Al Gore's Plan B

[IchorFigure]

Fresh from SEED science magazine comes a story about Al Gore's recent Climate Project conference. The article begins by disparagingly noting how the amount of Americans who believe Global Warming is man-made dropped over the past year from 47% to 39%.

As one of some 2,500 volunteers trained by former vice president Al Gore to present his Inconvenient Truth slideshow, I was discouraged to learn more than half of all Americans still deny the science that links human activities to global warming.

While the polls suggested failure, the mood at the summit—a reunion of 600 global warming foot soldiers in Nashville, TN, from May 14 through 16, 2009—was positively celebratory.

So it would seem despite the volunteers constantly pounding the truth into the heads of American's they're just too damn stubborn to listen.

Well, nevermind that anyways. Gore plans to look past poll data

Is there any evidence the Climate Project is actually changing minds?

I managed to put that question to Gore himself, in the buffet line. “There are a lot of polls out there that do show progress,” he said, seeming a little surprised to be on the defensive by one of his own supporters.

Gore might have told me that my fixation with polls misses the point as changing public opinion is no longer the prime directive of The Climate Project. As part of the project’s “Phase Two” stage, as it’s officially called, we were later informed of a new mission: to write letters to editors, organize phone banks, and to do whatever it takes to convince Congress to support the Waxman-Markey bill.

So, if convincing people of their cause isn't working, then just take action and do what's best for them on their behalf because people are too stupid and corrupt to agree.

Apparently the difference of this new bill is that

[Obama and environmentalists] wanted to auction off 100 percent of the permits that come with the latter half of the bill’s “cap-and-trade” emissions reduction strategy. Under this bill, just 15 percent will be auctioned off

The author points out that, of course, Greenpeace rejects the bill for not being strong enough.

It is reassuring that Americans are stubbornly resisting the green propoganda, however I'd assume there are vastly more who agree with it's altruistic underpinnings. I have yet to skim through the bill provided by the article, but it goes without saying it can't be good. I hope that while the enviros are trying to holier-than-thou each other on these bills it could prevent a more unanimous passage of one or the other.

[IchorFigure]

Well the bill is up for vote in the House right now. Minority leader John Boehner is staging a sort of one man filibuster by reading aloud the essentials of it's 300 page amendment to ensure everyone knows exactly what they're voting on. Keep in mind the amendment was submitted at 3:09 a.m last nite and therefore it would be wrong to vote it into law having no idea what it implies (not that that ever stopped them before). If you like you can watch it live on C--SPAN. If the bill passes it will be an one more enormous detriment to our prosperity and economy.

The blog "Watt's Up With That?" has more pertinent info here.

Edited June 26, 2009 by IchorFigure

[The Lonely Rationalist]

Well, looks like it just passed 219-212.

Still needs to go through the Senate, though.

[ers]

This country is quickly going down the tubes. I mean, I knew it was coming, but the speed and ferocity is just amazing.

[Capitalism Forever]

Well, looks like it just passed 219-212.

Still needs to go through the Senate, though.

It will be interesting to see how the markets react next week. It won't surprise me if we see the Dow in 6000 territory soon...And wait until it passes the Senate!

[softwareNerd]

It will be interesting to see how the markets react next week. It won't surprise me if we see the Dow in 6000 territory soon...And wait until it passes the Senate!

It is both tragic and fascinating to watch a nation inflict such pointless pain upon itself. It is a good demonstration of how ideas can move history.

[Space Patroller]

It is both tragic and fascinating to watch a nation inflict such pointless pain upon itself. It is a good demonstration of how ideas can move history.

And the real tragedy and fascination is that it is not for the sake of some grand human collective, but for the sake of the house fly.

This is like a bad 1966 sci-fi story, or a sci-fi satire from the same era to show how dumb people are, and I'm living to see it (I don't know if that's good or bad).

[gags]

And the real tragedy and fascination is that it is not for the sake of some grand human collective, but for the sake of the house fly.

Yes, how very true. It's sickening to watch the country literally destroy itself.

[AllMenAreIslands]

Will all the Americans here be contacting their Senators? What are the chances of getting the bill rejected in the Senate?

[IchorFigure]

Well don't give up just yet. There's a real chance it could not pass in the Senate. The bill only barely passed by two votes and with thanks to 8 good for nothing Republcans. On top of that the new bloated 300 page amendment is highly unpopular and even green "extremists" like Green Peace oppose the bill for not going far enough. On top of that there is news that the EPA is accused of suppressing reports within its own agency.

So call your senators before the vote and make sure they know you oppose this egregious bill. Also you can follow progress and news about the bill on the "Watts Up With That?" blog.

[The Lonely Rationalist]

A good quote from http://pajamasmedia.com/vodkapundit:

"Never have so few stolen so much from so many to achieve so little."

[Space Patroller]

Well don't give up just yet. There's a real chance it could not pass in the Senate. The bill only barely passed by two votes and with thanks to 8 good for nothing Republcans. On top of that the new bloated 300 page amendment is highly unpopular and even green "extremists" like Green Peace oppose the bill for not going far enough. On top of that there is news that the EPA is accused of suppressing reports within its own agency.

So call your senators before the vote and make sure they know you oppose this egregious bill. Also you can follow progress and news about the bill on the "Watts Up With That?" blog.

The word on the street is that Flithy Harry inn't confident that he has the votes to get it done. This is one time I wish I wasnt in the Peoples' Republic of Massatuchitts

[Maximus]

Peoples' Republic of Massatuchitts

Ew, move.

[Space Patroller]

This could also bwe an opportunity

It got pretty bad in the 1970's, coming to a head in 1980, but we did survive. Unfortunately the bulk of the poison was not removed and it took 6 years before recovery.

Granted, this is two and a half generations later but then there weren't half the number of voices in opposition to be heard. We did not have the Internet and with the exception of some local or very few regional stations doing talk, most AM radio was music.

I would suggest a poll that would put persons right where they need to be "If you found that religion were the major factor stopping you from getting ahead in the world, would you abandon it?" Thi truth of this cannot be argued. Most if not all, religious utopias are socialist or socialism-esque. In fact mott religion-based communities are collectivist. Plymoht and New Harmony being examples. The Plymouth colony aka the Pilgrims, abandoned it after abbout four circles of the drain, conveniently (i.e. making it up to saved their glutimi maximi) discovering that God wanted a free market and New Hamony met the fate of other communes. In The Essential Works of Marx, the first chaper or intro looks at the pre-Marx history of collectivist economics which is pretty extensive and overwhelmingly relgion-based. Most such, whether called socialism or not share pretty much the same principles. The only differences are in the specifics of organization. Marx didn't even invent Communism. He got it from the Paris Communes. He then orgaized it and gussied it up with a lot of jive.

This whole business, crap and trade, unstated nationalization, Obamedicine and the effects they will have offer the American people insight into how these things work. A good opposition force could take this and score four touchdowns.

The big question is. Does that opposition exist or can one be made from what there is? If there are many teaparties in the next 2 years, I'll say "yes"

But here we are, surrounded on all sides by the university-media-totalitarian complex and I see a lot of near-despair. Should the cry be "Nuts"? If the oppostion was any good, they'd view it as an opportunity.

[Space Patroller]

What's really scary is when you look and see how this thread has fared in terms of views and replies over the last 3 days compared to the one that has fared the best, you get the impression that the world is awash in teenyboppbers

[Chris.S]

What else is there to say? Environmentalism is bad. Your government might soon pass an extremely harmful law, and no doubt Canada will be right behind (hey, thanks!). Everyone here is pretty much in agreement with that, but a few might argue over small things still. But you can't be an activist against environmentalism 24/7 (maybe some people can, but I think that when you're loud all the time people block you out). I pick and choose my battles in my classes when the profs start to spoon feed us "Green" architecture and "Green" construction and "Green" building.

In assuming you mean the "MJ is dead" thread, I'll say that it's just a flash in the pan of miscellaneous pop culture garbage.

[gags]

Here is an e-mail I just received from my idiot congresswoman, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick. She is the mother of the former mayor of Detroit and now convicted felon, Kwame Kilpatrick. Ms. Cheeks Kilpatrick is currently the subject of a formal House investigation into a junket she took that was paid for by lobbyists, apparently in violation of some House rules. Not that anything will ever come of the investigation.... Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to have distracted her from supporting horrible legislation. Oh well, read it and weep:

“We Have a Duty to Save the Earth; We Must Support H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009”

Dear Madame Speaker:

I rise in strong support of H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) of 2009. This long overdue, necessary, and needed step will make the earth a better place and reduce our dependence on foreign oil by cutting our use of foreign oil by more than five million barrels per day. The cost of this legislation is just 22 to 30 cents per day—less than the price of a postage stamp—or $80 to $111 per year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This bill means more than 1.7 million jobs for our nation, including 54,000 for the State of Michigan and 23,000 jobs for the City of Detroit. In order to ensure that we no longer import hundreds of barrels of oil per day and to have cleaner air, cleaner land, cleaner water, and a better future for my grand children and all children, most, if not all, Americans are willing to make that investment.

This bill represents the largest investment in jobs by our government since the Great Depression. Michigan and America must become part of the new technology, which is renewable technology. The factories and industries that once built cars and trucks can now build wind turbines and solar panels and help make our electrical grid more efficient and effective. Replacing our nation’s old-fashioned, outdated, outmoded, and obsolete fossil fuel based energy production equipment will result in new research, new manufacturing, new energy sources, and new jobs. Michigan desperately needs this legislation.

I am blessed to represent the people of the 13th Congressional District of Michigan. The 13th Congressional District of Michigan has the highest percentage and number of low income families in the State of Michigan. Contrary to what opponents of this bill say, this bill will not add to the already burdensome pain our citizens have already endured and continue to endure. Among other things, the bill provides $40 per month to low income families to help offset potential increases in energy. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that the bill would actually save low income consumers money on their utility bills. The wealthiest 20 percent of American households would only experience modest, affordable rate increases.

This bill will create the largest growth in jobs in the private sector since the Great Depression. According to the EPA and the CBO, 1.7 million jobs will be created that cannot be resourced to other countries. These are good paying and secure jobs that will restore businesses and bring economic stability our cities, counties, and states. According to the Political Economy Research Institute, Michigan stands to gain 54,000 jobs, or 5.4% jobs for every resident in the state. That means 23,000 new jobs in Detroit alone.

This legislation is the work of many Committees and has been carefully crafted to avoid any undue burdens on agriculture and rural families. Farmers spend more money than any other industry on energy, which only underscores the fact that we need new energy policies that will lower their costs and lower their dependence on fuel. This legislation provides famers and the agricultural industry with unique opportunities to make money in energy, through siting windmills or solar panels on their lands or growing crops suitable for the production of biofuels. The bill provides assistance to farmers and agricultural businesses as we transition to renewable energy by providing them with free emissions allowances.

This legislation does not force other countries to reduce their emissions. This legislation cannot do that, anyway. It does show the world that the United States is ready to take the lead in the fight against climate change. China and other European countries that have relied on fossil fuels have shown a willingness to start the fight against global warming. This is our opportunity, once again, to be the world leader that we have always been.

The reduction of the green house gases is not only good for our health and our children’s health, but it also sets the nation on a new pathway using Free-Enterprise principles. Polluted air affects our elderly and young people the most. That’s why the American Lung Association supports this bill.

This bill is 30 years overdue; if we had started back then, we would be much less dependent on foreign oil, and our water, air, and earth would be cleaner. For the government to involve itself in the public health, the economy and national security is the oldest role of the government in the United States. This partnership of the government in these goals has added to the quality of the life we enjoy.

We have the opportunity, and I will say the responsibility, to grow jobs in the 13th Congressional District and America. We have a duty to promote renewable energy, clean the air, clean the water, clean the earth, and deal with climate change. The nation that leads the effort toward clean and renewable energy will not only make our world a better place for our children, our grandchildren, and our families, but it will also lead the world economy for the next hundred years. This is that bill, and that is why I voted for H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.

Edited June 29, 2009 by gags

[Space Patroller]

[puote]

“We Have a Duty to Save the Earth; We Must Support H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009”

Am I to believe that she used the uppoer case in this manner?

if so, then don't bother communication with her. This kind of thing has for years been the halmark of the metally Ill or the religious fanatic, It imitates things in the Bible connected with God as in "His Glory", His Will" , etc. It is also used in certain instances in important legal documents as a statement of principle

But for something so speculative (at best)?

If that usage is true, While I cannot make a diagnosis without an interview and testing (contrary to proper practice), I have to say that there's cause for concern that this is a manifestation of SPS: Sick Puppy Syndrome.

[gags]

I concur Dr. SP. No need for a second opinion in this case. Mental illness due to severe stupidity is the proper diagnosis.

[NotCrazyDan]

Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/06/26/po...ry5117890.shtml

EPA Coverup hits the MSM.

[AllMenAreIslands]

Here is an e-mail I just received from my idiot congresswoman, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick. She is the mother of the former mayor of Detroit and now convicted felon, Kwame Kilpatrick. Ms. ...District and America. We have a duty to promote renewable energy, clean the air, clean the water, clean the earth, and deal with climate change. The nation that leads the effort toward clean and renewable energy will not only make our world a better place for our children, our grandchildren, and our families, but it will also lead the world economy for the next hundred years. This is that bill, and that is why I voted for H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.

The saddest part is this woman doesn't really care whether what she is saying is actually true. She doesn't care that the costs are exponentially higher than she's been told and is hysterically parroting at her constituency. She doesn't care that the thousands of jobs she says will be created won't begin to make up for the millions of jobs lost when companies can't afford to do business in the US and go overseas.

If she cared about truth, she'd know that continued dependence on foreign oil has much more to do with the impediments put in place by government urged by hysterical "green" doomsdayers and slug-worshippers to development of domestic oil sources than a desire to import oil for the sake of it.

If she cared about truth, she'd know that human living conditions have vastly improved over the past 200 years thanks to all the technological developments. She'd recognize that cars are cleaner than horses as a means of everyday transportation.

If she cared about the truth, she'd realize that this bill will achieve the opposite of every goal it purports to support.

But she doesn't care about truth. She must think her life and her family's lives will somehow carry on as they are, or even improve! She is oblivious to the effect of the shackles this shite bill will place on the businesses which she and other ostriches like her expect to continue producing as if nothing has changed.

But then: why were we expecting criminal types like this Senator Chucky Cheeks to care about honesty, integrity and rationality? How many more of the Senators are like this fool?

Edited June 29, 2009 by AllMenAreIslands

[K-Mac]

I get a daily email newsletter from The Heritage Society, not because I like or support them, but because I like looking for activism opportunities, and this quote was in this morning's edition...

New York Times liberal columnist Paul Krugman accused those who voted against Waxman-Markey of committing “treason against the planet” and said global warming was a bigger threat to America than terrorism.

(Regarding http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/opinion/...ml?_r=1&hpw )

Well, his statement about global warming being the bigger threat to America is dead on accurate.

[NotCrazyDan]

Key words from the article!

Read these key words, and you'll have read the whole thing in 15 seconds instead of a few minutes!

Starting on paragraph 3:

P3: deniers, treason, treason

P4: irresponsibility, immorality, climate-change denial, grim turn

P5: pessimists, shrinking, terrifying, catastrophe, unthinkable

P6: self-reinforcing, faster than expected, even more

P7: huge disruptions, lives, extreme, deadly

P8: clear and present danger, way of life, civilization, failing

P9: copy and paste the whole thing

P10: lol?

P13: "Given this contempt for hard science"

Edited June 29, 2009 by NotCrazyDan

[The Lonely Rationalist]

Bad news:

Looks like Al Franken is going to become a senator any day now.

This will give the Democrats 60 members in the senate, which means the bill will probably pass.

[gags]

This will give the Democrats 60 members in the senate, which means the bill will probably pass.

Fortunately that isn't necessarily the case. This legislation has been controversial enough and is damaging enough to certain areas of the country that a number of Democratic senators from the Midwest will have a difficult time voting for it. The public really needs to ratchet up the pressure on these senators.