Former Gov. Bush (Jeb, not the president) isn't the pro-ethanol voice his bio suggests
Ahhh, the hypocritical politician (or ex-politician). He certainly is not a dying breed, is he? The latest green-car hypocrite is former governor Jeb Bush. According to the AP, Bush recently said he drives a "a Chrysler 300 with a big Hemi in it." Of course, that 17-25 mpg car can't use ethanol. And, let's tie this all together with the facts: Jeb Bush passed pro-ethanol legislation while he was still governor, worked to start (and co-chairs) the Interamerican Ethanol Commission, and called ethanol "one was one of those light bulb deals for me." Light bulbs for other people, anyway.How did Bush respond to a follow-up question from the AP about his car? Like his brother would: "Why would I have to defend it? It's a great car. I believe in freedom." Jeb, you should have said that corn ethanol is a terrible idea, and that you'll switch to E85 when it's made from switchgrass. Or orange peels.
[Source: AP]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GoodCheer 7:31PM (9/24/2007)
While in general I'm all for Bush bashing, I can't help but feel that this forum would benefit from steering clear of stories which are so clearly partisan.
...And while "do as I say, not as I do" is regrettably more the rule than the exception in politics (and other venues) today, it is hardly an approach monopolized by the GOP.
Reply
jg3 7:48PM (9/24/2007)
I was thinking the same thing. I don't come here for political hit pieces.
Reply
Arnie 7:55PM (9/24/2007)
Ohh well, what is this "story" about anyway? Do you own a car Sebastian?
Reply
Domenick 8:09PM (9/24/2007)
Can we never bring this guys name up again please. Many of us are hoping he stays disappeared in the private sector doing whatever it is he does.
Our new Governor (also republican) is sooooo much better.
Reply
clarkitekt 11:54PM (9/24/2007)
For one, I agree with the previous posters. I come here to not hear about politics. Secondly, it sounds like he has passed some pro-ethanol legislation...which is more than most can say they have done albeit arguably good or bad. Thirdly, this post really just doesn't make any sense...you're really stretching to grasp at something that just isn't there.
I live a significanlty more sustainable life than most people. I ride the bus to work most days of the week. I mow my yard with a real mower (powered by me). We waste very little in our household (one small bag of trash a week). Live in a modest house which I am restoring with low embodied energy materials where I can, reusing where I can, and generally doing everything to last another 100 years...not to mention fixing things to be way more energy efficient in the process. But wait for it...I drive a Jeep Cherokee that gets maybe 20mpg. I guess that makes me a hypocrite, doesn't it? Or, maybe it means that I am practical? If I bought a Pious, oops a Prius, I would have to have another vehicle to work on the house, and probably another one to load the family up when we do get on the road (we ride the train whenever we can). And then what happens to the Jeep? Does it go to the dump then? We'd really hate to turn anyone else out there into a hypocrite.
Finally, his brother (the one in the white house). I seem to recall that GWB's ranch is a pretty sustainable place, not too big, all around pretty sustainable. So what I have to wonder, is just maybe GWB understands that the best thing he can do for the environmental movement right now, is nothing at all? Why stifle a good thing in a bunch of legislation? If you step back and look at it, more progress has been made on the environmental front during the Bush years than any other presidents office. The thing that no legislation can ever do is educate people about the affect our actions have, they can only force people to, often, blindly act in a certain way. Which is more powerful? One the incentive is intrinsic, the other incentive is external, remove it and the movement dies.
Why not focus on the issues and leave the name calling to the criebabies we send to Washington? Maybe the rest of us can get something done, huh?
Reply
Golden Boy 9:43AM (9/25/2007)
Speaking of hypocrisy, I don't remember, was there a snark story here when John Edwards, who owns two SUV's, promised to get the American people to give up theirs?
Reply