RE: RE: Let 'em Eat Sand

It seems a shame that Cal Thomas would have to waste time and ink explaining something that is so fundamentally obvious, but I guess you have to speak slowly and use small words if you're going to get people to turn off their MTV for a minute and pay attention.

I agree. It's a shame that so many Americans don't make that connection.

However, I don't think that Americans of the 'MTV Generation' are the ones most confused here. I'd say that young people and Gen Xers are not the predominant group that need to be reminded 'slowly' and with 'small words' of this issue. For instance, most kids can't afford all the gas they feel like burning, and — while I don't have hard numbers on this — I observe most driving smaller, inexpensive, 4-cylinder cars. Further, I've found that most members of the 'MTV Generation' are generally more enthusiastic about conserving all sorts of consumables that come from natural resources.

So who's the problem? Naturally, it's us — the grown-up 'responsible' people, many who define themselves as 'conservative' and should understand something 'so fundamentally obvious’. It's career-minded and otherwise responsible Americans who commute to work solo while driving big, pricey gas-guzzling automobiles. It's good parents who — with the best intentions — drive around town in 15MPG all-terrain vehicles to get groceries. Sure, all these people have the right to waste all the gas they can afford, but I do think we all should be regularly reminded of where all that gas money is going... well, besides just to 'Exxon, Chevron, or Halliburton.'

But I know, Steve — saying, ' I guess you have to speak slowly and use small words if you're going to get people to turn off FOX News for a minute and pay attention' wouldn't have quite the same ring to it. Plus, it’s always easier to blame the kids!