AFS Cinema
On the Right Path
RECEIVED Tue., May 6, 2008
Dear Editor,
On Feb. 8, I sent the Chronicle an e-mail with a change for “What in the Hell Is Wrong With the System?” [“Postmarks” online, Feb. 1] that was left out of the previous letter before it was printed, I added: "Now with bankruptcy changes, people can't play hot potato with their bills. Let's just repeal the gasoline tax! We can all save some money and not have to depend on receiving government stimulus packages, which came out of our pockets to begin with." Now it's the hot topic in the battle for the empty chair in the White House. I had that idea two months ago and posted it in a blog on Hillary's website. Did someone on team Hillary read it, or was it just another odd idiosyncrasy? Could it have been a road sign telling me I am on the right path? Anyway, I had another idea awhile ago that could save us Texas taxpayers some money. Reverse the subsidies that are helping make biodiesel. Since that is driving up the cost of food worldwide, I think it's time to stop that industry cold. Now for something completely different: Many of us weirdos know that under the Ann Richards Bridge in Austin is a colony of Mexican free-tailed bats calculated between 750,000 to 1.5 million bats at peak season. I suggest we build a platform 6 feet under the bridge. Why you ask? To catch the bat guano. It's estimated that this bat colony consumes between 10,000 to 30,000 pounds of insects per night. Guano sells for about $45 for a 25-pound bag. If we pitch a plan to the Texas Department of Transportation to collect an average of 15,000 pounds of guano that collects on the platform, instead of falling into Lady Bird Lake, that would generate $27,000 per day, or $2.43 million a season.
On Feb. 8, I sent the Chronicle an e-mail with a change for “What in the Hell Is Wrong With the System?” [“Postmarks” online, Feb. 1] that was left out of the previous letter before it was printed, I added: "Now with bankruptcy changes, people can't play hot potato with their bills. Let's just repeal the gasoline tax! We can all save some money and not have to depend on receiving government stimulus packages, which came out of our pockets to begin with." Now it's the hot topic in the battle for the empty chair in the White House. I had that idea two months ago and posted it in a blog on Hillary's website. Did someone on team Hillary read it, or was it just another odd idiosyncrasy? Could it have been a road sign telling me I am on the right path? Anyway, I had another idea awhile ago that could save us Texas taxpayers some money. Reverse the subsidies that are helping make biodiesel. Since that is driving up the cost of food worldwide, I think it's time to stop that industry cold. Now for something completely different: Many of us weirdos know that under the Ann Richards Bridge in Austin is a colony of Mexican free-tailed bats calculated between 750,000 to 1.5 million bats at peak season. I suggest we build a platform 6 feet under the bridge. Why you ask? To catch the bat guano. It's estimated that this bat colony consumes between 10,000 to 30,000 pounds of insects per night. Guano sells for about $45 for a 25-pound bag. If we pitch a plan to the Texas Department of Transportation to collect an average of 15,000 pounds of guano that collects on the platform, instead of falling into Lady Bird Lake, that would generate $27,000 per day, or $2.43 million a season.
Mike Homa