SamSaid!

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

     For 3-4 decades the battle cry of political leaders of both parties has been to reduce the US dependence on Middle East oil and to achieve energy independence. The arguments are sound, and the economists say that we need to go in that direction. No one seems to disagree with the basic premise, but we are as much if not more dependent on Middle East oil now as we were 40 years ago. Reasonably, we all might ask “Why”? “How come”?  Naturally, the finger of blame points at the Saudis, OPEC, Iran, etc etc etc. for controlling the flow and price of petroleum. But are they really the primary culprits?

     The term energy does not apply solely to oil. It applies equivalently to coal, natural gas, electricity, nuclear power, water power,etc. All forms of energy. And while we bemoan the price of gasoline and other commodities, we ignore all of the limitations placed on domestic US energy sources by our environmentalists on the left. They have strangled nuclear power which is safely and successfully used in many parts of the world. In the US It has been regulated into energy oblivion despite the fact that it is cleaner and more economical that other energy forms. The clean air regulations on coal fired power stations are so stringent that layer after layer of cost has been imposed on the power industry. No more dams for water power because creatures at the bottom of the food chain MIGHT be affected. Tight regulations on burning natural gas. And of course, the prevention of drilling for oil or gas in the Acrtic, in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of California, in the mountains  — anywhere. The reason that middle east oil is so attractive to import is that the alternate sounces of energy in the US are burdened by regulations that drive up the costs of domestic sources to record highs. What do we do when it becomes more economical to import middle east oil?  Obviously, we import middle east oil. Lots of it.

     We will never come close to energy independence until we REALLY encourage the use of other alternatives domestically  – and I am not talking about wind power or solar cells. But when it comes to nuclear power, drilling for oil and gas, or burning fossil fuels, the environmentalists just don't care. They go around in green shirts and bitch about importing middle east oil. OPEC is merely obliging our own stupidity. When we are thrashing about in our own regulatory straight-jacket, we have nowhere to go but the Middle East, Venezuela, or elsewhere. Anywhere, say the environmentalists  — just not here. Make the regulations tougher, ban nuclear power and blame OPEC. Simple. Three dollars a gallon?  Oh, we'll find a way. Just invent cars that get 70 miles per gallon. Right?? 

BILL CLINTON

     BC, or #42 as he has been described, is hawking his new book and will probably sell a lot of copies thanks to the tons of free publicity he is receiving from his media buddies at NBC, CBS, ABC, Oprah, et al. I have not bought a copy of the book and don't intend to. Eight years of Bill Clinton was enough without another 960 pages of “explanations”. He has an obsession  about being  well regarded by everyone, and if stretching the truth is required,  he doesn't hesitate a minute. No doubt, he is smart and is glib if not articulate –  but when you strip away all if the self generated “spin”, he is a pathological liar and a moral degenerate.

     It's to bad he has these indelible shortcomings, because I'll bet that he would be  a fun guy to be around in social situations. Over a couple of beers, I'd wager that he has a long retinue of off-color jokes that he tells very well. On a “can you top this” basis, I'm sure he would hold his own well into the 3rd or 4th round. And it would be a treat to play golf with him assuming we had a tough scorekeeper who would  prevent or at least minimize his legendary cheating. But well beyond his virtues, you have to be leery of a guy who figures that the only fault in his long career of womanizing and infidelity was getting caught  –  both in the act and in the lie.

     He is no different than the other world leaders who want to leave an impressive legacy, and his book is structured to paint that warm fuzzy image while explaining away the warts and scars. And so how will history regard him? George Washington was The Father of his Country; Abraham Lincoln was the Great Emancipator, and Ronald Reagan was the Great Communicator. And Clinton?? Way back in his first term, many of the mainstream folks dubbed him “Slick Willie”. That's my vote  –  it fits!