JULY 9, 2006 --

My father, Sol Zukerman, had several expressions indicating his Solomonic wisdom, indeed.

One of these expressions appears here as the caption for the photo of gas prices, July 6, at the Mobil station in Torrington, CT. on East Main Street, at Route 8's Exit 44.

It is not clear to me how the Bush administration cannot understand that no good will come of regular gasoline at $3.19.9, much less at $3.35.9 at an Amoco station in The Bronx, the evening of July 8.

Nor is it clear to me how the White House is not aware that oil prices that can do no good for the economy are, effectively, a sign of disrespect towards the President.

Indeed, two Beanie Babies photographed at Oddo Print Shop in Torrington seem as perplexed as this writer that the price of gas is not seen as a challenge to our chief executive/commander-in-chief.

In time, of course, U.S. drivers will curtail travel by car, choosing, perhaps to spend $24, plus drinks, tip and tax for a three-course lunch in Manhattan than to spend this sum on 6 or 7 gallons of gas.

At some point, the oil companies and oil producers and oil speculators must realize that if the choice comes down to driving or eating, the people will not choose gas for nourishment.

The photo of the taxicabs was taken on west 44th street, July 4th morning. Does this represent a future caused by the aggrandizement of Big Oil?

Immobile vehicles?

Recently, LPR posted photos of the east side of Lexington Avenue, in Manhattan, between 86th and 85th streets, slated for demolition. Here is a photo of the demolition taken earlier this month. The site as it existed is being reduced to rubble.

For this writer, it is the price of gas more than Iraq policy that could reduce to rubble the standing of the Bush administration.