Holler Folk tend to be nobody's fool. There is something about living close to the land and seasons that sharpens the common sense. Is this the thing now missing in America?

Ecology and Penology: One small town not far from the holler has not one but TWO major contamination sites. One is from an old gasoline tank that leaked for untold years. Another from a modern electronics company that should have known better. In fact it is a matter of course that they probably DID know better. In a more Holler centric world, criminals like these bums would have the key thrown away. They can take the place of victimless crime "criminals" now clogging up the penal system in vague hope of "rehabilitation". Management and shareholders of such evil doing companies should also have their personal and business assets seized, so they can no longer profit from those evil doings. This might even fund the cleanup they leave behind when the money runs out.

The air is usually fresh this time of year.... But wait! Is that the smell of International Paper burning 71 tons of tires a DAY directly upwind and just 25 miles from the air you are now breathing? And Big Paper wants to do this WITHOUT an electrostatic precipitator to filter the poisons it releases. They claim they can't afford it. People like this should not be allowed to reproduce.

We all know the demon businesses in our own back yard. Don't be fooled by how much they give to the Little league team either. They appear to be building community, but they are in fact, destroying our communities.

To all Good People now working for evil organizations: Quit now. Guilt by association is still guilt. If you are reading this you probably are awake enough to know that sometime you just have to walk away in protest. They will tempt you with medical insurance. They will tempt you with retirement plans. They will tempt you with "job security". Don't you fall for it. These are sugar coatings on a bitter pill. Trust me, you don't really want to swallow it anyway.

Speaking of evil organizations, our friendly Executive Branch, Legislature, and soon Judicial branch; more reminiscent of a gang of Mafia thugs than pillars of civilization, continue their unabated attacks upon our lovely planet, the little people (everyone worth less than 50M), and anyone unfortunate enough to be living atop oil reserves. Do you KNOW what these people are doing?

We have already talked about the environmental degradation occurring or being plotted to occur in our own little piece of the American Dream. We have touched base on the Insurance Scam (make a claim - lose your coverage). We have hinted at the growing segregation between awake people and greedy little despots seeking to glom out their own empire as testament to their egos. We have strongly suggested that you NOT be an enabler to these jerks.

This is a time of strong polarization. If you truly believe Jesus wants America to rule the world through his emissaries, the rich white Yalies and their Oreo cookie friends, fine! You can believe what you want. I understand there is a place in France filled exclusively with people who believe they are Napoleon. An entire planet is not big enough to hold the lust for power these guys have. Talk about an adrenaline addiction.

Even the Federal standards defining what an Organic Product is, are under attack. Once again BIG AG wants to blot out anything that might impinge on their monopolies.

So what's the good news? Plenty! $3 gas has begun to wrought the social and economic changes we have waited 30 years to see. With power costing twice as much, alternative power is now economically feasible. There is a one year waiting list for some kinds of solar panels, and biodeisel can be found if you look hard enough. Sales of organic products continue to soar. Can it be the Middle Class has finally realized that Organic might be prudent?

The common man understands that the Bushies are crooks robbing the treasury. And like the Mafia, when they make an offer, it is hard to refuse. Does anybody think they will just go away when they are voted out of office? Hello! These guys did not win legitimately the first two times.

These are such sad times for our beautiful country. We have walked away from everything we learned in the 60's and 70's. How did this occur? We made such social progress in such a brief amount of time.

One thing that happened is that the drugs changed. The late 60's and early 70's were fueled by marijuana and LSD. These are mind opening drugs, though not without their inherent dangers. (Kids - do not try this at home). In the late 70's cocaine made it's way into society. Although it has a psychedelic edge the first few times, cocaine soon exists solely for it's own continuance. LSD gave way to PCP and methamphetamines, some chicks started getting hooked on pain pills, valium and "ludes". Alcohol, almost shunned by Hippy Purists became popular with a new generation.

The kids didn't know it, but the drugs that potentially help you to think in broader, more expansive ways, were replaced or used along with, drugs that numbed pain and loosened inhibitions, but without the perspective expanding edge. People began looking for ways to get by, instead of ways to get real. Then, in the mid-eighties, the Federal Government got into the population drugging business by putting sodium fluoride into public water supplies. Sodium fluoride is a motivation depressant. It makes lab rats docile and lazy and their offspring hyper. No wonder 70% of us drink coffee! Please note: sodium fluoride is not the calcium fluoride your dentist gives you.

In the end the one truly impactive thing you can do is to buy local and natural. Support your neighbors, keep your money in the Valley. Do not support Big AG, Big Pharm, Big Paper or Big Businesses busy destroying YOUR Saturday afternoon off. Think about how you are going to be getting food should the food distribution system break down. And just say no.

These essays were written for entertainment purposes only. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Vermont Soap, its employees, board of directors, our Web host, Web designer, the neighbors who live up the road; or any of the thousands of people who use our stuff. Originally published in edited form by Comic News. Many thanks to Seasoned Books, without which, life in the Holler may never have become a reality.