If nothing else . . .

say that you are doing it to help fight terrorism. If they ask you to explain why oil dependence and Global Warming are so important. Then tell them thinking about these things helps us in the war on terror. When you propose the idea of changing the focus of the war in Iraq from killing the terrorists to protecting the Iraquis from the terrorists, tell them how this will help us win the war on terror. Turn their words back on them.