"Oilman T. Boone Pickens says the present
foreign-oil-dependency of the U. S. is ‘something we can't drill our way out
of.'"
That is the headline, and I look forward to the next ad by
this oil leader. Pickens intends to present his views through TV ads. The first is already viewable. I want to know more about his alternative energy ideas. I think all Americans would do
well to listen to what he has to say.
We may not like T. Boone's ideas. We may not agree with his ideas.
How can we know unless we listen? We should be willing to listen to energy-solution ideas from an authority on oil-driven energy, shouldn't we?
A Fourth of July event in Charlottesville, Virginia, not
far from where I live, connected in my mind with this prominent oilman's new actions. On this Fourth of July, the
President of the United States was at Monticello, the home of the drafter of
the U. S. Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson. His purpose there was to celebrate the day by welcoming new American
citizens. It was doubly a historic day for them as they entered the shared identity of all Americans.
Protesters who do not like President Bush or his policies
showed up at the citizenship ceremony to make a noisy show of themselves and to protest the President. They appeared, thereby, to be incapable of imagining or respecting what a solemn and heartfelt occasion becoming a citizen is.
That is no surprise, in a way, since new citizens know more
about U. S. history and government than many, if not most, native-born Americans know. Most appreciate being here more than many native-born citizens do. Most would suffer
and die for this country as the free nation it is.
We can say these things with confidence: Many new citizens or their parents suffered greatly for freedom in their former homelands; they gained shelter in the U. S. primarily due to a well-founded fear of death or persecution.
What does this have to do with T. Boone, enough
to drive me to write about it on a too-busy day?
When I heard about this Fourth of July's protests at Monticello and the rudeness that went
with them, I
looked for something good in current events that far-outweighs the nature of such protests. That's about the time I
heard T. Boone Pickens on television, with his first alternative energy ad.
Pickens, whose wealth and success could lead him inward, thinks and reaches outward. He proposes a way to use alternative energy sources. He is serious about the end of U. S. dependence on foreign oil.
T. Boone Pickens does not protest that dependence; he goes one better: he proposes solution-focused ideas. He believes his alternative solutions are do-able. He intends to present the details to the American people. I am sure he hopes to convince us. We can only know if we listen.
Free speech is an American hallmark. In its best
moments, free speech links with positive ideas and actions. Clear statements followed by extreme action only under extreme duress are other hallmarks of this country.
Yes, I
know, Boston Harbor's Tea Party was an act of protest. They were taxed to the utmost. However, their protest was action that cost the tea dumpers a lot. Many were still
British citizens and tea-loving, almost tea-dependent, people.
Today's whining, complaining, and downright meanness take undue advantage of free speech rights. They communicate clashing-cymbal protests lacking solid discourse. They attack the best of the American spirit.
The recent and positive TV ads where T. Boone Pickens
speaks attest to his aversion to the present dependence
of the U. S. on foreign oil. He gives the impression of someone looking out for
America's interests, not just oil's interests.
His first ad has power. It previews forthcoming proposals regarding practical and workable use of alternative energy sources. Pickens seems to have given much thought to proposed solutions.
Pickens attests that he has more to present via television. He will offer do-able alternatives to America's current energy resources. He attests that he will speak again and soon via
television.
The words on the screen with T. Boone's face and voice attest that he is speaking to viewers at his own expense. He does not seek sponsorship by a political
group or protest organization wearing whatever words or colors to express solidarity.
For now, Pickens invites Americans to listen to what he prepares to say on the next TV ads. He does this in a calm, rational voice. He is not pounding a
table, waving a banner, or shouting obscenities and personal attacks. He is neither accusatory nor frantic, yet shows genuine concern. His actions back up these facts.
I hope Americans will put aside pro-whatever and anti-whatever to listen to what Mr. Pickens has to say. It costs
nothing to listen and to consider what he will propose.
I know that many people will not dare listen. Some will be
turned away by the fact that the man is a "wealthy oilman." Some will be bored by actual ideas, rather than ranting. I believe, however,
that prejudices against financial success and against plans to give good back into American life should
be laid aside.
Let's listen to what the man attests.
Update: To view the website, here is the link: http://www.pickensplan.com/
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