Thought of the Week by N O R T O N

As the countries fastest growing region for a long while now, will the American southwest become the 21st century's version of the 20th century's postindustrial midwest? Let's steal their thunder when they're not looking and get those thirsty South-westerners back to the Great Lakes and River Valleys of the midwest.

The sprawling American Southwest is in big trouble when it comes to water distribution. Various proposals to redistribute the Colorado River, and to establish more efficient methods for irrigation exist currently, but the long term impact of water shortage will be the commodification of water (MSNBC suggests this as a new industry to invest in), and the shrinking/redesign of sprawling cities in this region...

the eWorld is on fire discussing the topic of water:

• http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17276693/
• http://www.casavaria.com/cafesentido/2008/08/24/580/water-shortage-disputes-brewing-in-the-colorado-basin-states/
• http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/environmentandenergy/archive/2008/08/21/mccain-s-water-grab-gaffe.aspx
• http://www.livescience.com/environment/070405_southwest_drought.html
• http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106290853
• http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/P102152.asp