Originally published March 4, 2010 at 5:14 p.m., updated March 5, 2010 at 9:38 a.m.
ADDITIONAL LINKS:
Operation Free arrives at Washington University in St. Louis for a discussion on America's dependence on foreign oil.
Operation Free, a coalition of veterans against using foreign oil, launched a new ad campaign in St. Louis Thursday tying U.S. foreign oil dependence to terrorist funding and attacks on U.S. soldiers.
Operation Free representatives said they'll commit over $93,000 in Missouri as part of the nearly million dollar ad campaign – which ties Iran’s ability to create new and powerful weapons used against our troops to our addiction to oil. The Missouri ad calls on U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill to pass comprehensive clean energy legislation that proponents say will stop funding of U.S. enemies. The ad is paid for by VoteVets.org Action Fund in coordination with Operation Free.
The ad features Iraq War and U.S. Army Veteran Christopher Miller, who earned a Purple Heart as the result of an explosion from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Miller then highlights the destructive potential of a newer and more powerful explosive device, the Explosively Formed Projectile (EFP), which the coalition says was brought to Iraq from Iran and then used against U.S. troops.
In the ad, Miller says every time the price of a barrel of oil increases $1, Iran makes another $1.5 billion, enhancing their ability to create weapons to be used against our troops. The world oil market depends greatly upon Iranian supply and the United States, as the top consumer of oil in the world, significantly drives up oil prices.
The ad urges people to contact their congressional representatives seeking their support for energy independence legislation. The Missouri add ends with the message: “Tell Senator McCaskill: It's Time To Lead. Pass Clean Energy and Climate Legislation.”
A coalition spokesperson says they're calling on McCaskill because she has been tentatively supportive of Clean Energy Climate legislation for a while and now. There is no current law, but the coalition said lawmakers in Washington are now drafting legislation and "McCaskill's voice is an important one to have a the table during the drafting and negotiation of the legislation."
Laura Myron, spokesperson for U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill said, “Senator McCaskill has long said that our country’s dependence on foreign oil is a serious problem that, among other things, creates a national security risk, especially for our brave troops abroad. As the Senate considers energy legislation, she will keep this important aspect of the issue in mind.”
Operation Free organizers said members are veterans and national security organizations dedicated to securing America with clean energy. They said U. S. dependence on foreign oil is funding our enemies, making America vulnerable, and causing destabilizing climate change.
In addition to Missouri and Illinois, the tour is stopping in, and running local ads in, Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio.
Comments
GailKelly (anonymous) says...
Shame on the Globe-Democrat! Did you just cut and paste Operation Free's advertisement? Do you think it is insignificant that Operation Free is funded by the Truman National Security Project, headed by Clinton's Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and John D. Podesta, Clinton's Chief of Staff and founder and president of the Center for American Progress? Why doesn't Operation Free demand that Congress change their position and approve drilling the oil that exists under U. S. soil and water, if they are so worried about funding terrorists? Their naive plan would weaken the U. S., making us dependent on unproved energy sources.
March 4, 2010 at 12:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
obamain2012 (anonymous) says...
Bravo Globe-Democrat another great piece.
Operation Free, a coalition of veterans --->is the greatest thing to happen to these United States since the Coffee Party Movement.
This article from this non biased website proves once and for all that the delusional ideas that Limbaugh, Rover, Beck, & the other loud mouth hate mongers tell you to believe. They are wrong they have no clue what they are talking about. If you want to get the real & unbiased facts you need to watch Rachel Maddow, or Keith Olbermann on MSNBC. http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2008/05/23/arctic-drilling-wouldnt-cool-high-oil-prices.html
Obama in 2012, Michelle Obama in 2016, & 2020!!!!
March 4, 2010 at 4:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ilikai (anonymous) says...
Tell me where you are going to get the gas for your car, heating oil for your house? You idiot progressive liberal socialists haven't got a clue on how to replace the oil we are getting. You won't let us drill offshore, in the North Slope, yet you want us to give up foreign oil. Tell us what "clean energy" is going to move a car down the street. LP stations aren't exactly all over the place, E85 gives less mpg than gas and takes 40 gallons of water to process, there goes that natural finite resource. So Obamanation and his disciples better come up with a plan that makes sense and not his regular stroke job.
March 4, 2010 at 5:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )