(Read the transcript here)

I don’t want to spend too much time criticizing and nitpicking the President’s speech last night. After all, no amount of speeches will stop the oil leak or clean up the ocean and the coastlines. Obama did, however, miss an opportunity to move beyond generic campaign rhetoric about the American spirit and the need to move away from our dependence on oil. After all, we’ve heard the same message about moving to alternative fuels from Presidents dating back to at least the 1970s.

So Obama, what is it that we’re going to actually do this time? You could have and should have given concerned Americans an environmental plan to rally behind. Instead you gave us something eerily similar to Bush’s speeches about Iraq. Here’s the template: Explain the challenges facing America, vaguely describe how the government is meeting the challenge, tell the American people that their unique awesomeness will ultimately solve the problem (bonus points for mentioning World War II), and make sure to leave out anything specific the American people should do.

Just off the top of my head I can think of a few things he could have said:

Next time you buy a car, get one that gets over 30mpg. Don’t buy an SUV or truck unless you “need” it. Carpool to work, or take a bike or ride public transportation. Use water filters instead of buying bottled water. Replace aging appliances with energy efficient models that will save you money in the long run. Don’t keep the air conditioning in your house set to 65° in the Summer.

Make it clear that not doing these kinds of things leads directly to environmental catastrophes, but also helps fuel Middle East dictators and terrorism. Make it the duty of Americans to play their part… you know, like we did when we conserved in World War II.