I Heart Mayor Bloomberg
Leslie Carlson
I'm sending a big, fat, wet Oregon kiss today to the New York Mayor, our newest Nobel laureate Al Gore and all the American activists who have gone to the Bali climate conference to make sure the world knows that the Bush Administration doesn't speak for me.
In fact, yesterday's reports of the conference goings-on reminded me of the legend of the Alamo, with the U.S. representatives limply declaring suport for an "“environmentally effective and economically sustainable” solution, making their glorious, last stand before the ticking clock runs out. Soon--say, January 2009--I'm confident they will be surrounded and overwhelmed by Americans actually working for a solution.
Amid the foot- and knuckle-dragging on climate by Bush's minions, fiery Americans like Mayor Bloomberg have stood up to remind the world that regardless of what the U.S. government is doing, local governments and NGOs have the will go forward on climate protection.
Here's what Bloomberg said yesterday to delegates:
“There’s a belief that the United States should not do anything until all the other governments are willing to go along and do it at the same time,” Mr. Bloomberg said. “We should be doing this regardless of whether the world is following or not.”
I used to love New York, but now I really, really love New York.
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Dec 14, '07
Not sure why you're so hot to trot on the issue. The deliberation by the US delegation is just fine with me. They are representing my interests just fine.
2:42 p.m.
Dec 14, '07
Doubtless true, andy, just not the interests of most people, the public good, or basic moral obligations about how to live in the world.
3:24 p.m.
Dec 14, '07
That's the Mayor Bloomberg who authorized the NYPD to round up peaceful protesters at the 2004 RNC convention and hold them incommunicado for a day on a pier, right? The one who sent undercover agents as far as Oregon to spy on "members of street theater companies, church groups and antiwar organizations, as well as environmentalists and people opposed to the death penalty, globalization and other government policies." That guy?
Dec 14, '07
That's the Mayor Bloomberg who authorized the NYPD to round up peaceful protesters at the 2004 RNC convention and hold them incommunicado for a day on a pier, right?
Nevertheless, if we had to choose between Hillary, Rudy and Mike I'm inclined to believe Mayor Bloomberg would prove to the the least of three evils. Is this a great country, or what?
7:22 p.m.
Dec 14, '07
Maybe I spoke too soon. Looks like they are close to a deal in Bali as I type.
7:26 p.m.
Dec 14, '07
so does that mean he's trying to catch up with Seattle?
7:51 p.m.
Dec 14, '07
Why do progressives swoon when some GOP marginally does the right thing on one issue?
Bloomberg taking a relatively sane position on global climate change does not make me "heart" him when he is seriously whacked when it comes to other issues, free speech but one issue as mentioned up-thread.
Sorry but Bloomberg, while deserving props for his take on climate change in Bali does not mean he gets on my Christmas card list... not by a lng shot.
Dec 14, '07
Chris beLowed: "...or basic moral obligations about how to live in the world."
<hr/>Yes, please do tell me how to live in the world. I do need to know your basic moral obligations, so I will know what behavior you would like me to exhibit, to meet your morals.
Dec 14, '07
"Amid the foot- and knuckle-dragging on climate by Bush's minions..."
Leslie, this is one of the all-time great lines.
Dec 14, '07
"Amid the foot- and knuckle-dragging on climate by Bush's minions..."
Leslie, this is one of the all-time great lines.
7:42 a.m.
Dec 15, '07
Bloomberg taking a relatively sane position on global climate change does not make me "heart" him when he is seriously whacked when it comes to other issues, free speech but one issue as mentioned up-thread.
He hasn't just taken a position on climate change. He's a U.S. mayor who's taken the time out of his schedule to fly to Bali and whack the Bush Administration on climate change. He wasn't invited as far as I know, he had no official standing in the talks nor did he adress the delegates.(Press coverage of his attendance and that of other activists, btw, may have led the Bushies to abruptly do an about face on the agreement.)
He's also proposed the nation's first congestion pricing policy and hosted a major world climate conference focusing on solutions.
This isn't just taking a position, this is trying to solve the problem. If Mayor Nickels or Mayor Potter or indeed, any other mayor showed up in Bali, I'd admire them too.
Do I agree with everyone one of his positions? No. Do I think peaceful protesters should be prevented from demonstrating? No. But that doesn't stop me from admiring Bloomberg for going way above and beyond his duties, potentially affecting the outcome of a major world agreement on climate change? Yes.
8:31 a.m.
Dec 15, '07
Sorry, that last sentence is a little garbled, but I hope you get the drift.
11:22 a.m.
Dec 15, '07
Well, after supporting the Bush administration on so many other things, I suppose that's something. For most of his years as mayor, on many issues he's been one of "the foot- and knuckle-dragging" Bush minions.
At least he's an environmentalist authoritarian.
Dec 19, '07
Hi Leslie,
Hope you are well.
I have a question.
What is the official language in the USA?
I presume it is English but I have heard different..
Waht do you know?
MD
Dec 30, '07
We need more options. Even those who do not agree with Bloomberg's positions, but do not see good options available for them should support the effort to break the two party duopoly in the country.
<h2>http://www.RunMikeRun.com</h2>