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April 29, 2005
The Bush Speech - Energy
I only heard about half of Bushs speech, as it was already started when I tuned in on NPR during the drive home. I don't actually remember much from the part I actually listened to but I do like some of what I've heard second-hand. Apparently of the 4 actions he mentioned as part of his energy plan 3 were "alternative energy" solutions.
He's brought this up multiple times. He's never taken huge action on it yet, but I really wonder about his true thoughts on the matter. I have a hunch that he does see the importance of these alternatives but is somewhat restrained because he needs to deliver for his "oil company friends." If that weren't true I wonder how much he would do.
I really don't understand why he doesn't push it harder. If he made huge moves towards oil independence he'd probably become one of the most liked presidents of modern times by both the environmentalists and neocons. The neocons want off oil because it makes the US dependent on foreign sources politically as well as economically.
I realize it would put a strain on the economy to go at this full speed, but I'm sure there's a compromise in the middle where we (the west in general) could be doing a lot more than we are now.
Posted by nthier at April 29, 2005 10:55 AM
Comments
You can't let Bush off the hook just because he schedules a prime time speach to ask to be let off the hook.
We all know about the Bush family's connections to Big Oil, both inside and outside the middle east. We know about the environmental laws he repealed in favour of his Big Oil friends. We know about the social laws he pretended he didn't notice his Big Oil friends breaking in California when they faked blackouts to jack up prices. We know how hard the Republicans have fought against electric or hybrid cars, going so far as to pass additional taxes on hybrids "to make up for lost gas tax revenue."
The speach was well written, and the questions asked afterward were critical enough of Bush to believe they weren't staged (they were, of course, but they tried hard). But none of that changes the nature of the Bush administration.
If they were desparate enough about the high gas prices, dropping approval, record deficit, global instability and unpopular social security reform to schedule the fourth primetime press conference of Bush's 5 year administration, you know there are some cracks in the dam. Big ones. And you know those cracks must look much worse from the inside.
=D
Posted by: Randy at May 2, 2005 12:46 PM
I agree with everything you say here. Every now and then I do try to find a positive angle to something Bush does.... I don't want to seem biased, ya know :)
Maybe this time I was stretching a little too much...
Posted by: Neil Thier at May 2, 2005 01:16 PM
That's why you're the moderator.
Vitriol without evidence. Opinion without censorship. I love the internet.
=Dan
Posted by: Randy Nutjob at May 2, 2005 04:23 PM
That's not entirely true. I do censor out the spammers. But I don't think that's a hard one to argue :)
Posted by: Neil Thier at May 2, 2005 10:18 PM