The ash cloud, the oil spill and the election

Interesting news items do kind of seem to be like the old metaphorical bus at the moment; quite a few have arrived at once.  Certain news pieces didn't arrive as such, they were more scheduled, and have simply coincided, prompting less of a feeling of "fate" as might be expected as things just unfold gradually; but the effect of the non-scheduled items is remarkable enough in itself.
I'm sure they need no introduction; the ash cloud, the oil spill and of course the election.  I'm trying to have something quick, almost snappy, to say about each.

The ash cloud
No doubt the airline industry feel somewhat hard done to.  First 9/11 and the almost decade aftermath and fallout for the finances of carriers, now something to remind them how inherently unpredictable running such a business can be.  What was quite stark about this (for me, at least) is how money does seem to talk in today's world.  The airline industry was already in poor shape financially, and in no mood to be absorbing the shock from such an external factor.   Have you ever heard such grave safety concerns receive so little of the benefit of the doubt?  We're so hooked on flying in the West; it's scary.

The oil spill
The major point which has stood out on this topic, so far anyway (aside from how little coverage the 11 deaths received in the early reports, i put that down to family contact time) is just what lengths we're going to feed our oil demand these days, and how it takes something like this to make it big news.  The area where this accident occurred is, apparently, considered a relatively safe area (compared to other undersea sites at least) to drill for oil.  So, we're prepared to go pretty far.  Our opportunity to use our once in an eon gift to get us on a sustainable energy footing and solve countless other issues, is leaking away in front of our eyes like all that oil is leaking into the sea.

The election
The green agenda is so vital to our future.  If we want our votes for the green party to count, then first we need a proportional voting system.  This has never been so close as it is now.  Even if we don't get it directly after tomorrow's election, a hung parliament could lead back to another election.  If it does, hopefully the chance will be seized then.

Anyways, that's me spent for the day.  I'm off to vote liberal early in the morning.