Lethal Trajectories - Michael Conley [103]
“Thank you, Mr. President, that means a lot to me,” Clayton said, moved by more than Burkmeister’s vote of confidence. “But I see no other choice. The CIA report was spot on in saying we will not be able to bull our way through the Saudi crisis with military force. I do believe the asymmetric approach, while difficult to put together, offers the best hope of success.”
“I’d agree with that. We’ll just have to make the best case we can to the American people and trust their judgment.”
“This raises another issue, Mr. President, and I’d welcome your insights on it.”
Burkmeister nodded.
“The Saudi oil crisis is the most acute challenge we face, but we have at least two others of a more chronic nature that are tied to the oil situation. The first is the dire economic straits we’re facing in the form of endless deficits and the entitlement obligations we’re straining to meet. I know you’re planning to address this in your January State of the Union address, but ….”
Clayton stopped, embarrassed by his faux pas.
“That’s okay, Clayton,” the president interjected, sensing his replacement’s uneasiness, “I’m pleased you’re willing to take on the economic battle. What’s the other issue?”
“Thank you, Mr. President. The second issue is climate-change. Pete Canton sent me a summary of the latest satellite information, and the climate-change trajectories are alarming. It’s clear that we’ve reached a tipping point where deterioration can’t be stopped, and we can now expect to see more pronounced consequences in the form of reduced agricultural production, droughts, loss of coastal land to rising oceans, and life-endangering weather events. It’s not too late to slow the rate of change, but it will take drastic changes to do so, and we’ll not be able to reverse it.”
Burkmeister grimaced in both physical and mental pain. He had come to grips with his terminal illness, but the unfinished business he was leaving to others was a crushing burden.
“You are talking about a perfect storm, Clayton. Inexorable forces of tectonic proportions in collision all at once: the energy crisis, terrorism in Saudi Arabia, economic chaos, and climate-change. Every one of them is on a lethal trajectory, all of them about to converge.”
Clayton nodded in appreciation of the president’s succinct summary. The perfect storm metaphor, while overused, captured the essence of the challenge with remarkable clarity.
“In the process,” Burkmeister continued with growing enthusiasm, “you’re taking on the longstanding entitlement mentality that has become so ingrained in our culture. We’ve been in denial for so long we don’t even know the truth. And when forced to think a little about our problems, we cling to our age-old belief there’s nothing out there technology can’t fix.”
“Absolutely, Mr. President, and I like using your perfect storm metaphor to present the crisis in terms we can understand.”
Burkmeister nodded enthusiastically.
“So here’s the idea,” Clayton continued, “No matter how we deal with the Saudi crisis, it’s going to require shock treatment in America: oil rationing, austerity, conservation, and doing without—things we haven’t done since World War II. This will be the crisis of our time.”
“Indeed, Clayton, I’m fascinated with where I think you’re going.”
“This may be our one and only chance to make the tough calls we’ve avoided over the past several decades. Energy, environmental, and economic issues are integrally linked. It’s impossible to deal with one set of issues without bumping into the others, and partial solutions just aren’t going to cut it this time. The immediacy of the crisis may generate the political will necessary to make real change.”
“I agree,” Burkmeister said, “but how will you translate all of this into a plan of action?”
“Well, first we position the Saudi crisis as a sneak attack on the American