Our float down the River de Nial

[4dsc]

This disaster was excessive because we're living a generations-long bacchanalia, in giddy, nonchalant delusion, on a care-free float down the River de Nial. We're living an orgy of consumerism and self-absorption, mindlessly seeing the world the way we want it to be rather than the way it really is. It's time for our insouciance to end, to put our house in order, bury our juvenile fantasies and face some stark realities.

snip

We need to accept that our federal government's highest priority -- consolidating the wealth of our great nation at the top of the economic food chain -- leaves our leaders with little time for or interest in protecting the environment, the economy or the health and welfare of the American people. Although we're all on the River de Nial together, our leaders are even more delusional than the rest of us. We'll need to lead this effort ourselves.

Last, we need to accept the coming reality of Peak Oil, the point at which no matter how hard we explore, we won't find enough to slake our amazing thirst and there will be less availability with each succeeding year. Our national economy is whitewashed in a patina of cheap oil, as the patterns of everyday life have adjusted to reap its affordable abundance. The ramifications of a shortage are immense. If you think our current situation at the gas pumps is bad, imagine a permanent energy crisis, worse each year. We can debate when Peak Oil will happen and how much misery will result, but it's coming. You've been warned.

http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/commentary%5C32162.html

[asthmaticeog]

1. LINK?

Please.

[Bellamia]

2. Great essay! Thanks!