It's An Ill Wind...

There is an old adage that states “It’s an ill wind that blows no good.” It is generally understood to mean that no matter how bad something may be, some good can come of it for someone. The energy crisis and rising gasoline prices are certainly ill winds.

Concerned Environmentalists find good in the reduction of carbon emissions with some relief for the problem of global warming. People are driving less, no doubt about that; cleaner air (however slight) is a result.

Inventive Americans seek ways to economize. Gas-saving tips abound for those who must drive. We are told to avoid aggressive driving and to keep within the limit because these habits can decrease gas mileage as much as one third. Drivers are advised not to accelerate to beat yellow-turning-red lights. Abrupt acceleration reduces mileage efficiency too.

Entrepreneurship is rising to the challenge too. It is reported that the brothels in Nevada are offering a gas card incentives to its truck driving clientele. Others are stealing the used cooking oil restaurants have been begging recyclers to take for years. Suddenly stinking French fry oil is gold. Creative responses abound!

U.S. News and World Reports suggests ways to carpool, using websites like RideSearch and eRideShare. Who knows, one might relax on the way to work a few times a week while making friends! They also recommend a good tune-up. Clean engines are more efficient. Another suggestion is to reduce your horsepower. Cycle down to four-cylinders. These cost less so you save money; while you can claim the moral high ground of saving the planet. Win-win.

There is real interest in alternative vehicles. It’s about time! Welcome to the global community who seek ways to be friendlier to the earth, extending the old girl’s useful life with fewer greenhouse emissions. There are more people taking public transportation. This trend will reduce congestion on highways. Increased use of public transport is a mixed blessing to such systems. On the one hand they have been trying to increase rider-ship for years; on the other, their fuel costs are soaring.

My personal nominations for the benefits created by out-of-control gasoline inflation are admittedly tinted with schadenfreude. For years, large, outsized SUVs—and worse—have blocked my vision in parking lots; they have created dangerous driving on ice, snow, and slush; blinded me at night with their higher placed headlights and aggressive tailgating; hogged parking places. Now, the owners of those leviathans can’t get rid of them fast enough. Used car dealers don’t want them. Going prices for trade-ins are at rock bottom.

Airlines are clamping down on those who think their steamer trunks qualify as carry-on luggage. For years my regulation size case has had to fight for space while the greedy travelers shoved huge suitcases, life-sized stuffed toys, television sets, etc. in the overhead bins. Pay for them!

Finally, all those self-righteous health nuts who have lorded it over those of us less fit have become “just folks” now. I’m referring to those who, in the past, have donned ridiculous outfits, straighten their halos, and biked to work—because they are fitter and cared more about the earth, presumably. Move over; there are a lot of folks too poor to afford the sleek outfits out there biking to work because they can’t afford the gas. They’re too busy holding on to their brown bags to straighten the halo.

As I said, “It’s an ill wind…”