The GOP Energy Bill: An Infinite Mirage and a Boundless Facade

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

Senator Robert Byrd: The GOP Energy Bill
Monday, 10 November 2003, 11:10 am
Speech: U.S. Senator


Senator Byrd delivered the following remarks in anticipation of the upcoming debate on the energy bill. Republican members of the House and Senate are finalizing a piece of legislation to be considered before the Congress adjourns for the year; that legislation reportedly is eliminating virtually every key provision of the initial bill that passed the Senate in July, including climate change initiatives first authored by Senator Byrd and Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska.
Through its short-sighted actions, this Bush Administration perpetuates an infinite mirage and a boundless facade. This Administration hopes to fool the American people into swallowing its wrong-headed policies with no questions asked.

These policies have a superficial appearance of reality, but they are beyond comprehension -- beyond grasp. They hover like a mirage on the horizon. We are lulled into believing that, if we just stay the course, we will eventually reach some sweet, glorious watering hole. However, the truth is that there is nothing tangible, nothing solid, nothing with form or substance on the horizon.

Regardless of whether it is Iraq or an energy bill, one need only to connect the dots to see that the same questionable tactics are readily apparent. When the President announced to the world, "either you're with us or against us," he alienated many potential allies abroad. The Administration uses the same posturing in terms of an energy bill. It is either the Administration's way or no way, as it opposes any alternative approaches that do not fit in its little black box. There was a horrible rush to pass the Iraqi Resolution in this body last year. This Administration is using these same tactics to dictate the terms of a very bad energy bill this year. This facade is all too obvious as the White House's only goal is to pass a bill, regardless of its substance, or lack thereof.

The Administration's National Energy Policy plan will do about as much to improve the nation's energy security as the Administration's invasion of Iraq has done to stem the tide of global terrorism. Let me repeat that. The Administration's National Energy Policy plan will do about as much to improve the nation's energy security as the Administration's invasion of Iraq has done to stem the tide of global terrorism. In the past, the Administration attempted to make a case that linked September 11th and Saddam Hussein, but these links failed to materialize. Predictably, the Administration is now attempting to make the same connections between its National Energy Policy and a comprehensive energy strategy. This link will also be proven groundless in the not-too-distant future.

<snip>

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0311/S00070.htm

Senator Byrd in Great form. Calling a spade a spade and not holding back.... I guess he's being Byrd.

(Mods. Haven't seen this in LBN as the speech was made friday and this was just posted on this site today. Hope I have posted this in the right forum. If not accept my apologies and do that voodoo that you do so well).

[acmavm]

1. We do have some honorable men, even heros, in government today.

Graham, Byrd, and Kennedy are three men who are not afraid of the truth, show admirable courage and integrity in the face of continued republican stonewalling and dirty tricks, and deserve the thanks of every citizen in this country.

Can you picture a democrat administration with these three gentlemen as members? I can.

[Oilwellian]

2. I had the pleasure of seeing this speech on CSpan

Senator Byrd is a treasure to our nation in these trying times. One day, historians will look back on his wise words and realize he was one of the great ones.