BETWEEN THE LINES: Uncertainty and lack of control trouble mankind
The weather of late easily could be dubbed the summer from hell. It is well documented the weather in June, July and August in Texas is very hot with high temperatures typically in the mid-to-upper 90s. Many records are enviable, while others not so much. Breaking records for consecutive days above 100 degrees, total days with a high over the same mark and tying the all-time high of 112 degrees are records that certainly qualify in the latter category.
This year marks my 50th summer enduring the Texas heat, but this year has been extraordinary even by Texas standards. For nine months of the year, the climate is not only tolerable, but quite pleasant. When residents of the North are digging out of snowdrifts in sub-zero temperatures, we could be out playing golf in shorts.
A few statistics will quickly indicate the severe nature of the heat wave we have had to deal with since June 1. Beginning with that date to present, we only have had two days in which the high temperature was below normal. The average high in that time period was six degrees higher than normal. Meteorologists consider a three-degree differential to be highly unusual.
Texas has not been the only state to experience the nature’s havoc. Last weekend, virtually the entire East Coast experienced a rare hurricane. The last being Hurricane Hazel in 1954, which I happened to experience as a precocious 7-year-old in my hometown of Union, N.J. It was my first blackout to witness.
In addition this year, historic floods were experienced along numerous rivers in the heartland of America. From Minot, N.D., which is close to the Canadian border, to the mouth of the mighty Mississippi, rising waters created billions of dollars of property damage.
Rare earthquakes struck in Colorado and Virginia, while tornadoes were spotted in the Northeast. All of these unusual occurrences are reminders of mankind’s lack of control over certain aspects of their lives, a most troubling truth. Americans’ general optimism usually puts such prospects of calamity deep in the recesses of our minds.
Years like the one we now are experiencing cause us to ask ourselves if the rate of these tragedies is increasing. Immediately, the supporters of global warming point their collective fingers at environmental abuses. Others will look at these events and believe Armageddon cannot be far off; the end times are approaching.
The truth is, we like life to be predictable. We can understand our suffering as a result of our actions or inactions but would prefer to get a mulligan. Those unpredictable ones like a drunken driver crossing into oncoming traffic and killing an innocent family are troubling. We feel sick to our stomach when a jogger goes off for a morning run and never returns.
Many of the events above affect segments of our population, but not the nation as a whole. There is more than a little anxiety in the air as our attention turns to our economic woes. The consequences of sustained high unemployment and historic high levels of debt in relation to the gross national product do not bode well for the future. Fear of reductions in our retirement and health insurance plans add to that uncertainty, as does the eroding of our savings by future inflation, the great invisible tax levied by our elected leaders through their frivolous spending habits. The potential crash of our economy will affect virtually everyone.
Those who believe in life after death can take solace in their beliefs. They will be reassured by the lyrics of the Jim Reeves’ song which reminds them “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.” Those who do not will have little to look forward to other than clinging to the moment and riding the wave as long as they can.
Laughlin is a Christian Libertarian. He is an economist, teacher, father, husband and most recently a grandfather. He has written a weekly column for The Tribune for 12 years. He and his wife Gina reside in Meadowlakes. To contact him, email ablaughlin@nctv.com. He is an independent columnist, not a staff member, and his views do not necessarily reflect those of The Tribune or its parent company.