Thoughts for Today!

Nice to hear that Russia is slipping into a recession.  Couldn’t happen to a more deserving people.

Nice to hear that despite the cries of ‘No’ from Venezuela, Russia and a few others, OPEC will not reduce oil output in the face of falling prices.

This means, of course, that oil prices will continue to go down – less dollars at the pump for Americans – while American oil production continues to skyrocket.  Downside: this reduces the pressure to move away from fossil fuels in favor of renewables.  A short term economic gain for the red, white and blue and a long term catastrophe for humanity.

Nice to hear the Darren Wilson isn’t getting a severance package from the Ferguson, MO police.  I could say ‘Good riddance’ but there is no satisfaction in him getting off without so much as a slap on the wrist.  There should have been a trial, and let the chips fall where they may.  I keep wondering about what would have happened if Wilson had been black and Michael Brown white.  No need to wonder.  I know the answer to that one.

Nice to hear that the NFL is playing defense for a change.  Questions being raised about the lack of a transparent and consistent process for disciplining players who misbehave.  Questions being raised about head injuries.  Questions being raised about widespread use of painkillers that are usually used for horses.  Etc. . .

Nice to hear that women are fighting back in India.  Time to stop covering up rape and letting the perpetrators off the hook.  Time to stop domestic abuse by unhappy husbands.  Time to stop men from harassing, groping and verbally intimidating women in public places.  Time for economic equality for women – in India and beyond.

Nice to hear that the centrist parties in Israel pissed off Netanyahu so much that he kicked them out of his government and called for new elections.  It would be even nicer if these new elections made a difference in Israel’s behavior and increasing isolation in the world.  Don’t bet on it.