Originally Posted by gumby

Yes, Reagan played a big role in reversing a nation in its infancy of thinking about conserving fuel and exploring alternative energy sources. This was definitely not good, and set us back in Energy Independence by at least 15 years. :angry: BTW, shale oil production was not economically profitable - at the time.
Reagan's belief was that big government and lack of free market in this country were strangling it. So he cut many, many government programs, outside of defense. Of course, one folly of this is that energy dependence is a MAJOR defense issue.
During Reagan's tenure, though, gas prices began to behave themselves (mostly), inflation moderated, and we all went our merry way - most of us quickly forgetting the 1973-1979 oil shortages and spiraling inflation that resulted. :zip: We saw ourselves "weak" as a country though, especially during and just after the Hostage Crisis, able to be taken for a nightmare ride at the whim of OPEC or Iran. After 4 years of Reaganomics, 4 more were granted with another landslide victory. The new "peace through strength" philosophy appeared to be working. We felt strong again as a nation, and we loved that aspect of his charismatic leadership more than the conservation/ecological aspirations of the Carter administration. When Reagan's 8 years were up, we sent his VP, Bush, Sr. in as the new President. The nation liked something about that team.

The poster above with the video-links blamed Bush for everything. I was merely pointing out that it's much older and a little more complex than that.

We've had 15 years since those times to pipe up about conservation and energy independence again. I've only heard a lot of noise again about it since 9/11, and mostly since Katrina (just last year). Why? Because we see gas prices spiraling to $3 a gallon. Now in near crisis-mode, maybe the American people will wake up again to the dangers of foreign-oil dependence. I sure hope so. I do hope that Bush will do more as well, but I'm not counting on it. This, and the "exporting of American jobs" are two of the most important issues facing this country today.
Hydrogen? It could happen. I'm skeptical too, but it's early on. We'll see where the research takes us in 5 years or so. I'd rather see MUCH more funded effort in the PHEV vehicles, though. And I think solar makes more economic sense now, so it's time to move forward there as well (extend and increase the tax credit). Windpower is already growing on its own. Maybe there is hope. :angel:

Originally Posted by gumby

. . . [facts we can agree upon, emotions are debatable for another day] . . .

The poster above with the video-links blamed Bush for everything. I was merely pointing out that it's much older and a little more complex than that.

We've had 15 years since those times to pipe up about conservation and energy independence again. . . .