On 13 October 1940 young Princess Elizabeth ( the Future Queen) and her young sister Princess Margaret Rose gave a speech on the wireless during Children’s Hour.
It is a very sweet little speech. And it is amazing that by then, in 1940, many of Briton’s children were being sent out of the danger zone of London and its environs to the safety of the English countryside, Europe and overseas.
Here they are three years later in their Girl Guides uniforms.
This year, 1957, the young princess is Queen. And this year is the very first of her now yearly Christmas Television Broadcasts. That media now becoming more commonplace in homes ‘across the pond’ while in America, it has been quite a part of our lives this passing decade.
It was filmed at Sandringham House in Norfolk. A bit early but still nice, none the less. It demonstrates the vast change in her life and all of those of the time in under 20 years.
In her talk she mentions the import of ‘modern inventions’ but also warns of people ‘carelessly throwing away old and ageless ideals as if outdated machinery’.
This really has hit home with me and my thinking of this past month. I have been ever haunted by the modern times. They keep poking their head through the vale of my 1957 seclusion. Perhaps the very great changes happening in the past few months are greater than when I started two years ago. Or merely it is my own ever increasing asking and questioning and therefore daily study of how things were and how they are that has lead me to feel this way.
The latest issue of the increasing oil per barrel prices have leaked into my little 1957 Eden. I cannot ignore them and find myself wanting to find out where it might lead us.
I have also come to realize it matters little why we are there. War, Middle East unrest, failing or peaking oil, the ability to drill or not drill for MORE oil, it all really matters very little. Because those decisions are really out of our hands, you and I. And the endless debate as to ‘why’ it is happening or whom to blame seems less important than how do we, the little people, prepare.
I have begun to think more and more about the future. I may very easily,now, slip into a false past but will the increasing costs of food and all that is connected with oil allow me such lax pleasure? I don’t know. I do know that the more I consider what I might want or like to do to prepare FOR such a future as left me with a dichotomy of feeling: Both fear and Hope.
The fear of increasing oil leads to any endless horrid scenarios: Extreme food costs and shortages, the economy failing, Increased unemployment mingled with recession (or Stagflation as it is referred) and the list goes on.
The Hope, then, comes in what I begin to think of when I consider ‘solutions’. I begin to see the things one had to do once during the Depression and the war years. And to even go back further, to before the industrial revolution existed. And in its scary scenario I also see some wonderful outcomes: an increased need for community, the very NEED to grow and manufacture at home in a very small mile radius community. The joy and return to we as individuals within a group and a community, not merely numbers to be advertised to, to become Citizens and NOT Consumers.
Now, surely there could be no worry at all. Oil could drop back down to 40 dollars a barrel and we could go on and on as we are. But, there is a part of me that wonders, why does it MATTER if any of it is true or if we ARE headed for bad times. Because if the preparedness and the outcome of planning for such a future would be, in many ways, an enjoyable life, why not just go for it anyway! Prepare for the worse but enjoy the good if you have it.
Much of what I have learned from the 1950’s over the past two years has already put me on that path. But lately I have been looking in my 1957 magazines with all the plastic glow and bright promise of things and it begins to feel rather weak or almost false.
I am striving for more war time ideas of gardening and food on a shortage and a budget. I am curious and hungry for Victorian farming (though industrial still very animal or steam powered). I don’t know. It has left me wondering if 1957 is going to make it to the end of this year, or if I need to go back further?
I think, over all, that if bleak and bad times are coming then preparing for them may only make me a better person and in some ways improve my life. If there are no real bad times, then will I really miss being more disconnected to what the modern world really is? I don’t know. I know having got rid of modern TV/mags/advertising has done so much good for me. Perhaps I should continue back with my eyes fixed on the ‘news’ of the day leaving the ‘entertainment’ of it behind as I have done.
What do any of you think? Not rather or not Bad times ARE coming, but rather or night it might be a good idea to prepare for them even if they don’t? Is that too odd of a concept in the modern, instantaneous, now me me world?
Can we change? Do we want to? Should we regardless of the futures outcome?
It is a very sweet little speech. And it is amazing that by then, in 1940, many of Briton’s children were being sent out of the danger zone of London and its environs to the safety of the English countryside, Europe and overseas.
It was filmed at Sandringham House in Norfolk. A bit early but still nice, none the less. It demonstrates the vast change in her life and all of those of the time in under 20 years.
This really has hit home with me and my thinking of this past month. I have been ever haunted by the modern times. They keep poking their head through the vale of my 1957 seclusion. Perhaps the very great changes happening in the past few months are greater than when I started two years ago. Or merely it is my own ever increasing asking and questioning and therefore daily study of how things were and how they are that has lead me to feel this way.
The latest issue of the increasing oil per barrel prices have leaked into my little 1957 Eden. I cannot ignore them and find myself wanting to find out where it might lead us.
I have also come to realize it matters little why we are there. War, Middle East unrest, failing or peaking oil, the ability to drill or not drill for MORE oil, it all really matters very little. Because those decisions are really out of our hands, you and I. And the endless debate as to ‘why’ it is happening or whom to blame seems less important than how do we, the little people, prepare.
I have begun to think more and more about the future. I may very easily,now, slip into a false past but will the increasing costs of food and all that is connected with oil allow me such lax pleasure? I don’t know. I do know that the more I consider what I might want or like to do to prepare FOR such a future as left me with a dichotomy of feeling: Both fear and Hope.
The fear of increasing oil leads to any endless horrid scenarios: Extreme food costs and shortages, the economy failing, Increased unemployment mingled with recession (or Stagflation as it is referred) and the list goes on.
The Hope, then, comes in what I begin to think of when I consider ‘solutions’. I begin to see the things one had to do once during the Depression and the war years. And to even go back further, to before the industrial revolution existed. And in its scary scenario I also see some wonderful outcomes: an increased need for community, the very NEED to grow and manufacture at home in a very small mile radius community. The joy and return to we as individuals within a group and a community, not merely numbers to be advertised to, to become Citizens and NOT Consumers.
Now, surely there could be no worry at all. Oil could drop back down to 40 dollars a barrel and we could go on and on as we are. But, there is a part of me that wonders, why does it MATTER if any of it is true or if we ARE headed for bad times. Because if the preparedness and the outcome of planning for such a future would be, in many ways, an enjoyable life, why not just go for it anyway! Prepare for the worse but enjoy the good if you have it.
Much of what I have learned from the 1950’s over the past two years has already put me on that path. But lately I have been looking in my 1957 magazines with all the plastic glow and bright promise of things and it begins to feel rather weak or almost false.
I am striving for more war time ideas of gardening and food on a shortage and a budget. I am curious and hungry for Victorian farming (though industrial still very animal or steam powered). I don’t know. It has left me wondering if 1957 is going to make it to the end of this year, or if I need to go back further?
I think, over all, that if bleak and bad times are coming then preparing for them may only make me a better person and in some ways improve my life. If there are no real bad times, then will I really miss being more disconnected to what the modern world really is? I don’t know. I know having got rid of modern TV/mags/advertising has done so much good for me. Perhaps I should continue back with my eyes fixed on the ‘news’ of the day leaving the ‘entertainment’ of it behind as I have done.
What do any of you think? Not rather or not Bad times ARE coming, but rather or night it might be a good idea to prepare for them even if they don’t? Is that too odd of a concept in the modern, instantaneous, now me me world?
Can we change? Do we want to? Should we regardless of the futures outcome?
I, too am fascinated by the WWII era and how people managed in the Depression and WWII. For those in Britain and the Commonwealth (I am Australian), the war lasted a full 6 years - a very long time for all involved.
ReplyDeleteI have been fascinated lately to read Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall's "The Ministry of Food: Thrifty Wartime Ways to Feed your Family today". This book combines social history with recipes and garden guides and is a terrific read. While the focus is on conditions in Britain (rationing didn't end there until 1953) the ideas in the book are applicable everywhere. I'm hoping to review the book on my blog soon, just haven't got around to it yet!
Kate
I am immensely fascinated by WWI, the depression era and WWII. I studied that particular timeframe intensely at university, focusing on women's history of that period, as it is normally women's history that contains what was happening in the home. I've collected endless books on the era and found little gems like the New Zealand Federated Farmer's Wives Household Guide 1940. This contains a huge amount of information on thrifty meals, and ways to curb waste; and it appeals to me. Petrol prices in New Zealand have of yesterday climbed to $2.07 a LITRE!! Our GST (goods & service tax) in October jumped to 15%. Butter is now costing $5 for 500grams (pound). So this rationing/thrifty cooking is becoming a necessity.
ReplyDeleteAnd the devastating earthquake in Christchurch last week has shown all of us in NZ that we have to be reliant on ourselves not on modern machines. Thanks for the post, I'll now be contemplating depression era cooking for dinner tonight. :-)
Good evening, 50sgal. I am fairly new to your blog...I have been reading from the beginning but have yet to formally post on your forum. I will be posting a proper introduction soon. (I'm all new with blogger, too.) Arsenic and Old Lace is an "old" movie title and a movie I like. I wanted to add that bit so my username didn't seem so....Alfred Hitchcock. As usual, I love all of your posts but this one has really touched me because I have felt this way for awhile now. Everything in society has become such a whirlwind of RUSH, RUSH, RUSH, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY. Many people have lost touch of the important things in life. With the forecast of our future looking cloudy, I believe we should all follow in the footsteps of our parents or grandparents who have lived through the truly rough times. We should prepare: save, garden, prepare, and store. My grandmother told me during the Depression she wanted and orange so bad that she at an old orange peel. I love to hear the stories of the past because those stories teach us how to survive during hard times. I truly hope things get better and everybody gets along but it is always good to have a something put back for a "rainy day." As for your question, "Can we change?" From the famous Rosie Riveter-We Can Do It!
ReplyDelete50sgal, I have a question for you! As you know, I've read your blog for a while now, and I sometimes have questions about your project's aim. Here goes...
ReplyDeleteI notice that you often wonder about our future as a nation, both politically and socially. As far as I know, you have withdrawn from current events. Do you think you are part of the problem because you're not as involved as you could be?
I'm with you on the media fast! This year for Lent, I will be giving up news. I really saturate myself with it too much (I'm listening to conservative talk radio right now as I type!). I need the break to help put things back into perspective. To clearly see what things are really in my control and what is not.
ReplyDeleteI think living in a state of preparedness is wise and a sound practice. We're fortunate our budget is able to handle the increases in gas prices. As things change, I do want to be more prepared. But not out of fear, just because it is the sensible thing to do.
Mary Ellen
The Working Home Keeper
ORH-That sounds like a good book.
ReplyDeletesarah-I have been availing myself of some of the WWI guides for homemakers of the time. Very interesting read and it puts ideas in one's mind. I also have a Victorian edition of Cassell's Household guide that has some very interesting things in.
Arseninc/lace: It does, very often, seem that way. I am beginning to wonder if just putting some aside for me is enough.
Mei-It is so interesting that you should say this, because it might very well be true.
Before 1955, I was certainly part of the problem because I was unaware of it and simply 'fed into' the modern world of fast, now, cheap, waste and so on.
Yet, my two years 'hidden' in the past has given me such an introspective look into where we are now. I was surprised when I began discovering little signs to what was going on in our current world by poking around 'old news' in 1955-56.
But, I am beginning to feel if I am now only a waste on the system by simply doing nothing. Yet, I am also of the opinion now that we, as small people, may in fact have no real power over what happens out there in the big world. It has all grown so much in the past 20 years that we are heading toward a Global Government, which would be a scary place for a super power such as America for many reasons.
I have begun to think, and hubby and I have discussed, what it is we think we want and could realistically do for our futures. I will say nothing now, as it is all in the works, but I do feel the stirring to take action for a different world for myself. I love and have loved the 50's but now I am not sure if I need to create a greater 'time frame' in which I am 'travelling' so as to better prepare for an uncertain future.
The working home keeper-exactly. I don't want to be afraid, I want to be brave and want to simply make my own brave new world, in Spite of what may or may not happen.
ReplyDeleteThe more hubby and I have been talking about the possible "what if's" the more we begin to almost feel like, "Well, we may have NO say or real vote for change in our world because really no political change will really make a difference. But, if we set up a scenario of 'worse case' what and how would we live. Rather than being a frightened gun toting hoarder in a bunker we begin to think of a new community of people who want to, in spite of the world around us, have real community. Gardening not just for self but for sale and trade. Use of old tools and ideals to grow and try and live away from oil as much as is realistically possible. In many ways, the more we talk about it (and with a couple of our friends as well) the more we forget the 'worry' and get excited about the 'possibilities'
I am sick of the Passive life, which is really the modern life, and get to the active participatory life.
Thank you very much for the lovely videos of the Queen. I was raised by a british Grandmother and taught to honor and love her as I grew up.
ReplyDeleteI miss the honor and respectful dignity she represents. She too suffered emotionally at the hands of her modern children. So sad.
I love the 1940's despite the pain and suffering of the error, we can learn so much. I am a little behind schedule but am planning my own victory garden and continually look to reuse and recycle items here at home. Perhaps as you end with 1959 you will wnat to reverse and travel backwards? Then the old values will be endless. Time travel is in your hands. I believe yu are doing well keeping the values but not putting your head in the sand so to speak. One can be awear of the world, live differently and yet still know what is going on. The Amish and other cultures do it every day.
thanks again
Hi! I, also, am a new blogger/follower, but really enjoy reading your posts! It's interestig that you are talking of providing for ourselves, and not being dependant on absolutely EVERYTHING else. My husband and I have talked a lot abvout this lately (considering who knows what will happen to our country considering everything...) I am 26 yrs. old, and regularly cook and put up preserves in the summer. My husband (29 yrs.)and I have been remodeling our house, and have done all the work ourselves. What I'm trying to say is we are "do-it-yourself-ers," but I often wonder how many people (especially people our age) can do things for themselves if they really had to? Modern convenience and luxury is nice, but what happens when those things are no longer available? A LOT of people won't know what to do...We also plan on putting in a large garden this year in order to put up some food as you mentioned. (But again--how many people can actually do that??) We should learn from our history that being prepared is being responsible, (not being paranoid, as some may think...) People who do not think that there is an excellent possibility that we could suffer through Depression-like times again are in denial (or ignorant of) our nation's current, volitile situation.
ReplyDeleteLiana is right when she stated that many people are in denial of Depression like times. Most people keep going through the motions like everything is ok. It is being responsible to be prepared and to think about the future. Jeanne is right, 50sgal, time travel is in your hands and you can travel in the past and have an idea on current events here in 2011. Even though you are living in the 1950s, you are still contributing to the current society in everything that you do. Also, 50sgal I understand your pondering if simply putting aside is enough for one's own self. We do need a sense of community...bring back all the small towns that have faded away with the passage of time. I love your idea about gardening, trading, etc.
ReplyDeleteHi 50sgal,
ReplyDeleteI wrote you the comment b/c it often comes up in my mind about my own life. I live in the city, but I distance myself from wasteful spending and narrow-mindedness.
I try to analyze our country's situation in comparison to the other places I've lived. We *do* have power here in America: the power to change laws through petitions and lobbying, the power to protest, and the right of free speech. Americans care deeply about their country, and I have hope that things will change. Aren't most of us getting a wake-up call?
What I do from home every week, to do my part, is sign petitions to show my support for women's reproductive rights, animal rights, education, etc. etc. It's an easy first step for anyone who wants to get involved.
Mei-
ReplyDeleteThat is true, and certainly those type of things would be easily inserted into one's life.
I just have come to the point where I am not sure that our ability to affect change simply through our choice of shopping and signing petitions is enough or, in fact, will happen fast enough.
I honestly feel that with a global economy, in which we already exist, a global government is not far behind. That would basically take the few who are actually in power now in our own country (and I don't mean the president. Most policies and changes that are made on both sides of the aisle are fueled by lobbyists and their 'donations'. Where are these lobbyists from? That ever increasing shrinking amount of Corporations that are also increasing in power.)
I fear when our basic needs, food, transportation, information, clothing, shelter, health, and education are controlled more and more by this 'silent hand' we are merely putting up umbrellas for the approaching tidal wave.
I have begun to think in spite of the control, which I am not now certain we DO have any control over ourselves, of our lives through the mainstream world we might try to look away from that path, the government and corporation, and simply look to one another.
Rather than clicking buttons on the computer, we shut off the computer most of the time and turn to others who want a change and begin to make that change. I don't know if that is possible or not, but I feel more empowered and in control of that sort of future than I do in a 'voting' future.
I don't mean I would NOT vote, but I would not vote or sign petitions then go to the Gap, Starbucks, throw out all my garbage, expect cheap and easy food at Stop and Shop, know my dollar bill is worth a dollar as I live on a increasing debt edge in a home that is not techanially mine, but the banks and drive far to a job in retail that is over an hour away and feel good about MY future. I don't know that it is enough. We must certainly also continue to use or voting and voiced rights but we must also be smart about the tenuous world we live in and how much a simple thing as a few dollars increase in a barrel of oil could suddenly make people starve, be homeless, etc. And it makes little difference WHY that price may be increasing, because if it IS doing so that is what I want to focus on.
ReplyDeleteI am past Blame and just want to find and make my OWN solutions, if that makes any sense? Only now I need to see what those solutions could be and how many others would like to be a part of it so we are not 'going it alone'.
I just lost my whole comment! Stupid Blogger.
ReplyDeleteThere will be a one-world government to go with the global economy. And a currency and religion to go with it. The Bible speaks of it in quite a bit of detail in Revelation.
I don't think you're part of the problem, Donna. If you completely isolated yourself one could successfully make that argument. But you haven't done that. You have your blog, with hundreds of followers. You challenge people to really think about what they're doing and the way the world is, and to do what they can to change it.
That's where everything starts. That's how our country started. A few people weren't happy with the status quo, and a nation was born. Americans are not the type of people to just sit back and let things happen. We've gotten far too comfortable, but now that's all being shaken up. I think the Tea Party (which I identify with) is a good example of this. It's merely a collection of citizens who are concerned with the way our country is headed and they've banded together to do something about it. Quite successfully, I might add.
True, not everyone agrees with them. But they can't be ignored any longer. They've proven they have what it takes to stick to their guns.
Politics has fascinated me all my life. At the age of five, in 1988, I asked my dad if he was voting for Bush or Dukakis. At the table one night. I was very put out in 2000 that my 18th birthday was 6 weeks too late to vote! I stayed up till midnight watching the election returns come in. Did it this past fall too and felt the first ray of hope shine through when I watched Speaker Boehner tear up as he promised to do what he was sent there to do.
I'm watching the whole mess in Wisconsin very closely, and I'm very disgusted with the way the Democrats are behaving. They need a darn good spanking for acting like little brats!
I have to say I am so unplugged that I only sort of know about the Tea Party (well I know about the real tea party that happened here in my own state, in Boston) and I haven't any idea what is happening in Wisconsin. I suppose that might be bad, but I do really try to limit my modern world exposure.
ReplyDeleteThat is why I only know of high oil prices because hubby mentioned it and I noticed food and gas prices rising.
I am not sure how much I want to even think about 'Democrats or Republicans' because honestly for me they are both sides of the same coin. Blame, at this point for me at least, is irrelevant to we small people. I think it would matter very little if we suddenly had Republicans in office, because I see all the bad stuff that happened for Bush's 8 years, but then also to know how much corporate stuff still went on during Clinton (besides both he and his wives' career in politics being started by Monsanto a company I loathe) I just don't even want to think political party any more.
I know that must sound so irresponsible, but I just want to start making a difference in a small realm some how.
I don't know, perhaps I am just rambling at this point. I want to not be scared or morbid or too obsessed with it because I want to make change but also enjoy books and art and fashion but in a more centralized way while still taking advantage of the global on-line blog/site community, but in a responsible way that also doesn't overshadow the whole picture of living one's life.
I believe I am rambling now, but I do feel I am beginning to find a path somehow.
thank you for this post. I too have been researching WWII and Depression era and thinking about budgeting, rationing, living with uncertainty, etc. I'm trying to move away from being just a consumer. It's very freeing yet scary, too. I'm a homemaker with five children. our budget is tight and I try to come up with new ways of stretching our dollars. I can't believe how much food prices have increased over the past few weeks. Yesterday's visit to the market cost me over $200 just for a week's worth of groceries!!! I would love it if you chose to go back further in time to the 40s or 30s era in your future experiment. It's fascinating and we've so much to learn.
ReplyDeleteKarla
The Children's Hour clip chokes me up. What a lovely well spoken young woman she was.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun it would be to simplify even further, preparing for the worst but enjoying the challenge and lifestyle every inch of the way. I wonder what you'll decide to do. We'll be always learning from you, no matter your chosen course. Linda
ReplyDeleteShould we prepare for bad times, if one has the capability and the resources to do so why not.....but to let it be the entire focus on your being is not healthy. I have more hope that as usual life will just continue to plug on.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that we are out of the woods yet, I still live in a city of high unemployment rate, food bank usuage is up, and people are still struggling. The recession is far from over.
I am far from being a grower, yet I applaud those who start gardens and maintain them in dignity and beauty to nourish their family.
I do however attempt to reach out to those I know for support, I do have a nice round of community like mothers whom I can lean on for advice and my family is close by.
I think by focusing on the here and now, volunteering at soup kitchens, or helping a neighbour is similar and essential to the survival of all during the Great Depression and WWII.
Although I do acknowledge the craziness that is happening in the middle east, I choose to unplug myself from it. My life is full enough with my children and the happenings of my community.
I don`t stockpile but when things are cheaper in the grocery store ( I really know my prices), I do buy extra. I do attempt to keep the grocery bills low while ensuring my children are exposed to fresh fruit and veggies.
If everything is in moderation all will come up well, focus on what you can do for your community, your role or involvement and let the rest go. Life is too short and precious, as for myself I am enjoying my children and in them is my small contribution to society :)
Mom in Canada
As to whether or not bad times might come and as to whether or not we should prepare for them - the answer is yes. In all probably everything will continue to rise in cost since even though we as a country are sitting on so much oil that we are not allowed to drill. So, it behooves us to prepare accordingly. I'm now going back even farther in my reading to see how to better prepare.
ReplyDeleteFirst, concerning 'our' oil here in the states, our actual supplies may be great but it is the depth and accessibility that is the real factor. I found out that it is not the actual AMOUNT but how easy it is to get.
ReplyDeleteThe easy to get (drill a hole it shoots out) is what we always use first, obviously. This type of oil was plentiful up until the mid 1950's. Then the 1970's it 'peaked' meaning that the easy stuff was gone so that is why we had to import. Thus we got cut off because we upset the middle east and so we had a shortage and gas lines.
Today I understand the amount of accessible oil is not that great and the harder it is to get then is actually is negative oil, meaning it may take two barrels of oil (because you need oil to run the machinery) to get one barrel of oil. When that is the case, it is basically pointless.
BUT rather or not anyone believes this or not seems to matter little to me. My real honest feeling lately is again, I don't care how it actually is, but when I think of a life one would need IF the oil was too expensive, or depleting or whatever theory, it seems a good life. Less consumption, more focus inward to community instead of outward to malls/shopping. Local farmers and manufacturers could begin to appear (hopefully not too hindered by the already crazy government sanctions in that arena) and so on.
I just don't WANT a future that depends on oil. And if we do have 'all this oil' then so what, we dig that all up and use that up for the next hundred years and pass on the problem to our great grandchildren?
To me I think we have become rather like spoiled children. It was once considered the right thing to PLAN for future and think of your children's children's generations. Today we just seem to think, "I don't care, just drill now and give me some oil so I can still buy cheap furniture and clothes I can throw away and get my tomatoes shipped in from Australia and my produce from South America and then ship all our trash over to China. Just keep burning it all up so I can go on adding to the hectic life of cell phones, big cars stuck in traffic and people secluding themselves with texting, computers, tv, video games and the list goes on.
For me, I have got to the point where when I looked at the 'what if' I started to see much of what I would like.
It certainly doesn't mean everyone would be farmers, that's just silly. We need people to grow food and we need people to sell food, we need people to make things from clothes to furniture, and we need smaller towns/cities close to agriculture and small scale production. That would also make for a more stable economy because we could have smaller economies where we know we could trade goods for goods if we had to. This is how it once was. I would like to see a poor person today trade some eggs and meat to the local doctor in exchange for helping their child. Or a woodworker trade a chair for some food or some labor at his place. We are SO disconnected that is amazes me that what we are MOST concerned about is just getting MORE oil which to me has really led to much of the disconnect we have in today's society.
I don't want us to be hidden away with rooms full of canned goods and a gun on our lap. I want us to pool together, say who cares what is going on out there, live closer (so who cares how much gas costs) because sally grows our food, johnny has milk and eggs, bobby has started a factory for weaving cloth, Mrs. so and so is making clothes to sell in Janie's shop, and so on.
That is what we used to have. Now we are SO dependent on THEM that our lives are at the whims of stock trades and wars in countries far away from us. I just don't see how simply getting more oil for a failing system that will last OUR lifetime is a real solution for WE people.
The things is big governments are consumed by the oil, it is up to us as individuals to re-establish the sense of community that has been lost.
ReplyDeleteWe can only control the things we can put our hands on, so let`s buy produce that is grown in North America (or a state or province) for myself I look for grown in Ontario label. Let`s support the local business as opposed to big box chains etc. That is within our control.
As far as oil (gas), the only thing I can control is my general usage of it so I primarily stay home, use less gas that way and when the weather warms up I will use my car even less.
Did you know that one of the first oil wells were in Petrolia Ontario, they still pump a small amount of oil there.
I agree with 50`s girl, we need to rely on ourselves, our neighbours more and get back the community that is lost. But once again we can only control our own actions and by doing so may make a small dent in this ``me, myself and I`` society that we live in.
Mom in Canada
Also meant to say that »Oil Springs (close to Petrolia) was the first Oil Well in North America :)
ReplyDeleteImagine that a small town that is still pumping oil for the industry, albeit a small amount compared to just over 100 years ago.
Mom in Canada
The 70's oil crisis was manufactured by *our* government precisely *to* make us dependent on foreign oil. Everything they said about our reserves not being easy to get to anymore was and still is balderdash. I have family who've worked in the oil industry for three and four generations. My own grandfather worked in the natural gas industry for 42 years. We still have billions of barrels of easily accessible oil, but the green freaks are more concerned about endangered plant life and nonexistent owls and lizards than they are in keeping an economy going.
ReplyDeleteThe EPA is trying to make dust clouds illegal! And trying to make cattle owners pay taxes to cover the "environmental damage" from the methane gas produced by cow manure. That is a "green" policy that is out of control and out of touch with reality.
I live in a state that cannot survive without oil. Our state and local economies are so wrapped up in it that we cannot make it without that tax revenue. 95% of all oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico are shut down. Most of those rigs lie in Louisiana waters, and a good chunk of them are leaving and going to Brazil or Cuba. Where there are no regulations to protect the water.
My state is dying because of that stupid moratorium. We have one of the powerhouse college football teams in our conference, the LSU Tigers. The governor had to cut funding to the football program! In the South, it's beyond bad when an SEC football team with a BCS championship has its funding cut. No other state has had to do that. LSU also has one of the best public university medical schools in the country and their funding's been cut too.
75% of state arts funding was cut last summer and more will be cut in the next budget. My sister works for the local arts council and they all scramble to get enough money to keep operating. Before our "president" issued the moratorium on drilling, we'd been mostly unaffected by the recession. Now the industries we're famous for are dying.
Yes we need to find the next thing to come after oil. But the time for the switch is not now. Not when it costs hundreds of thousands of jobs. People don't realize how many jobs are provided by the rig support services, the supply deliveries, the pilots that fly the workers in and out, the boat captains who take workers in and out. All the seafood that flourishes around the active rigs and the massive amounts that get bought by all the people who work on/around the rigs.
An entire state is dying and nobody cares. And it's entirely the fault of the federal government, who are so hung up on being "green" and politically correct that they don't care how many people get hurt in the process. Yes BP did a lot of damage to Louisiana, but what the federal government has done in the name of safety makes BP's liability look nonexistent.
The only thing keeping the state government alfoat right now is the taxes from tourism in New Orleans. But even that is down because of inaccurate and flat out false reporting in the media about the effects of the oil spill and how our seafood is unsafe. It's only the oysters that are unsafe. Those of who live here have not stopped eating it and won't until the state labs tell us it's not safe.
Rachel, I tried to leave a comment on your blog, but since I don't do the google thing, there was no way to post it. I'm praying for you. Thanks for the oil comments. I understand about all the jobs that have been sacrificed for the green movement.
ReplyDeletenjones127 at tampabay dot rr dot com
Thank you, Nancy.
ReplyDeleteDonna, the Tea Party is basically everyday citizens who have decided enough is enough. They're fed up with the corruption in Washington, our ballooning debt, representatives who are out of touch with their constituents and all the reckless spending. It's not an actual party and all the people who identify themselves with the tea party are fiscal conservatives who tend to vote Republican or Libertarian. The "tea" is actually an acronym that stands for Taxed Enough Already.
It does have its roots in the Boston Tea Party, which was also people ticked off over taxes and wasteful spending.
And the fun thing is that oil costs NOTHING in the US compared to Denmark! In DK a litre of oil costs 2.35 US dollar!!! And 90 per cent of the price is tax and VAT. Ninety per cent!!! Therefore, almost all Danes drive small economic cars. No one can afford (or will) drive big cars consuming a lot of gasoline. We ride a lot of bicycles too. And we can walk – we have two legs. If the price for oil increased in the US, I’m sure we would not have so many problems with our oil resources in the world. I’m sad to say, but a lot of oil is wasted in your country due to the very low price. I may sound harsh, but it is the bare truth.
ReplyDeleteSanne-that is VERY true, though China and India are both much larger than the US, We use 25% of the worlds oil! That is an insane number, when you consider.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that other countries have dealt with higher oil already and simply have smaller cars and walk more. Also this means they don't have the weight/diabetes problems Americans have as well. It all is tied together rather people see it that way.
And there is over three liters to our US gallon and we are paying 3.50 right now a gallon while in Denmark a gallon would cost us around $7. We often don't realize how good we have had it here and I think that attitude might hurt our futures, but what can one do?
Sanne, Denmark is a beautiful country. My friends have visited family there many times and I have seen many beautiful pictures. However it is small compared to the U.S. and we who live in rural areas would have a hard time walking to town, or even riding a bicycle. We have a farm and it takes diesel fuel to run our equipment. We can't produce without it.
ReplyDeleteI know Denmark is small and I would never compare Denmark directly to the US, normally I think Europe when comparing. But many of your US norms are so ingrown that you think you cannot change them. And I'm sure you can, some you can at least. We also have lots of people who cannot live without their big(ger) cars, who cannot work without them.
ReplyDeleteAs a kid I lived in the country too, I always bicycled, 10 kilometres to the nearest city and my sports wasn't unsual - and 10 km back, of course. We have driven son around to some things, but he has bicycled a lot too. They have to learn to do things themselves.
And another point I forgot: Remember you Americans are role models for most of the world! What you do, so many others copy.
I have to say that I LOVE the US, I admire you and adore your country and style in so many ways, so don't think that I hate you all. :)