I am so frustrated right now. In the late '70's, when the US had the opportunity to break free of foreign oil, we completely blew the chance, paving the way to 9/11 and war in the mid-east. I just finished reading an article in the NY Times, comparing the current oil spill to Moby Dick. A very interesting story, great analogy. But at the end, the writer refers to the fact that this is the moment for us to move ahead with green energy initiatives, and then says "...but, do Americans really want to pay more for oil?" Or something like that. Well, of COURSE Americans would like to pay more for energy if it means green energy that won't destroy the environment, home-grown jobs that will give them the ability, once more, to live a middle-class life, and domestic production that will get our troops home from a win-less war. DUH!!! Just read the letters to the NY Daily News. I think News readers are probably pretty typical New Yorkers. Letter after letter saying what I just wrote-get us out of the oil business, out of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and stop purchasing our energy from foreign nations. Bring our initiatives to bear to fix the problem and move ahead on renewable, home-grown energy. I think Obama really missed the mark last night by not setting out a clear strategy for accomplishing that. We really can't afford this way of life any more. This is the moment. If we don't seize it, we probably deserve what we get.
