Several years back, I told my daughter that she should trade in her Acura (Jap Honda POS) and get something cheaper with a better maintenance record. Her answer was “Why do I need an extra $100\/month? What will it buy me?” <\/p>\n
I see that myopic strategy at work today in the Obama Administration plans to reject the Keystone pipeline from Fox News<\/a>; <\/p>\n For three years, the State Department has been reviewing the initial proposal to run a pipeline from Canada down to Texas through a sensitive Nebraska aquifer — authority it has because of the transnational path the route takes. The pipeline had been through several other federal, state and local approvals, but the department backed away from signing off on the plan last year after environmentalists complained.<\/p>\n Industry workers and Republicans contend the project would create thousands of jobs, and Canada’s prime minister has warned if the U.S. can’t get on board, the North American nation will look to team with China.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Who needs thousands of more jobs in this country? Who needs oil money? Letting China move in is a great idea whose time has come. China operates refineries in Africa and is making deals for oil in South and Central America, why not let them in our neighborhood? After all, they’re not really communists anymore, right? They’re no threat. Well, other than their new subs and aircraft carriers.<\/p>\n Obama has noted his environmental concerns when it comes to energy exploration but insisted Tuesday that a balance could be found. <\/p>\n “I think the recommendations are sound. We see enormous potential in production of traditional fossil fuels,” he said without mentioning Keystone.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Once again, I’ll quote Jimmy Carter’s explanation for forming the Department of Energy in his “Malaise Speech<\/a>“, in which he decried our “crisis of confidence” in government;<\/p>\n To make absolutely certain that nothing stands in the way of achieving these goals, I will urge Congress to create an energy mobilization board which, like the War Production Board in World War II, will have the responsibility and authority to cut through the redtape, the delays, and the endless roadblocks to completing key energy projects.<\/p>\n We will protect our environment. But when this Nation critically needs a refinery or a pipeline, we will build it. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n There has not been a refinery or an oil pipeline built since that speech. Mainly because we subject our energy policy to the whims of filthy hippies who don’t buy gas or need jobs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"