A Couple of Comments on Mother Nature

My first comment regards the Kindle.  For those of you who don't know what Kindle is, Kindle is a product from Amazon.com that basically allows you to read without a book.  Think of it as an electronic book.  You can download reading material, including thousands of books and the NY Times.  You can use Kindle anywhere, even in bright sun.  The latest ad for Kindle shows two people sitting on the beach, feet in the sand, reading from Kindle.

I just can't seem to get my mind around this.  I mean, obviously I understand what Kindle is, but I don't understand how anyone would prefer to read from a computer screen than from a book.  I really don't understand how anyone could actually relax on the beach if he/she was reading from a computer.  Isn't the whole point in a relaxing getaway to get away from technology?  Wouldn't you miss the feel, the smell, the weight of a book?  Is pressing a button really the same as turning a page?  No sirree, I can't switch...not now anyway.  For now, Barnes and Noble and the library are safe.

Next, I must comment on the Gulf oil spill and Representative Joe Barton (R-Texas).  In case you haven't heard, Joe Barton recently apologized to BP for the White House's treatment and the perceived "shake down."  My response to Mr. Barton...ARE YOU MAD???  Even if the White House is shaking down BP, how do you feel they don't deserve it?  BP has ruined lives and cost thousands of lives millions of dollars.  Don't you feel they deserve whatever punishment they get?  Also, how is apologizing to BP beneficial to you?  Since the majority of citizens are disappointed in the lack of response to the crises, how is apologizing to BP making you look better?  Oh wait, they must provide you with quite a few funds!

Joe Barton did later apologize for his apology, but I personally feel it's too little too late.  He obviously wasn't actually sorry he apologized.  He was sorry everyone got so upset about it.  Maybe he should take his thoughts off his checkbook and start to think more of his citizens.

Personally, I like the response from one Congressman (and now I can't remember who for the life of me) who told the BP executives that in his Korean culture they would be given a Samurai sword and told to do the appropriate thing.  Obviously I'm not very tolerant of the situation.

Note:  I do realize that Samurais are Japanese, not Korean.  I could have the terminology wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's the terminology the Congressman used.