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July 25, 2005
Who Needs Energy Independence?
Debate continues in Washington over an energy bill, and once again GOP leaders are treating conservation as a "personal virtue", as the Vice President famously stated during the campaign, and one not worthy of sanctioning by the federal government.
So let's get this straight -- nearly 1,800 brave Americans have lost their lives, with thousands more wounded, in a country we wouldn't set foot in, were it not for its plentiful natural resources. (We'd like to see freedom and democracy in Cuba, Haiti, or Zimbabwe, but inexplicably we don't race to combat there -- wonder why?)
But our own brave Congress, full of so many "patriots", cannot be bothered to mandate even limited use of renewable energy in public utilities, or modest conservation measures?
It's quite simple. National security is fine and dandy, but a big campaign contribution from the energy industry is even tastier to a Congressman. Sure, reducing our dependence on foreign oil might ease possible future entanglements in that "cradle of civilization" region, but Senator Joe Bob's got to be reelected next year!
Put a "Support the Troops" sticker on your car? You bet! Begin weaning our country from the poisonous tit that is the Middle East? Sure, I'll get a Hummer H-3!
Our men and women in uniform and their families are being asked to sacrifice so much, but Congress and the rest of the bloated American public? Fill 'er up!
Posted by houtopia at July 25, 2005 11:25 PM