Victor Davis Hanson: We've Become a Nation of Hamlets

Real Clear Politics ^ | June 26, 2008 | Victor Davis Hanson

[Rummyfan]

And the Dems say .... build windmills!

...just not in my backyard....

[okie01]

Can you imagine how the history of the 19th century would read if today’s panty-waist worry-warts had control back then?

My impression is that the "Can't do" crowd is really driven by a different drummer.

Their "we can't do it, let's not even try" masks the real reason they are against the pursuit of energy independence: They want the United States and its people to suffer -- presumably because we've had it so easy to date.

It's a very perverse view of the country -- laden with guilt on the one hand and utopian dreams on the other.

[b9]

Finally, high technology and the good life have turned us into utopians, fussy perfectionists who demand heaven on earth. Anytime a sound proposal seems short of perfect, we consider it not good, rather than good enough.

Excellent article. Thanks for posting.

Whatever happened to the concept of the rising tide which lifts all boats?

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

I thought a caller on Rush’s show yesterday nailed it with a GREAT comment:

We’re always told that we can’t drill our way out of this because a year or so from now, we won’t be pumping anything from those drillings we make today. It may take 5 or more years before we see the results of oil drilling undertaken today.

“In that case, why go to school?”

[singfreedom]

I don't think it was Mr. Hanson's intent to discourage anyone, but to point out that “Big Green” has been ceded too much power and the status quo is going to remain unless WE do something about it!!

IMHO, it was meant to be more a “collective kick in the pants” to those who, in the name of “change”, would perpetuate the morass in which we find ourselves.

You are absolutely correct, and very insightful, about the “Green Industry” that has sprung up across the country. Their goal is POWER. They have totally forgotten the object of their fervor. My son, a PHD in Physics, says he fears the extraordinary measures these megalomaniacs are prepared to implement, to “fix” climate change, more than he fears climate change itself!

If the U.S. actually does drill offshore and in ANWAR, it would be a signal to these greeniacs that we want to conserve, yes, but conservation was never meant to consume our entire national budget.