Hey, Polar Bears! Shove It!
Oh, who needs the Arctic anyway. And seriously, while we’re at it…who needs the planet? Let’s just trash the thing and find another one, because all the chemistry and biology on this one has just become a huge pain in the ass. I mean all these damn ruuuules, and regulaaations. They’re just really depressing. And they get in the way of us doing whatever the hell we want to do.
There’s got to be something in the 10th Amendment that says we can just do whatever we want, right? I know, I know… I’m from Alaska and I’m supposed to be all tuned in to my state’s “issues,” and yeah…there’s that whole coastal erosion thing going on, and the loss of sea ice. And there’s the melting of the permafrost, and the landslides, and the melting glaciers and the flooding. And I used to talk about these things, and I used to care, but that was then and this is now. I have tasted the power, and it’s a brave new world.
Oh, and we can’t forget the polar bears. You want to know why everyone keeps talking about polar bears? Because they’re all white and fuzzy,with shiny black eyes and bla bla bla, but frankly, they’re mean. They would eat you in a heartbeat, especially since they can’t get to where the seals are any more. And if they can’t swim that far, then *shrug* oh, well!
And walruses? Seriously? Walruses? Who CARES?
A lot of my friends are really into taking stuff out of the Earth and burning it. And if I come out and keep talking about “saving the planet” and all that greenie weenie stuff, they’re not going to want to play with me any more. And I like having friends. They make me feel special and important. And I’m middle aged…as much as I don’t want to think about that. But by the time it all falls apart, I won’t be here anyway. So, if you think I’m going to be the killjoy and tell everyone that we have to stick with all these “rules” then think again.
I got where I am through good honest hard work, and I have lots of power now. OK, well, I got here because my dad gave me the job. And I have lots of power because I promised to play ball so that Sarah Palin wouldn’t steal my job. But that’s a lot. So, everybody should just be grateful and stop sweating the small stuff, like cascading global climate instability. OK???
At least you’re not going to be dealing with “Senator Palin.” Gawd… Don’t ever forget that. At least I can stand here and be a skinny Republican woman in a red suit and actually sound smart at the same time. So, quit whining.
And, hey… I think I heard something about an Earth-like planet somewhere fairly nearby, in astronomical units. So that’ll give our kids something to shoot for. We gotta give ‘em a goal, right?
(You’ve been putting up with me now for a long time, but can’t take it any more and at last you haul off and give me a giant slap across the face to pop me out of my “I’m channeling Lisa Murkowski” trance.)
(Rubbing my cheek) Thanks. I needed that. I think.
OK, Lisa Murkowski didn’t say any of that stuff. But if it isn’t that, then you tell me what explains THIS:
Sen. Murkowski wants to take away U.S. Environmental Protection Agency authority to limit greenhouse gas emissions from oil refineries, coal-burning power plants and other smokestack industries. As reported in Environment and Energy Daily, Murkowski has filed a proposed amendment to spending legislation for EPA that would prohibit the agency from regulating greenhouse pollutants except those from cars or other “mobile” sources:
“Senator Murkowski is concerned about the economic consequences of EPA command-and-control regulation of emissions,” said spokesman Robert Dillon. The senator plans to file the amendment, Dillon said, adding that he did not know whether a decision has been made to press for a vote.
Murkowski’s amendment would thwart the 2007 Supreme Court ruling that said EPA does have authority under the Clean Air Act to deal with climate pollution, as long as the agency determines that it is a threat to health and/or the environment. EPA is moving ahead with that determination. Because the judicial branch has spoken so definitively, EPA must follow the law. By trying to block the agency through such a sneaky, back-door approach, Murkowski is bidding to become a climate outlaw.
She’s “concerned” about the economic consequences of regulating emissions? Is she also “concerned” about the consequences (economic and otherwise) of NOT regulating emissions?
I don’t think Murkowski is becoming a “climate outlaw.” She knows exactly what the consequences are to the state of Alaska, and to the planet as a whole. She’s not stupid. I think she’s becoming a climate sell-out.
Several hours after Clean Air Watch alerted reporters by email about the Murkowski plan, a spokesman for Murkowski argued she “is not trying to subvert the process”:
The senator has no interest in trampling on that Supreme Court decision as it relates to mobile sources.
Exactly our point: she does want to trample on the Supreme Court decision as it relates to stationary sources. Murkowski has shown no interest in being constructive on the climate debate, so her defense of waiting for congressional action is obviously a fraud designed only to kill the Clean Air Act. Which is exactly what the big oil companies and her other financial supporters want. Her plan to handcuff the EPA is nothing but duplicitous special-interest pandering that should be rejected out of hand.
I say we put her head on a platter and declare the end of the Murkowski reign.
She needs the face slap, not you, AKM. This should make all the usual rounds: HuffPo, DKos, etc.
Wonder if she thought she was immune from the blogosphere simply because she can speak in coherent sentences.
I agree with nswfm CA, Murkowski needs a good slap. She’s definitely channeling her father. The Murkowski name will always be equated corruption in my book.
Yeah, this is seriously ticking me off, esp. given what I do for a living…
If I knew how to put words in bold, like InJuneau’s, well, AKM would delete me.
Daily Kos is covering the break of Pacific Gas and Electric with the Chamber of Commerce on this very issue.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/9/22/785264/-BREAKING:-PGE-quits-US-Chamber-over-climate-change
Lisa is just another Republican Neanderthal – out of touch even with those within her party who know that the rape of the environment has it’s limits. The only difference between Lisa and Sarah is the degree of cunning. Red suit and vicious self-interest is the same.
Ok, here we go…..
It’s time to send this b**ch packing to the same place we banished Queen Esther.
There are people who argue that many are happy about global warming because it will open up new areas for oil and gas exploration. They have a population of people behind them who do not believe in science and information. Instead of believing the earth was given to them as a gift and they should be good stewards and take care of it they think their God gave them the earth to “rule “over”. These are not the people who love Alaska, they are the people who love money and power.
Ok here we go….
Its time we sent this beyotch packing to the same place we banished Queen Esther.
boodog–you use the with no spaces between them. When you want it to end you use . It also works with an i for italics.
oh dang, those directions didn’t work. you have to use the less than sign then a “b” and then the greater than sign with no spaces between them (don’t use the “s). To end it, you put “/b” inbetween the less than and greater than signs, but without the “s.
A “climate sell-out” indeed! Has anyone looked into who her major campaign contributors are? Just curious. What do you all want to bet she is pandering to some big companies who don’t give a damn about the polar bears, the walrus, and the environment in general. She has her coffers full of $$$ from them and expresses “concern” but carries on. Afterall, her Daddy got her the job and she’s hoping not too many people are paying attention.
Did anyone expect her to behave differently? Nothing I’ve read about her led me to think she’d do anything BUT ultimately prostitute her position. Yes, she’s smart and works hard, but she’s still a Republan, and therefore working for whomever provides the most campaign funds.
It’s the green energy industries’ fault, for being all fledgling and whatnot, and unable to buy senators of their own!
Yep – keeping her hands warm in somebody’s pocket.
Sounds like the Dominionist way of thinking. Humans are SUPPOSED to rape the planet and exercise their DOMINION over the air, the waters, and the animals.
Been away (on third trip since Pittsburgh) and nice to be back and catching up with AKM and fellow mudpuppies.
As a long-time animal rights activist and concerned environmentalist, I assure you that Lisa’s antics will not go unnoticed. I suspect the “tiny Hollywood starlets” will also be involved.
I just had to shake my head in embarrassment when I saw Ms. Murkowski on the evening news talking about her proposed amendment that would bar the EPA from protecting our environment. What does she think EPA stands for? It’s the ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY for crying out loud!!!
And this brilliant senator is trying to block them from protecting the air and climate in our environment! It just makes a person speechless sometimes…
bummer – very disappointing, to say the least.
“Senator Murkowski is concerned about the economic consequences of EPA command-and-control regulation of emissions,” said spokesman Robert Dillon.
The “economic consequences” which Murkowski is concerned about may indeed be significant but we can adapt more easily to economic consequences than we can the “environmental consequences” of not vigorously regulating greenhouse gas emissions.
Thanks for the heads up on this issue, AKM.
An article from HuffPo about how Murkowski and her staffer, Robert Dillon, don’t mind using whatever facts suit their agenda, even when they know they are telling lies.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/22/murkowski-staffer-confuse_n_295102.html
maybe lisa forgot that the Clean Air Act was passed during the Reagan Administration……..and that the EPA was created during the Nixon administration……..what would be nice is to have the EPA be funded correctly and try to recuperate from the eight years of steadily lower and lower funding rates to the point it is an ineffective agency.
snarl……..grrrr.
oh and if lisa is really serious? once there are no federal laws licensing the air emissions from industry, then i promise you local citizens will be filing all kinds of lawsuits that are limited now due to the permitting program of the Clean Air Act and other federal permitting programs.
can we say backfire? oh yes we can baby.
What a well-written piece, AKM. You got her shrieky bug-eyed, whack-jobey tone down pat! I dislike listening/watching to her speak almost as much as that other one.
Red Suit Lisa doesn’t even respond to my e-mails anymore. I guess she doesn’t represent me anymore. Darn. I’m pinning my hopes on Mark Begich, our other senator, but he’s making me really nervous – I got a letter from him today talking about the confirmation of Sotomayer! Hello – old issue! If he doesn’t oppose Red Suit Lisa on this one, we need to find a good progressive to run against him.
I emailed Senator Murkowski through her web site, mentioning the damage we see in the Four Corners states due to pollution from power plants, questioning her need to overturn a Supreme Court decision, and urging her to put the health of our country before the profits of business.
I doubt she will reply, as I am not a constituent- but maybe one small voice added to others…
Several groups are sending letters to the Senators of every state, here is a link to where you can sign up. It’s through Credo and it will go to your senators.
Hands off the EPA. Reject the Murkowski amendment http://bit.ly/3U74li @credomobile Please RT
95 months left to avert catastrophic consequences of climate change? Excluding stationary sources of greenhouse gas emissions from regulation sounds like a good way to reduce that threshold even more.
————————-
“Today, the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, will chair a meeting on Climate Change. He does so because he hopes that such a gathering of Heads of Government will galvanise the chances of agreement being reached in December in Copenhagen at COP15.
It seems that he is aware, as are many others, that the threat of climate change is very real and that, as scientists now believe we have less than ninety five months left to avert the risk of its catastrophic consequences, we need to act and act very fast.” Read the rest at the following link:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/justin-mundy/the-security-implications_b_294851.html
thank you for the link, kraftytess.
As someone who lives within 50 miles of FIVE coal-fired electric generating plants, I am disgusted that anyone would even consider lifting EPA oversight of those operations.
OT, but here’s the link to first comments about the HK speech
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20090923/as-asia-sarah-palin/
and this great line from the Bloomberg article at
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=afUZ7.vjnEQ8
In a Bloomberg News poll this month, Palin had the highest unfavorable ratings among a list of public figures, at 55 percent.
last one tonight I promise, a good one on SP’s new “brain trust” and speechwriters
http://texas4palin.blogspot.com/2009/09/sarah-palin-begins-to-build-her-network.html
What is up with this amendment? Alaskans will have to help me out here, but my initial impression is that this is not an Alaska-centered concept. While I’m aware that there are some large fixed power-generating facilities in Alaska, I also know that they keep hundreds of thousands of people from freezing to death in the winter. The EPA will not, in the near future, be sending troops via black helicopters to shut down the facilities that keep Alaskans from freezing to death.
So if the reason for the amendment isn’t keeping Alaskans thawed out, what is it? Well, there are a very large number of coal-fired power plants in the US. There are also refineries and smelters and what-not, but let’s abandon PC and admit that the issue is CO2 emission from coal-fired power plants.
Now, Alaska is a trivially minor player in CO2 emissions, but it turns out that coal power is a really big deal in many Republican-leaning states. So, how do you try to restrict the ability of the EPA (recently confirmed by the SCOTUS) to control emissions of greenhouse gases from power plants? Well, you could have a Rep or Senator from a highly impacted state propose a restriction; but that would immediately raise the issue of special dealing. So, instead, you could have a Senator from a relatively neutral state raise an amendment.
The Republican caucus has gone to some lengths to protect Murkowski from a potential challenge from Palin. It looks like they have now called in the marker.
Very nice story AKM and told in a way that connects the dots.
You would think that now that the Crazy Lady is no longer around to sort of be in the spotlight and have people talking about Her that Red Suit Lisa would remember this and take a lower profile. Instead, She pops right up and starts doing some pretty brash and outlandish things and didn’t think anybody would notice.
I guess being subtle and blending in… is not part of the Murkowski image .
Bad for Her… good for us.
20 Suchanut
I too, just got that email from Begich, sure is timely, huh? I am getting more and more wary of him, too much of a wimp.
I went to Lisa’s Town hall and had to get up and walk out, can not stand her. WE need to fight for the EPA.
Gee. AKM!
You having a Niquil withdrawal hangover?
Are were those greenies of the greenie weenes some leafy stuff you sprinkled on your chicken soup?
AKM, I am really sorry to be off topic but this is from someone from Gryphen’s blog.
Old Greasy Gopher Guts said…
OT: Twitter report from Palin’s speech.
http://twitter.com/cellomonkey
Twitter pic from speech.
http://twitpic.com/isjv0
I knuckle dragger, just like her father. I had expected so much more from her but, she was anointed into the Senate by her father and that says it all…. corrupt.
I am SO surprised and disappointed in Sen Lisa! What a time to be weakening the EPA – when so many signs point to our planet’s need for a break!
The prime reason our air and waters are so polluted is because of the decades of government sanctioned delays to protect the interests of mega corporations. Gawd, the folks in the L48 must think all our Alaska women politicos are nuts.
I have been a fan of Lisa M but she’s lost me over this untimely and misguided measure.
Hm, odd that Murkowski’s staffer would have such a reaction, as he used to be both a reporter and a blogger…
Let’s auction Lisa off on eBay
How many AU´s?
Is it this one? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gliese_581_c Doesn´t sound so inhabitable….
Nothing like trying to gut the EPA, Lisa! How does she face herself in the mirror? Another corrupt Alaskan politician.
justafarmer – I’m in total sympathy with you and understand. Here in western KY, we have our share of the mining and filth that goes with it. And this time of year, we have the tobacco barns all fired up and the we can’t leave a door or window open in the evening or when a strong wind blows – brings on asthma attacks.
Both my son-in-law and his son/my grandson work at one of the coal mines. I worry for them day in and day out because of the frequent rock falls, cave-ins, and the chance for permanent damage from black lung. They would like to have other occupations, but there isn’t much in this area except coal mining or tobacco farming, so if they want to make a living and provide for their families, they are stuck at this point. Both are quiet activists with signing petitions and so forth, but don’t ever vocalize their thoughts around the workplace or they’d be out of a job or worse.
Write.your.senators! Especially if they sit on a committee connected with this. Since it’s an amendment to a spending bill I’m not sure which committee, but I wrote both of my (thankfully) progressive senators for Oregon (Cheers for O’Merkley!).