Chamber of Commerce Thaws on Climate Bill (for Real This Time)? [NYT snitty]

nyt ^ | 11/4/09 | CAMILLE RICKETTS

[mathprof]

Two weeks ago, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was the target of an elaborate hoax by the Yes Men leading some major media outlets to believe that it had reversed its opposition to the Kerry-Boxer climate bill pending approval in the Senate. Now it seems the chamber has officially expressed support for legislation that would cut carbon emissions — but still in confusingly vague terms.

Apparently, the organization sent a letter to Senators Barbara Boxer and James Inhofe (full text), the party leaders in the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee where the bill is being amended, supporting climate change legislation, while also requesting that a new, more balanced bill be drafted. Whether its support is genuine, or it’s just reaching for the most PR-savvy stall tactic remains to be seen. Although, considering how negative and obstinate it has been on the Kerry-Boxer bill recently (despite the loss of several of its most prominent members including PG&E and Apple), it’s probably the latter.

Its strategy is pretty brazen. It obviously wants to change its image as the newest ignorant villain in the global warming debate, without actually encouraging action. Praising a recent New York Times editorial written by Senators John Kerry and Lindsey Graham on climate change, the chamber’s letter reads:

[mathprof]

Camille Ricketts (what a great last name) seems kinda snitty today. Wonder why?

[a fool in paradise]

It obviously wants to change its image as the newest ignorant villain in the global warming debate

There can be no "debate" when you slam one side as being the "newest ignorant villain" merely for questioning "authority" with regards to scientific bias and socialist claptrap.

[Mike Darancette]

So the US Chamber of Commerce is buying into this fraud?

The RATs are not above making stuff up, like Lieberman’s position on health care.