Bush versus Obama on American Lifestyles and Consumption

[NYC_SKP]

First, for context:
Here's an exchange from a press conference that speaks volumes about Bush's attitude toward energy and American consumerism.

Q: Is one of the problems with this, and the entire energy field, American lifestyles? Does the President believe that, given the amount of energy Americans consume per capita, how much it exceeds any other citizen in any other country in the world, does the President believe we need to correct our lifestyles to address the energy problem?

MR. FLEISCHER: That’s a big no. The President believes that it’s an American way of life, and that it should be the goal of policy makers to protect the American way of life. The American way of life is a blessed one. And we have a bounty of resources in this country. What we need to do is make certain that we’re able to get those resources in an efficient way, in a way that also emphasizes protecting the environment and conservation, into the hands of consumers so they can make the choices that they want to make as they live their lives day to day.
___________________________________________
Then there's Obama:
"We can't drive our SUVs and, you know, eat as much as we want and keep our homes on, you know, 72 degrees all the time, whether we're living in the desert or we're living in the tundra, and then just expect every other country is going to say OK."


He speaks a truth, one that some may not want to hear but which resonates with others around the world.

:patriot: :web: (edited for bold font)

[Skittles]

1. shows which one is truly arrogant

yup

[NYC_SKP]

2. Speaking of Skittles...

Not to change the subject, but I used to teach kids in a Juvenile Detention Facility, long term tough kids.

Skittles were a form of extrinsic reward we used there...these guys couldn't get any treats beyond their meals but I was allowed to dole out Skittles, fruity ones, regular ones, and sour ones (their favorites).

It got to where some boys would shout, "hey, skittles", if they saw me out in the exercise yard or coming down the hall.

Some of these kids would get out, then I'd read about them in the paper, dead at 18 years old.

One, Anthony Butler,whose mom would call all the time from her job in Oakland to make sure he was earning all his credits, graduated from high school in our program. He was the last living son of three for this mom. He used the classroom internet to find the articles on his brother's shooting, and he showed it to me. The kid really wanted to graduate and succeed.

The summer after my last day teaching I heard from the teacher who helped him graduate that Anthony had been shot and killed after returning home.
But we had good times, and he had more than one Skittle.

*****

It's kind of sad to see so much rancor here while there's so much sadness out there.

I think we all want to see some changes made in Washington, and we don't want another republican term.

And then, after the elections, we can all sit down and share a virtual smile and a Skittle.

What do you say? Make mine a sour!

[Skittles]

4. wow.....NYC

you need to make an original thread out of your Juvenile Detention experiences - quite heart-breaking and fascinating

[NYC_SKP]

6. Thanks, Skittles!

Maybe I will, there's a lot that could be said about how truly victimized most of these kids were/are, the state of the juvenile justice system and schools, and society's failure on their behalf.

I still get teary thinking about these kids.

They were all special. One day I had three kids crying for different reasons. One kid was incontinent, what kind of trauma makes a 16 year old boy mess his pants?

I used to have them journal, some of the saddest stories imaginable. Maybe I'll post some of the stories.

Sigh.

But they were awesome when they got involved in learning new things, we had some great days!

Skittles all around!

[stuntcat]

3. sour's my favorite too :D

Thanks for putting these quotes side-by-side.. can I copy then to share with my mom? She's a Democrat but she also enjoys consuming American-style. I'm trying to get through to her with my tree-hugging hippie stuff.

:web:

(that was supposed to be response to the Skittles comment x( )

[NYC_SKP]

9. Sure you can, here are some solid links to both:

Official Whitehouse press secretary Ari Fleischer, press conference, May 7, 2001

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/briefings/20010507.html

Barack Obama, During a rally in Roseburg, Oregon, Saturday, May 16, 2008

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h-wpxs1Re-8vx2Zk5xnYygW1W67w


Pretty well sourced, don't you think?

Share with your mom, let me know how it goes.


Second favorite Skittle flavor, Classic, then fruity, but sour rocks.

[stuntcat]

12. pretty concrete sources yeah!

I'm gonna send it like a forward and include my aunt and my husband so she won't feel picked out :p She'll pay attention though, she reads everything I send her. Thanks!

[losthills]

5. Is Obama running against Bush now?

[NYC_SKP]

7. Yes, in a way, he's running against the same machinery that gave us Bush. nt

[stuntcat]

8. Bush's opinion should be the real eye-opener there

the comparison says a lot but Bush's feeling on this and the fact our country elected him twice is just scary.

[NYC_SKP]

10. And how many Americans would still agree, very sad.

Only when gas prices hit the fan did any significant number begin to care.

Fleischer was, sadly, speaking for many Americans...

[depakid]

11. Quesion is, which one represents the attitutdes, beliefs and values of most Americans?