Jamie Garrett Finally Finds a ‘Cause’ He Can Get Behind

Reading and hearing more about the water shortage in California may not be something that registers very high on a Texan's list of things to worry about (myself included), but it provides an easy way to protest and create change... kinda.

It's easy for me to care about things that are happening in my own community.  I stop watering my lawn when the restrictions kick in, but why should I care what's happening with California's water?  Sure, they're only a year away from completely running out of their water reserves, but why does that affect me?

Just do a simple Google search and you'll find too many articles to even begin to dive into telling us that the end is coming for California.  How does that affect us?  25% of the country's agriculture comes from California.  If California runs out of water, we're all going to be paying a lot more for a salad.  That doesn't affect fatties like me as much as it affects the healthy eaters.

Still, it's a trickle-down effect.  California is the most-populated state in the country, and if 39 million people suddenly find themselves without water, where do you think they're going to turn for help?  And by help, I'm referring to our jobs, our housing and our water.

It's a perfect "what am I supposed to do?" moment.  How can I help this stupid state that doesn't seem to understand the gravity of the situation.  I'd say it's a perfect example of Hollywood being out of touch, but Hollywood-types can pack up and move anywhere in the world.  It's the middle and lower-income citizens that are truly in danger, and truly out of touch with the situation.

There are still homeowners' associations in the state that won't allow residents to install fake grass, yet they'll fine residents whose grass isn't green.  It's an asinine idea, but it's a totally California idea.  Do we want that here in Texas?  Ummmm, no way, dude.

The simple way I'm helping California help itself is by avoiding almonds in every shape, form & fashion.  Yes, almonds.  Every single almond takes an entire gallon of water to grow to maturity.  Multiply that by the billions of almonds produced in California's orchards and you begin to see why almond production takes up a full 10% of California's ENTIRE water usage.  To put it another way, almonds use more water in ONE year than the entire city of Los Angeles uses in THREE years.

One head of broccoli, one tomato, one walnut and one head of lettuce all take more than one gallon each to produce, with it taking nearly 5 1/2 gallons of water just for the single head of broccoli.  We're eating healthier, but at what cost?  I may come off sounding like a guy that's giving up, but I think it's time we all settle for Hot Pockets.  Without broccoli.

I know my wife won't let me set THAT bad of an example for the kids.  That means I'll be forced to eat my veggies.  What I CAN do, however, is limit my nut intake (laugh it up, pervs).  They're full of protein and taste delicious, but I'll look elsewhere for the protein it takes to keep this girlish figure.

If California isn't able to convince its (obviously illiterate) businesses to find another way to water, we can use supply and demand to DEMAND they find better irrigation practices.  It may be a thousand miles away, but like Kevin Costner taught us in that Waterworld movie that nobody watched, water is important.  People will fight and kill for it.  Do we want that wave of 39 million desperate, thirsty people moving east, drinking our already-low Belton Lake water?

Honestly, are these two Californians the people we want living next door, drinking our water?

How did this mess happen?  Find out here.