by Brad Johnson
Cross-posted from Wonk Room.
In a series of hard-hitting television ads, a liberal veterans
advocacy organization challenges Republican lawmakers for blocking
clean energy legislation that would cut oil funds to terrorists. As
part of a $2 million television ad campaign,
VoteVets has released a national spot as well as ones targeting Senate
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), and Sen.
John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) for their opposition to climate and clean energy
legislation. Other ads challenge representatives in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and South Dakota.
As the spots point out, each member has taken thousands of dollars from
oil companies that have operations in nations like Iran, Libya, Saudi
Arabia, Iraq, Nigeria, and Algeria. The national ad explains the connection between our dependence on oil and terrorists like Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab:
Terrorists. They’re trying to kill Americans at home and
our troops abroad. And who’s footing the bill for the attacks against
us? Oil money. Filtered through secret organizations in the Middle East
and countries like Iran. When oil money hands up in the hands of our enemies, Americans pay the ultimate price.
We’ve got to protect ourselves and end our dependence on foreign oil.
Tell Congress: Pass the Clean Energy and American Power Act now.
Watch it:
The local spots are unflinching, featuring local veterans of the
Iraq War. Veteran Benjamin Cossel, of Pine Bluffs, Wy. tells Sen.
Barrasso to “decide whose side he’s on”—the terrorist-enabling oil
companies that have given him $50,500, or the American people:
For thirty years, we’ve been warned about the danger of
spending billions of dollars oil. The United States military calls it a
major threat to our security. And on Christmas Day over Detroit, we
were reminded again how oil money can support terrorism against us. But
even today, Sen. John Barrasso won’t break our addiction. And he won’t
break his own. Call Sen. Barrasso. It’s time for him to decide whose side he’s on.
Veteran James Sander of Columbia, Mo. challenges Rep. Blunt for taking
$151,000 in oil money and voting against the Waxman-Markey American
Clean Energy and Security Act:
When a terrorist tried to attack us on Christmas Day, I
was reminded why I’m willing to risk my life for America’s security and
why we need to stop sending billions in oil money to countries with
ties to terrorism. But Congressman Blunt voted against the bipartisan
clean energy bill that could cut our dependence in half. And he’s taken
thousands from oil companies that do business in countries with ties to
terrorism. Congressman: it’s time to put America’s security ahead of
your own politics.
George Zubaty, of Louisville, KY takes on the minority leader for taking $150,800 in dirty oil cash:
When a terrorist tried to attack us on Christmas Day, I
was reminded why I’m willing to risk my life for America’s security and
why we need to stop sending billions in oil money to countries with
ties to terrorism. But Sen. Mitch McConnell is against against the
bipartisan clean energy bill that could cut our dependence in half. And
he’s taken thousands from oil companies that do business in countries
with ties to terrorism. Sen. McConnell: it’s time to put America’s
security ahead of your own politics.
As the Pentagon’s Quadrennial Defense Review noted, “climate change,
energy security, and economic stability are inextricably linked.” And
the number one link is our deadly dependence on petroleum.
Related Links:
Pentagon: ‘Climate change, energy security, and economic stability are inextricably linked’
Water, conflict, and security on the banks of the Hudson
Veteran wins groundbreaking claim for Agent Orange exposure at Georgia military base
