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RedditCo-written by Sam Graham-Felsen.
Of all of the disastrous hallmarks of the Bush presidency, Bush's darkest legacy in the long run may be his unmitigated assault on the environment and his deliberate campaign to cover up the immediate threat of global warming.
The Bush Administration has undermined the Environmental Protection Agency, appointed corporate cronies in the oil industry to critical environmental posts, and muzzled top scientists from warning the public about the imminent climate crisis. It was no exaggeration when Al Gore said "George W. Bush has by all odds been by far the worst president for the environment in the entire history of the United States of America -- bar none."
Yet, Bush's actions have brought the environmental movement closer together than ever before, as activists have redoubled their efforts to combat Bush's relentless assault on the planet. On Earth Day 2006, we salute those who took part in the top five environmental victories of the past year.
Saving ANWR: In what the Sierra Club called an "against-all-odds victory for wildlife, wild places and all Americans," the Senate rejected Sen Ted Stevens' (R-AK) attempt to attach provisions to the Defense Appropriations Bill last December that would have opened up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling for oil. And weeks ago, the House Budget Committee also refused to appropriate funds for ANWR drilling in the FY2007 budget. Thanks to overwhelming pressure from environmental advocates, one of our nation's most pristine natural refuges remains safe from corporate poachers.
Governors Embrace Apollo: In July, The Apollo Alliance, one of the best progressive ideas of the millennium, gained some important new supporters. Six new Democratic governors--Rod Blagojevich (IL), Jim Doyle (WI), Christine Gregoire (WA), Ted Kulongoski (OR), Janet Napolitano (AZ), and Brian Schweitzer (MT)--joined an earlier trio--Jennifer Granholm (MI), Ed Rendel (PA), and Bill Richardson (NM)--in embracing the Alliance's goal of achieving sustainable American energy independence within a decade. The nine governors are all leaders in state-based efforts at energy efficiency and increased use of renewables, the core twin planks of the Apollo program. That program calls for a national investment of $300 billion over the course of ten years to build the basic production and distribution infrastructure needed for a cleaner energy economy.
Cleaning Up Mercury Pollution: While Bush's EPA has deregulated controls on mercury emissions--making it easier for power plants to emit this deeply harmful chemical into the environment--several states have strengthened anti-mercury laws. Gov Rod Blagojevich of Illinois announced a proposal to reduce mercury emissions by 90 percent, and weeks later, Gov Jennifer Granholm of Michigan followed suit. Massachusetts' legislature just passed legislation that would prevent mercury pollution in household items such as thermostats, automobiles, fluorescent lights and electrical switches. And Idaho just passed a two-year moratorium on the building or operating of mercury-emitting coal-fired power plants.
Mayors Say Yes to Kyoto: We remain one of only two major industrialized nations that have not signed the Kyoto Protocol. Yet America's mayors are letting the world know that they stand with the global community--not Bush--on Kyoto. So far, 220 mayors, frustrated with federal environmental inaction, have created their own Kyoto-complying standards, investing in cleaner vehicles, cutting dependence on oil, and promoting efficient and renewable energy projects. Check out Cool Cities for more info on this growing movement.
Clean Cars Movement Rolls On: Last year, Clean Car legislation--requiring the reduction of harmful auto emissions--was adopted in California and now eight other states have followed suit. These states combined cover a full third of the car and SUV market in the US.
Honor Roll: Madison Gas and Electric Co. of Wiconsin decided to stop burning coal at the state's dirtiest coal-fired power plant and switched to renewable energy. Gov Tom Kaine of Virginia rebuffed a proposal that would have opened up the state's beautiful coastline to offshore drilling. Atlanta's Development Authority greenlighted an innovative new public transportation plan for a beltline connecting the entirety of Atlanta's downtown and surrounding the line with green space for walking, jogging, biking, and public enjoyment.
Thanks to our friends at NRDC and the Sierra Club for their nominations!
Sam Graham-Felsen, a freelance journalist and documentary filmmaker, contributes to The Nation's new blog, The Notion, and co-writes Sweet Victories with Katrina vanden Heuvel.
Nation Event Note
The Nation is visiting Yale University on Wednesday, April 26, 2006. Click here for details on a free public event, sponsored by the Roosevelt Institute, featuring Nation editor and publisher Katrina vanden Heuvel.
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Oh Good Grief....one by one-
Saving ANWR: In what the Sierra Club called an "against-all-odds victory for wildlife, wild places and all Americans," the Senate rejected Sen Ted Stevens' (R-AK) attempt to attach provisions to the Defense Appropriations Bill last December that would have opened up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling for oil. And weeks ago, the House Budget Committee also refused to appropriate funds for ANWR drilling in the FY2007 budget. Thanks to overwhelming pressure from environmental advocates, one of our nation's most pristine natural refuges remains safe from corporate poachers.
Governors Embrace Apollo: Governors "embracing" an un-funded proposal that costs them no votes and to which they have to make NO FINANCIAL contribution...until it's actually passed. What does Gomer Pyle say? "Surprise, surprise!"
Cleaning Up Mercury Pollution: Great....no need for Feds, if the states can handle it. Ms vanden Heuval promoting State's Rights, will wonders never cease?
Mayors Say Yes to Kyoto: Let's guess....San Fran....Berkeley...Madison, WI...Chapel Hill, NC....Cambridge, MA....all the major liberal strongholds....except Detroit (Where IS John Conyers on THIS one???)
Clean Cars Movement Rolls On: "These states combined cover a full third of the car and SUV market in the US.".....Again...Great, means we don't need the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT involved, now does it?....Hmmmm?
Posted by Mask at 04/21/2006 @ 10:30pm
Sorry, worked up from the last...forgot ANWR
Sierra Club and ANWR?....Unlike her other "wins"...Ms vanden Heuval doesn't seem to want to leave THIS one "up to the states"?!?!?!?
Posted by Mask at 04/21/2006 @ 10:31pm
I for one look forward to the day when the rivers once again burn through the night...
(just kidding)
Posted by Will C. at 04/21/2006 @ 11:56pm
Additionally it is up to strong leaders like President Bush to ensure that these efforts are in the State and private sectors where they belong.
Posted by LVLIBERTY1 04/21/2006 @ 10:19pm
Dear Charlatan,
You bastards who never fail to dehumanize society when there are dollars to chase down, only support states' rights when it is convenient to your twisted world-view. There are innumerable states' issues (allowing the states to decide) that you hateful, dogmatic, phonies stand opposed to. Here's one glaring example:
From the Natural Resources Defense Council:
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco heard oral arguments today in a case pitting Detroit automakers and the Bush administration against California's Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) program. The auto industry's legal challenge is the latest chapter in a sordid story of resistance to California's clean air rules, according to NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). The group said the federal government's siding with Detroit is an unprecedented attack on California's legal right to regulate air pollution.
Posted by Oustbush at 04/22/2006 @ 01:15am
"What is not, are the attempts by radicals who portray themselves as environmentalists but are nothing more than the usual collection of anarchists, socialists, and communists to destroy the US and all we have achieved to this point."
this would be hilarious if it weren't so depressing. anarchists, socialists and communists? i'm literally rolling in the isles with this one. nothing could be further from the truth. the people actually defending the environment are massively overworked, extraordinarily underpaid, and egregiously stressed out lawyers, who have no choice but to prevent the wholesale rape of the environment IN THE LAST INSTANCE, i.e. the moment just prior to rape.
these lawyers are not tree hugging hippies, dude! get a fucking clue!
Posted by darladoon at 04/22/2006 @ 01:25am
LL
Ok...first things first. If there is ANY day that should be a Federal Holiday it is Earth Day....the one thing that all Americans. Nay, all citizens of the planet, share. Instead we have Federal backing of any number of semi-pagaized, pseudo Christian / corporate crapola days.
Second. As an environmental scientist, I assure you that I would rather see any number of well-intentioned "nuts" than one sanctimonious, self-absorbed, pseudo-christian hypocrite such as yourself. You my friend, and those like you, are the reason we need nut-case, tree-huggers, to try and save what is left. You sir ARE the problem....and others who troll thru here and crow about the size of their cars, like they are some god-given right.
You should be ashamed...but I truly doubt you have that much respect for the Earth, for your fellow man, for anything that doesn't involve a mirror or your wallet...
Posted by leftofcenter at 04/22/2006 @ 01:25am
...ooops...should be "paganized" in line 1
Posted by leftofcenter at 04/22/2006 @ 01:32am
Great post, as usual, Oustbush. Happy Earth Day!!
Funny, isn't it, how LL and Mask, and I presume other misanthropes now at least in my world/mind safely exiled to my ignore list, are seemingly usually the fastest reactors. Supports my contention: "the hurrier we go, the behinder we get."
By the way, isn't there some sort of peace/environmental academic(?) conference coming up soon at Virginia Polytechnic University in Blacksburg, Virginia? Seems I recall an ad in a recent issue of our beloved mag, The Nation.
Posted by lewwelge at 04/22/2006 @ 04:14am
first things first. If there is ANY day that should be a Federal Holiday it is Earth Day....the one thing that all Americans. Nay, all citizens of the planet, share. Instead we have Federal backing of any number of semi-pagaized, pseudo Christian / corporate crapola days----Posted by LEFTOFCENTER 04/22/2006 @ 01:25am | ignore this person
See, this is why they're called the "Religious Left". Turning a 30 year old lark by some "ecologists" into a Federal holiday on a par with Christmas, while simultaneously going after the OTHER guys' religion.
The environmental movement has become the home of THE most radical elements of the American Left, from the "out of the closet" anti-capitalists to the Neo-Druids who consider Sir James Lovelock to be some kind of "prophet".
They also have a propensity to ignore the utter hypocrisy of those who are their "best spokespeople"....like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who ...A. still flies in a private jet, B. still rides in a limo, and C. along with Uncle Ted, stopped a wind farm from being built because it would have ruined the view from Hyannisport.
And would ANY dare check out Ms vanden Heuval's energy "footprint"?
Posted by Mask at 04/22/2006 @ 08:50am
Maybe the people in China and India should celebrate Earth Day...or are they excited by the Kyoto accords?
It seems to me they should reflect on Earth Day, since they do not clean up after themselves as the US is trying to do and does.
"The Bush Administration has undermined the Environmental Protection Agency, appointed corporate cronies in the oil industry" ???
If this were true we would have more refineries and more drilling to get more products so they could charge us more..
...seems to me the enviromentists and EPA combined with no more drilling by the US anywhere in the Western Hemisphere and no refinerys build here in 30 years may contribute to the temporary high gas prices. Earth Day has turned into a scam and a fund raiser for every wacko group..while people who really care plant trees..
Is it true that Cuba is going to drill for oil right off our shores in the Carribean and we can't? Please tell me this is not true. Are we not allowed to drill of our own shores?
Posted by john maasch at 04/22/2006 @ 10:14am
Darla,
". the people actually defending the environment are massively overworked, extraordinarily underpaid, and egregiously stressed out lawyers,"
This could be the problem...
Perhaps ther problem comes from those who you say are the workers for the enviroment..
"actually defending the environment are massively overworked, extraordinarily underpaid, and egregiously stressed out lawyers," yikes, the horror of it all.
...THIS could be the problem...
how much does Green Peace take in a year? $ 4 billion, with a B? Do you think they deduct their gas to and from these all important meetings..The Earth Day people have been usurped a by nuts, wackos radicals and corporate gurus ....
Posted by john maasch at 04/22/2006 @ 11:34am
AND LAWYERS..
Posted by john maasch at 04/22/2006 @ 11:35am
STRESSED OUT LAWYERS TO BOOT...
Posted by john maasch at 04/22/2006 @ 11:35am
the good news... sunny all week in Seattle
:)
Posted by Will C. at 04/22/2006 @ 11:40am
only four billion Maasch
They could almost fund an entire week of our occupation in iraq.
good for them
Posted by Will C. at 04/22/2006 @ 11:41am
and we shouldn't celebrate earth day because your buds over in commie china aren't.
liberty's right... the commmies and the socialists are destroying creation for all the Children of God.
and they call themselves evangelic conservatives sometimes too.
Posted by Will C. at 04/22/2006 @ 11:44am
I saw the pollution on Front line or something like that in China...I bet it is worse than what we are shown.
$4 billion..I do wonder where it all goes...probably lawyers and maybe poiltical partys? Nah..not politicians..or 3 martini lunches...nah...maybe we need an investigation..maybe the dems will check them out in case of wrong doings if they get the power,wonder if they pay bonuses to their executives..I should have that info as a citizen...
What do you think Will, :) All the hamsters have a right to know, right?
Posted by john maasch at 04/22/2006 @ 11:55am
Green Peace is non profit ,like churches, right?
Posted by john maasch at 04/22/2006 @ 11:55am
What do you think Will, :) All the hamsters have a right to know, right?
Posted by JOHN MAASCH 04/22/2006 @ 11:55am
Americans have a right to know. The hamsters gave up their rights to their good buddy Gee Dubya.
but i hear if you give him and all the boys over at the RNC a big fat contribuiton... they'll leak it too ya.
:)
Posted by Will C. at 04/22/2006 @ 12:05pm
Will, No more money from me to any partys...a pox on both their houses.
Posted by john maasch at 04/22/2006 @ 1:30pm
Posted by ZERO 04/22/2006 @ 11:50am | ignore this person
Give it up ZERO (I know, I know...he's got me on his "ignore list", but so what?)
You and maybe 2%-5% of the liberal base in this "The Dems MUST be pure, or I'll vote Green or stay home" mode. Most of the OTHER 98-95% of them realize that that kind of idiocy is what led to Ralph Nader and 2000.
Bob Casey is the BEST the Democrats could get out of Pennsylvania. Plus, like Harry Reid, when push comes to shove, he won't do anything TOO "pro-life" when the votes are needed.
Posted by Mask at 04/22/2006 @ 1:54pm
It is amazing that we are not doing more things to reduce environmental damage to the earth. The Germans seem to have figured it out -- see their new Reichstag. [tinyurl.com]
Posted by oraibi1952 at 04/22/2006 @ 2:09pm
OR,
That was a very cool web site. I think we should use more Nuke power here and try to go to no burning of oil or gas for electricity. Nuke is so much cheaper and clean.
On the prairie, where I live we have an abundance of wind, but I don't think wind power is affordable yet,or viable. Same with photo electric. Government buildings like the Reichstag can use it as it does not have to account for the cost on a yearly use..but it is cool and will come into play once petroleum is too expensive or short supply, neither of which has hit the maximum intolerance level of the market yet.
Posted by john maasch at 04/22/2006 @ 2:17pm
Oligarchs, pluto- and kleptocrats, lend me your ears! Oh, you so-called realists, too.
Happy Earth Day!!
Posted by lewwelge at 04/22/2006 @ 5:25pm
You mean you environmental whackos still celebrate "Earth Day"?
Kyoto has been a abismal failure just as conservatives predicted. Most paricipating nations have failed to meet their goals. It remains obvious that it would bankrupt the US economy or render us just another 3rd world nation.
...radicals ... portray themselves as environmentalists but are nothing more than the usual collection of anarchists, socialists, and communists to destroy the US and all we have achieved to this point.
Posted by LVLIBERTY1 04/21/2006 @ 10:19pm
With posts like this, it is no wonder that you have to keep changing your name to make your posts visible. I just shake my head that you would call someone a "whacko" for wanting a clean environment. Or maybe you think there are plenty of extra planets handy that we can move to, after your corporate heros destroy this one?
And your paranoia is astounding! You still believe all the 1950's propaganda that communists are trying to destroy america? I laughed so hard I almost fell out of my chair.
Then you claim that it is "obvious" that Kyoto would bankrupt america. Really, that is an absurd statement...which is why you offer no proof to back it up. I suppose we are supposed to take your word for it? This is probably your religious fundamentalism showing through - thinking you speak for god so whatever you say is true by fiat.
Truly, who is the whacko?
Posted by ILOVEPHYSICS at 04/22/2006 @ 5:44pm
Cleaning Up Mercury Pollution: Great....no need for Feds, if the states can handle it. Ms vanden Heuval promoting State's Rights, will wonders never cease?
Posted by MASK 04/21/2006 @ 10:30pm
I weary of educating the uninformed, but I keep trying because this is the only planet we have.
MASK, HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF "WIND"?????????????????????????
You know, movement of the air? You see, it blows pollution from states like Indiana, for example, to states like New York. If that pollution has Mercury in it, all the laws of New York will do nothing to keep it out of here. We do need the feds for this. State action is only an inferior stop gap due to inaction of our idiot in chief, who is too busy channeling God and planning wars against muslims to do anything to help the environment.
Posted by ILOVEPHYSICS at 04/22/2006 @ 5:51pm
"The Bush Administration has undermined the Environmental Protection Agency, appointed corporate cronies in the oil industry" ???
If this were true we would have more refineries and more drilling to get more products so they could charge us more..
Posted by JOHN MAASCH 04/22/2006 @ 10:14am
What do you call it when a lobbyist from the American Petroleum Institute is appointed by Bush to the EPA? Then when said appointee leaves the Bush admin, he takes a job with ExxonMobil. What do you call that?
The second part of your post that I quoted is dead wrong. If the law of "supply and demand" is true, what you said is the exact opposite of what would really happen. More products would REDUCE how much the oil companies could charge. That is the real reason why they won't build more refining capacity. They understand economics better than you, I'm afraid...
Posted by ILOVEPHYSICS at 04/22/2006 @ 5:58pm
Sweet Loss: The Democrats capitulate on abortion rights in Pennsylvania [tinyurl.com].
...Yet more evidence that we really cannot trust this party ...
Posted by ZERO 04/22/2006 @ 11:50am
ZERO, just how the heck do you expect an opposition party to defeat the Republicans if they exclude everyone who doesn't agree with the party platform 100%?
Do you know why the Republicans win races? They don't demand 100% unanimity from their voters! (Although Delay did demand it from Representatives)
If people on the left keep thinking like you are thinking, the opposition will divide into 7 or 8 different parties, all with their pet issues, all of them keeping out the non-"true believers", and the Republicans will continue to run the country.
Think about it!
Posted by ILOVEPHYSICS at 04/22/2006 @ 6:03pm
On the prairie, where I live we have an abundance of wind, but I don't think wind power is affordable yet,or viable. Same with photo electric.
Posted by JOHN MAASCH 04/22/2006 @ 2:17pm
You are a good guy, JOHN, I hate to pick on you... but, you are wrong again.
Wind power is both viable and affordable. We have had wind power for years here in upstate NY, and when I signed up for "Community Wind" (insert your fart joke here) my bill only went up by about 10%. Yes, it costs more, but not too much more.
Posted by ILOVEPHYSICS at 04/22/2006 @ 6:07pm
I love Ilovephysics' posts. Ilovephysics for President! Who are you supporting, sir/madam, in your midwestern neck of the prairie, during this fall's mid-term congressional elections? Here in north Florida's sixth congressional district, against neo-con incumbent Cliff Stern (funny how these names keep coming up, Delay, Armey, etc.) we're pulling for Dave Bruderly.
Posted by lewwelge at 04/22/2006 @ 8:07pm
And Happy Earth evening here in the east.
Posted by lewwelge at 04/22/2006 @ 8:08pm
sing this to the melody of "It's my party (and I'll cry if want to)" by Leslie Gore(?).
Here it's Earth Day and I'll pry if I want to, pry if I want to, pry if I want to. You would pry too, if it happened to you.
Bushwacking Texans came onto our street, looking just like the new kid. Oh, what a sight they put out, there's was by far the top bid.
(Chorus)
Hmmm. Someone help with this second verse, will ya?
Posted by lewwelge at 04/22/2006 @ 8:23pm
ILP,
I am not wrong as to the lack of new refinerys. The EPA and all the regulations make it impossible to open one...they give up. we actually import refined products..
We do need nuke power tho.
Posted by john maasch at 04/22/2006 @ 8:32pm
Mask
Have never gone after your religion....and why not a "real" Earth Day. Just one GOOD reason...that's all?
LL
"without bankrupting our economy or making us all submit to their pagan religion."
Generaly, once an industry gets by the intital capital outlay of green technologies, "green" is cheaper. After all, pollution is waste..."unused inputs". As to the pagan types...you have a problem with other religions? Gee...I thought you Christians were supposed to be tolerant. Oh, but that's right....pagan are heathens to be crushed underfoot. Better go hold a strategery session with OBL...he kinda has the same perspective.
asshole
Posted by leftofcenter at 04/22/2006 @ 9:35pm
What edition of the Holy Bible is that were you found an eleventh commandment "Thou Shalt be Tolerent"? Please edify us with the laws of tolerence book, chapters, and verses! (must be another one on vulgarity usage also)
Posted by RIO BRAVO 04/23/2006 @ 12:47am
I think the Nazarenne summed it up quite nicely when he said he who is without sin may cast the first stone.
Rio, either you have lived a perfect existance...
or your not Christian
Posted by Will C. at 04/23/2006 @ 01:09am
Rio
I think you kinda prove my point for me...thanx. I (in my own semi-paganisitic way) just left more "Christian" in my commode than you have in your entire house...
and for the record... "A Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, held in honor by all the people, stood up and ordered that [Peter and the apostles] be put outside for a while. And he said to the council, "Men of Israel, take care what you do with these men. For before these days Theudas arose, giving himself out to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was slain and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this undertaking is of men, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!"
Acts 5.34-39
Funny...it took a "heathen" like me to find something that a proclaimed "Christian" didn't know existed?
Idiot
Posted by leftofcenter at 04/23/2006 @ 05:28am
nice quote
Posted by Will C. at 04/23/2006 @ 11:48am
BUSH PRESIDENCY A BOON TO MANKIND
The more he infuriates foes, allies and and oil suppliers and spreads fear and dismay around our planet the better off all us opposable-thumbers are.
At $3.00 or $5.00 per gallon of gas, gasoline consumption plummets, carbon dioxide levels abate, global warming reverses, the United States gets a new manufacturing gig for non hydrocarbon energy technology and in the meantime sis and junior along with their parents are reintroduced to pedal locomotion (bikes and walking) and our MacDonald's fed chubby children crises is history.
One man's 'Incompetence' is another man's 'Tool.'
God ("his wonders to behold") bless George "Walker" Bush
cogitorex.blogspot 4.21.06
Posted by cognitorex at 04/23/2006 @ 2:24pm
Cog
Think I'd like a little of what you're smokin dude....you think that even tho we devour over 25% of the world's energy output at present that in the medium term our potential to curb our smorgasborg petroleum appetite will make a whit of diff?
Of course its more than just us on this ball of dirt too. As the other 95% of humanity strives to grow their economies, they will take up any slack we leave.....and then some.
Of course, we can see (as a designated Bush-ites cheeleader) whose "tool" you are (Although it WOULD be nice if more folks would ride bikes...)
Posted by leftofcenter at 04/23/2006 @ 11:02pm
I have to agree with Katrina that Bush's biggest failure is to respond, or even acknowlege global warming. Scientists on a recent Nova show on PBS said that unless we cut back on green house gas emmission in the next ten years, we will assure the melting of the polar ice caps within this century, resulting in a 75 foot rise in the sea level. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the cost of converting to alternate energy sources that don't involve burning of hydrocarbons is far less that the cost of rebuilding all our coastal cities and towns.
Posted by westfordpete at 04/24/2006 @ 12:40am
Interesting debate between Scribes and Pharisees it seems, although the Gospel (good news) seems sadly lacking.
Posted by lewwelge at 04/24/2006 @ 06:44am
The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.
Posted by RIO BRAVO 04/24/2006 @ 03:03am
they hung him on a tree?
Let's just say I'm confident that God can tell the difference between a tree and a cross.
Then this passage must not be the infallable word of god.
And that means the lesson of tolerence is in learning to except these inconsistancies... and the fools that find them consistent.
Posted by Will C. at 04/24/2006 @ 09:48am
And apprarently (per Rio Loco) Christians are not supposed to be tolerant of others....which makes them Muslims I suppose....(per THEIR characterizations)
Posted by leftofcenter at 04/24/2006 @ 12:00pm
I guess then rape/pave the planet and kill everyone non-Christian is the "Christian" thing to do?
Posted by leftofcenter at 04/24/2006 @ 12:02pm
...Rio Loco
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you..."
Does the phrase not engender tolerance? Isn't that one of the PRIMARY reasons the Puritans came to America? Because the Crown was intolerant of religious differences...
If Christians are supposed to be intolerant, self-serving, ignorant bastards...then I guess you can keep'em becuase it doesn't sound like they're worth a pint of hog-snot.
Posted by leftofcenter at 04/24/2006 @ 12:11pm
rio, for once i completely agree with u. intolerance is inherent in the christian religion. and so is the destruction of our home, mother earth.
Posted by loveloki at 04/24/2006 @ 12:47pm
RIO BRAVO:
Apparently you have never heard the old adage, "Hate the sin, love the sinner."
Go back and read the Gospels. Christ ALWAYS made it a point to minister the least of us. He said, what you do to the lowest of you, you do to me.
Now, I hate to get into a religious discussion here, but here's the bottom line. Christ was tolerant of all people. It didn't mean he liked their behaviors. In fact, he made a point to try to show them how their behavior was usually self-destructive, socially destructive, and/or serving to injure that person's relationship with God. But from my recollection of the Bible, and in my opinion, the most important parts (the Gospels), Christ had much more negative things to say about the rich and the exploitative than the poor and debased. Christ was much more a socialist than a "Christian".
The point? It is religion as a power structure, not Christ himself (nor, by proxy true Christians) who are dogmatic and intolerant. Without exclusion, the power structure has no one to rule. Christ proved to be extremely tolerant of people, and preached a universalism to all men (and women!!!).
Posted by jorcheim at 04/24/2006 @ 4:12pm
ILP,
I am not wrong as to the lack of new refinerys. The EPA and all the regulations make it impossible to open one...they give up. we actually import refined products..
We do need nuke power tho.
Posted by JOHN MAASCH 04/22/2006 @ 8:32pm
JOHN, my impression is that nuke power is more expensive than wind. That may be wrong, but even if it isn't, why do you want nuke power over wind power, when the hazardous waste remains dangerous for thousands of years, while wind is clean and zero-emission? I don't get it.
Posted by ILOVEPHYSICS at 04/24/2006 @ 5:20pm
Jorcheim ROCKS with spiritual Truth(s)!!!!
And, since my scepticism about dogmatic "articles of faith" (literalism like "beliefs" in miracles like Adam and Eve, Original Sin, Mary's unbroken hymen and thus "virgin" birth, transubstantiation, etc, etc.) got me labeled a heretic by a priest at St. Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia in the early months of 1980, I'm not going for the Manichean religiosity of others' "little tin gods" (Don Henley).
God Bless.
Posted by lewwelge at 04/24/2006 @ 9:00pm
LEWWELGE:
See, that is precisely the point. Look at someone like Mother Theresa, who served the abject poor in India, regardless of their religious affiliation (if any). She let her actions speak as her witness. I think Christ would have approved... specially in comparison to the hypocritical dogmatism of the religious right in this country.
Posted by jorcheim at 04/24/2006 @ 10:45pm
Hmmm.
Back to the thread's original topic. Some of Dubya's dubious environmental record:
Link1
Link2
Link3
Link4
Link5
Link6
Let the record speak for itself......
Posted by leftofcenter at 04/25/2006 @ 09:46am
Yea....Right GW....You're gonna hold your Texan oil buddies accountable...Give me a break...Even they are abusing you George..
Posted by djmarch at 04/25/2006 @ 1:38pm
Rio
re: "the bond of peace."
So this means Dubya and his crusaders are gonna "peacify" Iran next?
And as we are on the subject of "Christian tolerance" (no offense intended to others), what is YOUR view as to the rights of other religions...like Buddhists, or Hindus, Muslims, or even Pagans? Does your Christianity allow for their perception of spirituality? Or is "yours" the only correct one...?
Posted by leftofcenter at 04/25/2006 @ 9:20pm