[Bombay Bloke]

It's amazing to see Frank Gaffney join the growing ranks of people supporting a radical change like this in US energy policy. Perhaps it's too early to tell, but it appears that there is a new consensus emerging on the crucial importance of junking our dependence on oil for all sorts of reasons - security, economy, environment. This is a project that has the potential to get agreement across left and right in the US and could start to bring the US and the rest of the world a little closer together. If anyone can do it, Bush can. But how will the oil industry respond to the call?

[Convert from ECUSA]

Good question. I guess it would take a sense of national emergency comparable to WW 2 and a determination of the level of the Manhattan project to get it done. I think Bush and many in his administration may understand that, but I don't think the public-at-large does. Doing something like what I'm suggesting would involve overcoming the radical environmentalist-hippie-left-over groups, and telling the country sacrifices would be required to accomplish the goal. We don't have the union or consensus now that we did in 1942.

[Red in Blue Maine]

Ping!

This issue cuts across political, cultural, and sociodemographic lines. Might an even be a louder rallying cry than 9/11. Neocons standing shoulder-to-shoulder with ex-hippies...absolutely.

How would the oil industry respond to the call?
Hopefully by negotiating longterm contracts with ADM and other agribusiness giants....leaving an opening for family farms and smaller conglomerates to get back into the food production business.
But in the end, you are right:

Only Nixon can go to China.
Only Bush can go to Houston.

[Iscool]

If anyone can do it, Bush can. But how will the oil industry respond to the call?

That's true...But if anyone won't, Bush won't...Do you really think Bush, or Congress for that matter, would push to restrict their personal fortunes for the average American??? Not on your life...