It all sounds so good until you realize that it includes new drilling rights for oil and gas (and fracking) in the Arctic and the Gulf, all contrary to good policy on the climate and Biden's own promises to not allow more drilling. It even allows Manchin to sell more dirty coal. Now how is that protecting the planet? More sound and fury signifying little. You simply can't have it both ways.
A functioning democracy requires two sides engaged in debate. An exchange of ideas. And we had that (more or less)- until the Republican party completely abandoned any pretense of governing or actually pursuing policies of any kind. Their current "ideal" is to "WIN elections". Period. Seriously, that's all they care about now.
POTUS is boxing well, working the ropes to allow Republicans to hang themselves on the slack. This Roevember turnout should retain & IMPROVE Senate and House members for We The People voting by Democrats for the good of all.
Why are Republicans placing politics above the welfare of this country and planet? How did they reach this level of idealogical bankruptcy? Voters should be angry at the shrugging of their duty.
Your analysis of the issues facing our country and the entire planet and the reprehensible lack of any sense of responsibility on the part of Congressional Republicans on climate change is spot on! Mother Earth IS screaming in floods, droughts, extreme heat, acidic oceans, tornadoes and freak storms. Those who voted "Nay" on this bill should be made to account. Your term, "Congress of Conscience" stuck a deep chord. That is what is so lacking now, unbearably so. Our politicians have no sense of conscience or compassion -- only greed, ambition, and self-serving tactics.
They simply must be replaced as an American political party. I care about continued human existence on this planet: for me, for my family, for all people.
Since bad language is allowable here now, see Randy Rainbow's parody, "Lock Him Up Yesterday," YouTube, 8-18: "Does it really take the FBI to verify he tends to lie?" Paul McCartney said that he isn't good at writing protest songs. But see how he is great at writing a protest song in unintentional collaboration with Randy Rainbow, who transforms "Yesterday" into a show tune. People who disapprove of bad language should skip this January 6th hearing offering.
Of course we like our politicians to be countable for the stances they take one way or another, but I’ve found over the years that from what I already know or have heard that when we don’t vote in a private vote situation everything changes. This is at all levels of government and such things as voting for strikes etc. People who I have known who would have voted a certain way didn’t because it was a show of hands or stand up vote. So I wonder if votes were taken with ballots instead would it always be along the party line or would common sense prevail.
Very eloquent and completely correct Dan, except for the "Mother Earth Screaming" line in the concluding paragraph. Mother Earth is just exhibiting what we have already done. She doesn't care how she looks after our demise is completed. She'll still be here; we won't!
I suggest to the writers of article in NYT, Aug 16, 2022, especially Dr. Charles Harvey, that the BFD is not a waste of money but a first step. If he wants more, maybe he and his expert ilk can help us defeat Manchin and Sinema so that Dems can take the bribe money out of the equation.
The worse thing is that these same republicans who voted “ no” will go back and try and take credit for the results.
The Dems need to get going with a much better messaging than they have been doing. They need to full the airways, social media and papers with their accomplishments, calling out those who voted “ no” , challenging the perceptions that things are bad. They aren’t! Compared to the rest of the world we are far more in better shape with our gas prices and food prices.
Dems need to hammer all the good news home on a daily basis.
It all sounds so good until you realize that it includes new drilling rights for oil and gas (and fracking) in the Arctic and the Gulf, all contrary to good policy on the climate and Biden's own promises to not allow more drilling. It even allows Manchin to sell more dirty coal. Now how is that protecting the planet? More sound and fury signifying little. You simply can't have it both ways.
A functioning democracy requires two sides engaged in debate. An exchange of ideas. And we had that (more or less)- until the Republican party completely abandoned any pretense of governing or actually pursuing policies of any kind. Their current "ideal" is to "WIN elections". Period. Seriously, that's all they care about now.
POTUS is boxing well, working the ropes to allow Republicans to hang themselves on the slack. This Roevember turnout should retain & IMPROVE Senate and House members for We The People voting by Democrats for the good of all.
Why are Republicans placing politics above the welfare of this country and planet? How did they reach this level of idealogical bankruptcy? Voters should be angry at the shrugging of their duty.
At least a small wound in climate change. Not for me but the FUTURE of the world.
Your analysis of the issues facing our country and the entire planet and the reprehensible lack of any sense of responsibility on the part of Congressional Republicans on climate change is spot on! Mother Earth IS screaming in floods, droughts, extreme heat, acidic oceans, tornadoes and freak storms. Those who voted "Nay" on this bill should be made to account. Your term, "Congress of Conscience" stuck a deep chord. That is what is so lacking now, unbearably so. Our politicians have no sense of conscience or compassion -- only greed, ambition, and self-serving tactics.
Always brilliant and articulate, Dan Rather captures my sentiments perfectly in this thought piece
They simply must be replaced as an American political party. I care about continued human existence on this planet: for me, for my family, for all people.
Since bad language is allowable here now, see Randy Rainbow's parody, "Lock Him Up Yesterday," YouTube, 8-18: "Does it really take the FBI to verify he tends to lie?" Paul McCartney said that he isn't good at writing protest songs. But see how he is great at writing a protest song in unintentional collaboration with Randy Rainbow, who transforms "Yesterday" into a show tune. People who disapprove of bad language should skip this January 6th hearing offering.
Thank goodness, it is a Big Deal!
Of course we like our politicians to be countable for the stances they take one way or another, but I’ve found over the years that from what I already know or have heard that when we don’t vote in a private vote situation everything changes. This is at all levels of government and such things as voting for strikes etc. People who I have known who would have voted a certain way didn’t because it was a show of hands or stand up vote. So I wonder if votes were taken with ballots instead would it always be along the party line or would common sense prevail.
Brian Lauder
“so is the future of planet Earth. Perhaps even more so. “
that is why we have to vote like it is our our own physical flesh and bones ass on the line. ( use of the word “a—) to meet you at “BFD.” Ha!
Very eloquent and completely correct Dan, except for the "Mother Earth Screaming" line in the concluding paragraph. Mother Earth is just exhibiting what we have already done. She doesn't care how she looks after our demise is completed. She'll still be here; we won't!
I suggest to the writers of article in NYT, Aug 16, 2022, especially Dr. Charles Harvey, that the BFD is not a waste of money but a first step. If he wants more, maybe he and his expert ilk can help us defeat Manchin and Sinema so that Dems can take the bribe money out of the equation.
Once again, Dan, you hit the nail on the head. The problem is that right wingers and MAGA heads aren't reading you. I'm afraid they're hopeless.
The worse thing is that these same republicans who voted “ no” will go back and try and take credit for the results.
The Dems need to get going with a much better messaging than they have been doing. They need to full the airways, social media and papers with their accomplishments, calling out those who voted “ no” , challenging the perceptions that things are bad. They aren’t! Compared to the rest of the world we are far more in better shape with our gas prices and food prices.
Dems need to hammer all the good news home on a daily basis.