Gary Crooks: Smart bombs

American drivers are yo-yos.

To demonstrate how the oil business has motorists on a string, consider that the average price at the pump increased from $1.87 per gallon in January 2005 to a peak of $3.02 per gallon in July 2006, according to the Energy Information Administration.

In response, there were fewer miles driven per motorist in the United States in 2005 than the previous year, according to an article in the Los Angeles Times. It’s the first such decrease since 1980.

But the decline was a mere 0.4 percent, and by the time the price slid back to an average of $2.40 a gallon in December, motorists had increased their driving by 2.5 percent, wiping out the conservation gains from 2005.

What this means is that drivers may change their habits (barely) when the price reaches $3 a gallon, but they won’t when it’s $2.40. That’s why increasing the federal gasoline tax alone isn’t enough. Other conservation measures, such as mandating better-mileage vehicles, must be part of the solution.

Talking points. I’m very excited about discussing the pressing issues of the day with such a discerning and, may I say, good-looking readership. Significant challenges face our city, our nation, our world, but if we look at them as opportunities – rather than problems – and tap our shared values, we can avoid them with great fanfare while moving forward.

Hey, how did that Gallatin Group draft get in here?

The Move Forward Movement. “Moving forward” is the red-hot phrase in talking-point circles. It makes any speaker seem progressive. Plus, it implies that important things are happening.

“We can build the strength of the center of our political spectrum – that ground where left and right converge and move forward.” – Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire.

“With the support of Forward Fairchild we are moving forward with our goal to expand the mission of Fairchild.” – U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris, R-Wash.

There’s even legislation in Congress called Moving Forward. It would absolve companies of asbestos-related liability in exchange for setting up a fund for victims. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., is against Moving Forward, but not the phrase. She wants Congress to ban asbestos outright:

“Every day that goes by they are threatening the lives of Americans by not moving forward with this.”

U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., sees a different victim:

“Defendant companies and insurers will contribute a set amount of money to the fund on a predetermined timetable, allowing them to move forward and plan for their financial future.”

It’s comforting to know that while liberals and conservatives may disagree on issues and particular courses of action, both sides are united in their commitment to move forward.