Addicted

America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world.

George W. Bush

Perhaps this is what the President means.

Perhaps the Vice-President will now have to go cold turkey since the Washington Post obtained documents confirming meetings with Exxon Mobil Corp, Conoco, Shell Oil Co and BP America Inc. Cheney was so intent on keeping his addiction secret that he used executive privilege.

This site has some useful tips on how to spot signs of addiction.

Often, however, an addict will take great steps to hide their habit from others.

Even if you know someone has an addiction problem, you can't control their habit or stop them unless they want your help.

An addict has to recognise s/he has a problem before you can take steps to get them over it.

Until then, all you can do is make them aware that you're prepared to offer your support when they're ready.

The National Resource Defense Council offered a 7 step program for oil addicts

1. Raise fuel economy standards to 40 mpg by 2012 and 55 mpg by 2020.
Congress should raise fuel economy standards, starting with closing the sport utility vehicle loophole by holding SUVs and minivans to the same fuel economy standards as cars. Congress should then boost fuel economy standards for the combined car and light truck fleet in regular steps every few years, reaching 40 miles per gallon by 2012 and 55 mpg by 2020.

2. Require fuel-efficient replacement tires by 2002.
Congress should require tire manufacturers to sell replacement tires that are at least as fuel-efficient as original equipment tires by 2002.

3. Enact tax incentives for hybrids and fuel-cell vehicles.
Congress should enact tax incentives for advanced vehicle technologies, including alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles -- technologies that would enable the nation's fleet to meet a 55-mpg standard in 2020.

4. Reinvest in public transit and inter-city railroads.
Congress should offer states and cities more help to meet the surging demand for public transportation. Funding backlogged bus and rail transit projects, and rebuilding inter-city rail systems, would reduce U.S. oil dependence, reduce traffic congestion, and clean the air.

5. Promote "smart growth."
Congress should reform federal transportation, housing, tax and land management policies to support, rather than undermine, state and local "smart growth" initiatives.

6. Make fuel from farm wastes.
Congress should fund accelerated construction of commercial-scale pilot plants for making ethanol motor fuel from agricultural wastes. Tapping agricultural wastes and other renewable feedstocks to produce fuel has tremendous potential to reduce U.S. oil dependence.

7. Launch an "Apollo Project" for fuel cells and hydrogen fuel.
Congress should set a goal of converting America's passenger transportation to fuel cell vehicles running on hydrogen, the ultimate "green" energy source whose only byproduct is water. Fuel cells would enable new vehicles to reach an average fuel economy equivalent of about 72 mpg by 2030 -- three times today's fleet average.

Make sure George W. Bush and Dick Cheney get help before it's too late.

Update: the President is trying to kick by using another drug. First it was coal. Now it's nuclear power. This is a man crying out for help. Someone give him a hug.

Russ points out that Bush's addiction has grown so bad that he needs France to help him get his fix.