Yes We Can . . . Change Our Light Bulbs?
November 10, 2008
Newsweek has released highlights of its 2008 Special Election Project, whose reporters get behind-the-scenes access to the campaigning presidential candidates on one condition: nothing gets published until after Election Day. Most of the report deals with serious campaign issues, but one of the lighter moments recorded Barack Obama talking candidly about dumb debate questions.
Uncomfortable with the format, Obama said, “I often find myself trapped by the questions and thinking to myself, 'You know, this is a stupid question, but let me ... answer it.' So when Brian Williams is asking me about what's a personal thing that you've done [that's green], I say, you know, 'Well, I planted a bunch of trees.' And he says, 'I'm talking about personal.' What I'm thinking in my head is, 'Well, the truth is, Brian, we can't solve global warming because I #!#%ing changed light bulbs in my house. It's because of something collective'.”
We hope the Obamas do change the light bulbs in their new home, but we’re delighted to see the President-elect recognize the need for collective action. What kinds of efforts to address climate change would you like to see in your school or office? Your neighborhood or community? What new energy policies would you like see on Obama’s agenda?
Come on - this is too much.
Come on - this is too much. Climate Change? Change your light bulb? This is like the recycling fad but much, much worse. Waisting time and money for something that will have almost no impact on anything - especially the earths of climate change which is far too complex to be affected by human intervention.
Just like FDR's New Deal,
Just like FDR's New Deal, Obama should create a Climate/Energy Security New Deal. The problems we face cannot be solved by the actions of individuals alone, however well-intetioned they may be. Just like the great insight of Social Security, we're all in this togther.
Obama's agenda is back
Obama's agenda is back online...When change.gov launched, there were a range of position statements under the "Agenda" menu adapted from their campaign site. But then, for a few days last week the Agenda section was "not available right now". Oh-oh. But I'm happy to say that the Agenda is back on line, and more complete than before. The Energy and Environment section lays out broad and aggressive goals, including specific conservation goals, like: "Within 10 years save more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela combined." And a call to "Submit your ideas" and "be a part of the change you are looking for." It's all real if we make it so.