Quote from today's editorial section Drilling for Pottage:
"Mr. Bush got it right in the first place: America is addicted to oil. To treat an addiction, you don't seek a cheaper fix when the drug becomes too expensive. You make a change in your life. A true leader would see this; that person would heed the ancient wisdom that you don't sell your birthright for a mess of pottage, which is what lifting the oil drilling bans promise to be".
Mr. Bush didn't really get it right - he just mimiced what he heard elsewhere. But no matter as borrowing (or plagiarizing) the words of others is standard for politicos. The point is still made and the point is right on (just like JFK did in 1961 with his "Ask not" speech which was borrowed and made his own).
What the Blade got right was the italicized part and especially the bolded/italicized part - the response to the current crisis with oil is to change your life. Johnny Block's right, yes, but I strongly doubt people will listen.
They still want their big cars and their American Dream. If Mr. Bush or Mr. McCain can promise lower gas prices by banging up the environment - people will likely go for it. If Mr Obama and the Dems can promise it by nationalizing the oil companies - people will likely go for it.
What they won't go for is doing what ought to be done - dumping the big cars, getting of out the suburbs and exurbs and drastically changing the way they live (meaning to live a simpler life) before it's too late.
"Mr. Bush got it right in the first place: America is addicted to oil. To treat an addiction, you don't seek a cheaper fix when the drug becomes too expensive. You make a change in your life. A true leader would see this; that person would heed the ancient wisdom that you don't sell your birthright for a mess of pottage, which is what lifting the oil drilling bans promise to be".
Mr. Bush didn't really get it right - he just mimiced what he heard elsewhere. But no matter as borrowing (or plagiarizing) the words of others is standard for politicos. The point is still made and the point is right on (just like JFK did in 1961 with his "Ask not" speech which was borrowed and made his own).
What the Blade got right was the italicized part and especially the bolded/italicized part - the response to the current crisis with oil is to change your life. Johnny Block's right, yes, but I strongly doubt people will listen.
They still want their big cars and their American Dream. If Mr. Bush or Mr. McCain can promise lower gas prices by banging up the environment - people will likely go for it. If Mr Obama and the Dems can promise it by nationalizing the oil companies - people will likely go for it.
What they won't go for is doing what ought to be done - dumping the big cars, getting of out the suburbs and exurbs and drastically changing the way they live (meaning to live a simpler life) before it's too late.

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