First off, the value of boycotts (when there is any at all) is not the real economic pressure brought to bear, but rather the psychological pressure and the attendant bad publicity.  An entity being boycotted is seen by the public as having a 'problem', and that problem will not go away until the boycott ends. So, a boycott DOES get attention regardless of its real economic impact. Still, people doing the boycotting soon get bored with it, so boycotts tend to fizzle out on their own accord. Boycotts can serve a purpose but don't expect too much from them. Remember, just because there is a real energy crisis doesn't preclude the possiblity of people gaming the system and engaging in unfair, and possibly illegal,  practices.

However, of far more immediate importance is the question of impending military action against Iran. If indeed the Bush regime is serious about attacking Iran, as many knowlegeable people seem to think, then what we have here is a potential global crisis that dwarfs Peak Oil and all others.

Yet, you will notice that very few people in Congress are voicing any opposition to 'taking care of Iran'.  Now why is it that something that could quite literally  trigger WW III goes undebated in Congress?  

Well, for starters, there's the mid-term elections in November, and the Democrats want to get back in the driver's seat real bad. They can smell it.

  At the same time  we have to recognize what is the main driving force for attacking Iran. It is an unholy alliance between neocons, fundamentalist Christians, and the more Zionist elements of the Jewish pro-Israel lobby in the US,  whose strongest embodiment is the extremely powerful AIPAC. Woe be it to any congressman up for re-election who crosses the AIPAC.  So, that, in my estimation, is why Congress is largely silent about Iran. They are afraid of the Jewish lobby.... plain and simple.

I don't know when the American people are going to wake up to the fact that our vital interests and those of Israel are not the same. The US is Israel's sole ally and the guarantor of its very existence (to the tune of over $3 billion per year),  whereas Israel is no ally of the US and would sell the US down the river if there were something to be gained. As Tonto said to the Lone Ranger, "What you mean we, pale-face?"

So, gentlemen,  there you have it why there is little noise about Iran in the US Congress. We are slouching toward chaos simply because ambitious politicians don't want to jeopordize their re-election chances by crossing the Zionist Israeli lobby. And if you think this is over the top, then please give me examples of important congressman and senators who has criticized Israel during the last year. I don't think you will find any.