If you're having electrical brownouts or blackouts, remember to thank George Bush and Dick Cheney

"We're havin' a heat wave, a tropical heat wave . . ."

And, naturally:

Record Demand Strains Grid

The agency that coordinates power distribution across the mid-Atlantic took emergency steps yesterday to try to reduce the demand for electricity, as the third day of a punishing heat wave triggered fears that the grid was being strained to its limit. . . .

Of course this happens every summer during periods of peak usage. The thing is, electrical capacity has actually been increased. The problem is that it hasn't kept pace with the rapid year-by-year increase in demand. What's worse, we've become so besotted with kilowatt-guzzling life accessories that it's no longer just a 9-to-5 problem. There's no longer anything like the relief there used to be in the evening hours.

Do you think this could have anything to do with having an administration run by and for the benefit of the energy industry? You know, people who urge us constantly:

"Use more electricity. More! MORE! God wants you to! Conservation is for sissies and liberals."

So when your power is cut (and you hear your refrigerator making those strange noises as it tries to run on reduced voltage) or blacked out, don't forget to say, all together now:

"Thank you, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney."