<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for An interview with Dick Lugar, GOP crusader for energy independence]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Biodiversivist http://www.grist.org/article/little1/ Fri, 09 Jun 2006 02:07:47 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/little1/1 You should have asked about his eyebrows

There is an Upton Sinclair quote in Gore's book:

"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it."

This is as true for a businessman as it is for a politician. The fact that Lugar is a politician from the Corn Belt (who happens to also grow both corn and soybeans) makes his opinions on the subject of corn and soy based biofuels absolutely predictable. Voting to drill in the ANWR also brings him votes from his rednecked constituency. From my perspective, Lugar looks like a moderate only because so many other Republicans are so far off center.

]]> You should have asked about his eyebrows

There is an Upton Sinclair quote in Gore's book:

"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it."

This is as true for a businessman as it is for a politician. The fact that Lugar is a politician from the Corn Belt (who happens to also grow both corn and soybeans) makes his opinions on the subject of corn and soy based biofuels absolutely predictable. Voting to drill in the ANWR also brings him votes from his rednecked constituency. From my perspective, Lugar looks like a moderate only because so many other Republicans are so far off center.

]]> Comment #2 by caniscandida http://www.grist.org/article/little1/ Fri, 09 Jun 2006 04:34:24 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/little1/2 drilling in ANWR

I am glad you brought that up, Biodiv.  My feeling is that drilling for oil is going to happen eventually, and that that will involve a Democratic cave-in.  Let us hope that Lugar is right in being persuaded that the "footprint" will be negligible.

In general, Lugar has shown independence and thoughtfulness on foreign-policy issues, and has openly criticized the White House.  And he is one of the few Republicans to do that.  No doubt the agriculture interests of Indiana influence what he says and does.  Still, on balance I think he is one of our most reasonable senators.

]]> drilling in ANWR

I am glad you brought that up, Biodiv.  My feeling is that drilling for oil is going to happen eventually, and that that will involve a Democratic cave-in.  Let us hope that Lugar is right in being persuaded that the "footprint" will be negligible.

In general, Lugar has shown independence and thoughtfulness on foreign-policy issues, and has openly criticized the White House.  And he is one of the few Republicans to do that.  No doubt the agriculture interests of Indiana influence what he says and does.  Still, on balance I think he is one of our most reasonable senators.

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