Jody Freeman, a law professor who worked for two years for the Obama White House, explains the logic behind the President's plan to tighten emissions standards at existing power plants: Even the president's…modest plan to set standards for power plants is legally risky, especially with regard to existing plants. The law calls for states toContinue reading “President’s lawyer explains climate emissions regulation”
Category Archives: politics
McClatchy: Obama launches war on coal
Commentary on Obama's big climate speech of a couple of weeks ago — which Al Gore called the best speech ever given on the topic by a president, but which was completely eclipsed by the Supreme Court just hours later — was nonetheless fascinating. The McClatchy chain of newspapers focused in its lead on the negative,Continue reading “McClatchy: Obama launches war on coal”
No such thing as a benevolent dictatorship: Orwell
What does the overthrow of the elected government in Egypt by the military mean? Wouldn't it be interesting to hear what George Orwell had to say about it? This month the New York Review of Books helpfully publishes an old letter of Orwell's, to leading critic and thinker Dwight MacDonald, on a related subject: Dictatorship. Continue reading “No such thing as a benevolent dictatorship: Orwell”
Texas legislature turns back clock to outlaw abortion
It's like science fiction for reactionaries.
When the GOP cared about air pollution: Obama
Today President Obama gave a speech on climate, and reminded the world that once we had a political consensus on the need to reduce pollution in our atmosphere. Forty-three years ago, Congress passed a law called the Clean Air Act of 1970. (Applause.) It was a good law. The reasoning behind it was simple: NewContinue reading “When the GOP cared about air pollution: Obama”
The problem with temporary solutions: Kludgeocracy
Steven Teles of John Hopkins points out, the problem with our government is not that it's too big or badly intentioned. The problem is that it tries to find temporary solutions to permanent problems. You can’t solve a problem until you can name it. We have names for one axis of our politics — rightContinue reading “The problem with temporary solutions: Kludgeocracy”
Obama in Berlin calls for action on climate (allegedly)
Today on a 91-degree day in Berlin, Obama makes what has been described by the NYTimes and many others as a major speech on climate. Here's what he said on the subject: Peace with justice means refusing to condemn our children to a harsher, less hospitable planet. The efforts to slow climate change requires bold action,Continue reading “Obama in Berlin calls for action on climate (allegedly)”
Climate change denial stands on one leg: Money
Chris Hayes throws a fit over climate denial and inaction tonight on his MSNBC show: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640 Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy Extensively quotes from a speech of true outrage and conviction on climate conservation, seventeen minutes long, delivered on the Senate floor by Senator Sheldon WhitehouseContinue reading “Climate change denial stands on one leg: Money”
Distracting us from climate change: Toles
From Toles: The royal birth, is my guess.
Obama quails on Keystone XL: Poll shows why
Looks like Obama intends to back down and let Keystone XL bitumen pipeline go through. From the NY Times: SAN FRANCISCO — Appearing at the home of an outspoken critic of the Keystone XL pipeline, President Obama on Wednesday night told a group of high-dollar donors that the politics of the environment “are tough.” Mr. Obama appears toContinue reading “Obama quails on Keystone XL: Poll shows why”
Kit Stolz 