Quote of the Day:       “It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”   –Teddy Roosevelt

Due to the overwhelming response I received from my “Advice for Obama” post, I thought I’d follow it up with a few more suggestions. I’m breaking each suggestion into a separate post.  I may see what I can do to help McCain out in a few days, but only after I cleanse the site with some non-political wit and wisdom.

The energy issue is foremost in people’s minds right now, particularly the cost of gasoline.  I think some initiatives should be hatched to not only address the problem, but to set an example.  Here’s one: Starting on inauguration day, and sooner if the responsible bureaucrats want to enhance their resumes, the Federal Government will make the move to an all hybrid civilian fleet.  Put GM and Ford on notice right now.  They need to ramp up production of fuel efficient vehicles.  No more SUV’s for self styled VIP’s. And foreign automakers, with bias toward the ones manufacturing in the U.S., will be competitors for the government’s business.  This will apply all the way to the top.  You set the example personally when you are on the ground.  I know you will be called a hypocrite when you campaign around the country on airplanes, but just address it straightforward.  Yes, you’re consuming a lot of fuel, but you are cutting back where you can, and that’s all you ask of the Federal Government and the public.  And don’t stop there.  Here’s an old trick that has worked before.  In next year’s highway bill, give the states two years to take the same action. If they resist, they start losing highway money.  Any legislator who drove through Louisiana in the late 1980’s will get to work in a hurry to get his state in compliance.