Look! Flying Pigs!

There must be a short-circuit somewhere in the political world. Just a week or so ago we heard President Bush utter three little words we never expected to hear (no, not "Bring 'em on," I mean "I take responsibility"). And then today there was another of those moments that makes me look up warily, watchful for falling pig-manure as a chorus of oinks echoes across the sky.

Yes, indeed, this president finally - finally - called for conservation of gas and other petroleum products in the wake of Hurricane Rita. Admittedly, reading the transcript makes it sound as if he likes the idea about as much as Poppy likes broccoli, but still, he said it:

"... Two other points I want to make is, one, we can all pitch in by using - by being better conservers of energy. I mean, people just need to recognize that the storms have caused disruption and that if they're able to maybe not drive when they - on a trip that's not essential, that would helpful. The federal government can help, and I've directed the federal agencies nationwide - and here's some ways we can help. We can curtail nonessential travel. If it makes sense for the citizen out there to curtail nonessential travel, it darn sure makes sense for federal employees. We can encourage employees to carpool or use mass transit. And we can shift peak electricity use to off-peak hours. There's ways for the federal government to lead when it comes to conservation. ..."

Good suggestions all. Let's raise fuel efficiency and obey the speed limits too.