If you've been watching the news at any time over the last 10 years, even the mainstream media, you've seen stories on how our country's security, and by implication peace, depends on energy alternatives to oil and especially vehicles that use that alternative energy.

So this morning I'm lying on my couch, recovering from oral surgery (which takes longer when you're pushing 53), watching the “Today Show” and there's Matt Lauer with some exec from GM touting the Chevy “Volt”, the hybrid that is supposed to be coming out in 2010. It runs for the first 40 miles on electricity. They were both all charged up (pun but no humor intended) over this “new” GM product.

I was appalled by the gall of the GM exec and the lackadaisical attitude of the uninformed Mr. Lauer, who is supposed to be a journalist. Have either of them seen the documentary, “Who Killed the Electric Car?” If either of them did, they sure kept it to themselves. Probably a smart move given the circumstances; after all the “Today Show” does depend on GM for advertising revenue and GM depends on mass media for a place to advertise. It's a cozy relationship to be sure.

“Who Killed the Electric Car?” was made in 2006 and released to home DVD by Sony Pictures Entertainment on Nov. 14, 2006, so there's no excuse for either one not having seen it. The film is about the EV-1 (Electric Vehicle-1), a prototype developed by GM in the 1990s. It details how the auto manufacturing industry, the oil companies, the U.S. and California governments and a few other industries with a vested interest in keeping electric cars off of the roads, managed to kill the electric car.

The cars were so popular with drivers that when they were recalled (they could only be leased) the drivers offered to buy them outright. GM refused. Some drivers went so far as to go to jail in their quest to keep the car they were leasing. People after my own heart!

Just so you know, the technology exists for vehicles to get 90 miles (if not more) per gallon of gas, and there were more electric cars on the road 100 years ago then there are today.

Instead of needing a bailout, GM with the EV-1 could have beaten the gym shorts off of Toyota and owned the auto market.

I am one of the people who does not in the least bit feel sorry for that company and thinks they should be allowed to die the death they so freely chose while royally screwing the American public in the process.

My government (which used to be defined as “a government by the people and for the people”) has given my hard-earned tax dollars to this irresponsible, “sell out” company to reward them for swindling me. Instead of spending my income on gas, I could have been investing it in my retirement or helping our consumer driven economy, but then Exxon-Mobil would not have enjoyed their record profits over the last couple of years, would they? (Ever wonder about the difference between how much Bush and company were worth when they took office and when they left? Condi has an oil tanker named after her, as does Barbara Bush. Read “House of Bush, House of Saudi: The Secret Relationship Between the World's Two Most Powerful Dynasties” by Craig Unger for a more eye-opening view.)

Remember Bush talking about our addiction to oil? Can you imagine how much more difficult it would have been to sell the Iraq War to the American public if we weren't so concerned about where to get our next fix?

There's much more in this film to get your dander up (I recommend a consultation with your physician to check your blood pressure before viewing). I've just given you a very quick overview. To learn more about the film go to www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com.

One other rant

High praise indeed to Carl Strock for his column today, where he calls Mr. Michael Gabor of Slingerlands on the carpet for his letter to the editor, published in yesterday's Daily Gazette, accusing the “liberal” media of not “properly vetting” Caroline (Kennedy) Schlossberg's candidacy to replace Sen. Hilary Clinton.

In fact, the “liberal” media has done a fine job of vetting Ms. Schlossberg (the name by which she has been known until recently – like until she started running for office – and this statement comes from someone who is often tarred with the liberal brush) and Mr. Strock has done a superlative job, worthy of a prosecuting attorney (and I have some experience here), of detailing this to Mr. Gabor and anybody else who has not read a recent newspaper or gets all their news from the FOX network or Rush Limbaugh.

I had the same thoughts as Mr. Strock, but he expressed them much more astutely and eloquently than I could. (Sigh, maybe someday ...)

Want to let Gov. Patterson know how you feel about Caroline being appointed Senator? Contact him at 161.11.121.121/govemail.

Pro or con - it's your voice!