Fuel for thought

America's dominant standing in the world over the last half century was brought about primarily by our development and use of nuclear weapons, and our subsequent policy of being the mightiest. There were other factors, for sure, but Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and the prospect of more were undeniably responsible for a lot of our power.

The dynamics of power are changing rapidly, and it's time for another Manhattan project. The US needs to devote its massive resources and determination toward developing a solution to the world's energy problem- a cure for our addiction to oil.

If we could develop the "atomic bomb" of energy, we'd regain control of our destiny from the Middle East and make ourselves invaluable to everyone else. And we'd be doing so in a positive way that would underscore our investment in progress over destruction.