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Tuesday Commentary
U.S. Needs Realistic Energy Policy
By GM Jarrard
Americans are living on an energy “razor’s edge,” according to John Hofmeister, president of Shell Oil USA. He made that comment at a recent breakfast at the Salt Lake Chamber. His address was part of a series of appearances to drum up support for energy policy changes and to educate Americans about the seriousness of the energy crisis.
Hofmeister described events following the double whammy the U.S. Gulf Coast received two years ago when first Katrina and then Rita slammed into the southeast U.S. He noted that until four or five years ago, the United States enjoyed “a sturdy [energy] supply. But what we face today is clearly a tipping point, one that we can deal with proactively or ignore at our peril -- our economic peril and our lifestyle peril. Because available affordable energy has enabled us as a nation to build the world’s most prolific economic model that’s ever been known to mankind and to adopt lifestyle choices that our grandparents could not have even imagined.”
The United States, said Hofmeister, “was essentially on the edge of not having enough gasoline to [get] to work Monday morning for much of the nation because of the possibility of panic buying. That’s the razor’s edge. That’s the tipping point on which today we continue to operate.” Hofmeister said he is concerned about America’s energy security. He believes America has natural resources to spare — if only politicians had the will to develop them. (Read entire commentary)
Washington Watch
Hatch: Rampton Good Man'
Sen. Orrin Hatch says of the death of former Utah Gov. Cal Rampton: "[Rampton] was a good man who truly cared about his family, his community, and our great state. He was greatly respected by all who had the pleasure of working with him, and I have always appreciated his integrity, his simple candor, and his dedication to good government. He made friends from both sides of the aisle, and you could always count on him to roll up his sleeves and get the job done. Elaine and I send our deepest sympathies to his family as they mourn the passing of this great man" (see press release); Hatch says of Pres. Bush's nomination of Michael Mukasey to serve as Attorney General: "The Senate should focus on Judge Mukasey's qualifications, his almost 40 years of service in America's legal system, through a process that respects the separation of powers. I know some in this body want to use nominations to fight unrelated policy or political battles. Those fights are for the legislative process or the oversight process, but not the confirmation process" (press release).
Today in Political History
Sept. 18, 1934: The USSR is admitted to the League of Nations.
Sept. 18, 1947: The National Security Act, which unified the Army, Navy and newly formed Air Force, goes into effect. (New York Times)
Sept. 18, 1956: Fourteen days after his release from prison, Rep. Thomas Lane of Massachusetts wins re-election to a 9th term after serving a four-month prison term for income tax evasion. (National Journal 2007 political calendar)
Sept. 18, 1996: President Bill Clinton creates the 1.7 million-acre Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. (Source: Perspicuity)
Wise Words
“The firm basis of government is justice, not pity.”
—Woodrow Wilson (Patriot Post)
Utah Snapshot
Salt Lake County at a Glance
· 764 square miles
· 910,000 residents
· Median household income $50,604
· Average annual income $26,340
· 23.8% population growth 1990-2000
· Fertility rate: 2.65%
· 1,191 population density (people per square mile)
· Housing units: 310,988
· Owner-occupied units: 69%
· Average commute time: 22.5 minutes
· High school graduates: 85.3%
· College graduates: 23.8%
National Politics
Best Stories From …
-- Weekly Standard: Columnist Bill Kristol endorses Pres. Bush's choice of Michael Mukasey to replace Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General.
-- The Hill: The frenzied response to Hillary Clinton's recently unveiled healthcare plan shows "that almost 15 years after Clinton first took on national healthcare, the issue still elicits a strong response and a convenient point of attack from her competitors."
-- Newsweek: The GOP may be erasing the gains it's made among Hispanics because of the way GOP candidates are handling the illegal immigration issue.
-- Slate: Columnist Christopher Hitchens defends Paul Bremer's decision to dissolve the Iraqi army in the aftermath of the '03 Iraq invasion.
Blog Watch
At The Senate Site, Sen. John Valentine says: "We were sorry to hear of the passing of Cal Rampton. Even when you know the end of a life is approaching and have time to prepare, the passing of a loved one is sobering and sad. We'll miss him. But we won't lack his influence; his legacy on our state is too significant. Two weeks ago we announced that we are are naming the governor's boardroom in the new capitol building after Governor Rampton. I wasn't present when he saw the press release or the related news articles but I sincerely hope he is aware of our respect and gratitude. It's a small tribute, but highly appropriate. I think it's fitting that future groups, meeting in that room to negotiate state policy, will pass by Cal Rampton's name and have his example in mind." (For more on Rampton's passing, see posts by Rob Miller and Pete Ashdown.)
Lighter Side
Oldie but goodie: “Before criticizing someone you should walk a mile in his shoes, because then when you criticize him you’ll be a mile away and you’ll have his shoes.”
-- Jack Handey |
