AJC on the Radio: U.S. Must Urgently Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil

American Jewish Committee
Tuesday, 21 May 2002

In his biweekly radio commentary, American Jewish Committee Executive Director David A. Harris raises serious questions about America's dependence on imported oil from countries that carried out a crippling boycott nearly 30 years ago, and that today are funding anti-American terrorist groups and teaching hatred towards Christians and Jews.

"It's long overdue for us to get serious about energy policy, to reduce our growing dependence on oil from hostile countries, to make our cars and trucks more fuel-efficient, to conserve energy and to explore alternative energy sources," says Mr. Harris.

The radio commentary is airing in New York, Boston, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. The full text of the commentary follows:

There was a cartoon in the New Yorker that showed a doctor and a patient in an examining room. The patient says to the doctor: "Give it to me straight, Doc. How long do I have to ignore your advice?"

In 1973, Arab oil producing countries imposed a crippling boycott, revealing our dangerous dependence on oil from unfriendly nations.

We were shocked into action to reduce that dependence, but it wasn't long before complacency set in.

Then came September 11. Now we all know that we're importing oil from Middle East countries that fund anti-American terrorist groups and teach their children hatred of Christians and Jews.

It's long overdue to heed the doctor's advice. Let's get serious about energy policy. Let's reduce our growing dependence on oil from hostile countries. Let's make our cars and trucks more fuel-efficient, let's conserve energy, and let's explore alternative energy sources.

To learn more, visit us at ajc.org.

This is David Harris of the American Jewish Committee.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org