Say What?

Earlier this week, John McCain suggested that Sarah Palin "knows more about energy than probably anyone else in the United States." He added that "we all know that energy is a critical and vital national security issue."

Finally, we have that important foreign policy link we have been looking for. She can see Russia from somewhere in Alaska, but it's her energy knowledge that makes her national security ready.

I do have this question though, is there a person in the country....anyone at all, who actually thinks Sarah Palin knows more about energy than anyone else in the United States?" Should a presidential candidate be able to say crap like this? There should be some sort of law.

Is there any evidence at all that she knows anything about energy or energy policy? She lives in Alaska and there is oil in Alaska. So maybe, just maybe, she has some thoughts and opinions on energy. But the most knowledgeable person in the country?

Well, judge for yourself. Here is what she said in an interview this week about oil, energy, and drilling. If you can figure out this gibberish, let me know.

Oil and coal? Of course, it’s a fungible commodity and they don’t flag, you know, the molecules, where it’s going and where it’s not. But in the sense of the Congress today, they know that there are very, very hungry domestic markets that need that oil first,” Palin said. “So, I believe that what Congress is going to do, also, is not to allow the export bans to such a degree that it’s Americans that get stuck to holding the bag without the energy source that is produced here, pumped here. It’s got to flow into our domestic markets first.

What she said!

A Nation In Decline

I think this country is in real trouble. We can't face our problems, and we refuse to even acknowledge the serious situation we are in. Instead, we flaunt our flag lapel pins, boast about what a great country we used to be, pray about everything, and try to divert attention by blaming people and groups who have nothing to do with these issues.

Case in point #1--John McCain has absolutely nothing to say about our serious economic problems. Instead of facing the truth, however, McCain has decided to spew some irrelevant crap about the soundness of the American worker. Yes, make sure to say something nice about an important segment of the population so they can feel good about themselves. In the meantime, offer the country no solutions. That's real leadership.

Case in point #2--Weren't we all so proud of the Republicans when they yelled "drill, drill, drill" in moronic unison at their convention? Let's not deal with the oil and energy problems in this country, that might make the public uncomfortable. A better idea is to have them believe there is a simple solution, drill! Now everyone is happy, no one is offended, and the public can sleep easy.

Obvious case in point #3 that has been going on for years--Instead of talking about our incoherent foreign policy, our inability to understand the world, and our immanent defeat in Iraq; let's just prattle on about those brave troops. The bigger questions surely aren't important, we need to make our people feel good about themselves.

My questions are these: first, are the American people so insecure and fearful that they can't even discuss social, political, and economic problems? And second, when are the people going to demand that these issues be considered?

I don't know who should shoulder more of the blame? But I think the public must ultimately force the politicians to debate these issues. What are we afraid of, that sacrifices will have to be made? Yes, that is going to happen, probably sooner rather than later.

This is truly a sad time to be an American. We have lost respect around the world, our economy is in shambles, a middle-class life is becoming impossible, and foreclosures, exorbitant health care costs, job losses, and poor education standards have become the norm. Yet, we still have not demanded that our current and future leaders address these issues.

Wave those flags, pray, support those troops, and talk to the kids about WWII: all our problems will surely go away!