Open Thread - Wednesday August 5, 2015
Good Morning 99%'ers!
President Obama just rolled out his climate change plan on Monday. And it has me and many others scratching their heads. I am certainly no expert on climate change, but how does a President talk about how serious climate change is and that we must do something about now while opening up the Arctic to drilling for oil? To add to the conundrum, Obama announced that he will be visiting the Arctic. I am not sure if it is to view the damage already done by climate change or to see how Shell's drilling in the Chukchi Sea is going.
The specter of Shell drilling in the Chukchi Sea in the Arctic is so devastating to the environment that thirteen Greenpeace activists, aided by numerous kayakers below rapeled off the St. John bridge in Portland, Oregon last week and hung over the water for forty hours in an effort to stop the ice breaker commissioned by Shell from leaving the port. The activists were eventually removed and the ice breaker left the port to head to the Arctic where Shell is planning to drill.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UXNJmWkUks]
It appears once again that Obama wants to have it both ways in this plan. And apparently, I am not the only one who is skeptical of this "bold" initiative. Like everything else that has come out of this White House, it is too little and nearly seven years too late.
According to the New York Times and the independent Climate Action Tracker website—which helps keep world leaders honest in the run-up to this year’s possibly pivotal international climate negotiations in Paris—the new rule puts America on a middling emissions-reduction pathway, at best.
Vox’s Brad Plumer has calculated that the president’s rule would shave just 6 percent from U.S. carbon emissions by 2030. Climate science and international equity demand the U.S. cut emissions 80 percent by then. We’re nowhere near that pace.
Finally, in the food for thought category, Juan Cole tells us something that most of us here at Caucus99percent already know instinctively. But still it makes for good reading.
It is said that one of the things President Obama wanted to talk to comedian Jon Stewart about was his occasional cynicism. “Obama scolded him for turning young Americans cynical.”
But the approach to politics taken by Obama until recently — of promising genuine change but governing as a Republican Lite — did more to spur cynicism than any of Stewart’s cartoony double-takes at Washington hypocrisy. Obama has some accomplishments, but in key areas he was so willing to compromise that he lost sight of his mandate for change.
I could add other things but I did not want to make this Open Thread too long. So feel free to post whatever is on your mind today.
Comments
Good Morning
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Good Morning Tim!
Loved hearing Fresh Air this morning. It has been a very long time since I had last heard it.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
Interesting new poll
Courtesy of the Wall Street Journal. The headline reads: Hillary Clinton loses ground with white women. The poll compares figures from June 2015 and July 2015. What I found interesting are the graphs. It is not just that Clinton is losing ground with white women, but that she is also losing significant ground with blacks. It appears that her black favorables have dropped about 16-17% based upon the graphs. That is a huge amount in just one month.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
That is interesting! And thanks for the OT, Nancy. Frankly,
the poll does not surprise me. I've never believed the meme about her popularity with woman, anyway. (Or thought that it was much exaggerated.)
I'll be back later this afternoon to watch the Greenpeace video, 'cause I'll rushing to run to town after I post one more comment about the FBI investigation of FSC's emails.
I'm a long time admirer of that organization. Unless it has changed, that bunch has a lot of moxie, and they aren't easily co-opted.
BTW, don't know if you remember that you and JtC (and others, IIRC) helped me figure out which blackbirds had invaded our property. (the brown-headed cowbirds)
Anyhoo, I was going to mention it if you had another bird diary, but before I forget--they FINALLY moved on. I'm "guessing" that the heat got to them, since our bird feeding activity has slowed down, in general.
Whatever, we say "Good bye, and good riddance!"
Mollie
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."--Helen Keller
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
That poll seems huge.
Possibly devastating news. She's losing ground in every possible way. I'm surprised this isn't getting more play.
It's because Hillary is starting from so far ahead
It's hard to argue that she isn't still the odds-on favorite. She's got a huge pile of cash to spend.
If Sanders can keep eating into that lead for a couple more months, then this will get more attention.
Looks like we'll know when those debates will take place soon.
Dems to Set Debate Schedule This Week
About time. I still think this six debate limit is simply for the benefit of Clinton. The Democratic Party cabal knows who they want running. To them, the sooner Sanders and O'Malley are out of the picture, the better. And I think they're actually nervous about Biden jumping in (they're just being nice to him about it, in the way some people indulge the wishes of their slightly eccentric uncle). Clinton and Biden are virtually identical when it comes to ideology, and basically the continuation of the neoliberal agenda.
Statistical Dead Heat in NH
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders Remain in Dead Heat in New Hampshire, Poll Shows
A story about this poll showed up on the GOS sometime last night (I read some of the comments while watching Zoo--which is a great show, by the way)...and the Centrists collectively went into defensive mode. This poll may end up being an outlier, but it's a bad sign for the Clinton campaign if it isn't. If Sanders takes Vermont and New Hampshire--he automatically becomes legit and the Establishment press, sensing blood in the water, will go into a frenzy. After all, they do love their drama.
I'd like to see the Sanders campaign try and chip into the Clinton's lead with the African American community. He'll eventually have labor and the youth vote locked down, but the AA vote is a serious lion's share of support.
If the WSJ/NBC poll is correct
Clinton has lost a significant share of favorables from blacks. A 16-17% drop in favorability in just one month is precipitous. We do not know how that translates into real votes, but is should be a very troubling trend for the Clinton campaign. I have said all along since last summer, that her unfavorables will catch up with her. She cannot hide from the issues forever either.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
Good morning GG....
Just walked in the house from an 8:30 dental appointment. Trying to eat some leftover pizza for breakfast...mouth is still numb. Talk about a comedy of errors! LOL
RE: Obama's Climate Change Plan. I agree, it sends mixed messages... however, like Obamacare, I look at these things as baby steps. I don't think that HE thinks the citizens could stand going pretty much cold turkey on oil...or full on single payer healthcare... I think he is wrong on both counts, but I suspect that is why he never seems to go far enough.
As for oil... I always look at the ROI. For MegaOil, profit drives exploration. If the price of a barrel of oil is too low, they won't drill. If the cost of drilling is too high, i.e. higher than the price of a barrel of oil, they won't drill. Something a expert on Peak Oil said once stuck with me. Watch the companies...they no longer really are exploring...they are buying up one another in an effort to make money/corral the market...... Also, watch their suppliers....the rig builders, the pipe suppliers, the shipping companies, the list can get long...when they start going out of business it signals a decline in the MegaOil's profits.
We will be forced to get off oil eventually... probably sooner than we all think...on a finite planet there is no other choice.
Please help the Resilience Resource Library grow by adding your links.
First Nations News
Good day, Martha
Somehow I missed replying to you. I hope your tooth and mouth are feeling better this afternoon.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
88 @ 11
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Naomi Klein said the same thing
about Obama's climate initiative. It's all talk because of his heavy carbon policies, permitting hazardous deep drilling off the Atlantic coast, allowing Shell to drill in the arctic, pushing fracking for gas and shale oil. One eco-writer on DKos was so excited over it, he wrote "Obama could become a climate czar!" {gag} It's hard to be an Obamabot and an environmentalist but some manage to try it.
To thine own self be true.
Naomi Klein on Democracy Now
"So he’s doing a very good job of showing us what a climate leader sounds like. But I’m afraid we’ve got a long way to go before we see what a climate leader acts like, because there is a huge gap between what Obama is saying about this threat, about it being the greatest threat of our time, and indeed this being our last window in which we can take action to prevent truly catastrophic climate change, but the measures that have been unveiled are simply inadequate."
" If this was announced in Obama’s first year in office, I would be the first to celebrate this and say, "OK, great. So now let’s bring on a carbon tax. Let’s prevent leasing of new oil and gas and coal on public lands. You know, let’s do the rest of the package. Let’s have huge investments in public transit, and we’ll really be on our way." But at the end of his two terms in office, or coming near the end, you know, frankly, this does not buy a climate legacy. It’s not enough, because it isn’t in line with science, and it also isn’t in line with technology. I mean, the team at Stanford University under Mark Jacobson is telling us that we could get to 100 percent renewables, powering our entire economy with renewables, in two decades. So, if the scientists are telling us we need to do it, and the engineers are telling us we can do it, then all that’s missing are the politicians willing to introduce the bold policies that will make it happen. And that’s what we’re missing still."
http://www.democracynow.org/2015/8/4/naomi_klein_obama_is_beginning_to
To thine own self be true.
Yes!
I saw that show. Actually, her interview on Democracy Now! is what prompted me to include the news about Obama's climate change plan. Unfortunately, thevideo was not posted at YouTube when I wrote this diary. I think it must take 24 hours for them to post the videos.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
usually you can see the videos from Democracy Now
six to seven hours after they broadcast them, around 1-2 pm, on average.
I think Obama is just not sincere about what he says and ends up being a liar. He can talk all day long and make visits to any spot in the worlds to hold nice speeches, but it's certainly not what is needed. I also don't like people who are so concerned about their "legacy". Though I don't know who is more interested to "create his legacy", the press, his campaign and staff supporters, or he himself. I think most of the press gets nervous when his supposed "legacy" they want to create is somewhat in danger by the lack of actions that follow his nice speeches.
There are apparently lots of people who don't get how betrayed lots of other people feel by him. Of course nobody can admit it, because ... I don't continue saying it, I think most people know what are the words that never should be said.
Thanks I was not sure
I wrote most of this yesterday morning and afternoon. It's good to know that they do post their videos the same day. Thanks for the information, mimi.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
here you go...
use this link to find democracy now videos.
Thank you, Joe! (n/t)
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
Are you suggesting GG
that Obama is not capable of talking out of both sides of his mouth? lol - it is what he does best.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
LOL
No. But I am still puzzled by why he is going to visit the Arctic.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
To see Caribou and Polar Bears
While they still exist.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
may be he likes the melting of the ice, nice icy water
he could jump into and cool down a little bit. There are always two sides of an issue.../s.
get all his vacations in on the taxpayers dime....
soon he'll be off the expense account.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
I saw a headline about Russia moving in on the Arctic
no time to look for it now. Think it was in NYTimes. Russia has already planted its flag in Arctic water in a disputed "area belonging to Canada." I'm imagining a stand off Obama, Harper, Putin in the arctic. The Inuit people could supply them with harpoons.
To thine own self be true.
Hi gulfgal98, thanks for a great OT, I liked really well
the article from Juan Cole. He brings it to the points, straight. I am glad one can put this in a list of five dimple points as he did. He chose all of the correct ones for sure.
Funny that "Obama scolded him (Jon Stewart) for turning young Americans cynical.” May be he should look into the mirror and face himself. If the young Americans turn "cynical" it means that they don't buy his (Obama's) words anymore, so guess who is at fault for turning young Americans cynical. It really didn't take long for many "younger" (and older) folks. But of course you don't say that openly, because social media makes sure you get beaten up, ridiculed and mocked about it, when you do. The "guilt inducing production companies" work really well, especially online.
Thank you mimi!
Keep your chin up. I think things are going to get better for all of us.
PS don't let the assholes get you down. There are people over there who simply want to stir up trouble.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
thx. gg, it's more that they scare me after a while than that
they get me down. Most of the evil is banal, though it doesn't mean that it doesn't cause a lot of damage. I try to put on a poker face.
so sad,
Have to pack up and head out to my daughter's house for the goodbye dinner for our #1 grandson. He moves to Boulder tomorrow. Dad has an SUV and a trailer with a bed, desk, and ton of books; Kevin in following in his car. I don't mind him being gone at MSU. It isn't like we see him all that much anyway. I am happy when he gets to travel. I am just having a hard time with the concept of moving. He's never moved before, and grandma doesn't like it.
See you all later. Enjoy the rest of your day.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
Prison sentences based on future crimes?
I don't know anything about this web site, but the story looks legit.
This seems to be the next logical step in the authoritarianism that is becoming the United States. The foot in the door was Megan's Law, where offenders are treated differently under the law for the rest of their lives, even after their prison sentences are over.
The same treatment holds for "terrorists" deemed to be a risk
-people are arrested for what they might do in the future.
To thine own self be true.
How quickly we are devolving
I am willing to bet that the for profit prison corporations are behind this crap. I wonder how this can be constitutional, but then a lot of stuff is being accepted that seems clearly unconstitutional under the guise of keeping us safe. This really sickens me.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
Tony Blair to stand trial for war crimes?
Still only in the talking phase
And Bush/Cheney could be his co-conspirators.
Who is Jeremy Corbyn?
The socialist leading in the polls in Britain.
That sounds surprisingly like Sanders vs Hillary.
Afternoon GG, thanks for this
good OT. This thread is chalk full of good comments and links. I'm late to reading the news today, so I'm off to do that.
"FBI Looking Into Security Of Clinton Private Email
Account" [Washington Post].
Hey, this showed up on my phone news feed last night. It's from the website The Financial Express.
Sorta pushed, but hope folks take a gander at this piece--it a good read, IMO. If I'm correct (and I haven't gone back and re-watched her Press Conference about Email-Gate), some of this info directly contradicts her claim that she used Former President Clinton's server--the implication that it would be very secure.
It was incredible how sloppily FSC reportedly handled State Dept material/correspondence/briefings/papers.
President Bernie Sanders, anyone?
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."--Helen Keller
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.