Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed because someone in charge wanted to save money. I watched a video last night about the "New London School Gas Explosion."

Oil was discovered in 1930 near New London, TX. That breathed much-need life into the area. One of the first things the town did was build a new school. No expense was spared on this steel and brick structure, costing $19 million in today's dollars. Unfortunately, the school board decided to save money on the heating system. The school was designed for oil heat, but the board switched to gas. That led to complications. They brought in someone to make the changes and adapt the system for gas. He was just "someone." They canceled their contract with the local gas company and went with a cheaper company. This company got its gas for free from the oil refineries. It was the unrefined waste oil that the refineries generally burnt off.

The fittings leaked gas right from the beginning. No one gave much thought to why people were getting headaches and getting sick. The gas had no odor. Over time, a large amount of gas built up in the basement. When a shop teacher turned on an electric motor in 1933, the whole building blew up. Over three hundred people were killed, most being unrecognizable. Condolences poured in from around the world. Even Adolph Hitler sent them a note.

An investigation revealed the many actions that led to this disaster, and the parents filed a lawsuit. Naturally, no one was found liable.

Finding no one liable is typical of disasters. No matter what people did to directly cause the destruction and death, it is rare that anyone is punished. If someone is brought to trial, he is acquitted. If he is found guilty, the sentence is suspended. If he is sentenced to prison, the sentence is commuted, or the verdict is overturned. It is slightly different in other countries, with those who cause disasters being held somewhat responsible - sometimes.

That's the end of my rant.

My wonderful dog died a few weeks ago and my daughter and son-in-law have offered to get me a dog for Christmas. However, the process is incredibly long. I understand that they are seasonally busy and that applications take some time to process but every time I see a dog I like, I send a query, then a week or two later they tell me that the dog was already adopted. Also, our local shelter insists on a new application for every dog that one might be interested in. Anyone know of a way to get something done a bit quicker? Am I doing something wrong here? Even a shelter that has had my approved application on file for over a year is very slow to respond.

I would much prefer a rescue or shelter dog but at this point my son-in-law said it would be much faster to go through a breeder.

Wilsons Leather is closing their stores by the end of the year. A couple of weeks ago my wife and I shopped at their Branson store at the outlet mall, I spent more than I should have. She saw something she liked but didn't buy it, and she told me she wanted it but it cost too much.

Today she had to go to Springfield for something so I told her she should drive the extra few miles to Branson and get what she wanted at Wilsons Leather. Since she wouldn't spend that much on herself I handed her a credit card and said, I kid you not, "Buy what you want for your birthday (in 2 weeks) and put it on the card. You won't spend that much on yourself but I will, so it's on me."

She called when she headed for Branson and said she would call when she left to come home. 3 1/2 hours later (three and a half hours) she calls and says she is leaving Branson. I can just imagine the shopping spree she went on.

Some things you just don't learn after 38 years.