There is a widespread assumption in America that ethanol (alcohol fuel derived from about any biomass?corn, sugar cane, potatoes, biodegradable garbage, et al) can be used only in small proportions with gasoline to power internal combustion engines. This lie has, of course, been widely promulgated by the oil industry. The truth is, as with Brazil?s ?flex? cars, ethanol can be burned wholly (100%) to power them, or in various combinations with gas, automobiles that are increasingly ubiquitous there?where their reliance on ethanol was recently highlighted on the weekly Australian journal, DATELINE, featured here on LINK-TV.

This is particularly apropos the current robbery Americans experience daily at the ?gas pump.? And it is in line with that quintessential oilman, George W.?s recent reflections on our ?oil addiction.? He has not followed-up on those remarks, tellingly enough.

Now this week, as the NY Times reports the 30-80B government giveaway to the oil giants? deepwater extraction programs in the Gulf, it becomes increasingly clear Americans must demand major changes in our institutions?the oil business being one of the major ones?and begin to take matters into their own hands and petition even more vigorously our government for alternative energy sources. And I fervently hope the trust apparently placed by many in hydrogen power is not a red herring?

According to the Brazilians, the ?flex? car (one that runs on ethanol or gasoline or almost any combination of the two) is easily produced and, most importantly, relatively CHEAP. In fact, GM makes one of the most popular models to be found there. And ethanol, itself, is as easy to produce as a distillery is to run, and it is largely without toxic exhaust.

There is no reason, then, especially given our enormous garbage problem and gigantic agri-business empire, we couldn?t all be driving on ethanol.

It would obviously require investment, and who better to finance this fledging industry than the World Bank and IMF? We all know Wolfowitz; he?d go along. What better way to repay the American public for his cushy climb to the top. Come on! Give us a hand, people! There has to be a way to kick the oil habit, and ethanol is probably the likeliest candidate. And, of course, by far the greatest gain, for Americans as well as the rest of the world, is that there will be no need for future wars, or invasions and occupations, to secure our energy future?.