Rubes

So the US Congress passed an Energy Bill which, to put it charitably, will have almost no effect on the US's Energy problems. As expected, the Republican party voted for the bill, and will be rewarded handsomly for their sacrifice. Depressingly, however, Democrats also voted for the bill. Why? Let's just say that it has hooves and oinks:

Jay Rockefeller in West Virginia? Clean coal. Tim Johnson of South Dakota? Ethanol. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota? Ethanol. Evan Bayh of Indiana? Ethanol. Oh, and cleaner school buses. And every statement contains some variation of Obama's "reluctantly" -- "this bill doesn't go far enough," "it's just a first step," "we missed a big chance." Great.

Kent Conrad of North Dakota? Clean coal and ethanol. Note the language: "This bill takes steps toward greater energy independence for the United States and lays the groundwork for a plan that promotes substantial investment in North Dakota's energy sector." Half of that statement is horsepoop. Can you guess which?

Now, I don't think that Democrats also believe any of this, but it's interesting that, when they want to support the co-rulers of American politics (Their Majesties King Coal and King Corn), Democrats at least feel they have to dress it up in Green burlesque. I'm not sure whether that makes me happy or not.