Odds and ends, 7/31/07

Here's something to think about: Crude oil prices are rising, but the retail price of gasoline is declining. What gives?

There are two factors that influence retail prices that news articles seldom mention.

One, when the retail price gets high, people start talking about ethanol and biodiesel. The more they talk, the more the pump price falls.

The second is a bit of wisdom relayed to me by an oil company spokesperson a few years ago. She said her company charges whatever the local market will pay.

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We've gotten several letters recently on whether the Harry Potter series will delude children into abandoning Christianity for witchcraft. As soon as we get five or six verified and keyboarded, we will run them as a group so people can compare the arguments side by side.

Two of my kids have read the entire Harry Potter series, and so far not one has pointed a stick at me and yelled, "Crucio." I will admit that my daughter has a bit of a problem (my point of view, not hers) with respect toward her elders, but it's something I've noticed in a couple of generations of kids. But she's never tried to hex me.

Not to my face, at least.

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Now, this from the AP:

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Convicted vote buyer and former Lincoln County Assessor Jerry Weaver will not receive state retirement benefits.

Kanawha County Circuit Judge Jim Stucky said Weaver’s guilty plea to his role in a vote-buying conspiracy proves he rendered “less than honorable service,” therefore he is not entitled to retirement benefits.

“Public pensions, unlike private-sector pensions, are premised in part upon faithful service of the public trust; therefore, a breach of that trust leads to a forfeiture of a public pension,” the judge wrote in his July 23 ruling.

Weaver, who retired in January 2006 just days after he pleaded guilty, had argued the crime he committed was not directly linked to his job as assessor.

Stucky said Weaver will be reimbursed for the contributions he made to the Public Employees Retirement System for 27 years plus interest, but minus payments already received. …

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ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia voters will be required to show a photo ID at the polls for a special election in September, Secretary of State Karen Handel said Tuesday.

But a lawyer challenging the law in federal court said he will ask a judge to block it yet again. ...

What’s wrong with having to show ID before voting? I need ID to cash a check or use a credit card. I need ID to hold a job. Why not to vote?

One objection is that poor people can't afford cars, so they don't have driver's licenses. I can understand that. I had the same problem. I didn't get my license until I was past 21 1/2. Can't states provide free photo ID for low-income people and still require ID to vote?