I don't really need to ask this question, but is anyone else out there getting annoyed by the overuse and exploitation of the word "green"? I mean, for Pete's sake...Every time I turn on the television, open a newspaper, pick up a periodical or peruse the web I am bombarded by the word. It's starting to get on my nerves, and I consider myself to be an environmentalist. Some might even call me a tree hugger. What gives? It wasn't too long ago that the "green revolution" referred to the industrialization of American agriculture. Now "green" is the buzz word for new environmentalism, and "brown" has become synonymous with the old "green". The great philosopher of language, Ludwig Wittgenstein, must be smiling in his grave.

I can certainly appreciate the good intentions of many of those who employ the word in trying to get their messages across about some very important issues, but I it might be about time to shift to a different strategy. First of all, there are so many charlatans out there jumping on the "green" band wagon that it gives those who are well intentioned a bad name and in many ways makes the whole movement look foolish. I'm beginning to believe that the very mention of the word is doing more harm than good. In addition, some of those who are concerned about environmental issues and try to live their lives in accordance with more sustainable principles have become downright preachy about it as if they are standing on higher moral ground just because they choose to recycle or switch to a more energy efficient light bulb.

Don't get me wrong. I have no problem expressing my opinions about the choices we make when we go about leading our daily lives; but if someone wants to eat grain fed beef, live in a 10,000 square foot home and drive an SUV then I say go for it and to each his own. At the end of the day we are all responsible for our own lives, and far be it from me to try and dictate what's right for another person. Too bad the same can't be said for some of these "greenies". What makes them any different from the so called "Moral Majority" who insist on telling people how, when, why, where and whom to worship?

I have never been a big fan of Al Gore. To be fair, much of that enmity comes from my utter disdain for his wife Tipper's attempts to regulate what are and are not appropriate forms of artistic expression (Thank you, Frank Zappa, wherever you are for having the guts to stand up to her and her ilk.). Never mind that I agree with much of what he has to say about global climate change and the potential that exists for world calamity if we decide to ignore the warning signs, but he is not the best spokesperson to be delivering that message. What does it say about him when half the country disliked him enough to vote for George W. Bush? You have to be pretty unpopular to lose an election to that guy. If Bush were the one preaching that gospel, the other half of the country might be just as inclined to ignore him before ever examining the facts.

Americans are by nature an independent minded people. In fact, perhaps the most revered document in our entire history is the Declaration of Independence. Never mind that is was written by a slave holder. The ideas and principles contained therein have continued to resonate with us across the centuries. They are so profound that they have even been adopted by others, including Ho Chi Minh, as a model for their own struggles for freedom and independence. Consequently, we just don't like being told what to do. Is it, then, any wonder that we are experiencing a "green backlash"?

So, as usual, I have a proposition to make. Why don't we try to find some common ground on these issues instead arguing with another about who is right and who is wrong? If you are among those who don't buy into the theory that global climate change is partially the result of human activity then good for you. I may not agree with you, but so what? Who died and left me in charge? If you are someone that has a hard time believing that the continued consumption of fossil fuels is not an environmental issue then that's your right. Let's try and find something that we can all agree upon. I propose that the vast majority of us can agree that utilizing less energy is good for the country and helps preserve that very independence that we all so deeply cherish. If switching to a compact fluorescent light bulb, developing and driving more energy efficient vehicles and preserving our natural resources make us stronger as a nation then we should do all of these things in the name of patriotism. Who wants to be called unpatriotic? I imagine very few of us. If the United States of America can achieve energy independence through conservation and the development and implementation of (Dare I say it?) new "green" technologies then aren't we safer, more secure and more prosperous as a people? Perhaps this is the common ground where we can all meet.

If I may risk borrowing a phrase from Al Gore, there is an "inconvenient truth". In this time of great change and economic upheaval, there are many difficult challenges to be met and both simple and profound sacrifices that might have to be made. If we are to compete with China and India, we have to rely upon American ingenuity and the resolve of the American people. While we remain a nation of many riches, we do not in the long run possess the same resource in terms of population and mineral and energy wealth that these two developing nations do. We have used much of what we have in building the greatest nation that the world has ever seen. It is up to today's Americans not only to maintain what we inherited but to move forward to new heights. When did we all of sudden become a nation of people who are unwilling to make the sacrifices necessary to preserve the independence our forebears bequeath to us? My parents were born before the Great Depression and came of age during World War II. Never once did I ever hear them complain about how difficult it was for them. Instead, they have always shown the most enormous pride in our country's ability to meet any challenge with the firmest resolve and to emerge victorious. It time for us to come together with that same resolve.

I propose that we replace the word "green" with the words "red, white and blue". Perhaps that is something we can all agree upon.