Cardigan Time?

Yesterday, Sen. Obama made these remarks to a crowd of 75,000 in Oregon:

We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times ... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK, Obama said. That's not leadership. That's not going to happen.

I think Obama has good intentions to suggest that for a country that has been given so many blessings, much is expected in terms of leadership... America does need an "Energy Diet" in my opinion. Conservation NEVER hurts, people!

BUT... the political reality of achieving such change in energy independence does come easily when you just dictate to folks what they can and cannot do because other countries won't like it.

One might recall that during the oil crisis during Pres. Carter's term, not one of high accolades for the history books (oil prices rose roughly 150% by the time he left office), he began sporting a Cardigan sweater around the WH and turned the thermostat down.

I suspect that many Americans may not be ready to get their Cardigans out of the closet to solve our current dilemma. Perhaps Sen. Obama might seek the example of NY Mayor Ed Koch and his implementation of water conservation in the public schools - which in turn successfully found its way into the family's water habits.