Potato Chips and Energy

I stumbled over the weekend upon this fascinating quote from Vice President Cheney, one which neatly sums up our nation's energy policy:

"Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound, comprehensive energy policy."

So, what Dick is basically saying is that the Bush administration espouses the Lay's Potato Chip theory of energy policy: "Eat all you want, we'll make more." But with the little bit of icing on top: "You choose to be responsible with your energy usage and not squander the resources God has given us? Good for you! Here's a pat on the head. Now get your f*ing Prius out of the way of my Hummer."

I never cease to be amazed at the sheer gluttony of individuals and blindness of the Administration and of big business over the use of resources, particularly energy resources, and their disdain for the environment. Coincidentally, our associate minister preached yesterday on the Biblical passage (from Genesis), one likely much loved and definitely twisted by Bush and his ilk, that man has dominion over God's creation:

...In God's image, humanity is given dominion over the rest of God's creation on earth. In effect, as (Walter) Brueggemann writes, "The human creature attests to the Godness of God by exercising freedom with and authority over all the other creatures entrusted to its care. The image of God in the human person is a mandate of power and responsibility." But it is not any power-it is power as God exercises power. In God's image, we are to exercise power as God would. It is not an abusive power, but a power which "invites, evokes, and permits." The "dominion" here is with reference to the animals. The dominance is that of a shepherd who cares for, tends and feeds the animals. "The task of 'dominion' does not have to do with exploitation and abuse. It has to do with securing the well-being of every other creature and bringing the promise of each to full fruition."

With 3% of the world's population using 25% of the world's resources, are Americans truly securing the well-being of every other creature and bringing the promise of each to full fruition? Or are we simply rushing and bullying our way to the trough?