Santa Fe New Mexican. Oct 11, 2010.

Support military by putting an end to oil-funded violence (op-ed)

New Mexico’s soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines volunteer their lives in the defense of this great nation, and we understand the risk involved in our chosen career. However, some of the danger our armed forces face can be prevented.

Every day, the U.S. pays $1 billion for energy, much of it to hostile regimes that funnel the funds to terrorist groups. And while America’s oil money fuels enemy nations and their extremist allies, the carbon pollution caused by that same dirty fuel leads to the floods, famines and droughts that dissolve already volatile nations into the perfect breeding grounds for terrorist groups.

The U.S. Senate’s failure of leadership this summer to achieve comprehensive climate and energy reform has allowed the perpetuation of roadside bombs falling into the hands of Iraqi insurgents and bullets into the AK-47s of the Taliban. However, New Mexico has the opportunity to bypass the deadlock in Washington and to help minimize the risks faced by our men and women in uniform. New Mexico must lead America toward a cleaner, safer future through the limitation of dangerous carbon pollution.

It is time for New Mexicans to stand up with these military and security leaders to solve this appalling national-security debacle. We as a nation must stand strong on our own, and we can start at home by promoting clean, domestic energy in New Mexico.

Army Pvt. Charles M. High IV from Albuquerque died Aug. 17 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device caused a military vehicle rollover. The improvised explosive device that hit Pvt. High’s vehicle was an EFP, or explosively formed projectile. The EFP is the new, deadlier breed of IED, or improvised explosive device, dirty explosives that pierce our thickest armor. Every soldier in Iraq and Afghanistan is gravely familiar with these roadside bombs, which have killed or injured thousands of our men and women in uniform.

These EFPs, which rip through our heavily armored vehicles and have caused hundreds of American casualties, were introduced to Iraqi and Afghan insurgents by oil-rich Iran. The connection between energy, our national security and the sacrifices made by our military could not be more clear.

For full article click here

Comments (0) · Leave a Comment