The Crisis Which Lifts Us All

As the cost of fuel rises, governments will initiate programs to offset costs which the consumers, (voters) can not absorb. On a local level, many communities will turn to mass transit. I was defending the point that our bus manufacturers could not build buses fast enough with a colleague who works for a large municipality. He informed me that many municipalities have large number of buses in the lots that are not put in service. Often it is because drivers are more expensive than buses, and for maintenance rotations, etc. This is wonderful news. Having excess rolling stock for mass transit, even if it puts pressure on the near term, presents another plausible short term solution to the problem of getting to work.

Part of the wonder of how good comes from hardship is community. Take Mary Suburban. She has bailed on her Lexus and is taking the bus to her job downtown. Cringing, she puts her bag lunch into her briefcase, (remembering the Princess Leia lunch box she had in 5th grade) and walks to the corner to catch the bus. As she approaches the bus stop, she sees a small group of people she vaguely recognizes. That "I know I've seen this person before,..but where ?" feeling. Standing awkwardly next to a woman about her age, she is interrupted by the words, "Don't I know you?" Turning, she recognizes the face, but can't place it, when suddenly, both women exclaim at once,...."Oh my god, were neighbors!"

Community will begin. Real time non-virtual networks will begin again, supplementing and adding to our current social fabric. And as dialog, and organic social intercourse begin in neighborhoods, community strength will begin again. This is the antithesis of what those seeking dominant national power, or overlord power, desire. And it is our homecoming. It is our rebirth into something good, and as Sam says in Lord of the Rings, "something worth fight'en for."