maritablueWe are in a war. I am not talking about the terrorists’ war against the West that we see played out on television news each night–though the war I am talking about is also an ideological war. And, like the war based in the Middle East, the war I am talking about aims to fundamentally change America as we know it. This war is being waged within our borders. It is well-funded. It is being fought through mainstream and social media. While no bombs are being dropped, the long-term impact could be nearly as devastating.

As President Obama’s refusal to call out our physical enemy for what it is prevents the U.S. from effectively fighting it, if we don’t acknowledge that we are in a war, we can’t join with our allies to overcome the attacks. But, if we face the facts, band together, and commit resources to the battle, I am confident we will win. The public is on our side, but we are behind in rallying the troops.

This is about the war on fossil fuels–it is not just about coal, but oil and natural gas as well.
The three great questions on the battlefield have always been: “Where am I?”; “Where’s the enemy?”; and “Where’s my buddy?” These questions can aptly be applied to the war on fossil fuels.

Where Am I?

This one is easy. For those in the energy industry or energy consumers who appreciate some of the lowest energy costs in the world and who are angered by rising utility costs–we are all in the crosshairs.

Where’s the Enemy?

The enemy can be found in groups, such as the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council,

brunesierra

Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune

who masquerade as environmental groups–but who, in fact, provide the soldiers in the war on fossil fuels. They have announced their next offensive; they call it: “Keep it in the ground.” (If you haven’t read my recent column introducing “keep in in the ground,” please do.) President Obama, Hillary Clinton, and, especially, Bernie Sanders are their most visible standard bearers–able to easily capture media time to tout the message.

Buoyed by their success with the Keystone pipeline, the enemy’s plan is to apply similar tactics to “Keep it in the ground.”
While this enemy is well funded and organized, they are not undefeatable. Though they can claim some victories, polling shows the public isn’t with them. Because catastrophic anthropogenic climate change is the excuse used for opposition to fossil fuels, it is an important trigger point to understand.
The climate change agenda has been the most expensive and extensive public relations campaign in the history of the world. Gallup has been polling on this issue for 25 years. Despite the herculean effort, fewer people are worried about climate change today than 25 years ago. The Pew Research Center has repeatedly found that when given a list of concerns regarding the public’s policy priorities, respondents put jobs and economy at the top of the list, with climate change at the bottom. Polling done just before the UN climate conference in Paris found that only 3% of Americans believe that climate change is the most important issue facing America. New regional polling shows that voters across the nation understand the importance of American energy and support pro-energy policies.
Yes, this news is encouraging, but it is not enough. We cannot sit back while they continually attack. We must present the public with the pro-energy message; what I call the “Energy Makes America Great!” message–consistently, thoughtfully, honestly, and deliberately. This counter attack is especially imperative in the presidential election year. This is a fight America, let alone the energy industry, cannot afford to lose.

Where’s my Buddy?

coalmine1When in battle, it is important to know who your buddies are and what they are doing. We need to support one another. The Citizens’ Alliance for Responsible Energy (CARE) and the companion advocacy arm, Energy Makes America Great Inc., represent your best buddy. We are the only ones who are beating the drum for effective, efficient, and economical American energy–oil, gas, and coal–addressing transportation fuels and electricity generation, distribution, and use. The full spectrum of topic and third-party advocacy give us a credibility, unavailable through trade associations.
Over the past ten years, we have developed an unparalleled, three-pronged messaging system and are actively working to combat the misinformation spread by the anti-fossil fuel movement.
The first prong is my weekly energy commentary that you receive each Tuesday morning. It is published on major sites such as Breitbart, Townhall, RedState, OilPro, and American Spectator, among others. The print version can be found in many newspapers–especially those in the oil patch.
Because the commentary is news-based, it makes excellent fodder for radio talk shows. When energy is in the news–which it is every week–I am invited to discuss it on radio shows from coast-to-coast. Some are nationally syndicated, a few are regional, and many are local. Whatever the audience, my communications background and enthusiasm for the topic make me a popular guest–with several shows interviewing me on a regular basis. I do dozens of radio interviews each month–plus my own show: America’s Voice for Energy.
Writing a weekly column means that my head is full of the latest information–and that makes me a perfect speaker for industry, civic, and political groups. Speaking engagements are the third prong of our messaging delivery. Because I never give the same speech twice, many groups invite me back engagement-after-engagement.

What’s the Plan?

I’ve added this point. It is not part of the initial three military questions, but it should be the question plannext on your mind.
Don’t be in denial about the scale of this problem. We all need to face the facts, band together, and commit resources to the battle.
I’ve given you the facts. No other entity is as strongly positioned to bring the different factions of the energy industry together with consistent, constant messaging, as are CARE and Energy Makes America Great. But, to continue on the front lines of the war on fossil fuels, I need you to commit resources to the battle. In this low-oil-price environment, many of our corporate donors have had to cut back–which makes individual contributions all the more important. No amount is too small. In 2014, our average contribution was about $500. Please send a check (PO Box 52103 Albuquerque, NM 87181), or donate through PayPal, today. We have several members who donate a set dollar figure each month.

One more way you can help our efforts is to submit my name to the program chairman of any industry, civic or political group to which you belong. The Energy Makes America Great website–which is where our most current content can be found–has video recordings of some of my previous presentations for you to sample.

If you have questions, please contact me at 505-239-8998. I look forward to hearing from you.