Achieving Self-Sufficiency in Energy or Food

Both bad ideas (Worthwhile Canadian Initiative and Townhall via Instapundit). These two quotes apply to both:

• "It's amazing how ideas with no merit become popular merely because they sound good." (John Stossel)
• "Specialisation and trade reduces exposure to catastrophic risk. In countries that insist on self-sufficiency, a [shortage] means [devastation]. In countries that participate in world markets, [underproduction] means a trade deficit in [any commodity here]."