We of the yes-man Carter hater's club

We have to thank the presidency of Carter Was Right for fomenting the dual-growth industry of right-wing think tanks and their media parrots. This, according to Thom Hartman quoted via Avedon at The Sideshow:

... Naturally, the Republicans derided him, but at least a few programs were established.

Carter's speech drew a strong reaction from the Saudis and the oil industry. Think tanks soon emerged - many whose names are today familiar - to suggest there was really no energy problem, and they led the charge to establish a permanent right-wing media in the US.

Why do I occasionally drift back in time and recall the words of the Our Gang resident yes-kid Uh-Huh?

Butch: Spanky, how many times do I have to tell you that there is no energy crisis. You can back me up on that, right, Uh-Huh ?
Uh-Huh: Uh-Huh!

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Update: Molly Ivins classifies BushCo energy-policy "thinkers" with the latter-day juvenile delinquents Beavis & Butthead