Yesterday was a tough day for Boston, and today we have our eyes open just a little bit wider. Having grown up in Lexington MA, I know how special and unique Patriot's Day and the Boston Marathon is for everyone in Massachusetts. Perhaps now this holiday will be extended nationally.
Of course our thoughts and sympathies are with the victims and their families in the wake of this tragedy, but let's not forget, yesterday was also a tough day in Iraq (http://nyti.ms/YWtzDo), and in Guantanamo Bay (http://nyti.ms/11eAfvT), and to think that all of these events are unrelated is to be naive.
We live in a world of consequences. Even if this tragedy is not an act of international terrorism but that of an individual, certainly this style of brutal and merciless attack on civilians is inspired by similar horrific events.
The source of their anger is in our foreign wars and military bases, our vast oil expenditures propping up dictatorial regimes, our inhumane treatment of prisoners, and our financial support for Israel, despite an oppressive occupation. That's why the only action I advocate our politicians take in the wake of this tragedy is to levee a strong gasoline tax, end the oil subsides, and plan our transition away from gas powered vehicles to an all electric fleet based mostly on easy expanded access to public transportation. We should encourage bike lanes, car rentals, and high tolls.
Americans consume an incredible 20 Million Barrels of Oil Per Day, with a large part of our foreign policy designed to keep this supply chain secure. Building The Keystone Pipeline could never be the answer, since it would only potentially supply an additional 500,000 Barrels of Oil Per Day, not enough to displace the rest of our imports.
The only answer is to reduce consumption drastically, by using less of our finite supply of fossil fuels. And the best way to accomplish this is to reshape our society and make fossil fuels more expensive through a gasoline tax, with industry mandates for a decade transition to an all-electric fleet. We wouldn't need such an expensive army to protect our oil supply, if there wasn't demand for so much oil in the first place.
We need to take a long hard look at how we treat our prisoners of war, and when we use the lethal force of our drones and army. Because our actions can bite back in the form of new enemies, and a less safe-more frightening home land.
It's time America reclaimed the ethical high ground, and finally transitioned away from our unquenchable thirst for oil.
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