Gauging the Truth

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1829495,00.html?cnn=yes

EXCELLENT article. And one I think every American who was brought up short by McCain's "tire gauge" crack should read. I'm thinking the tire gauge should become the icon for everybody who believes that we can make small incremental changes that will radically effect our reliance on oil, foreign or otherwise. And that you shouldn't let the nay-sayers fool you. It's individuals making small sacrifices who will save the environment, in the end. Not more government intervention. (Not that it wouldn't be nice to have the government on our side, too.)

And the funny thing is, the greatest generation would have inflated their tires and tuned their engines at a President's request, no questions asked. Hell, they planted Victory Gardens, gave up coffee and sugar and pantyhose at a President's request. And possibly they complained, but they did it. Because there was a war on, and if that's what it took to beat Hitler, they that's just what they were going to do. And are global warming and green house gases not as scary as the fascists?

And making light of a true, practical, implementable thing that nearly everyone can do to save the environment, and doing it, quite obviously, before you've checked your facts? That's just unconscionable. Shame on Mr. McCain. Once upon a time he'd have had more honor than to say something that was misleading, just to gain a political advantage. Shame on him, and his advisers.

And the real point is that becoming more efficient will save you money, as well as the environment. Lower gas bill, lower electric bill, lower water bill. Pumping more oil into the system just feeds the monster. We can starve him. Americans are capable of extraordinary things when we're riled. Mr. Obama may chose not to wear a flag lapel pin. I think he should have a tire gauge firmly attached to his breast pocket. And wear it with pride. Because that, my friends, is truly American.