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So Nice To Have You Back, Mr. Friedman
Now that the endless, partisan nominating season is over, Thomas Friedman has returned to doing what he does best: writing rationally about complex issues in a way that cuts straight to the heart of the matter. In today's New York Times, Friedman lays bare the utter hypocrisy of President Bush's current position on energy policy. And he warns us of the gathering storm:
Now we have the new Bush energy plan: “Get more addicted to oil.”http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/opinion/22friedman.htmlActually, it’s more
sophisticated than that: Get Saudi Arabia, our chief oil pusher, to up
our dosage for a little while and bring down the oil price just enough
so the renewable energy alternatives can’t totally take off. Then try
to strong arm Congress into lifting the ban on drilling offshore and in
the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Well worth a read.
Comments (24)
It's good to see that at least some people recognize how self-destructive the Bush oil strategy is.
June 22, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe it was that pie he took in the face that brought him to his senses.
June 22, 2008 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Note to self: acquire more pie.
June 22, 2008 4:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just watched the video. Why would someone do this to such a sincere person like Friedman? Hit all 300+ Bush criminals before you start on someone like TF. And, sorry Josh, but Brown kinda gets a sullied reputation after those 2 morons hit Tommy with 2 lemon merengues.
But I will say that it looks like he lost some weight though, so I'm psyched for the guy. Stay healthy and keep writing! (Same goes for you Michael Moore if you can hear me; get to Canyon Ranch and drop 50-100! We need you to keep up the great work!!)
June 23, 2008 2:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Why would someone do this to such a sincere person like Friedman?"
How about the clip in which he said, "Suck. On. This."?
June 23, 2008 2:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hmmm... Just googled, and am hearing this for the first time... Hmmm... I knew he was for the Iraq War before being against it. Didn't hear this kinda "Bring it on" moment til now. Here's an analysis from 9/30/07. Definitely sucks that he said it. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaO5pICXIYE]
HOWEVER, until Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck have full pies stuffed up their noses, then I'd prefer not to have an honest critic with intelligence get hit. There's a pecking order here... :)
June 23, 2008 2:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck are universally recognized as clowns. They're not worth the whipped cream.
June 23, 2008 11:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Unfortunately, Krugman has yet to return to doing what he does best (economics), and is instead continuing to grind his axe with Obama.
June 22, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Krugman can bite me.
June 22, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
can't fight the seether
June 22, 2008 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
banning the unreal pics now....
June 22, 2008 7:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Aren't you the faux bunny who was explaining to someone on the "FISA" thread that politics was all about gamesmanship and everyone does what they believe they must, to win. That the trick is to be a warrior, and pretend to believe while making one's choices, because nothing can ever be known? Has it not occurred to you that Friedman is a warrior?
June 23, 2008 7:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
I stopped reading his stuff two months ago--just cut to last paragraph if I'm curious at to what so-called point he trying to make. Yawn...
June 22, 2008 6:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
bunny
i've been run off the other threads
will you have me?
June 22, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Beware. Bunny has a spit, and a hot fire.
June 22, 2008 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
What seems to be the problem, Cypher? Have you been misbehaving, or have they? As long as it's been entirely your fault, you're more than welcome.
June 23, 2008 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
To clarify, I stopped reading Krugman-- I'm back to reading Friedman now that he seems to be in the groove, doing what he knows how to do.
June 22, 2008 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
i really like your pic...
but just to let you know, there thinking of banning any unreal pictures from the threads...
June 22, 2008 7:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
friedman was gone ???
I never missed him
how long was he gone ???
one friedman unit, two friedman units, half a friedman ???
June 23, 2008 3:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hee.
June 23, 2008 7:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Speaking of W and his band of oil pushers.... What do you all think about "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" by John Perkins? Is this guy looney toons, or is he legit? Should I read the book? I don't doubt where he's coming from, but I wonder if it gets too far into the conspiracy theory realm... Any thoughts?
June 23, 2008 3:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's the problem with his book. You'll never know if he's legit, you can't verify any of it.
June 23, 2008 8:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks drosz! That's the feeling I'm getting...
June 23, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Former President Clinton spoke in Miami at the Conference of Mayors on Saturday . He gave a brieg synopsis of a brillaint plan that has been implemented by local entities to create jobs , shore up the middle class by lowering utilitiy bills , reduce & then end our foriegn oil addiction- simply invest in conservation retrofits in buildings already standing -go to mini-multi sited alternative energy generators ( wind etc ) .The local city would do this by floating a bond that is paid off with the windfall savings from stabilized energy prices & not having to build new carbon fired electricty plants - Its a little more complicated then that but - NYC - is retrofitting some 200 schools and saving big bucks that will be put back into the general school budget
Say what you will about Bill Clinton ( and this election cycle I have ) - HE IS STILL ONE SMART DUDE THAT HAS OUR COUNTRY'S BEST INTERST AT HEART ...and Tom Friedman has also endorsed this retro fit idea..
June 23, 2008 5:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
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