Americans Turn to Prayer at the Pump
As this country goes bonkers over $4-per-gallon gasoline, it would seem a good time for a sober discussion about our near-total dependence on one unsustainable mode of transport. But as modern Americans, we generally prefer whining to introspection. And when whining doesn't work, well, there's
always prayer.
Enter Rocky Twyman, a choir director and PR guy who, as the San Francisco Chronicle reports, has tapped into the national zeitgeist by arranging "pray-ins" at gas stations from DC to California.
"God is the only one we can turnto at this point," said Twyman, 59. "Our leaders don't seem to be ableto do anything about it. The prices keep soaring and soaring."
To solve the problem, Twymanisn't begging the Lord for any specific act of intervention. He is notasking God to make OPEC pump more oil. Nor is he praying for all thespeculative investors to be purged from the New York MercantileExchange, where crude oil is traded.
Instead, he says anyone who wants to follow his example should keep it simple.
"God, deliver us from these high gas prices," Twyman said. "That's all they have to say."
It's just that simple, folks.
At least Twyman is also encouraging people to alter their driving habits by carpooling and, yes, even walking. This is more than can be said for most of our current crop of pandering pols. Cue Madame Speaker:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,D-San Francisco, on Thursday asked President Bush to stop filling thestrategic oil reserve. And on Friday, she called on the Federal TradeCommission to investigate whether the oil market is being manipulated.
And can we get an "Amen" from the Clinton chorus?
God help us all.
Photo: San Francisco Chronicle
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday’s Headlines Are Tired Out
Whether it's from degradation or the dust resulting from wear and tear, it's becoming increasingly clear that tire and brake emissions are harmful, perhaps even exceeding tailpipe emissions.
Study: What Road Diets Mean For Older Drivers
"After a road diet, all motorists seem to drive at a rate that feels comfortable to a mildly-impaired older adult."
Op-Ed: Why Is Fare Evasion Punished More Severely than Speeding?
A.B. 819 offers California the opportunity to decriminalize fare evasion and replace punitive measures with more equitable approaches.
Talking Headways Podcast: Local Culture and Development
We chat with Tim Sprague from Phoenix about supporting local culture through development projects and the importance of sustainable development and transportation.
City of Yes Yes Yes! Adams Calls for Elimination of Parking Mandates on ALL New Housing
Mayor Adams today announced the historic end to one of the city’s most antiquated — and despised — zoning laws requiring the construction of parking with every new development.
