Bush Seeks Discussion of Climate Change

Washington Post ^ | August 3, 2007 | DEB RIECHMANN

[jedward]

By DEB RIECHMANN The Associated Press Friday, August 3, 2007; 3:01 PM

WASHINGTON -- President Bush invited representatives of major industrialized and developing countries to a climate change summit in September at the same time that the United Nations is holding a similar conclave.

"In recent years, science has deepened our understanding of climate change and opened new possibilities for confronting it," Bush said in his invitation letter Friday, asking other nations to take part in discussing a long-term strategy for reducing greenhouse emissions.

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

Pressure to do what? Reduce greenhouse gases? Why? GREENHOUSE GASES ARE NOT A PROBLEM! Everyone should read the latest scientific literature.

Either that, or recognize that this is a strategic ploy. By refusing to be a part of any solution that doesn't include India and China, W is challenging the rest of the world to prove it is as concerned about the climate as it claims to be. Otherwise, Kyoto (and whatever follows) is rightly seen as little more than an economic cudgel to be wielded against the U.S. by those who resent us.

[processing please hold]

Hang onto your pocketbook.

[Halls]

what climate change? GGRRR!

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

The United States, the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is not a party to the Kyoto agreement, and large developing countries such as China, the second-largest emitter

Didn't China surpass the US last month in this category?

[jedward]

I read your blog entry today. Nice blog. One question that should give pause is, if we (the US) would try to use this as a ‘strategic’ effort against China, are not by default, recognizing China’s dominating trade power both over the US and their other world competitors? I can’t help but see that when I read your entry, which was well written by the way.

[kinoxi]

Global warming hasnothing to do with trade.

? Global warming is a business.

If the regulations that we have to play by are more stringent than theirs (they have none) our producers are at an initial disadvantage. There are other major issues like currency manipulation but the fact is these 'environmental requirements' almost always boil down to one form of tax or another.

[jedward]

Tell me about it. Talk about a gift wrapped package full of political ammunition used to shoot Republicans (collectively) in the foot. If we’ve lost control of trade to the point of having to play and manipulate the fantasy world of Global Warming, I’m not sure we can recover.

[jedward]

Good points kinoxi.

[jedward]

“Didn’t China surpass the US last month in this category?”

I haven’t the smoggiest idea :)) I don’t keep up with the numbers, but the topic is of interest to me, from a political angle.

[processing please hold]

If we’ve lost control of trade to the point of having to play and manipulate the fantasy world of Global Warming, I’m not sure we can recover.

It is a fantasy world-global warming. And we will pay to fulfill their fantasies. Ya gotta admit, it's a brilliant scam. Science is against it yet it exists. My eyes are glazing over.

[kinoxi]

Thanks. I don’t like most of this global warming crap but it is an unfortunate economic consideration. I think if we can deal with countries less inclined to promote radical change (China and India for example) and get most of the worlds population leaning more towards our point of view this ‘after Kyoto’ deal would end up less extreme. It is in our benefit to bring less radicalized major countries in on this. The hysteria in many European countries is borderline madness at this point.

[SuziQ]

Here’s hoping there will be a few anthropogenic global warming skeptics among the invitees.

[Califreak]

I would, but I fear the possible approaching communist occupation far more than how much damage he can do in his remaining time.

I voted for him, but shamnesty killed any support I might feel for him. I will respect that he is our president, and refrain from bashing the man, but I am very disappointed.

I think maybe he was abducted by aliens, but I am no longer able to verify it with Weekly World News, whose demise was probably due to truth being stranger than fiction.

I think I’m going to rent “Invasion of the Bodysnatchers” this weekend. Or “Touch of Evil.”

[jedward]

“it’s a brilliant scam”

I’m thinking it was highschool when I learned of the phrase. A science teacher talked about it and I made the connection with restrictions on production and overall costs. I thought....’damn, that’s pretty slick. A scam, but a slick scam.’

[mysterio]

Hey, remember that thread before the state of the union when we all found out GWB was going to head down this road? And then a poster demanded we all apologize for thinking the President would say stuff like this?

I do. I might have to dig up that one.

[taxed2death]

let’s seeeeeeeeeeeeeee cow farts, tailpipe emissions or extra-solar activity....pick one.

[processing please hold]

A scam, but a slick scam.’

Yes indeed. Very slick.

[Melchior]

The next thing that will happen: Bush calls an emergency session of Congress and seeks funds to modify the sun’s behavior.

[jedward]

Again, you make good points. Regarding your quote below...

“The hysteria in many European countries is borderline madness at this point.”

I agree, but I hate that we’re buried in so deep with the whole scheme that China can now bully the US with trade. Some people could easily argue replacing the word “bully” with “control”. I personally don’t get warm and fuzzies over that thought.

[jedward]

Sounds familiar. Our country is where it is because people only want to hear what makes them comfortable, for the most part. Both sides of the isle have contributed to one degree or another, but some group at some point has to start the enlightenment or there will never be substantive change IMO.