Greenpeace

DEMOCRACY NOW! had this story on Friday, and it's still stuck in my head.  It's an issue that occasionally will get some coverage, but not nearly enough.  I hate it when things like this happen in my name.  Here's a taste:

"Meanwhile in Europe, the Spanish government has admitted Spain may have been used as a stopover for secret CIA flights in the practice of transferring prisoners known as extraordinary rendition - what others call kidnapping. The news comes a week after President Bush acknowledged for the first time that the CIA has been operating a secret network of overseas prisons. "

Full (rush) transcript here.

 

 

Everybody's talking about the United Nations, as happens every year around this time with the opening of the General Assembly session.  I actually have some sort of bizarre fascination with the UN system (it's one of the few fascinations those of us who major(ed) in international relations have).  Perhaps it's because my introduction to the high-octane and action-packed world of parliamentary procedure and negotiation was during high school Model UN conferences.  But, as I've grown older, had better excuses to explore NYC and Washington, and had my eyes opened wide to the realities of the global diplomacy system, I can't help but wonder what really is going on up there.

 

 

I don't understand how any body with the word "security" in its name can have any sort of veto mechanism that stems from who was on the winning side of a war that ended more than fifty years ago.  There.  I said it.

I don't know why it's considered controversial to move the UN headquarters to the Global South.

The preamble of the UN lays it out.  It says that they're DETERMINED "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war."  Looks like we need a little less determination and a little more saving.

I don't think there are better fora to have these debates, and it's certainly not completely broken, but it never ceases to amaze me how every year we hear how controversial these UN meetings can be.  (Last year was my personal favorite.)  For another point of view, check out this article on the U.S./Iran debate.  Best quote from President Jacques Chirac: "We do not aim to call regimes into question."  The sweet, sweet smell of freedom fries.  Vive la différènce! 

"We do not aim to call regimes into question."

from this story by Deb Riechmann of AP:

 "We don't believe freedom belongs only to the United States of America. We believe that liberty is universal in its applications. We also believe strongly that as the world becomes more free, we'll see peace."*
___________________________________________________________

*Some restrictions apply. Void where prohibited.

solo una notita para compartir este imagen de mis companeros en el barco Greenpeace, Esperanza, que ahoritita esta navegando el pacifico... La llegada de la luna sobre el oceano.  Que ganas tengo yo estar en este barco. Me queda solamente un mes hasta mi llegada.

Birthdays are special occasions.  And, when you're Greenpeace, they're something even more special to celebrate.

 

 

On saturday, September 9, Greenpeace (unofficially) turned 35.  Guess all those hippies who used to say "don't trust anyone over 30" are eating their words right about now.  The important part is that we weren't alone in celebrating. Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, one of the coolest cats ever, also celebrated his birthday with us at a party in Hollywood that left hundreds wanting more.  

Hollywood's a funny place.  Some people love it. some people hate it. Some say it's fake, Others say it's the most real manifestation of humankind on the planet. Whatever I believed before this, I'm not too sure, but it was great to know that there are people out there willing to support Greenpeace and wish Dave, a truly awesome guy, a happy birthday.

Dave is in the process of recording a song with some of his recording industry friends to commemorate Greenpeace's 35th year of kicking ass and taking names, and a big focus of the night was to record some of these folks belting out what will surely become the "We Are the World" for our very own movement. Artists who have already been recorded for the song include Annie Lennox, Sarah McLachlan, Ozomatli, Candy Dulfer, Nadirah X, Imogen Heap, Gina Gershon, Carina Round and others. Dave and his buddies Glen Ballard, Curt from Tears for Fears, Harry Dean Stanton (not just a great actor), and some of the folks above came together on the 9th at a major recording studio on Sunset Blvd to record, jam, exchange birthday wishes, and spread the word about Greenpeace.

Dave gathered 200 of his closest friends- including Anthony Hopkins, Dennis Hopper, Anastacia, Debi Mazar and others- and wished us a happy 35th. Hopefully you caught at least some of the live webcast and maybe caught a glimpse of Greenpeace staffers Mark and Nathan handing Dave his framed piece of sail cloth from the Rainbow Warrior as our birthday present to him.

As the bands raged and the crowds mingled, everyone was spreading the buzz about GP as cameras from AP, Reuters, Getty, and others captured the moment. The Hollywood set definitely was treated to a great fiesta thrown for us by one of our biggest fans who's also one of the best things ever.

In times like these, we should all be glad to know that people are eager to come out to support us and honor the Greenpeace cause while governments and companies try to stop us in our tracks. It was pretty magical to know that Dave was inspiring a whole new group of people for us (and the planet) and that such a great event could be undertaken in our name.  And in a room of celebrities and other Hollywood-types, it was pretty incredible that they saw Greenpeace as the true star of the night.

Big thanks to everyone for all of their help to pull this off. This is the start of great things to come, so stay tuned and join us in being more than grateful to Dave Stewart for honoring 35 years of Greenpeace in this way and for getting some amazing people to stand with us in looking forward to many more. 

Anyway, sorry for the delay in reporting on this, folks.  It was an amazing night, and has taken a few days to sink in as to what an amazing experience it was. There are too many people to thank for an awesome night, most especially Dave and his crew at WME. They haven't seen the last of us, so do yourselves a favor and buy every single record from all of the artists listed above (oh- and this wouldn't make a bad birthday gift, either).

 

 

 

No podía resistir el enlace a este editorial que apareció en el Washington Post este domingo pasado.  Opino yo que el temor yanqui al socialismo es muy peligroso.  Admito yo que no sé todo sobre la situación venezolana, pero me fascina la reacción a las ideas controversiales del presidente Chavez.  Aunque él dice, hace y crea cosas imperfectas, ¿puede representar Chávez un cambio al clima entre los EE.UU. y sus vecinos al sur?  Y, de verdad, ¿Quiénes son los gobiernos del mundo que utilizan el petróleo para motivos malos en nuestro mundo?  Si el Sr. Fukuyama dice la verdad, ¿por qué no dirige a nosotros al punto de cuestionar nuestra adicción al petróleo?

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Couldn't resist linking to this editorial that appeared in this past Sunday's Washington Post.  I'm of the opinion that the yankee reaction to socialism is dangerous.  I'lla dmit that I don't know everything about the current situation in Venezuela, but the reaction to the ideas of President Chavez really do fascinate me.  Although he says, does and creates imperfect things and ideas, could Chavez represent a climate change between the U.S. and its southern neighbors?  And really, which governments are the ones that are using oil for less-than-moral motives?  If what Mr. Fukuyama says is true, why is he not driving us to question our oil addiction?

 Katrina is a word that will not find itself in the short list of words synonymous with American success, ingenuity or prowess.  Yorktown, Apollo, Peace Corps, Marshall Plan, the list could go on of those moments and initiatives that our government and citizens have waged in the name of progress and goodwill.  But Katrina remains the black eye on the proverbial bruised and bloddied face that embodies the realities of the Bush administration's policies-- foreign and domestic.

The one-year anniversary of the failure of our government to respond to one of the worst tragedies of our time is a time that we should look back, yes, but more importantly- look forward to what we can learn from these mistakes.

Some key media tidbits from the one-year anniversary:

1.) The realities of the hurricane season.  Scope this new bit the media's picking up on.  And there was a lovely ad campaign today by America's insurance lovelies!

2.) The hurricanes will continue to come, and why is it that they keep getting stronger?  Those clever Canadian journos seem to have figured it out faster than their Yankee counterparts.

3.) The financial world has made the connection between hurricanes and our addiction to oil.  When will our politicians follow suit?

4.) Jennifer Loven of AP's editors win today's headline of the day award: "Bush Comforts New Orleans, Urges Hope"  Some of us await the story on when comfort turns to action and urging hope lends itself to informed policy decisions.

5.) To add insult to injury, looks like there's a new nuclear facility planned for the region. 

 

Marsella, Francia, 24 agosto— En el segundo día de hostilidades, en el que la flota industrial atunera francesa ha bloqueado y abordado el Rainbow Warrior en el puerto de Marsella, el barco de la organización ecologista ha sido finalmente remolcado fuera de las aguas territoriales francesas por orden de la Prefectura Marítima (Policía marítima).

siempre nos han dicho que la inovación y la tecnologia pueden cambiar.  ya sabemos que esto es verdadero, como difundo este mensaje por todas partes del mundo, y sucede sólo por tocar unas teclas.  nuestros móviles ahora tienen buzones, y los programas de instant messenger nos dan el poder de compartir la info, los secretos, y también las realidades de lo que hacemos al medio ambiente. 

como industria que están creciendo a tasas increibles, las posibilidades parecen interminables.  pero las realidades pueden ser más peligrosas que nos damos cuenta.  Estas máquinas contienen muchísimas materias que contaminan cuando las botamos.  de vez en cuando, nuestros computadores y  móviles usados alzan sus fines en un centro de reciclaje, pero más menudo que no, aparecen en otras partes del mundo: donde niños, pobres y mujeres trabajan para quitar todo valoroso de las máquinas.  Por quemar, pegar, y hervir a los componentes plásticos y vinyles, los trabajadores (la mayoría en paieses asiáticos) se contaminan con estas materias carcinogénicas, y ponen estas químicas que pueden causar el cáncer al medioambiente- el agua, el aire, y la tierra. 

 

Greenpeace acaba de publicar un reportaje sobre la eficaz de la industria tecnológica en estos temas.  lo que pedimos es, como siempre, prágmatico, necesario y sencillo.  es meneester que las compañías que produces computadores y móviles discontinúen la utilización de materias peligrosas, como cloruro de polivinilo y los retardantes del fuego brominados.  también, estas empresas tienen que estar responsables para los que producen, y empezar programas de reciclaje.

se puede leer sobre este reportaje aquí: http://www.reed-electronics.com/electronicnews/article/CA6365867.html

y como siempre, haz clic en www.greenpeaceusa.org para aprender más...

de principio, ¡hola!

segundo, admito que he tardado tanto en excribir aquí en español. en greenpeace, intentamos incrementar nuestra capacidad de comunicar con nuestras comunidades hispanas, y yo querría abrir este canal para todos nuestros socios de habla española.

en las semanas que vienen, empezaré una investigación en los medios de comunicación en castellano, para ver su cobertura de los asuntos medioambientales. si tengan ningún aviso, recomendación, pista, o queja, que me deje saber. 

hasta la protección de nuestra planeta siempre...

 

to new york, new york. you're so nice, they named you twice. for the record: the big apple is the center of the universe and the greatest city in the world.

this one pretty much sums it up:

It's been a long while since the last posting, so big apologies to all of you die-hard readers out there (whoever you are...).  It's been a whirlwind summer here at the 'peace, and lucky for me I've been able to move my attention to the voyage of a lifetime: the Defending our Oceans expedition.  Greenpeace is sailing its newest and largest ship, the Esperanza (Spanish for hope) around the world for 16 months to discover what hidden mysteries lie beneath our seas.  The truth is, we don't know too much about what's lying beneath those seas.  In fact, there are more maps of the moon than there are of our deep seas.  So, being the newshounds that we are, Greenpeace is out there getting a good picture of the threats facing our oceans.  As you can imagine, those threats are many, and they're pretty damn serious.  From over-fishing to the dumping of hazardous wastes to whaling to bottom-trawling to drift-nets to pollution to coastal over-development, we humans have proven to be pretty good at making a huge mess of our oceans.  And, we're doing it even though our oceans are what give us life: every second breath we take comes from the oceans, and I'll skip the lesson in evolution from sea-based creatures, since we sound-minded people know that evolution is based on solid theories and scientific data.  Hopefully, you've had a chance this summer to enjoy our world's oceans and beaches.  And if you have, you just may have seen some of the junk that's washing up everywhere. 

Don't take my word for it.  Take the Los Angeles Times' word for it.  They ran a really fantastic series called "Altered Oceans" not too long ago that really is fantastic: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/oceans/la-oceans-series,0,7842752.special

Anyway, think twice before you eat shrimp.  Ask your grocer and waiter where the fish they're selling and serving is coming from.  Use environmentally friendly cleaning products, because what goes down your drain has to end up somewhere.  And start using canvas or cloth bags instead of plastic bags: those things are just terrible (and the paper ones made from ancient forests aren't any good either, just so you know).  There are loads of things you can do to help defend our oceans-- and one of the most immediate is to log on to http://oceans.greenpeace.org and get educated and most importantly sign up to become an ocean defender and stand with us at the forefront of the movement to keep our oceans alive and well.

You've heard it before: politics makes for strange bedfellows.  If that's true, well then let's be honest:  environmental politics and the news media make for totally wild orgies.

I'll give you a little background.  There's a little fish that lives in many places, including the Chesapeake Bay called the menhaden.  A smally fish, yes, but an important fish nonetheless.  To make a long story short (for all you newshounds), these tiny fish get vacuumed out of the water, crushed, ground up into tiny pieces, and have all sorts of nasty things done to them in order to create those intersting little dietary supplements of omega-3 acids, since menhaden are so strong and healthy that they're chock-full of the stuff.  Courtesy of Houston-based Omega Protein.  The governing body over these fisheries has placed a cap on how much menhaden that a certain dietary supplement company (whose initials are OMEGA PROTEIN) can take from the bay.  Now, you're probably thinking they set a totally unreasonable cap, and you're wrong.  And, believe it or not, Virginia's governor decided to let that unnamed company (pssst! Omega Protein!) take 110,000 metric tons of these fish (which are about the size of an adult human hand) from the Bay.  Yes, that's taking 110,000 metric tons (LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS) of fish that are the food source for other critters living in the Bay.  Good government at its best, people.

Don't worry.  Of course Greenpeace took a stand against this (as you've all probably already read in our lovely Greenpeace USA Press Center), and has for a while now, but check out what the Washington Times, which from time to time has been known to have a conservative tilt to it (we hope that last line sent your sarcasm alarm off loud and clear), has to say about this, in Gene Mueller's Outdoors column on p. C7 of the August 9 edition of the Times:

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"Meanwhile, I'm no friend of the radical action group Greenpeace, but I agree with its reaction to the governor's decision to keep the menhaden reduction industry in business.

"Governor Kaine's proposal [would] give the industry favorable treatment with regard to any 'underages,' meaning that if the fishery failed to catch the full quota in one year the deficit would be added to the catch limit for the following year," said John Hocevar, a Greenpeace oceans specialist. The measure was mulled over by the ASMFC last year, but was not adopted.

"Gov. Kaine's proposal is too little too late for Chesapeake Bay," Hocevar said. "After dragging his feet for nearly a year, Gov. Kaine has come up with a watered down plan that has made Houston-based Omega Protein very pleased but will do little to protect the Chesapeake ecosystem or the fishermen that depend on it."

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Mr. Mueller, we're glad that you can agree with us on this issue.  Perhaps in some people's minds advocating for sensible policies and healthy oceans, rivers and bays is radical, but for us here at Greenpeace, being radically sensible really is a way of life.

 

Yesterday, the shareholders, executives and board of directors of ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) descended upon Dallas, Texas.  Shockingly enough, the big cheeses continued to claim that the science connecting fossil fuels to global warming, and they did not release their official plan to help kick America's oil addiction.  I'm wondering when the President's memo got lost in their mailroom.

Yes, it seems like an otherwise gloomy day deep in the heart of Texas, but rest assured cowboys and cowgirls that an excited throng of protesters greeted the benevolent and well-meaning people of ExxonMobil as they arrived at the red carpet at the Meyerson Symphony Center on Flora Street.  Signs, banners, people dressed in oil barrels, and yes, even an ice sculpture all urged those entering into the depths of climate science denial to take a stand and help make the company just a little bit better.  After an incredible spike in gas prices, record CEO payouts, and well, one could argue that ExxonMobil isn't the most well-loved corporate citizen today, there is no shift in the company's policies on global warming.  Rex Tillerson, ExxonMobil's CEO said it best: ""We will not jeopardize our ability to provide excellent dividends and performance to our shareholders. We are not going to invest in lower-return projects... Scientific consensus is an oxymoron."  Apparently oil-removal techniques that are vulnerable to hurricanes, land wars in Asia and sea-level rise are all solid investments with ENORMOUS returns on investment.  Think about that the next time you go and fill up at ExxonMobil.

For those of you living in our nation's capital, there are some really fun pictures in today's Business section of the Washington Post.  They are not to be missed. 

 

People magazine reports that Brad Pitt is sponsoring a green design contest in New Orleans.  While Brad is off in Africa helping Angelina with the new brood, he's working it state-side to rebuild the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast.

 

Brad, we want in. 

Sorry, folks, for the long delay in posting to the blog.  We've been busier than hookers during fleet week, though, making sure that the environment stands a fighting chance.

Here's the run-down of what's been going on:

 

1.) Protecting Offshore Wind, Stopping Dirty Politics

 

Ted Kennedy's at it again!  He's fallen off the clean energy (band)wagon and decided to prevent America's first offshore wind farm from even getting off the ground.  Here are some common questions about why Ted Kennedy is behind the effort to kill this important project.

So, this project is bad for the environment, right?

Actually, no.  More than 15 federal, state, and local agencies have reviewed the plans and proposals for Cape Wind.  The environmental impact assessments have so far come out A-OK. Greenpeace is one of many environmental groups, local and national, in support of this project.  Global warming is one of the gravest crises that humankind will ever face.  Sea-level rise, warming waters giving way to extreme storms, and the spread of extinction and rise of infectious disease are just some of the real perks of our changing climate.  It's good to know that Ted cares.

But, Nantucket Sound is a pristine waterway, and this sort of construction will upset a very delicate ecosystem, right?

Ah, no.  It's a highway out there.  Ted may have to be a bit more careful when yachting, but this isn't an untouched ecosystem.  It's a very well-traversed chunk of our waters.

But don't you think that our federal waters shouldn't be handed to developers?

This is an important project that needs to move forward.  Sadly, we live in a country where corporate profits are put ahead of social progress and environmental protection.  I say better that our federal waters are used for the development of clean, safe, domestic, and renewable energy than handed to oil and gas companies, or used to dump toxic waste.

Why did Ted contact Republicans, from Alaska no less, to kill this project that would save enough energy to power 170,000 homes in his own state?

We're really not sure.  Because he's a selfish coward, perhaps?

So, we launched this ad to tell Senators to make the right decisions.  We showed up at their offices.  We called them.  And we're still trying.  Tell yours to make the right move, to end our oil addiction before we end the solutions to global warming. 

Some Greenpeace media hits on it: The Washington Times, Los Angeles Times, Cape Cod Times, Boston Globe, even more Boston Globe, yet again the Cape Cod Times, the Associated Press,

 

2.) Telling Kleenex Manufacturer Not to Blow It 

 

Last week, we sent a team down to Dallas (we Greenpeace find ourselves in Texas an awful lot, it's true) to attend the annual shareholder meeting of Kimberly-Clark.  They're the parent company to Kleenex, Scott, and Viva brands.  So, that's a lot of paper.  And thank God companies these days realize that clear-cutting forests is bad policy and un... oh, wait.  You see, K-C doesn't even talk a good game.  They go around Canada hacking the Boreal forests to pieces, and take trees that take 90 years to grow and make them into a box of Kleenex faster than you can say "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

So, we had activists in Canada shutting down a Kimberly-Clark mill in Ontario, as our representatives in Dallas put forward a shareholder resolution that would put the company on the track to common-sense environmental policies.  Not surprisingly, the company's executives decided to keep destroying one of the world's last remaining ancient forests.

See what the Dallas Business Journal,  Associated Press, Dallas Morning News, and the local paper in Canada where the protest took place.

 

 

3.) Greenpeace Finds Itself on Thin Ice

No, we're not in trouble with the Bush administration again. We're talking about our fearless Arctic explorers who hit the ice last week- to document the impacts of global warming on the Arctic ice, and to follow what could become the first victim of our melting Arctic regions: the polar bear.  Check out our website here or about it here.

 

That's all for now.  Until next time, kiddies. 

Today's shout out goes to Greenpeace's Deputy Communications Director, Ms. Carol Gregory.  Carol gets today's shout out (well, she should really get every day's shout out) for having Greenpeace's back today in the face of clear and present danger.  Carol quote of the day: "You know what they need to be doing, oh, let me tell you."

From the Associated Press:

 "Vice President Dick Cheney's former top aide told prosecutors President Bush authorized the leak of sensitive intelligence information about Iraq, according to court papers filed by prosecutors in the CIA leak case. Before his indictment, I. Lewis Libby testified to the grand jury investigating the CIA leak that Cheney told him to pass on information and that it was Bush who authorized the disclosure, the court papers say. According to the documents, the authorization led to the July 8, 2003, conversation between Libby and New York Times reporter Judith Miller."

/p>

God, these guys are the embodiment of family values and courage.  Thank God they're leading us all (wait?  where are they leading us anyway?  and why are we in this handbasket?) 

 

 

 

Some people think that Sting saved the rainforests of Brazil sometime in the early 1990s, through appearances on PrimeTime Live or a Police reunion concert.  Well, that's a big fat no.  Police hasn't reunited.

No, actually, it's the rainforest that hasn't been saved either.  The trees are still being cut down, the indigenous people down there are still being pushed off their land, and logger-barons are reaping the benefits as people all over the world fawn over shiny dark woods from South America or others demand cheap plywood.  Sure, plywood sheets and mahogany armoires have a pretty big price difference, but either way, the Amazon is the loser here. 

Our hard-working folks in the Amazon have been monitoring everything going on down in Brazil, and they've followed the latest Amazon crime- soy production.  ADM, Bunge, and Cargill are all linked to slavery, deforestation and other no-nos down south.  Don't worry, campers, we exposed those jerks and we're going to keep on pressuring them until they stop ruining everything.  Soy that these radical extremists are cultivating down in Brazil has been traced from Brazil to an illegal port in Santarem, where it then flows over to Europe, where believe it or not, it ends up on fast food menus over there.  Aren't you glad you're in the good ol' US of A, and don't have to worry about all this?  Well, think again, because these Brazilian freedom-hating corporations are based right here, no doubt getting tax breaks and kickbacks, and laughing all the way to their bank.

We've been furiously trying to get this into the news cycle today-- apparently Katie Couric's new job is much more important than the Amazon.  FYI.

Today's shout-out goes to Maureen, Greenpeace's Web Guru, who nearly moved mountains to launch this blog.  She's also to be credited with the title of this blog, "Hottie off the Presses."  But, she's engaged.  Here's what Maureen looks like.  She's an angel.

Today was another exciting day in the Greenpeace media shop.  In addition to getting ready for some great upcoming activities, today was our Student Day of Action against Kimberly-Clark.  If you’re not familiar with the name Kimberly-Clark, don’t be worried—they’re one of those giant behemoth corporations that own more companies than you can shake a stick at.  Let me break it down for you: they own Kleenex.  And Scott.  And Cottonelle.  And Viva.  Yup, that’s a lot of paper.  And you know what a lot of paper means: a whole lot of trees.  

So, 130 campuses today erupted in protest—where the 17 to twenty-something set urged their campuses (and well, just about anyone walking by) to stop using Kimberly-Clark products, because they have decided not to use recycled paper products.  Yes, hard to believe that a PAPER company refuses to use recycled products, and even harder to believe that the people behind Kleenex refuse.  So, hopefully our campus wave of protest will get the message to Kimberly-Clark: don’t blow it.  Go recycled and stop cutting down trees.

I occasionally talk with the well-seasoned journalist worth their salt who wants to know where the nexus point is between environmental activists and groups like Greenpeace really lies, and if we actually have sound data behind our work.  Well, today was their lucky day!  We’ve commissioned a new poll (with our ‘not as crazy as us’ colleagues at the National Resources Defense Council) showing many things.

DID YOU KNOW???

that a whopping 75 percent of U.S. consumers are interested in buying products that are “environmentally friendly.”

• 73% of Americans are opposed to the cutting down of ancient forests to manufacture tissue products
• 77% of Americans, and 86% of Canadians say that they would switch to tissue products made with recycled paper.
• Two-thirds of Americans are willing to pay at least 5% more for recycled tissue. 

The numbers for the Canadian public are higher.  Our neighbors to the north are more eco-conscious, most likely because their society does not glorify over-consumption and greed.  And, well, their elected leaders’ advice after national tragedy is not to go shopping.  First the legalization of marijuana.  Then marriage equality for same-sex couples.  Now a demand for recycled paper products.  What next?  Universal healthcare?  Oh, wait.  

Others find it curious that groups like Greenpeace run campaigns against large companies.  Apparently, some people think that we reap huge fundraising fortunes from going after the corporate giants like ExxonMobil and Kimberly-Clark.  Well, let me be the first to tell you folks out there: it’s not the case.  These companies are hard to fight.  Their bottom-line is well, the bottom-line, and ours is to save the planet (while coming up with witty blogs, of course).

So, boys and girls, the phrase of the day is “THE RIGHT THING.”  It’s what Kimberly-Clark should do.  Call them for yourself and remind them: 1-800-544-1847.  Do it.  Make a stink, because this company’s policy on recycled paper blows.

April 3, 2006

Today’s Washington, D.C. forecast:  High of 68, mostly sunny.  Chance of late afternoon thunderstorms.  Tomorrow’s Washington, D.C. forecast: Chance of apathy, incompetence, and hot air: 100%

Spring has sprung in our nation’s capital.  The sun is shining, the breeze is warm, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and the metro escalators are congested with tourists standing on the left hand side (when are the signs going up?).  Spring is one of the most wonderful times of year here on the banks of the Potomac— a brief rest before the swampy, miserable summers.  

Our members of Congress have many luxuries during their tenure here in the District.  I’m of the opinion that they don’t have to be here at all during the month of August is one of the best perks ever. They have what I’m told is semi-decent and reasonably priced cafeteria food, large staffs, and can reap the benefits of lobbying.  But, it seems that one of the other luxuries they have is being able to completely ignore the realities of global warming, and refuse to take action.  Yes, we all heard our fearless leader George W. Bush rail against the dangers of our dependence on foreign oil during his (Mis)State of the Union address, but apparently Congress wasn’t listening.  Yes, almost three months after the most important speech of the year in this town, the Senate has finally decided to address global warming.  

What’s their plan, you ask?  Are they going to force car-makers to reduce emissions?  Are they going to force the energy industry to invest in renewable energy sources?  Are they going to start pumping federal funds into research into new energy technologies?  Are they going to start encouraging fuel recycling, conservation, emissions reductions, or cleaner vehicles?  Actually, none of the above.  The Senate, bright and early tomorrow, will discuss “cap and trade” emissions rules.  As thousands die every year thanks to asthma caused by dirty and polluted air, as our fossil and foolish fuel needs fuel global wars against sensible policies, our munificent leaders have gone and thrown a good chance at actually making change out the biggest and widest window of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, and instead trying to find a way to keep their corporate donors happy while keeping the environmental groups at bay.

So, yes, spring has arrived here in the District of Columbia, but it looks like the energy industry’s answer to global warming is going to be a nuclear winter.  Even though there’s no safe dose of radiation, even though it’s an energy source that terrorists would just LOVE to use against us, major nuclear power providers are expected to testify tomorrow.  Of course, it’s a pretty good deal for them, as nuclear power is very low on emissions.  Of course, who needs emissions if you’ve got plutonium with a hazardous life that measures in the ballpark of 240,000 years?  The good news is that the Senate won’t be holding them accountable tomorrow morning either.

A “Republicans catering to their special interests” kind of affair?  Perhaps.  
A “democrats proving once and for all that they are spineless wimps” showcase?  Definitely.

I’ve been working in the environmental and progressive movement for just about five years now here in Washington, and well, I’ll be honest: the Democrats haven’t stopped the assault on our environment or the laws that protect it.  They say they’re pro-environment, but they’re not demanding action.  They say they want renewable energy, but not bad enough to pass a law demanding it.  They say they love the forests, but they can’t keep roads from being built in our national forests.  They want a decent energy plan almost as badly as they want a seat on the Appropriations Committee.

So, remember folks, the next time you think of really, really bad people who don’t care about anyone but themselves, don’t just think about oil executives.  Or Republicans.  Remember those slimy Democrats too.  Go ahead, get in touch with your member of Congress, because I live in our nation’s capital, and am still forced to live in a system of taxation without representation, and have no member in Congress who cares about me.  Guess that’s one thing I have in common with our planet’s climate.