6/02 (LWN) President Obama has been talking about the need for alternative energy and energy independence lately. This is an important message, especially when one considers the recent disastrous results of off-shore drilling and coal mining. However, it remains important to set a positive example and "practice what you preach". This is why Obama should install solar panels on the White House.

The White House did have solar panels while Jimmy Carter was President. Unfortunately, President Reagan had them removed, and the panels ended up at a college in Maine. They did not suit Reagan's blindly optimistic philosophy, which saw socialism, government regulation, and taxes as the only threats to unlimited prosperity. Now Obama has the opportunity to reverse Reagan's decision.

Perhaps Obama is concerned that people will compare him to former President Carter, who was not reelected. Carter wasn't perfect, but at least he kept the U.S. out of war for four years and was willing to warn people about excessive energy consumption. Republicans and "Tea Party" supporters have already compared President Obama to everyone from Mugabe to Hitler, so it makes little difference.

Considering that Presidents often travel in limousine motorcades, helicopters, and large jets, conserving energy should hold special importance for the White House. The entire country also needs to put much more emphasis upon energy efficiency and recycling. We must finally decide if V8 engines, clothesline-phobia, and widescreen TVs are worth one environmental disaster after another.

UPDATE: The Obama administration announced on October 5th that it will install solar panels on top of the White House by 2011.