Warning: Geo-Political Ramble Ahead

There are a few people I'd like to thank this month, as a result of their initiatives and sheer luck.

First and foremost, I'd like to thank Petro Canada for their impressive first quarter profits amounting to about $1.1 Billion CAD. Now here is a company worth investing in...for that matter...wanna get rish quick? Invest in energy (no conscience required!). Seriously. I pay $1.20 per litre of fuel nowadays, much of which is doing nothing else than fueling profit for these energy companies. Now, don't get me wrong, I drive a Toyota Matrix, which I obtained after trading my in much more fuel efficient Toyota Echo last summer. Now, from a North American point of view, my car is quite fuel eficient, and I do bike to work, saving me a ton of money (and getting me in shape, woot). And I do believe, that here in North America, we have it really good today. We have had it good for a while now. Honestly, if we're allowed to buy overly gigantic cars, like pickup trucks and SUVs, then we should pay these prices for fuel. My problem is that despite this, the energy companies make enormous profits, on speculation of prices. Why can't some of these profits be used to find alternatives to oil? Why aren't prices regulated based on need? Why aren't useless SUV drivers taxed for their unecessary use of the stuff? Once again, here, we should, for the most part, pay what we pay for fuel. however, Our hard-earned money should be hard-invested in our future, not invested in the pocket books of already morbidly rich shareholders.

I'd also like to thank the south-east Asian group of nations who are in the planning stages of OREC. Just what we need! Another cartel!. Not a bad idea (honestly). It's come to this Food Vs Fuel. Once again, we here in North America have it comparably good with regards to food prices right now, and it's logical that producers of major grains organize in order to set outputs and to a lesser extent, prices. My worry is that although organizations like this are meant to benefit those most at risk from fluctuating prices such as those seen right now, similar organizations cannot be said to have been successful in this way. There's always a select few, not 'some nation', 'some continent', but a select few who will inevitably benefit from control of resources. There has to be a better way.

Lastly, giving a positive spin on this situation, our plight right now is really opening the door for some serious lifestyle changes:
(1)
-Reducing Waste;
(2)
-Developing, and implementingcleaner energy;
(3)
-Eating less, and eating healthier (let's be honest, we're getting obese here);
(4)
-Utilizing more public transit and physical activity in our personal transportation;
(5)
-Developing (redeveloping) a sense of community once again, in the form of collective work to improve the above.

The world is not going to hell, not by a long shot. We're heading into a really really interesting time. A part of me is scared, but an even bigger part of me can't wait.

Cheers

Thanks also goes out to, well, the guy giving me s all day long. He's special. And he makes me feel special too.

Lastly, I'd like to thank EVERYONE for your amazing photography. Keep bringing out the stunning colors of life and the world!

by *petexner

by *deoroller

by *CuriousCorn

by *kiebitz

by =scmeder

by *Thrife

by ~mrvegas (My personal this week)

by *theFouro

Enjoy, and please let the artists know if you like their work.
*Disclamer If anyone goes berserk and wants their deviation removed, let me know, and it will be done.


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