More Flirting with Disaster

As much as I feel sorry for those stuck in the parking lot between Houston and Dallas as Hurricane Rita approaches, I have to wonder if in some respects, they have themselves to blame. I'm not trying to be an S.O.B. here, but when traffic is moving (as CNN reported overnight, at 1 MPH) you're moving at least twice as fast if you get out and walk.

This is a clear illustration of what's wrong with North America's automotive fetish and our cult of the individual. I'm looking at this traffic jam like I do any other traffic jam: How many of these people are in their cars by themselves? Could they have rode in a vehicle together? Could they have used public transportation?

Is this page being unrealistic? I don't think I am if one applies the laws of physics. The rule that two objects (or people) cannot exist in the same space gets thrown out when 4 or 5 people can exist in the same carpool or three dozen can exist on the same bus. The smallest bit of coordination and reaching out to others could have created a lot more space on the Interstate than there is now.

Also, there may have been a little more gas left in the pumps. Like Katrina, Hurricane Rita is certain to drive up gas prices. You know what else drives up gas prices? Those oblivious to the laws of supply and demand who line up at the pumps to fill up because they think the price will go up again. You know what causes these severe hurricanes in the first place? Many of these same people who don't need to drive but do, which accelerates global warming, and heats the Gulf of Mexico so it acts like a rocket booster once a hurricane passes through.

In the long run, if you want to help the situation, put down the car keys and find another way to go: walking, cycling, public transit. You do have choices, your mobility is a right. Owning an internal combustion engine that emits greenhouse gases is not as much of a right as it is a problem.