between the books i will be reading and commentating on, travels here and there-it will be time to plan, rest, think, and pray.

i love driving. i love the thrill of conquering a distance, rolling down my window and feeling the light breeze as i pass new scenery. and if it's dark or the scenery is boring, i can just blast my favorite tunes and sing my loudest in my little "sanctuary."

as i travel this summer- the posts that follow will certainly be a little bit more personal, simply because traveling and changing routine is such a personal love of mine.

more musings to come.

A Muslim Woman's View

"There are those who claim to speak for Islam who denigrate democracy and human rights, arguing that these values are Western values and thus inconsistent with Islam. These are the same people who would deny basic education to girls, blatantly discriminate against women and minorities, ridicule other cultures and religions, rant against science and technology, and endorse brutal totalitarianism to enforce their medieval views. These people have no more legitimate relationship to Islam than the people who bomb women's health centers in America have to Christianity or the madmen who massacre innocent Arab children at the tomb of Abraham in Palestine have to Judaism."~Benazir Bhutto

I do not know that I could have said it better. Reading Bhutto's Reconciliation; I have been thoroughly impressed with her attempt to not only educate western peoples on the truth about Islam, but also, openly criticize Islamic groups for being ignorant of their own Holy Book, the Quaran.

So far; she has also pointed out that how sad it is when Muslim people groups will disparage the war in Iraq, particularly the role of American troops but will fall silent when it comes time to address sectarian violence. Bhutto notes that western nations cannot be blamed for all middle eastern problems and that the people, themselves, need to re-evaluate where they have come from and how they treat their own.

In the west, the U.S. and Europe, we often have a perception of Islam that is given to us by terrorists and governments of unfriendly nature. This is a tragedy. Because from that stems security systems, sermons, policies, and opposing radical views deaming the Muslim world unworthy and the help we offer is not always to their need, but a way that would convert them to our likeness and force them to our thinking rather than practicing true tolerance. Both sides are at fault for being unwelcoming to the other. And anyone, Muslim, Christian or Jew who would desecrate in the name of God is not true to their faith.

As I continue to learn from the late Benazir Bhutto, I hope to have a greater understanding of the world she came from as she educated herself on the world I come from.

Slicing Through Time

I've never read much from the fantasy or sci-fi genre, but my boyfriend does and recently I decided I would commit to reading a couple of books by his favorite author, Terry Pratchett. After some collaboration and review, I chose Thief of Time for my first experience and was thoroughly impressed. I certainly appreciate good writing and Pratchett is brilliant.

Tick

The force in the universe, the Auditors, cannot make sense of the world's complexities. As such, they seek to stop Time altogether to create an orderly universe- where life will serve as only a function of survival. To their collective mind, it will all make sense. But who will be able to stop the atrocity? None other than a monk, his awkward apprentice and a school teacher hold the keys to discovering the mystery clockmaker that could make time stop and history fall apart.

Tick

Besides his grand use of satire about society and culture, one point he makes clear: people will personify the ideas they fear the most, and in turn make them into their gods. It is probably one of the most true ideas he sets up.

Tick

Pratchett's character development is also very well written and each character plays an unforgettable role. As a reader, I never knew more than my characters which made it fun to uncover the mysteries with them. In all honesty, after reading it, I don't know that I could really consider it just fantasy, rather it meets an element of allegory and parody that make someone like me look forward to reading more of his work.

Thin Line

Early yesterday morning, I saw video feed from Ramattan TV that was simply horrifying. Ramattan is a news agency based in the Middle East with feed mostly coming from Israel and Gaza territories. The pictures themselves were of four children who had been killed and marred in an attack on Northern Gaza yesterday.

The pictures showed childrens faces cut, bruised and they laid in their body bags. The father uncontrollably wept over his dead children. The mother had also been killed but was not included. The video never aired for reason of discretion and respect.

But one of things that came to my mind: where is the line that calls for discretion and respect in not showing the pictures and showing them to the world, letting the really see what goes on- the truth- in war torn countries everyday? Does "discretion" fall under "we don't really want to know?" Does showing the truth fall under, "completely inappropriate?"

I may not have to make that decision now, but it certainly lines me up to think about what lies ahead for me, where I will go and how I will tell the story.