<HTML><BODY STYLE="font:10pt verdana; border:none;"><DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10">Ted writes:</FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10">"Joan et. al. . . . What is missing in all your humor is the slightest recognition of my central point that I stated several times regarding discussion of Moscow's growth, a point that a genius of your caliber perhaps finds too insignificant to comment on.<BR><BR>Why bother, it's only the future of all life on our planet? I'm out of this game!" </FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"></FONT></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10">I'll let you in on a secret, Ted . . . "a genius of my caliber" can only address your central point about Moscow's (and the world's) growth by making reference to terrifying articles she reads in the National Geographic. I don't find your point insignificant; I find your point frightening. And so, like Scarlet O'Hara, I won't think about that today; I'll think about that tomorrow. Is this irresponsible? Yes. Is this thoughtless? Yes, again. But I had insomnia for a week after I read an extensive piece in the National Geographic a few months ago about the end of cheap oil. We are rolling downhill like a snowball headed for hell, and it's hard for me to see (other than by making my own small efforts to drive fuel-efficient cars, to recycle, and to make do or do without) just what I can do to dramatically reduce global -- okay, American -- over-consumption. Not in a discussion about whether or not we should pass a school facilities bond.</FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"></FONT></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10">No, we can't go on like we've been going on. I not only concede your point, Ted, I agree with you whole-heartedly. But to think about over-population, over-consumption, and unrestrained global growth in any great detail at the moment just makes me long for a really strong martini and a Valium chaser. THIS IS NOT A JOKE. If you can wait a month or so, the days will be longer, the skies will be sunnier, and I'll feel considerably less anxious. Then, I'd be more than happy to talk about your larger point at length. It is an important point -- but it's not a timely topic of discussion for those of us who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. We're too busy gazing out the window wondering if the rain will ever stop and the sun will ever come out.</FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"></FONT></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10">Now, get <STRONG><U>back</U></STRONG> in the game, Ted. We need you here.</FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"></FONT></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10">Joan Opyr/Auntie Establishment</FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"><A href="http://www.auntie-establishment.com">www.auntie-establishment.com</A></FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"> </FONT></FONT></DIV> <P><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"> </P> <DIV><BR></DIV></FONT></FONT></BODY></HTML><br clear=all><hr>Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : <a href='http://explorer.msn.com'>http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></p>