You know I write this column for everyone. From the folks at the Farmington Hills Library to the gang at Bray's Hamburgers. Recent events have intellectuals and readers of all types ah-struck all over town. Really current events read much like a modern-day Shakespearean tragedy. Sons of kings dealing with natural disasters, war, crime, inflation, taxes, death and the unrest of the masses.

 

I heard a terrible story about a woman and her children in New Orleans. She was stuck for three days on an overpass with three young babies and her 10 year old daughter. On the forth day National Guard troops came by, but they were evacuating babies and one care giver only. Leaving this young mother with the decision to leave with the troops without the 10 year old, or stay and hope for the best. She made the decision to leave her oldest daughter behind. She was lucky a few days later she was reunited with the 10 year old. But truly a choice no mother should ever have to make. Even though this worked out OK, I'm thinking mothers don't let go of your kids.

 

The Salvation Army is taking donations for the hurricane relief effort. I like the idea of a nonprofit organization helping. Seems the Salvation Army is always around when they are needed. From helping at the local people and rescue workers at the recent chemical plant fire in Romulus, to now sending people and money to New Orleans. Years ago in the middle of the night, in downtown Detroit, I came across an old man laying in the street, freezing to death. After a dozen calls, I took him to the Salvation Army building on Bagly, who were the only people who would open their doors at that late hour. Something I have never forgot.

 

Lets change gears. Even with three dollar a gallon gas prices, the band played in Tawas Michigan last week. Interestingly gas was cheaper in Tawas then Detroit. And like I have said over and over if gas prices fluctuate so much with the price of a barrel of oil, how come an oil change or a quart of oil at the store doesn't change price? The answer of course is the price of gas is a man made, reflecting how much money can they make, not how much the gas in the ground costs.

 

Even though you may not want to drive across the street or wait in line for gas that maybe a few cents cheaper, the law of supply economics says you have to. By supporting the station that is a few cents cheaper it forces other stations to drop their prices to compete. Why does a station have any incentive to lower their price if you just pay any price they ask?

 

You still have time to pack up the kids and come to my 50th birthday party! 2pm Sunday, September 11 at the Fall Festival in downtown Plymouth. It is coincidentally the 50th anniversary of the Fall Festival. Benny and the Jets will perform a free all ages concert with cake and ice cream for all.