Jun 20, 2005

Those Who Stick Their Heads in the Sand Need a Kick in The Ass

It's becoming more evident that the Bush administration is pursuing policies that are extreme and ill-thought out. I don't know if it's because the lunatic fringe is not marginal any more; it has a strong voice in the current administration. I mean, if they believe that Armageddon is just around the corner, then why bother with the environment for example. Of course, you have those who mostly care about money and power, and not much else. Fortunately for both groups, president Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress are more than happy to oblige: screw the environment, the end of times is near, and, if this fails or delays, at least the elites will have enough money to bide time in opulent luxury.
The far right and the neo-cons seem almost single-minded about their goals. The
Downing Street Memo showed the conspiracy to get our country into a messy & costly war regardless of the evidence. Bush and his clique still refuse to give us a straight answer. Not only they lied, but they continue to disrespect the public's right to know, as if the facts don't matter. And, if the facts get in the way, or don't agree with doctrine, then the facts are pushed aside. It would be funny, if the situation weren't so serious, to observe the puppetry and frequent renditions of Rain Man by the likes of Bush, Rummie, Condi, and the other far right talking heads.

There is considerable scientific evidence so show that there is a connection between burning fossil fuels and climate change. Guess who opposes these findings? And, guess who's changing the reports to hide the evidence? Earlier this month a White House official,
Philip Cooney, altered government documents to downplay the damage to the environment. He's the same person who, while working for the oil industry, led the fight against limits on air pollutants. So, you make big money from the oil companies, you buy access to the US government, better yet, you join the government for a while to pass laws and set the agenda, and then you go back to a bigger paycheck. True to form, Mr. Cooney was just hired by Exxon for a job well done.

Now, the US government is secretly working to undermine the British and the rest of the world's efforts to help the environment. The Observer published an article showing that the Bush administration doesn't like the science of climate change and opposes the UN commitment to stabilize greenhouse emissions. The documents obtained by The Observer show that Washington officials:
* Removed all reference to the fact that climate change is a 'serious threat to human health and to ecosystems';
* Deleted any suggestion that global warming has already started;
* Expunged any suggestion that human activity was to blame for climate change. Among the sentences removed was the following: "Unless urgent action is taken, there will be a growing risk of adverse effects on economic development, human health and the natural environment, and of irreversible long-term changes to our climate and oceans."


There is no doubt that America under the current leadership has embarked on a course back to the Dark Ages, where superstition is preferred to the scientific method, where plutocracy triumphs over the public good, and where social Darwinism prevails. But, by sticking one's head into the sand also exposes one's behind. I hope the inevitable kick in the rear comes sooner than later, and that it's the boot of the American public that lands on the collective asses of those in power today. If we delay, I'm afraid, we're all going to feel the pain of our inaction and poor choices in government. And, the pain will remain with our children and many generations to come.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

There is no doubt that this government is owned by and works for the oil industry. They are so shamelessly unabashed about ripping off out nation's wealth, screwing the environment, and even refuse to talk seriously when confronted with the facts.
Honestly, I don't remember such a bunch of crooks running our government in the last 50 years. It seems, though, that the Americans are showing signs of a battered wife who feels unable to do anything but further submit to the abuse.

HD, CA

Anonymous said...

The environment is our common legacy, our common treasure. America should be at the forefront of trying to save it. Regulation is important because the market forces, where maximum profit is the goal, encourage cheap and polluting practices.

Why don't the rurels realize that we all have to sacrifice to live in a nicer neighborhood. It's easy for me to through garbage out the window but sooner or later I'll have to deal with the stench....
Ca

Anonymous said...

yeah, i think the whole world is going to kick us in the ass soooon

Anonymous said...

just relax, God has a plan; he wouldn't allow his creation to die

Anonymous said...

I get the picture... where do I line up to kick those plutocrats in the ass?

George said...

You can kick them by voting, being informed and engaged in the public affairs of our nation. Join activist groups, talk to your friends and family, run for office yourself.Democracy is as good as its participants!

Anonymous said...

I don't get it, don't they have to live in the same environment as we do? Why wouldn't they want a healthy earth for themselves and their kids?

Laura

George said...

Here are some more White House actions to hide the truth....

http://thinkprogress.org/index.php?p=1127

Anonymous said...

Laura,
If the benefit is greater than the cost, some people will choose to pocket big $$$$. Besides, all those in government right now, who are selling our national treasures and destroying the environment, will have plenty of options to find nice places for themselves and their children. Of course, eventually the destruction of the environment and global warming will catch up to all humans, but we are not dealing with people with have the sensitivity nor the knowledge to be pro-active. Gosh, they couldn't even plan a post-invasion strategy for Iraq!

Ben, CT

paintergirl said...

I'm afraid that it won't be those in charge that will get the boot. It will be most of the citizens, those that voted for W and even some who didn't. There would have to be an incredible uprising to change what is going on in DC and that will NEVER happen. I hate being a fatalist.

Cathie said...

ahh... but just think of the opportunities in a semi-uninhabitable environment! why, whole industries can be created! one could make billions in the home oxygen tank industry, and just think of the pills that can be developed to solve the new health problems! plus, there will be more beachfront property for development, and we'll be able to get rid of those darn californians!

paintergirl said...

Too true. let's not forget, Florida will be gone too. That opens up Georgia. Very nice-nothing like laying on wet red clay by the water!