VIDEO FLASHBACK: Bush’s Recycled State Of The Union Energy Promises
VIDEO FLASHBACK: Bush’s Recycled State Of The Union Energy Promises
Tonight, one year after claiming that America is addicted to oil, “President Bush is expected to renew concerns about energy security in his State of the Union address.”
Earlier this month, National Economic Council chairman Al Hubbard predicted “headlines above the fold that will knock your socks off in terms of our commitment to energy independence.” ABC News reports that Bush may “call for Americans to cut consumption of gasoline by 20 percent in 10 years.”
Throughout his presidency, Bush has used the State of the Union to talk about energy independence. Think Progress has put together a video of Bush’s past promises:
Watch it:
The facts don’t match the rhetoric:
– In September 2006, 70 percent of oil consumed in the United States came from foreign sources, up from 58 percent in 2000.
– U.S. dependence on OPEC nations for oil imports “has risen to its highest level in 15 years.”
– Despite promises at his 2006 State of the Union address, President Bush’s 2007 budget actually proposed to spend less on energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy resources in inflation-adjusted dollars than was appropriated in fiscal year 2001 — $1.176 billion in nominal dollars in both 2001 and 2007.
President Bush should make the goal of energy independence more than just an applause line.
Transcript:
State of the Union, 1/29/2002: Good jobs also depend on reliable and affordable energy. This Congress must act to encourage conservation, promote technology, build infrastructure, and it must act to increase energy production at home so America is less dependent on foreign oil.
State of the Union, 1/28/2003: Our third goal is to promote energy independence for our country, while dramatically improving the environment. … Even more, I ask you to take a crucial step and protect our environment in ways that generations before us could not have imagined.
State of the Union, 1/20/2004: Consumers and businesses need reliable supplies of energy to make our economy run — so I urge you to pass legislation to modernize our electricity system, promote conservation, and make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy.
State of the Union, 2/2/2005: To keep our economy growing, we also need reliable supplies of affordable, environmentally responsible energy. … I urge Congress to pass legislation that makes America more secure and less dependent on foreign energy.
State of the Union, 1/31/2006: Keeping America competitive requires affordable energy. And here we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil. …. By applying the talent and technology of America, this country can dramatically improve our environment, move beyond a petroleum-based economy, and make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past.
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Morning Edition on NPR this morning had a story highlighting Dubious’ recycled State of the Union topics, in particular Immigration Reform………
January 23rd, 2007 at 12:56 pmFor a preview of tonight’s Bush flight into fantasyland, see:
January 23rd, 2007 at 12:57 pm“Bush State of the Union 2007: 10 Things to Watch For.”
If it weren’t for the war/occupation in Iraq, Bush would have done nothing as President. Unfortunately, with that war/occupation he has done a lot – all of it wrong.
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:05 pmBush recycles every word or phrase he spews, so his whole speech tonight will be bogus steaming crap!
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:10 pmJust another bait and switch of words. Say what the people want to hear and then do what the corporation world wants. Which is to screw everyone out of everything in this country, jobs, money, environment, life, liberty, happiness, good government, and freedom.
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:10 pmI seem to recall something about socks being blown off…
Personally, I was hoping the President would tackle more pressing issues than the pneumatic removal of America’s collective socks.
Let’s face it, the only way this man is going to blow anyone’s socks off is by using unauthorized military force to invade their shoes.
Even then, that is sure as hell no guarantees.
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:12 pm, and make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past.
Oh, OK NOW they don’t want to be dependant on Iraqi oil that so many of our soldiers died fighting for.
I got a 3 card monty game I’d like to show anybody who believes any grandiose ideas Bush puts out there tonight.
I’ve come to the sad conclusion that they will say anything while doing nothing or exactly the opposite, as long as they feel it will keep them seated in power. They thought and still think they could achieve energy independence through war but war has only exasperated the situation.
Time would be better spent by studying this administration’s recent actions, policy decisions, and political manuevers than listening to another one of their empty sales pitchs. That shows their true intent.
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:13 pmBush on energy
The talk “dependence on foreign oil, hydrogen power research, etc….”
the walk. “zzz”
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:32 pmABC News reports that Bush may “call for Americans to cut consumption of gasoline by 20 percent in 10 years.â€
That’s good. But correct me if I’m wrong: why not set the example and cancel all unnecessary travel by the First Lady, the Bush twins, the VP and his old lady, and park Airforce One until we get an upper hand on it? I mean, sacrifice should start at the top, right?
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:34 pmI’d like to see all the Democrats sit on their hands when he announces any new energy policy…what a joke…America is addicted to oil…this is news??? America doesn’t care how their car runs, only if it is cheap…so make alternative fuels and hybrids cheap and Americans will buy every one in sight…I can only laugh at the “Big 3″ automakers…rolling in their profits of the 90’s, only to now lose market share day by day because they refused to make vehicles more efficient…
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:35 pmWe have a saying here in Texas for people like Shrub:
ALL HAT, NO CATTLE
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:35 pmHere’s a fun game for the runup to the speech: who is the President going to be able to hug tonight? Lieberman will make out with him right there on the floor – but I’m guessing everyone else will treat him like he’s radioactive.
Geekmouth
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:45 pmIs there anybody here old enough to remember a time when our dependence on foreign oil was NOT mentioned in a SOTU address?
Sure Bush will talk about it and of course everybody will applaud. Equally sure: Nobody is going to do anything about it. Doing something to draw down the American lifestyle of consumption-like-there’s-no-tomorrow is political suicide. The corporations who own all our politicians will make sure of that.
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:46 pmSpeaking of re-runs, our local TV station will be broadcasting a re-run of “Hogan’s Heroes.” I will be watching that instead of “Chimpy’s Chumps.”
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:47 pm#11
In Arizona it is All Bun, No Weenie.
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:48 pmGeorge, stay off the television. My cat can sense lies and evil and just won’t stop meowing, whenever you are on the channel. Your pointed ears and crossed eyes do not help, either. She hisses like crazy. So, leave my cat alone and do not disturb my pussy, anymore. Comprendez?
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:49 pmI would love to cut my gasoline consumption by 80% in the next month, but there aren’t any vehicles that will do it, because the US government has allowed Big Auto to remain staggnent and hasn’t pushed for innovation, besides a 10 CD changer over a 6 CD changer.
January 23rd, 2007 at 2:05 pmLiberal in NM.
January 23rd, 2007 at 2:08 pmI for sure will have my LyingBastardometer turned off, unplugged, wrapped in aluminum foil and hidden under the house.
Last SOTU address caused the needle to spin around like Linda Blair’s skull.
Thankfully, no green projectile vomiting.
Hmm. Here in Washington it’s more equal opportunity.
January 23rd, 2007 at 2:09 pmHalf ass, half clown.
ABC News reports that Bush may “call for Americans to cut consumption of gasoline by 20 percent in 10 years.â€
But all the auto industry has been interested in is putting 12 HUGE cupholders in every car, because, that’s what fat, lazy Americans need!
And as for the SOTU address, I haven’t watched one since “Clin-ton.”
January 23rd, 2007 at 2:11 pmNow that my buddies in the oil and natural gass bi’ness are satisfactorily saturated in profits…
…we can NOW safely suggest that the American people cut energy consumption by 20%
…Prince Bandar and the House of Saud have given Dick and I the okay to propose this…
-GW Bush-
January 23rd, 2007 at 2:25 pmSOTU Address should be renamed “Bush’s dream world where nothing will happen to make it reality.”
January 23rd, 2007 at 2:25 pmi can’t watch this video…
January 23rd, 2007 at 2:31 pmjust want to say, that’s a nice BLUE tie he’s got on in the screen save…
blue tie… bipartisanship in evidence… yipee…
Bush’s Recycled State Of The Union Energy Promises
Well, at least the neo-cons are recycling something.
Wouldn’t that be a little, well, progress?
Now, if we could just talk them into using a warning label; something like “This SOTUS address is made up of 100% recycled, empty promises”, to alert the unwary…
January 23rd, 2007 at 2:36 pmAre we still addicted to oil this year?
January 23rd, 2007 at 2:41 pmMore blah, blah, blah tonight. Webbs speech afterwards is worth watching. Tune to CSPAN for the coverage because the “liberal media” probably won’t show it.
January 23rd, 2007 at 2:46 pmAre we still addicted to oil this year? Comment by ForTruth
Oil = yes
January 23rd, 2007 at 2:52 pmOil Men = no
Wouldn’t a real LEADER challenge the auto industry? Much like Kennedy challenged the space industry to get us to the moon? Why not challenge vehicle makers that all vehicles do 80MPG by 2015, pollute 60% less than now, and any of them not conforming will pay a “pollution tax”
January 23rd, 2007 at 3:07 pmWouldn’t a real LEADER challenge the auto industry?
Actually, a real MAN would challenge the auto industry, but a crook beholden to his biggest political contributors instead puts the burden on the People.
What an a**hole.
January 23rd, 2007 at 3:12 pmIt’s stale, it’s trite, it’s 100% recycled!
It’s more bearable when set to music!
It’s The State of the Union 2007 – The Musical!
“These Are My Last-Ditch Bipartisan Things.”
Parody of “My Favorite Things†from The Sound of Music
By Ken Rynne (a former Capitol Step) ©2007 Brighton Productions
Health Care Insurance and more Education,/
Stop Global Warming and fix Immigration,/
“Energy Policy” has a nice ring,/
These Are My Last-Ditch Bipartisan Things./
Iraq and Afghanistan’s bogged down the army,/
My last supporters are Laura and Barney./
Nobody thinks what I say now is true,/
My policies have turned the red states to blue./
When the press bites,/
When the polls sting,/
When I’m feeling sad,/
I think up domestic bipartisan things,/
And then I don’t feel so bad./
Last year I spoke of our big oil addiction,/
Last year gas prices were such an affliction,/
Prices are down, we still run up the tab,/
Maybe we need to check into rehab./
This year I’ll wow ‘em and say “global warming.”/
Changing the subject while Shiites are swarming./
Only two years till we vacate this booth,/
That is what I call a “convenient truth.”/
When the press bites,/
When the polls sting,/
When I’m feeling sad,/
I think up domestic bipartisan things,/
And then I don’t feel so bad./
http://www.PLANETWASHINGTON.com
January 23rd, 2007 at 3:21 pmwicked funny parodies
So let me get this straight, we are supposed to shop more but cut back on gas?
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:01 pmOh, oh, if George Bush is talking about energy policy, it means he’s about to try to give away billions of more tax savings to the oil companies.
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:07 pmIf Bush really wants an applause line, I’ll offer him one:
“Effective at noon tomorrow, Mr. Cheney and I will be resigning from our respective offices of President and Vice-President. Speaker Pelosi will be sworn in as President of the United States in the afternoon. Good luck, Ms. Pelosi and America.” Then, they can walk out.
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:10 pm#33 PLC
Applause Hell! It would be a standing ovation from Sea to Shining Sea.
Let it happen!
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:21 pmClyde the Ripper
If that fantasy were to happen (even half of it), I think I’d have to call off work for the rest of the week and my stock of wine and champagne would need to be replenished.
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:33 pmPLC – WAIT! I’ve still got 30 LyingBastardometers in my garage waiting to be sold! Crap!
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:40 pmInteresting article in the NYT’s business pages today about Europe’s dealing with alternative energy and how far ahead they are of us. If Bush, et.al. were at all serious, they’d be studying and then initiating many of the European programs. As usual with Bush, truer words were never spoken, “Talk is Cheap.”
January 23rd, 2007 at 6:00 pmThe interesting thing is that we get 20% of our oil from the Middle East.
If we could cut our oil consumption by 20%, we’d never have to pretend to be interested in the Middle East again.
It’d take a 4-tier approach: Nuclear energy, conservation, fuel standards, and alternative energy.
Problem solved.
January 23rd, 2007 at 7:42 pmAnd you could cut even further. Europe and Japan has made a great job at energy management. The US when it comes to energy and oil is a hog.
January 24th, 2007 at 5:08 pm