This little scenario could happen in the space of a morning.

I bring this up in order to raise a question. Suppose the ever-peaceful Middle East erupts in war, with the resulting impact on our fuel supply. The question I’d like to raise is a simple one: “Then what?”

Bear in mind this question isn’t directed towards the Middle East, or our loyal politicians, or any of the big players in the game. The question is directed towards myself and you.

Even a short time spent thinking about the impact of extremely low supply and subsequent high price of oil is quite sobering. It doesn’t take much thought to envision a drastically different world for the average man and woman. And I’m not just talking about our ability to drive anywhere at anytime. Oil is used for many things. Besides all the packaging and other plastic parts of our daily life, oil brings our food to the table.

Having had this type of conversation with several people, I’ve found the initial response to be: “Oh, that might be bad.”

Um, yes, it would be bad.

The next response is along these lines: “Oh, the government wouldn’t allow that to happen.”

I’m sorry, but the government is at this moment allowing it to happen. For one thing, we are finding out how little control we have over our many Middle-Eastern friends. For another, oil is sold by private companies, and the government isn’t in the business of telling private companies how to do business. This doesn’t even factor in that many of the government men appear to also be oil-men.

It is a frustrating situation.

And look around you. Many of your neighbors and friends own stock in oil companies. They benefit from the high profits being seen by oil companies. Do they care if these profits seem obscene to some people? A company’s stockholders don’t see profit as obscene, but as beautiful.

I’m tempted to say we are being set up. The real questions are these: Do you know how to grow and store your own food? Do you know how to use tools that don’t require electricity? Can you live without electricity? How will you get water?

The normal reaction to my questions is to scoff: “Oh, you’re being dramatic.”

Scoff on.

But this is a fast-paced world. And we are moving at a mighty fast pace towards a time that is nothing like what we have known.

The old folks lived through these days. They called them hard times.

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe we are just now entering a golden age of bliss which will last forever. In the meantime, ask yourself if you can make it through hard times. It costs nothing to consider the question. And it may save your life.

(Editor’s Note: Reach David Clark at dclark@outofthesky.com, or write him at P.O. Box 148, Cochran, Ga. 31014.).