Energy Secretary: "The public is like teenagers..."

Found this at the Wall Street Journal vis Lucianne.com:

Energy Secretary Chu: A teaching moment (AP)

Speaking on the sidelines of a smart grid conference in Washington, Dr. Chu said he didn’t think average folks had the know-how or will to to change their behavior enough to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. ( I hate it when a public official speaks of his employers in a condescending tone.)

“The American public…just like your teenage kids, aren’t acting in a way that they should act,” Dr. Chu said. “The American public has to really understand in their core how important this issue is.” (In that case, the Energy Department has a few renegade teens of its own.) (Gee, I'd have sworn my old man died 32 years ago. Guess I was wrong.)

The administration aims to teach them—literally. The Environmental Protection Agency is focusing on real children. Partnering with the Parent Teacher Organization, the agency earlier this month launched a cross-country tour of 6,000 schools to teach students about climate change and energy efficiency. (We wonder why Jack and Jill can't read/write/count past ten without removing their shoes? Here's the reason, they're spending too much time being brainwashed with this shit.)

“We’re showing people across the country how energy efficiency can be part of what they do every day,” said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. “Confronting climate change, saving money on our utility bills, and reducing our use of heavily-polluting energy can be as easy as making a few small changes.” (I REALLY, REALLY hate it when public officials speak of their employers in a condescending tone!)

Still, Secretary Chu said he didn’t think that the public would throw the same political temper tantrum over climate legislation has has happened with the healthcare debate.

Asked if he expected a town-hall style pushback, Dr. Chu said he was optimistic the public would buy the administration’s arguments that energy efficiency and caps on greenhouse-gas emissions will spark an economic rebound. (Uh-huh. Turn off the lights and your wallet starts to swell. Noted.)

“I don’t think so…maybe I’m optimistic, but there’s very little debate” that a new green energy economy will bring economic prosperity, Mr. Chu told reporters. (No debate possible when dissenters are marginalized or shouted down. Doesn't mean everyone is in agreement.)

Don’t look now, but there’s actually quite a lot of debate as to the economic merits of the new green-energy economy. Whether that will spell a healthcare-style revolt against the energy and climate bill stewing in the Senate is another question. (We can only hope.)

An update: Energy Department spokesman Dan Leistikow added: “Secretary Chu was not comparing the public to teenagers. He was saying that we need to educate teenagers about ways to save energy. He also recognized the need to educate the broader public about how important clean energy industries are to our competitive position in the global economy. He believes public officials do have an obligation to make their case to the American people on major legislation, and that’s what he’s doing.” (Oh for the love of Pete, someone tell these fools not to piss on the public's back and then try selling it as rainwater.)

I really don't need anyone "educating" my kids on how to live properly, thats my job and mine alone. If they get anything from that in their schools it will be only regarding their physical wellbeing, not their way of living. This sounds like the "get 'em while they're young" mindset in action.

These public servants should be reminded they're just that, servants employed by the general public. I doubt many folks appreciate the hired help criticizing how they live.