Obama isn't helping. At least the world argued with Bush (A moonbat goes mad.)

The Guardian ^ | 16 October 2009 | Naomi Klein

[neverdem]

For all the global love-in, the new president has led rich nations to neglect principled action and row back from climate deals

Of all the explanations for Barack Obama's Nobel peace prize, the one that rang truest came from Nicolas Sarkozy. "It sets the seal on America's return to the heart of all the world's peoples." In other words, this was Europe's way of saying to America, "We love you again", like those weird renewal-of-vows ceremonies couples have after a rough patch.

Now Europe and the US are officially reunited, it seems appropriate to consider whether this is necessarily a good thing. The Nobel committee, which awarded the prize for Obama's embrace of "multilateral diplomacy", is evidently convinced that US engagement on the world stage is a triumph for peace and justice. I'm not so sure. After nine months in office, Obama has a clear track record as a global player. Again and again, US negotiators have chosen not to strengthen international laws and protocols but to weaken them, often leading other rich countries in a race to the bottom.

Let's start where the stakes are highest: climate change. During the Bush years, European politicians distinguished themselves from the US by expressing their unshakable commitment to the Kyoto protocol. So while the US increased its carbon emissions by 20% from 1990 levels, European Union countries reduced theirs by 2%. Not stellar, but clearly a case where the EU's break-up with America carried tangible benefits for the planet.

Flash forward to the high-stakes climate negotiations that have just wrapped up in Bangkok. The talks were supposed to lead to a deal in Copenhagen this December that significantly strengthens Kyoto. Instead, the developed countries formed a bloc calling for Kyoto to be replaced. Where Kyoto set clear and binding targets for emission...

[Aussiebabe]

Climate change where the “stakes are the highest”. Pretty funny, but then again it is the Guardian.

[okie01]

Let's start where the stakes are highest: climate change.

Naomi Klein could make a living as a comedian.

[Incorrigible]

What a bunch of moonbat commenters on that website!

[Iron Munro]

In other words, this was Europe's way of saying to America, "We love you again"

No patriotic American worries if Europe loves us or not.

We are now seeing and living through what happens when America has insecure, simplistic leaders who place their desire to be liked by our detractors ahead of our own best interests.

And it isn't a pretty sight.

[Godwin1]

Hey , Naomi, it is snowing here. Ruin your own economy over fraudulent global warming claims if you wish. Leave our economy—and our SUVs—alone!

[proud_yank]

European politicians distinguished themselves from the US by expressing their unshakable commitment to the Kyoto protocol.

Didn't Ireland and others completely neglect their Kyoto commitments?

[wbarmy]

Europe made all those grandiose promises when they knew America wouldn't call them on it. Now they are afraid they might have to follow through.

[riri]

No patriotic American worries if Europe loves us or not.

Only someone who hasn't spent time in the non-elitist part of European life could really be concerned with what Europe thinks.