I wish someone had asked General Patton this

I think we missed the story from mid-July about Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ mind-boggling effort to lobby Gen. Petraeus to reduce the military’s carbon footprint in Afghanistan. During a hearing on the war (yes, this is war we’re talking about) the Arizona Democrat stated that the U.S. Air Force is “the largest user of energy on the planet” (even larger than Al Gore?). She then asked Petraeus whether he plans to use “small-scale solar and hydropower systems and also some solar-powered street lights” at our bases in Afghanistan.
The General appeared to have a hard time believing what he had heard, but after a conspicuous pause, he managed an answer. You can watch the exchange here.

Petraeus devotes part of his answer to shooting down Giffords’ attempt to provide a war-related pretext for her hippie-dippie, green question. Giffords claimed that the supply line through which fuel comes into Afghanistan is increasingly threatened. Petraeus makes it clear that the threat is neither meaningful nor increasing.
Thank you for your call, Gabrielle from Mars.
Giffords, by the way, faces a fight for re-election in Arizona’s 8th district. Larry Sabato rates her race as “leans Democratic,” but a poll (albeit one paid for by a potential opponent) suggests that the race may be a dead heat.
Once the Republicans nominate their candidate, we’ll try to remember to provide a link for those who wish to help elect a more serious Representative.