Are you a racist?

A lot of people might not think of themselves as racists in the extreme sense of the word. But all people are, in some way, biased when it comes to race. You can't help it.

I'll prove it. What's your favorite color?

Aha! You have one! (Most people do.) So you are biased based on color.

You are.

Now, let's say you are thinking about dating someone. If you could date and make-out with anyone, would you have a preference as to what they look like? You do? Then you are operating on preconceived notions of who you want to sleep with. Is there a race that you would exclude? Come on, you can't be politically correct about what turns you on- either it does or it doesn't. Why play games? Since you would probably exclude someone out of the romantic or gratuitous sex category, based on racial preferences, does that make you a racist?

No.

Cell phones in the car

I generally hate the way most people drive. Most people are bad drivers, especially in Los Angeles, where it seems everyone drives, whether they have a license or not. Some people can just barely drive. So many people tailgate. Everybody drives really fast, like they are under a damn deadline. People don't stop or even slow down sometimes for people in crosswalks. Now, add to this, these bad drivers often talk on their cellphones while they are driving so dangerously. I see so many dangerous driving maneuvers every day. Cops never seem to be around, and even when they are, they don't stop the people doing the illegal stuff most of the time. Even if a cop might try to stop someone, that could easily turn into a high speed chase across town, creating a much more dangerous situation- that's why I think so many bad drivers are never stopped by the cops.

I like to use my cell phone wherever I am. However, I admit that I hate using it when I'm driving, especially on the freeway. A split second is sometimes the difference between a near-miss and an accident. Cell phones (or coffee cups, or any other distractions) can increase your likelihood of having an accident. Cars are dangerous because they are so big and weighty- they can kill people and cause lots of damage.

That is why I don't mind that they're going to pass a law in California making it a crime (with a small fine) for using a hand-held cell phone in your car while driving. I personally will get used to it before the law passes.

Liza Minelli was great on the 4th of July!!!

If you missed it, Liza Minelli was really great at the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show this year. I just happened to be channel surfing, and I happened upon it as it was starting. It was fantastic! I say that nobody gives a better performance than this woman, when she's at her best. She had all kinds of fire and energy, and she LOOKED GOOD!!! She was at her best. (I know that I'm writing this more than a month after it happened, but since I'm still thinking about it, I have to give this woman props right here on my blog. Bravo, lady!!!)

Why gasoline is so high

This is not really anything that takes a lot of analysis to figure out. The point is, what are we gonna do about it?

The number of refineries in the U.S. is very small. They are all controlled by a very few companies. Supposedly, these refineries are running at capacity. These companies are now enjoying profits that are more than twice what they were last year. Why? Because they all decided to charge the oil companies (some of which own the refineries) more money, to increase their profits. Double profits, year over year.

So really, some parts of some oil companies decided to charge their parent companies more money. Therefore, the oil companies are just passing on the costs to consumers. Add to that increased oil prices, which are also passed on, and you understand the much higher prices.

What are you going to do about it? What CAN you do about it? Challenge yourself. Can you do anything? Are people high up in those companies laughing, because they know that we are at their mercy? That they have us over a barrel as much as the tax man does?

Then we are told that Americans are addicted to oil. Does that sound like someone is about to build more refineries? Not to me. If those refineries don't have any more competition, they will never lower the prices that they charge to refine the oil. One book that I highly recommend that people read is, "Fast Food Nation" (sold at Jamba Juice), which will illustrate just how the car companies and the oil companies have in the past plotted to get rid of other modes of transportation, and it will give you an idea of who really did kill the electric car. What can you do to help change things for the better of all?

Senator Joe Lieberman

Well, it looks like Joe Lieberman lost in Connecticut. Looking at him, I can't help but think that he looks just like the Emperor in the Star Wars movies (while he's posing as the Senator and the Chancellor). I think he's kind of bitter like that, too.

I know that the people of Connecticut voted him out because they felt that he was too close to George Bush. Too much love for George Bush. Kisses in public.

The thing that bothered me about Mr. Lieberman was that he cannot even admit that a mistake was made in the U.S. invading Iraq. It's funny, too, that he doesn't seem willing to blame George Bush for anything (like lying to Congress about WMD's).

It's good that he's going to be out of there. Anyone who cannot admit that he or she has made a mistake should not be a leader in this country.

Welcome to Ransom Think

This is where I, David Ransom, let my thoughts fly. Be warned, I can talk about anything. This is an opinion blog. By reading this, you will get a peek inside by psyche. Like my old friend Ed once said, "Man, you are one strange individual". Well, that might be true, but I think that I have sense, and sensibility.