With fears mounting that high energy costs will crimp economic growth, President Bush called on Americans yesterday to conserve gasoline by driving less. He also issued a directive for all federal agencies to cut their own energy use and to encourage employees to use public transportation.
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In 2001, Vice President Dick Cheney said, “Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue, but it cannot be the basis of a sound energy policy.” Also that year, Ari Fleischer, then Mr. Bush’s press secretary, responded to a question about reducing American energy consumption by saying “that’s a big no.”
“The president believes that it’s an American way of life,” Mr. Fleischer said.
From The New York Times / 27 Sept 05 / “To Conserve Gas, President Calls for Less Driving” By David Leonhardt, Jad Mouawad and Davud E. Sanger
I don’t think the Bush administration is serious about conservation. Mandating greater fuel efficiency in the US vehicle fleet would do far more to reduce energy consumption than verbal calls to reduce gas consumption.
I am at a loss for words.
I shouldn’t be, but I am.
BTW, he was shredded for that on the news tonight. They pulled up the Cheney quote and then … they compared him to Carter. Yep. Here’s Bush … now look, here’s Carter in a sweater next to a fireplace.
Please god, make it a warm winter.
If this keeps up, I’m going to have to bring Swampgoddess back. I wonder how long I need to be gone to lose my more “objectionable” readers?
Bush isn’t serious about much…
The best thing about high gas prices is that it will discourage SUV usage. Unfortunately it hurts poor people more than the rich fuckers who own SUVs.
I’m back online now. It’s been a stressful 5 days! More on my blog.
Oh, and in relation to this… I’ll be conserving gas now that I’m only driving about 10-15 miles a day instead of 85.
Glad you’re back!
I can’t wait to read the news…