thanks for the kind words

Right now it seems our leadership is in the 'put out the fire of the week' mode, not caring about larger fires in the future. Obama today suggesting we open up the SPR to reduce short term gas prices is a kindergarden suggestion compared to likely political issues of the future. Any long term solution is going to have to address population, among other politcally untenable topics. I wonder what it will take and who will be the first (western) politico to bring up penalties for more than one child, curfews, loss of various freedoms, etc.

if you come up with any optimistic answers to the whole enchilada please speak up!

Nate - of course increasing population will negate any progress made on previously discussed needed changes. Unfortunately population control is a taboo subject in too much of the world. I do not know how to approach that problem. Perhaps, TOD can put together a "think tank" with others on how to approach the political-religious issues - Bio1