Whatever his qualifications for office, we could with some confidence predict that the next president's chances of getting elected will hinge on a couple of closely related issues. Gas prices and the availability of oil will be uppermost in voters minds as they go to the polls.
But we would be taking a backward step if we chose the candidate who comes across as most supportive of our petroleum addiction.
From the first gush of crude from a 19th century Pennsylvania well to the present, oil has changed our lives in a way unmatched by any other product of nature. The energy wallop of a gallon of gasoline is yet to be duplicated by any non-fossil fuel, and has made possible the ostentatious lifestyles of western civilization.
The United States, with 5 percent of the world population, consumes about 25 percent of the global petroleum output, and our history is replete with diplomatic and military maneuvers aimed at assuring this nation the lion's share of the production. Under the guise of more noble motives such as liberation, bringing democracy, etc., we have without invitation intruded into the affairs of nations and supported a number of tyrants - all for the purpose of easy access to the petroleum reserves.
But now, more than in any other time in our history, we need to get serious about our insatiable appetite for this near Utopian form of go power, for oil has corrupted the soul of America. Not only have we tacitly acquiesced to immoral policies implemented by our government to secure the pipelines, but our craving is a major cause of the environmental deterioration that is slowly rendering the planet uninhabitable.
It has also created a spiritual crisis. We have been provided with the gifts of nature by a generous and loving creator - but there are strings attached. As the supposed pinnacle of creation, we are under mandate to care for all else, to use the benevolences bestowed upon us wisely, sparingly, and responsibly. This we are not doing.
Hopefully, these are some of the major considerations we will be taking into the polling booth.
Roland Micklem
Savannah
From the first gush of crude from a 19th century Pennsylvania well to the present, oil has changed our lives in a way unmatched by any other product of nature. The energy wallop of a gallon of gasoline is yet to be duplicated by any non-fossil fuel, and has made possible the ostentatious lifestyles of western civilization.
The United States, with 5 percent of the world population, consumes about 25 percent of the global petroleum output, and our history is replete with diplomatic and military maneuvers aimed at assuring this nation the lion's share of the production. Under the guise of more noble motives such as liberation, bringing democracy, etc., we have without invitation intruded into the affairs of nations and supported a number of tyrants - all for the purpose of easy access to the petroleum reserves.
But now, more than in any other time in our history, we need to get serious about our insatiable appetite for this near Utopian form of go power, for oil has corrupted the soul of America. Not only have we tacitly acquiesced to immoral policies implemented by our government to secure the pipelines, but our craving is a major cause of the environmental deterioration that is slowly rendering the planet uninhabitable.
It has also created a spiritual crisis. We have been provided with the gifts of nature by a generous and loving creator - but there are strings attached. As the supposed pinnacle of creation, we are under mandate to care for all else, to use the benevolences bestowed upon us wisely, sparingly, and responsibly. This we are not doing.
Hopefully, these are some of the major considerations we will be taking into the polling booth.
Roland Micklem
Savannah
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AJ wrote on Sep 19, 2008 4:36 PM: