Hi,

This one goes out to Mr. Robert Rapier,

Here is my note to the white house tonight:

Mr. George W. Bush

Hello. I would consider myself one of those pesky liberals that voted against you and has disparaged your name for the last six years. I have to say that I'm on the brink of feeling guilty about that. I watched the speech tonight and I gotta say it moved me. Your in a tough spot, no doubt. I had the sense, though, during the presentation that the 'compassionate conservative' was more than a Carl Rove talking point.
I hope you are listening to me because I believe that my advise is sound. I know that there is great pressure to follow the ethanol plan/route. Perhaps those mid-West politicians are telling you, in confidence, that they know that ethanol is not going to work out in the end. They've see the facts and know that its hog-wash…But, then they lean over and whisper in your ear that our country has to move in the direction of an alternative to petrol. They whisper that supporting and announcing ethanol as a viable solution will shine a light on the issue at hand in a very positive and diplomatic way. Well, Mr. President, I'm here to tell you that that is brilliant spin that couldn't have been invented by a better spin doctor than Mr. Rove himself. The truth, as I'm sure your aware, is that the life blood of our economy (the world's economy..the worlds survival for that matter) is slowly, inexorably declining. I don’t think we have time or the luxury to play games and pussy-foot around the issue. Please, for the sake of my son and the rest of the 6+ billion of us poor souls on this Earth, will you consider a different approach??
The truth as Mr. Matt Simmons has so eloquently and clearly expounded upon is that it is time for a Manhattan style approach to the looming energy crisis. We don’t have time or energy (excuse the pun, sir) for non-sense. Please, don’t waste time. Immediately form a potent committee. This committee will be made up of a respected, unbiased group of scientists (you know..the ones you were making fun of back in school? The "nerd patrol"?? … Sorry, couldn’t help myself) selected from a respected group (NSF comes to mind) that can OBJECTIVELY evaluate the alternatives and make recommendations for the direction of federal spending for alternative fuels. In other words, these guys would make a reasonable guess at which way is the best for meeting the energy needs of Americans in the future. I truly and sincerely believe that the future of Americans and everyone else depends on the ' sound-ness ' of the energy related decisions that you make in the next two years.
OK. Im done with my rant. If you could, sir, please let me know if what I ask is ridiculous and unachievable considering the political realities of Washington D.C.. I am very curious to know why a rational energy policy can not be pursued.

Thanks for the time of day…and good luck with Iraq! (Honestly, no sarcasm intended..I mean it…)
Darian Adams, San Jose CA

So, despite his rather hubris-tic (is that a word???) response to WT, I have to say I have a warm spot in my heart for one who sticks so adamantly to rigor. My only comment to RR is: 'come on ma'brutha! Join the movement!!!'
OK, thats obnoxious enough.. Gotta say, though, the kids are behind tha both of ya's !!