Can The Las Vegas Sun Editorial Writers Be More Stupid?

Sometimes, you just have to wonder about the mental ability of the Las Vegas Sun editorial writers.
In today's editorial, the Sun compares the U.S. and Portugal in terms of energy use. Seriously. Portugal, a country of 10 million people and a land mass the size of Clark County (or a little bit more, but not by much).
From the Sun: "As reported Tuesday by The New York Times, Portugal is expected to derive nearly 45 percent of its electricity this year from renewable resources, a remarkable increase from 17 percent a mere five years ago. This is a significant achievement in light of the fact that Portuguese residents continue to pay higher electricity prices than we do in the United States. Portugal also is one year away from becoming the first country to establish charging stations for electric cars nationwide.
A key reason for this rapid transformation is that Portugal displayed the political willpower to wean itself off environmentally harmful fossil fuels. Its prime minister, Jose Socrates, told the Times: “The experience of Portugal shows that it is possible to make these changes in a very short time.”
If Portugal can do this, why not the United States? After all, this is a nation that prides itself on innovation, including inventions that moved us into the industrial and information ages, advances in medicine and biochemistry, and travel to outer space. Where is the can-do attitude when it comes to utilizing renewable energy?"
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/aug/11/getting-left-behind/
Ok, first, the Sun already admits that Portugal pays higher electricity rates than in the United States. And this is a good thing? That's right, screw the poor, Las Vegas Sun.
Second, we can't even get a transmission line in the United States or windmills without people objecting and filing a lawsuit.
And correct me if I am wrong, but there are big mountains, large areas of rural areas along with heavily populated urban areas. Slightly different than Portugal. Go to the middle of Manhattan or for that matter, the Strip. Where are you going to put in a windmill farm? Hydroelectric water plant? How about solar panels? Hell, Nellis AFB has solar panels supplying much of the base and the panels take up more space than the main part of the base, where the buildings are located. (this does not include the open areas and landing strips)
We also have the natural resources to provide cheap electricity- coal and natural gas. There is nothing wrong with those fuels.
Besides, if Obama was actually serious about global warming and he is not, he wouldn't be taking 300+ helicopter trips and 225+ airplane trips. Michelle Obama would not be flying to Spain for vacation.
Green energy is a farce and it is being supported mostly by taxpayers, not investors. People don't want windmills in their backyards and the United States is too big for green energy.
If green energy is cheaper and more reliable than our current system, fine, let it compete but until then, we need to continue our current ways.