GLASS ONION

Art imitating life is the best way of describing the latest Spielberg film, War of the Worlds.

When huge spider-like 'Tripods' stalk the American landscape in search of more blood to suck from the terrified masses running in vain to escape these strange marauding invaders, we become witness to a CGI special effects extravaganza of shock and awe mass destruction by cruel aliens with monstrous machines, bent on world domination, and spreading a terror and fear not seen before. The aliens use superior weaponry capable of directing huge streams of destructive high-voltage electricity at everything in their path, vaporizing their human prey, and leaving a swathe of bloody debris behind them on their relentless march of terror. H.G. Wells' classic sci-fi novel, (written in 1898), terrifies us to this day with its horrific tale of invaders from another world, whose pre-planned harvesting of the earth is carried out with cruel and deliberate precision.

The chaos that follows in the wake of such devestating and overwhelming power that we see being unleashed so unmercifully throughout the film, reminds us of present day attempts by vain and ambitious men with their own desires for world domination of a different kind, but are no less deadly.

New World Order

GreatBigGlobalGiantCorp, the highly profitable, multibillion-dollar corporations that can buy political favors, start wars, destroy environments and control the destinies of entire nations, are hot out trying to rule the world, --only this ain't science fiction.

Bloodsucking by greedheaded corporate giants intimidate and spread fear among us just as much as the terrible nightmarish vison of aliens taking over the earth in Spielberg's film. Towering menacingly from above, anything in their way gets zapped out of existence. --so much like the death and displacement of people and things when war rages and profits soar.

Common people question the tactics being used by multinational corporations, who want to advance their particular brand of 'new world order' anyway they can, without reservation, and as if it were their divine appointment to do so. Does that mean GreatBigGlobalGiantCorp will stop greedheaded bloodsucking? Don't be insane–bloodsucking is wildly profitable! It is also the behavior we can expect to see corporate heads the world over delighting in and spreading by their dandy bad examples to every strata of society.

Like in War of the Worlds, however, there is every reason to believe that the corporation creeps will have their weaknesses and vulnerabilities like the aliens. And ike the story's final chapter, will bring a sudden end to the reign of evil darkness, destruction, fear and dispair we must say describes our civilization. The meek shall inherit the earth. Despise not the day of small things.

Two Worlds Collide

As the disparity between the super rich and the extreme poor continues to divide and isolate the two, one from another, some comfort at least can be found in knowing that there is a day of reckoning coming to a neighborhood near you soon. The film is grim, much as we might say of present day conditions that offer little cheer to the poorest of the poor who represent the worst victims of the profoundest injustice through their sufferings and lack of enough.

When the inevitable conclusion unfolds to expose and reveal all that is wrong with a society that encourages and manifests unacceptable levels of hatred and intolerance through violent clashes of differences, and beliefs, --like religious, or political differences, we may be certain that chaos and destruction will follow as a result. Perhaps we could better understand the violent divides and wars of attrition taking place throughout the world if we knew and understood that this same struggle has blighted man's history since time began, and will unfortunately raise its evil head one last time to breathe out its threatenings one more time.

You can be certain that in the last days there will be some very hard times. People will love only themselves and money. They will be proud, stuck-up, rude, and disobedient to their parents. They will also be ungrateful, godless, heartless, and hateful. Their words will be cruel, and they will have no self-control or pity. These people will hate everything that is good. They will be sneaky, reckless, and puffed up with pride. Instead of loving God, they will love pleasure. Even though they will make a show of being religious, their religion won't be real. Don't have anything to do with such people. 2 Timothy 3.1-5

"A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked." - Psalm 37:16

“ Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. ” (Proverbs 14:34)

• America's oil consumption has increased 25% since 1980—we're now chug-a-lugging 20 million barrels of oil every single day (up from 16 million in 1980).

• Global consumption is above 83 million barrels daily and rising rapidly.

• U.S. gasoline prices are approaching $3 a gallon.

• To keep the crude flowing, the U.S. is deploying its military all around the world at a staggering cost in money and lives.

• The chemical refuse of our gasoline addiction is fogging the globe with greenhouse gases that are altering our planet's climate,

The world's supply of recoverable oil is fast running out. An energy policy (or the lack of one) that leaves us with no alternative but swilling more oil is suicidally stupid. But where's the leadership? Neither the White House nor the Congress, neither the Republican nor the Democratic party, has a plan for coping with what is clearly a looming disaster. They're not even discussing it.

Cut the leash

If our leaders are too corrupted, too weak, and too unimaginative to cut America (and ultimately the world) free of our tether to Big Oil, then we must do it ourselves. A good place to begin is for us to start buying cars, trucks, and other vehicles that get 500 miles per gallon.

We're talking about using two affordable, available technologies that are already achieving amazing fuel economy on America's roads and cutting pollutants to little or zero.

Combined, the two technologies create "plug-in, flexible-fuel hybrid vehicles," for which a more manageable moniker would be "gasolineoptional," or GO cars. As you know, hybrids are already out there. The Toyota Prius and Honda Civic use electric batteries to supplement their gasoline motors. The battery-powered motor provides acceleration, and the gasoline engine kicks in at cruise speed, combining to give happy owners an average of about 50 miles per gallon of gasoline (60 in the city). Electric motors are more efficient, and these hybrids use other new technologies to improve gas mileage. For example, when you hit the brakes on conventional cars, all the forward motion energy is lost—turned into heat between brake pads and brake drums— while hybrids capture that energy to recharge their batteries. Three years ago, these hybrids were mere curiosities, but sales have taken off, with demand jumping by 88% a year. Toyota plans to offer a hybrid version of all of its models by 2012, and every American, Japanese, and German automaker will introduce at least one hybrid model within the next two years..

Roger Duncan at Austin Energy is traveling the country promoting the idea that the time is ripe for a convergence of municipally owned electrical operations with the transportation sector. The fit becomes natural through the increased use of gas-optional vehicles (GOVs).

Preferring the term "gas-optional" vehicles rather than Plug-In Hybrid Cars, Austin Energy has adopted a strategy to diversify and grow its electric utility operations and hopes to convince cities nationwide to follow their lead.

DO SOMETHING!

Information: For solid data and analysis, Austin Energy is a reliable source. A recent 25-page report called Transportation Convergence is available from AE, which includes the 'Gas Optional' incentive program adopted by the Austin City Council. AE can also provide copies of the 'Set America Free' proposal for U.S. energy security, issued by various neocon organizations.
Contact: Jeff Vice at www.austinenergy.com or call 512-322-6087.
Legislation: Get your own city council to adopt the Austin 'Gas Optional' incentive program. Copies available from Austin Energy at www.austinenergy.com or 512-322-6087.
Agitation: Get involved with the California Cars Initiative.
Source: Jim Hightower - A city in Texas starts smart-energy driving
'GO' Cars: New Energy® News

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