What Caught My Eye Today

Gaza - While most of us were taking some desperately needed time off to recover from the year that was (2008...what a mess), Israel spent the holidays shelling the living snot out of the Gaza Strip. Israel allowed several hundred Palestinians with foreign passports to flee Gaza as its warplanes bombed a mosque it said was used to store weapons and destroyed homes of more than a dozen Hamas operatives. The evacuees told of crippling shortages of water, electricity and medicine, echoing a U.N. warning of a deepening humanitarian crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip in the seven-day-old Israeli campaign. The U.N. estimates at least a quarter of the 400 Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrikes on Hamas militants were civilians. In military jargon, that loss of life is called collateral damage. Yeah, that sounds much better, don't it? Israel began its campaign to try to halt weeks of intensifying Palestinian rocket fire from Gaza. The offensive has dealt a heavy blow to Hamas but has not stopped the rockets, which continue to strike deeper and deeper into Israel. Three Israeli civilians and one soldier have been killed in the rocket attacks. President George W. Bush branded the Hamas rocket attacks an "act of terror," while Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice accused Hamas' leaders of holding the people of Gaza hostage. Oh, I'm sure those comments were well received. No offense, Mr. President, but you've got like what, 15 more minutes left in office? Israel appears to be open to the intense diplomatic efforts by Arab and European leaders, saying it would consider stopping its punishing aerial assaults if international monitors were brought in to track compliance with any truce with Hamas. This just proves my point. Israel is more interested in what the Arab world has to say about this mess than its staunchest ally. Bear in mind that many in the Arab world don't think very much of our Israeli friends. And yet, Israel is paying more attention to them than to President Bush. Speaking of Bush, how's that Middle East peace process deal working out for you? I guess you'll have to come up with a different theme for that particular wing of your Presidential library.

Gasoline - Two days into 2009, and we have our first entry for the "You Have Got To Be Kidding Me" file. Motorists are driving less and buying less gasoline, which means fuel taxes aren't raising enough money to keep pace with the cost of road, bridge and transit programs. A federal commission created by Congress to find a way to make up the growing revenue shortfall in the program that funds highway repairs and construction is talking about increasing federal gas and diesel taxes. A roughly 50% increase in gasoline and diesel fuel taxes is being urged by the commission until the government devises another way for motorists to pay for using public roads. I read another article where Oregon is exploring the feasibility of taxing drivers on the number of miles they drive. Dude, I appreciate the financial realities associated with the upkeeping of our nation's roadways, but is this the only way. For years we've been badgered to drive less and to buy more fuel efficient cars in the name of the environment and patriotism (yeah I know, "patriotism"?). Well now that we're finally doing what we've been asked to do for so many years, how are we going to be rewarded for our efforts? With more taxes, of course. Memo to self: Send letter to Congress asking if the concept of "positive reinforcement" is completely foreign to the policymakers in Washington.

Economy - President-elect Barack Obama is back from what will likely be the last vacation he's likely to enjoy for the next 4 to 8 years. Obama's transition team is putting the finishing touches on an economic recovery plan that could run from $675 billion to $775 billion. Congressional aides briefed on the measure say it's likely to blend tax cuts of $500 to $1,000 for middle-class individuals and couples with about $200 billion to help revenue-starved states with their Medicaid programs and other operating costs. Hmm. $500 you say. That should just about cover that 50% increase in the gas tax. How convenient. A large portion of the measure will go toward infrastructure projects, blending old-fashioned brick and mortar programs like road and bridge repairs and water projects with new programs such as research and development on energy efficiency and an expensive rebuilding of the information technology system for health care. I'm all for energy efficiency, I really am. I'm just not sure I'm going to be able to afford it. Democrats had hoped to get the recovery plan set for Obama's signature as close to Inauguration Day as possible, but it's plain that the schedule is slipping. The hell you say. Mr. President-elect, you don't know me from Adam, but here's some free advice anyway. With Congress, it's best to set the bar low, real low. I've found that the only expectations that you can count on when dealing with Congress are the expectations that Congress will fail to live up to any of them.

Suicide - At least 33 people who chose to end their lives last year in a national park. The number is higher than recent years, although the National Park Service hasn't consistently tracked suicides. Not exactly the sort of thing that you want to boast about in tour brochures. Park officials estimate people made more than 274 million visits to the country's 391 national park units last year. The vast majority are intent on seeing breathtaking vistas, wildlife in its natural habitat or places where history was made, such as the Gettysburg battlefield. A troubled few came to end their lives. 33 out of 274 million? I'm not sure we're on the verge of an epidemic just yet. In 2007, there were 26 suicides or probable suicides in the parks. Park Service search-and-rescue records show 18 suicides in 2006, 18 in 2005 and 16 in 2004. Then again, maybe I spoke to hastily. I mean really, a nearly 27% increase in suicides is no joking matter. Gimme a break. I bet more people drop dead waking up in the morning. Here's an idea. Maybe Congress should authorize the Park Service to issue permits for those interested in this particular exit strategy. If we get enough takers, maybe that gas tax won't be necessary after all.