So here we go, a storm is about to hit the gulf coast. Houston in particular, the bulk of our refining capacity is located there-according to the media outlets, and suddenly even before the storm hits we see gas prices soaring by the minute. Why? The simple answer would seem to be greed. Of course all manner of spin or pointless verbiage will be put forth to explain in mind numbing detail all the forces at work that cause the prices to go up. But of course no one will just come out and say what we all know to be true…it is mostly adults acting as children. It seems to be always the case that when a crisis occurs adults revert quickly to acting like spoiled children. Everyone from the energy board rooms to those of us lined up at the pump with extra gas cans sucking the tanks dry. Then the panic really sets in after the signs come out stating, no more gas. If we just took a deep breathe purchased just the fuel needed at the time and calmly went about our business most of the crisis would be averted. I speak from experience having lived in Charleston, S.C. when Hugo hit in 1989. As the days passed and folks settled down the perceived part of the crisis waned dramatically. Much like pulling the curtain back on Oz, when we stop and see things for what they really are the fear melts away at a rapid pace. Not to make light of the dangers or the actual damage and subsequent recovery, just the outbreak of terror even before anything happens.
It is easy sometimes to armchair quarterback or nit pick being the person outside looking in. But most of the time things are what they are…nothing more. Shame on the news media, the board members of energy companies and even us for participating in the drum beating. Let’s all take a step back and act more responsibly without juvenile knee jerk reactions. And then keep it up daily no matter what happens. We are adults after all, let’s start acting like it.
I must be off.
