President Bush's Energy Policy
Like most Americans I listened with interest to President Bush’s press conference on Thursday, April 29, and I suppose like most Americans I was both heartened and disappointed by Mr. W’s discussion on energy.
I was glad to hear Bush admit he has little or no control over energy and particularly oil and gasoline prices. That’s refreshing honesty that indicates moral courage on the part of our president. I was also glad to hear Bush not to say that there is any sort of magic solution no hype about hydrogen cars, conservation, fusion, solar power or god knows what else. That was refreshing instead we heard our president discussing real solutions using existing technology.
I’m glad that the president is trying to increase our energy supply by trying to build nuclear power plants. We need more energy and nuclear power despite it’s dangers is the best way to do that with present day technology.
I was also glad to hear the President’s plans for oil refineries on military bases. We need increased oil production and oil under the control of the military. We need to keep some oil in reserve to keep the tanks rolling, the jets flying and the ships sailing. Bush’s plans will ensure that our fighting forces have something in their gas tank in the next war.
Bush has resisted the moronic demands of John Kerry and others to dump our strategic oil reserves on the market. This would drive down oil prices briefly for the purpose of gaining a few points in the polls.
Despite Bush’s refreshing candor I was disappointed by what he didn’t talk about. The president didn’t mention electrification of the railroads especially the mainline freight railroads. A policy that would give America a ground transportation system not dependent on oil. Nor did he mention mass transit which would move people around city without increased car use. Finally, he didn’t mention high speed rail which could give us a fast electric powered alternative to air travel that doesn’t burn oil.
The common sense and honesty about energy coming from the White House is refreshing. The failure to discuss rail and mass travel is all too familiar. Yes America has taken a few steps on the path to energy independence but it has a long ways to go.
Our president is in a unique situation to take America there. He has the bully pulpit, the respect of the American people (but not that of the chattering classes) and majorities behind him in both houses of Congress. More importantly, he has a nation staring into the abyss of a new energy crisis that desperately needs leadership were he to come out for rail electrification, high speed rail and a massive increase of mass transit right now Bush could probably get it through both houses of Congress.
History has given George W. A unique opportunity. The question is will he grasp it or wimp out?
I was glad to hear Bush admit he has little or no control over energy and particularly oil and gasoline prices. That’s refreshing honesty that indicates moral courage on the part of our president. I was also glad to hear Bush not to say that there is any sort of magic solution no hype about hydrogen cars, conservation, fusion, solar power or god knows what else. That was refreshing instead we heard our president discussing real solutions using existing technology.
I’m glad that the president is trying to increase our energy supply by trying to build nuclear power plants. We need more energy and nuclear power despite it’s dangers is the best way to do that with present day technology.
I was also glad to hear the President’s plans for oil refineries on military bases. We need increased oil production and oil under the control of the military. We need to keep some oil in reserve to keep the tanks rolling, the jets flying and the ships sailing. Bush’s plans will ensure that our fighting forces have something in their gas tank in the next war.
Bush has resisted the moronic demands of John Kerry and others to dump our strategic oil reserves on the market. This would drive down oil prices briefly for the purpose of gaining a few points in the polls.
Despite Bush’s refreshing candor I was disappointed by what he didn’t talk about. The president didn’t mention electrification of the railroads especially the mainline freight railroads. A policy that would give America a ground transportation system not dependent on oil. Nor did he mention mass transit which would move people around city without increased car use. Finally, he didn’t mention high speed rail which could give us a fast electric powered alternative to air travel that doesn’t burn oil.
The common sense and honesty about energy coming from the White House is refreshing. The failure to discuss rail and mass travel is all too familiar. Yes America has taken a few steps on the path to energy independence but it has a long ways to go.
Our president is in a unique situation to take America there. He has the bully pulpit, the respect of the American people (but not that of the chattering classes) and majorities behind him in both houses of Congress. More importantly, he has a nation staring into the abyss of a new energy crisis that desperately needs leadership were he to come out for rail electrification, high speed rail and a massive increase of mass transit right now Bush could probably get it through both houses of Congress.
History has given George W. A unique opportunity. The question is will he grasp it or wimp out?
posted by great one at 7:48 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home