2006-02-02 � making Sense of the State of the Union -- 2

Why is every headline about the State of the Union referencing Bush�s statement about being addicted to foreign oil? Look, it�s not like this is a new thing, or even the first time Bush has acknowledged it during the State of the Union. In fact, Bush has made that same statement, or a statement largely similar during all five of his State of the Union addresses.

�This Congress must act to encourage conservation, promote technology, build infrastructure, and it must act to increase energy production at home so America is less dependent on foreign oil.� --State of the Union 2002

�Join me in this important innovation to make our air significantly cleaner, and our country much less dependent on foreign sources of energy.� --State of the Union 2003

�I urge you to pass legislation to modernize our electricity system, promote conservation, and make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy.� --State of the Union 2004

�I urge Congress to pass legislation that makes America more secure and less dependent on foreign energy.� --State of the Union 2005

�America is addicted to foreign oil.... By applying the talent and technology of America, this country can dramatically improve our environment, move beyond a petroleum-based economy, and make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past.� --State of the Union 2006

According to Standard & Poors, Exxon just posted a profit of $36 million dollars for 2005 on sales of $371 billion, which is the most profitable year for any company in U.S. history. According to the AAA gas price survey, Americans are shelling out more than 25% more for a gallon of gas than they were a year ago. And as this is an annual average, that bump is largely due to those outrageous prices posted during the natural disasters in the Gulf Coast.

According to the latest figures available from the Department of Energy, Exxon imported 44,639 barrels of oil from the Middle East in the first 6 months of 2005. This is nearly 31% of the oil Exxon purchased during that time period.

Regarding Exxon�s exorbitant profits, President Chuckles said only that the price was determined by the market place and consumers should expect no price breaks. This one day after the 2006 State of the Union address scolding us for having an oil addiction.

I think the most frustrating thing about listening to President Chuckles is that when he says something that sounds right, it�s all talk. He�s just trying to sound less evil than he is and his actions do not live up to his rhetoric. Or to use the President�s secret Religious Right code, he talks the talk, but can�t walk the walk. You all know what I mean.

Imported oil is on the minds of Americans, so Chuckles dutifully addresses it when he speaks. But all his very best friends and most closest business partners are Saudi oil barons and Energy execs, so he�s not doing a thing to undercut their influence on the American economy, and in fact has secret meetings in which he gives these very interests the keys to the treasury and urges them to loot it. That�s what�s really going on.

Posted at 12:32 p.m.

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  • making Sense of the State of the Union -- 2
  • Making Sense of the State of the Union -- Pt. 1
  • But I'm Willing to Learn
  • Rough Draft
  • Political Action