Archive: Opinions

The amount of news coverage devoted to President Obama's speech on national security and former Vice-President Dick Cheney's rebuttal reminded me of the old newsreels featuring President Kennedy pitted against Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

There was the ever hopeful Barak Obama, standing in the ceremonial hall of the National Archives reminding the nation of its potential as a leader and mentor for developing countries, especially Iraq and Afghanistan. He spoke about the importance of national security, the safety of this nation, and winning the war both on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan and in the hearts and minds the citizens who call those two countries home.

 

Meanwhile, across town, at the non-descript conference room of the Enterprise Institute, Dick Cheney spoke about the impending doom of this country under the leadership of President Obama. His statements echoed previous speeches of dire consequences if the current administration's policies toward detainees and other prisoners were given the green light by Congress. If he only had a shoe to pound on the podium, it would have been a perfect ending to a speech heard so often against the policies of a regime diametrically opposed to democracy.

Yet, in both of their speeches, they failed to recognize the real danger that faces this country. It is not terrorism and the repeat of another 9/11. It is not fundamental Islam or its various progeny such as Al Qaeda or Hezbollah. The greatest danger we face as a democracy is oil. Oil is the new "opiate of the people". It is our greatest addiction, and like any addiction, the proceeds from its sale often get into the hands of the wrong people.

 

Our economy is so dependent upon oil that the slightest disturbance in the Middle East causes unpredictable price fluctuations. Less than a month ago, oil was trading around $50.00 a barrel and unleaded gasoline was $2.00 a gallon. As this article goes to print, oil is nearing $64.00 a barrel and gas has surpassed $2.50 a gallon.

 

The reasons for the rise in cost are many. Global insecurity, OPEC's upcoming meeting, and of course, the start of the summer driving season. As good addicts, we Americans love to drive long distances in the summer, and that means our suppliers are determined to raise the price of oil which in turn will raise the price of gasoline. As the price of oil rises, the possibility for a healthy economic recovery becomes more uncertain.

 

History has shown us to be a nation that meets any threat against our sovereignty. Every generation has had to face a threat and overcome that threat with hard work, sacrifice, faith, and determination.

 

During World War II, both the Allies and the Axis Powers were determined to build a weapon so powerful that the first to do so would control the fate of mankind. Fortunately, it was American ingenuity and know-how that won the race and defeated the Axis powers liberating millions from horrific terror of Nazi Germany and Fascist Japan.

 

When the United States and the Soviet Union competed to be first in space, it was the United States who one that race as well. In fact, it was President Kennedy who challenged our nation to send men to the moon and bring them back safely to earth. Although he did not live to witness his dream, it became a reality in 1969 when Apollo 11 blasted off from Cape Canaveral, landed on the moon, and returned safely back to earth. Looking back at that event, it was nothing short of a miracle that we, as a nation, were able to accomplish such an awesome task with the tools we had. Yet we put our resources and minds to it, and we did it.

 

Again, our nation faces a challenge. We are compelled to compete in another race. We won the arms race. We won the space race. Now we must set our sights on the energy race. Our nation must discover a way to power this country with machinery that does not rely on oil or any other fossil fuel.

 

Are we able to achieve such a goal? The answer is, "Yes we can." In the 1940's, we were able to split the atom. In the 1960's we were able to achieve the unimaginable, space travel to another celestial body-the moon. Now, in the 21st century, we must face an equally important challenge, one that will determine whether or not we remain a truly free people. We must develop a new economy based on renewable energy. The time has come to free ourselves from global entanglements, civil wars, and ethnic strife that are linked with the petroleum industry.

 

With the same zeal and determination that our government put forth in previous generations to make this world a safer place to live, it must now focus its energy, resources, and expertise to develop a renewable energy source that will ultimately eliminate the need for oil and other fossil fuels.

 

I can see the inventors of this new technology, decked out in their finest attire, riding down Fifth Avenue in hydrogen, solar, and battery powered vehicles. Yes, we can. And that is to the point.

 

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