October 12th, 2008
The Stalking Horse - Should We Drill in Anwar?
A “Stalking Horse” issue is an issue to divert attention from real issues, and its proponents would gladly debate it forever to avoid having to confront the real issues. The “issues” of drilling in Anwar and off the coast of American cities have little to do with the real issue of confronting our dependency on oil as a fuel.
A “Stalking Horse” is a horse that has been trained to stand in front and draw attention away from, obscure, and conceal the hunter. This phrase has entered our language to describe an issue that is intended to draw attention away from, obscure, and conceal real issues. Proponents of the “Stalking Horse” issue will be delighted to discuss and debate their Stalking Horse issue indefinitely, if it will serve to avoid having to address the real issues.