While many will not agree, to me this is a great example of the Republican’s playing by the other side’s rules. 

The Democrats have proven themselves to be masters of all things obstinate and obstructionist in the past, particular regarding confirmation hearings.

Regardless, they, the Republicans have taken the bull by the horns and are forcing the Senate Democrats to put up or shut up.

At issue is Oil.

Senate GOP hands Dems oil ultimatum

Senate Republicans have threatened to block nearly all other bills pending before the August recess if Democrats refuse to vote with them on expanding offshore drilling.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said bills that do not pertain to energy can wait until after the August recess, with gas prices now surpassing $4 per gallon. McConnell and top Republicans indicated Wednesday they would oppose any procedural votes to take up other legislation, which require 60 votes to succeed.

The Republican’s have a winning strategy, with 75% of Voters demanding more domestic oil production.

“We think there is nothing more important that we can do right now than to deal with the Number One issue of the country,” McConnell said. “This is the biggest issue since terrorism right after 9/11. People are pounding on their desks, saying, Why don’t these people get together and do something about this problem?”

And that seems to resonate with the average person

The real issue is pretty easy to understand.

The Democrats see reliance on oil itself as the problem, and want to force the country to new technology, despite the fact that said technology does not exist.  To do so, as Sen Cantwell noted, they are OK with higher prices as it will, they think, act to reduce our dependency on oil.  This embodies the inherent nanny state philosophy many of the share, and also panders to a very vocal Environmental Lobby.  They are focused on an end to oil production and use, no matter what the cost, and to forward that end, they are banking on new technology to magically save the day.  As an alternate, they are OK with forcing us onto mass transit and bicycles.

I haven’t taken the time to put together a round up of the Enviro-nitwit Supreme and all the other fun, so now seems like a good time.

I do want to note one thing though, and that is the I am retiring the phrase “eco-nazi” from the blog, except in rare occasions.

I decided that the term “Eco-Nanny” instead.  It seems to fit the “we know what’s best for you” mentality that so many of these idiots seem to favor.

With that in mind, let’s see what’s going on.

First up is the Mighty Alarmists Supreme, the Grand Goracle, the mighty Al Gore, the biggest nanny of them all.

Al has taken on a new target for his science-less propaganda:  Bloggers.

Gore pushes environment with activist bloggers

Former Vice President Al Gore made a surprise appearance Saturday at the Netroots Nation conference, a gathering of nearly 2,000 left-leaning bloggers and political organizers. He urged the activists to mobilize for global climate protection by amplifying his call to generate all the nation’s electricity from renewable sources like wind, solar and geothermal in 10 years.

…

Gore, who joined Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her session at the convention, praised the bloggers as being at the forefront of reclaiming American democracy.

“Thank you for the movement that you have created,” Gore said. “I can’t tell you how important I think it is that you continue what you are doing.”

Of course the movement the nutroots have created is mindless extremism, but ok.

Gore said the seriousness of the climate problem is related to the economic and security crises of U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

Recent Republican calls to battle rising oil prices with more drilling are “absurd” and a bit like curing a hangover with another drink, he said.

 Of course his stupid remarks went a little further:

Gore compares offshore drilling to invasion of Iraq