To The Telegram:
Republican Nick Reid blames U.S. Rep Dave Obey for outrageous gas prices (Aug. 18-19 Telegram). This, from a party whose radical leaders are up to their necks in "Big Oil."
Perhaps Mr. Reid received his marching orders from the Republican propaganda machine, established by Karl Rove (I believe the most evil political genius since Joseph Goebbels).
Alaskan Natural Wildlife Reserve? Big Oil's "Fat Bastard" (lifted by comedians from the movie "Austin Powers" after Exxon-Mobil's CEO retired) has drooled over ANWR for years, shaking the pristine countryside with his huge, booming voice: "I want to eat you! Climb into my belly ... NOW!"
ANWR would increase available crude about 2 percent ... enough for the "Fat Bastards" in the oil conglomerates to retire with $500 million instead of a lousy $480 million. How embarrassing that must have been.
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Refinery shortage? Sort of, but the goal is energy independence. Except for the 70s OPEC embargo and hurricane Katrina, long lines at the pumps? Katrina was temporary. Certainly, there should be adequate refining for emergencies. But how would more have helped the embargo?
Let's invest $100 trillion into new refineries (even with ethanol). Where are we going to get the crude? We can't meet our own needs now! That shackles us to Big Oil even more. Haven't the radical, neo-con Republicans thought of that? But, wait! Could much of their funding come from ... the oil industry?
Although Obey is courageously fighting, Democrats can't get a bill through committee even for debate without approval from radical Republicans. Democracy? I think not. We must find alternatives to get as close as possible to energy independence. Else, we doom ourselves to corporate slavery, in perpetuity. Chile is energy independent. We, the most technologically advanced nation in the history of mankind, can't come up with alternative energy? Such technology has been around for decades. Why not here? Big Oil profits from our dependence (and possibly auto manufacturers ... a new documentary, "Who Killed the Electric Car," explores this).
Blaming Obey is a propaganda technique I'd wager Rove borrowed from Joseph Goebbels. In George Orwell's novel, "1984," the Party made the people believe: "War is Peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength." We could add: "More refineries is energy independence."
Obey fights for the ordinary American Joe. By his remarks, I believe Mr. Reid wouldn't. This Congress is full of radical, neo-con Republicans, marching lock-step over our economy, our beautiful countryside and our beloved Constitution. We don't need another.
-- Dale R. Botten
Superior
