What would you do?

For some time now we have all had to accept the fact that gas is $4 a gallon, okay, $3.99.9.

Fortunately, it is now $3.75 per gallon, but what would you do if you pulled up to a pump and saw Premium for $1.10? Well, in Wilmington, Los Angeles at a Valero Gas Station, 100's of patrons got to make that decision. A reasonable thinking person with an ounce of common sense and integrity would probably ask what's going on or realize this must be a mistake. Needless to say, the word got out fast and I mean at warp speed! A store clerk that meant to enter $4.29 per gallon for Premium, failed to save the entry so the price for Premium gas defaulted in the store's computer system to $1.10 per gallon. In just four short hours, 7,000 gallons of gas were pumped causing the gas station owner to loose $21,000. So, what would you do? It's my opinion that most of us here in Russell County would say something! I believe the most common response to the store would be "thank you" or "Is this right?" Unfortunately, high gas prices have caused a few people right here in Russell County to be "thieves" somewhat like the people in Los Angeles. Most of our local stations have gone to pre-pay before pumping your gas. A local station manager informed me that drive offs have increased and at $4 per gallon, we all know that can be rather painful. Of course credit card users don't really suffer the inconvenience for pre-pay like cash customers do, but we all pay for thief. Trust me; the proprietor doesn't just eat the loss.

I received an e-mail recently that caught my eye just because of the controversial title. It was entitled; DRINK, STEAL, SWEAR & LIE. It went like this…

I met this person while I was in Phoenix, and he has a motto he lives by everyday. He said, "Listen carefully and live by these 4 rules: 'Drink, Steal, Swear, & Lie'". I was shaking my head 'no', but he then told me to listen while he explained his four rules. So here they are:

1. "Drink" from the "everlasting cup" every day.

2. "Steal" a moment to help someone that is in worse shape than you are.

3. "Swear" that you will be a better person today than yesterday.

4. And last, but not least, when you "lie" down at night, thank God you have freedom.

Drink! We all need to stop and absorb the abundant blessings that God has given us and continues too grant us each and every day!

Steal! Take a minute to talk to the person that is holding the sign, "Will work for food". Offer to buy them a meal. If they're hungry, they'll take you up on it.

Swear! This is a tough one, but God gave us "Ten Commandments". Great place to start!

Freedom! I truly believe that many take this privilege for granted. Some don't give it much thought. Some don't think about it at all! The cost of freedom has to be clearly and unmistakably communicated to every generation. It is not "free". It was said to me recently that a veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to the "United States of America" for any amount, up to and including their life. We must continue to pay homage to the men and women who are willing to write that check.

All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. - Thomas Jefferson

May God Bless…

Ron Phillips