Bush the conservationist?

In the wake of two gulf coast hurricanes and rapidly increasing oil prices, President Bush is calling for Americans to conserve gas and drive less.

Take a moment and read that again if you need to. I know I had to give it a second go.

The energy flip-flop by Bush, who in 2001 went on record via press secretary Ari Fleischer as being against energy conservation because high consumption is “an American way of life”, is one of the most welcome surprises of his presidency. Of course he’s still pushing for more drilling and still wants to cast aside environmental regulations to get a few more barrels of crude, but it’s a start. If a neoconservative oil baron with a massive financial stake in continued consumption can be taught the value of conservation then maybe there’s hope for the world yet.

Tags: politics environment