Rogue Keeper on 18/9/2006 at 10:14
Quote:
Bush 'prepares emissions U-turn'
By Geoffrey Lean, Environment Editor
Published: 17 September 2006
(
http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article1604092.ece)
President Bush is preparing an astonishing U-turn on global warming, senior Washington sources say.
After years of trying to sabotage agreements to tackle climate change he is drawing up plans to control emissions of carbon dioxide and rapidly boost the use of renewable energy sources.
Administration insiders privately refer to the planned volte-face as Mr Bush's "Nixon goes to China moment", recalling how the former president amazed the world after years of refusing to deal with its Communist regime. Hardline global warming sceptics, however, are already publicly attacking the plans.
The rethink follows increasing pressure on the White House from Republican governors such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, the mayors of more than 300 cities, business leaders and Congress.
Over the past few days rumours swept the capital that the "Toxic Texan" would announce his conversion this week, in an attempt to reduce the impact of a major speech tomorrow by Al Gore on solutions to climate change.
The White House denied the timing, but did not deny that a change of policy was on its way. Sources say that the most likely moment is the President's State of the Union address in January.
Environmentalists expect the measures to fall far short of what is needed, but say this does not matter. "The very fact that Bush would reverse his position will liberate many Republicans to vote for meaningful pollution cuts," says Phil Clapp, president of the National Environmental Trust.
But Iain Murray, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Mr Bush's chief climate change cheerleader, is deeply alarmed: "We are left with the unpleasant conclusion that the only motivation is political."
What is causing this radical turn in Republican policies? It's as if more and more conservatives - politicians in general in fact - are turning green all of a sudden. What is behind this? Low approval rates? General pressure from increasingly aware public? And what do Bush's oil tycoon buddies think about this?
It's all because of that Al Gore's movie, don't tell me.
I hate to admit it but it seems that Bush finally starts to think progressively, at least in some areas.
Or there are some hidden motives as usual?
More stuff: (
http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article1604091.ece)
SD on 18/9/2006 at 12:22
Quote Posted by BR796164
What is causing this radical turn in Republican policies?
Maybe it's because you can only stick your head in the sand for so long until it begins to choke you.
You can rest assured that Bush will do nothing more than pay lip service to the problem of global warming. He won't want to upset his friends in the fossil fuel industry. However, at the same time, he has to do something to counter record low approval ratings.
Thief13x on 18/9/2006 at 12:29
everyone will see through this.
Bush might be a nut at times, but he sure as hell is no environmentalist wacko
Starrfall on 18/9/2006 at 14:34
Hey guys that movie star fella is doing all right among those freedom hating commies in California right? I'll try to be more like him.
Total lols if he gets desperate enough to change his mind on stem cell research as well, but I think that issue has too much religion in it for that.
Rogue Keeper on 18/9/2006 at 15:28
How is possible for a Rep candidate to win in a hippie haven of America anyway?
Dia on 18/9/2006 at 15:44
Quote Posted by BR796164
What is causing this radical turn in Republican policies?
Ans:
Quote:
"We are left with the unpleasant conclusion that the only motivation is political."
The day GWB grows a conscience about the state of our environment is the day I grow a penis. :tsktsk:
Rogue Keeper on 18/9/2006 at 15:55
Be frank to yourself - you don't really want to have one.
Renegen on 18/9/2006 at 16:53
Dia is a woman!!!!????
Democracy is (at least tries to) serve the common interest of the population. I see nothing wrong with those in power changing their policies because of low approval ratings. Low approval ratings are our POWER!