Here's a Real "Death Panel" - Big Oil

Despite all their apologies, despite all their claims to get it, Big Oil is about to launch a campaign aimed at derailing Obama's climate change initiatives. In other words, they're putting themselves on the other side on the most dangerous problem facing mankind. If you're looking for something akin to Death Panels, look no further.

From The Guardian (if you can stomach it):

The US oil and gas lobby are planning to stage public events to give the appearance of a groundswell of public opinion against legislation that is key to Barack Obama's climate change strategy, according to campaigners.

A key lobbying group will bankroll and organise 20 ''energy citizen'' rallies in 20 states. In an email obtained by Greenpeace, Jack Gerard, the president of the American Petroleum Institute (API), outlined what he called a "sensitive" plan to stage events during the August congressional recess to put a "human face" on opposition to climate and energy reform.

After the clamour over healthcare, the memo raises the possibility of a new round of protests against a key Obama issue.

"Our goal is to energise people and show them that they are not alone," said Cathy Landry, for API, who confirmed that the memo was authentic.

The email from Gerard lays out ambitious plans to stage a series of lunchtime rallies to try to shape the climate bill that was passed by the house in June and will come before the Senate in September. "We must move aggressively," it reads.

There it is. If you think we need to slash carbon emissions, even decarbonize our economy, for the future of your children and grandchildren, Big Oil has chosen to make itself your enemy and your kids' enemy and your grandkids' enemy.

Despite the real, and potentially cataclysmic consequences of failing to meet this challenge, Big Oil is bound and determined to use its wiles to undermine this effort.

It's time to draw lines and put Big Oil right where they insist on being - on the wrong side. If they insist on putting maximum profitability ahead of the welfare of the planet, so be it. It may be time to lower the lumber on these scoundrels.