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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

> Kathyann
> (Gene, I think I understand how peaceful people get cranky)

Cranky people have no doubt always been on the scene. Bah, humbug! If  
crankiness seems more common today it may simply be that in the  
instant information age all things scary appear more prevalent.  
Choose your favorite disaster and read all about it. Seems to me that  
crankiness is a sign of our times. Each generation has perceived  
unique challenges. Each new era, decade, day, it seems now, finds  
more to fuss about.

Leaders show the way. Politicians, hired by we taxpayers to take care  
of our heaviest business and, while supposedly gifted in the art of  
compromise, take belligerent, unyielding positions and speak in  
uncivil tones. Talk show hosts speak in language unacceptable  
yesterday. Bloggers, today's phenomenon, rant and incite; some are  
simple space wasters, some are serious journalists who research,  
ponder, and report useful information. All are trying to feel important.

 Americans and citizens of other advanced nations have been living  
high on the hog for at least two generations now. We are loathe to  
give up our easy, fun lives. Each perceived threat to our decadence  
makes us a bit more cranky. War, famine, droughts, energy shortages,  
social injustice, tyrannical rulers, and now, now, sweeping  
apocalyptic predictions. None of this is new.

We are drawn to disaster as moths to flame. Nostradamus in the 16th  
century made a good living publishing prophecies, some of which are  
still believed today. Here are some journal notes: 1-1-2000: Widely  
predicted disruptions of great magnitude because of computers’  
inability to handle the new date. It did not happen. 5-5-2003: Title  
of a book. Author-predicted planetary alignment catastrophes. It did  
not happen. 12-21-2012: Mayan predicted apocalypse. Some space  
experts predict a 50% chance of an asteroid hitting Earth in 2012 and  
disrupting climate for several years. The European Space Agency  
predicts 55%. Woo, woo, let's get scared!

Life is uncertain. Those who sense that they are unprepared for  
change are usually correct. Whether we live with angst or serenity is  
largely determined by focus. Focus is self-determined. It's a choice.