Alternative

I have been and continue to be a strong proponent of alternative energy. Solar, wind, tidal, thermal, and nuclear all have significant potential and all should be used in conjunction with domestic carbon-based energy sources to gain full energy independence for the United States. Energy independence is the first step in establishing a new and better foreign policv stance for the USA. It is a national security issue that has the added benefit of being green.

Recent efforts by those on the Right to demonize or belittle alternative energy is short-sighted and ideological. It smacks of the same delusional thinking that is often evidenced on the other side of the political spectrum.

Ironically, the Obama administration—a strong supporter of alternative energy—has done more to hurt the prospects for alternative energy than the any other administration in history. Its ham-handed and potentially illegal treatment of Solyndra has given the right-wing its cause célèbre. By needlessly rewarding political donors who invested in the company, by rushing a half-a-billion dollar loan to a company that was in trouble, by circumventing the prescribed vetting process, and by subordinating the taxpayers' loan to politically-connected fat-cats, the Obama administration has damaged government-loans for legitimate alternative energy companies in an irreparable fashion. And now, Solyndra executives—the same guys who glad-handed with the President on his special visit (photo-op) at the company a year ago—plead the fifth in front of congress! What a mess.

We need alternative energy development badly. Small, targeted loans to well-vetted entrepreneurial companies are not a bad thing. But now, alternative energy funding is in serious trouble.

The amateurs at the White House strike again.