Why hasn't historic Gulf spill helped push climate bill?

[ProSense]

Why hasn't historic Gulf spill helped push climate bill?

Past environmental disasters have prompted major U.S. laws, but the worst oil spill in U.S. history has yet to break the Senate logjam over the pending energy-climate bill.

Why the difference?

"People's outrage is focused on BP," Anthony Leiserowitz, a researcher at Yale University who tracks public opinion on climate change, tells The Washington Post in story today. The spill "hasn't been automatically connected to some sense that there's something more fundamental wrong with our relationship with the natural world."

Environmentalists want the public to see the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, begun April 20 and still spewing, as reason to lessen U.S. dependence on fossil fuel and support a Senate bill by Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

They've held "Hands Across the Sand" events at Gulf beaches to protest offshore drilling, and in Washington, they spelled out "Freedom From Oil" on the National Mall with American flags, reports the Post.

Yet the Senate remains gridlocked in an election year rife with anti-incumbent fervor and Americans, in public opinion polls, still put economic concerns far ahead of environmental ones. With gas prices down from a year ago, more are driving this summer, reports AAA.

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[FrenchieCat]

1. Plus we are too busy tearing each other and the administration apart,

to actually advocate to make a difference. We ain't what we've been waiting for...because if so, we will continue to wait, and do nothing but bicker while we do.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. to the contrary, because our admin

is too busy coddling DINO saurs and other extinct species, and kneeling to the GOP at every opportunity.

[ProSense]

4. There's absolutely no mounting activism. It's flat and ineffective.

The coal industry is running ads claiming that Kerry's bill will kill jobs.

[FrenchieCat]

5. When one needs as many votes as we do, we can't get the kind of progressive legislation

we want because the 60 votes that we need aren't all uber progressives, and with most, not even close.

So how does us tearing each other apart equal activism to you?
How does childishly demeaning other DUers make things happen on policies,
when the Senators still do what they do?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. but even that argument has flaws.

The senate is supposed to run with majority rule. At least it did between 2000 and 2006. The GOP NEVER had the majorities that we "enjoy."

Yet, our senate seems incapable of doing any heavy lifting. Part of that is process, the willingness to accept a filly-buster even without forcing the GOP to act on it. The other part is shortsighted stupidity on the part of some Ds, leading all the way up to the leadership.

[Mimosa]

18. Chairman, that's because they are indebted to the same interests which own Repubs

n/t

[vaberella]

9. You haven't a clue man. Not one clue.

Once this shit happened the first thing you hear out of people's mouths were..."I hope this doesn't make him think he can pass climate change." Majority of C-span callers and people being interviewed about this were against it. Shit, there are people who are affected by the spill who wanted more drilling. Louisiana residents didn't want the drilling to stop EVER---the people themselves and their government is fighting the moratorium. So by saying the Admin is doing something, or in this case, nothing---you haven't a clue when there are a good number of the citizenry who would be directly affected by climate change who are utterly against it even more so than health care.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

12. oh, brilliant one, please instruct me how to think.

obviously I am poor witted, and therefore should be banned from expressing my views and my thoughts, especially in the august presence of someone so wise, so intelligent, so fully aware of everyone else's thoughts and drives. Be that rare, gracious genius who points out the error of our ways.

I shudder at your greatness, as I stoop, shattered, in awe, shaken to my very core, after you put in my place. Yet, I bathe in your brilliance, at the very time that I lurk in your giant shadow. Please, please, share more of your wisdom with us lowly peons, and let us see the light through your brilliant eyes.

Sir, we hopefully await yet another crumb of your incredible insight. Teach us, we implore thee, teach us so we may know the way to pure knowledge and insight! Have pity on those of us who simply cannot comprehend the merest speck of your genius.

[Mimosa]

15. The Gulf Coast people have lost their jobs

Drilling is about all they have left.

So many are unemployed from the economics effects of the 'spill' that people are regretfully giving their pets to the animal shelters because they can't afford to feed them.

The government hasn't come up with any plans to get the people down there employed. So, they are desperate for work.

[MrMickeysMom]

2. According to some of the nutbags, it's an evil plot...

Laughed over that one when listening to Rachel tonight.

Yes, it's a plot to push through the dreaded climate bill, so it's a conspiracy that Obama turned his head with that oil gusher... Moo-haa-haa-haaaaah! Oooh, now we can cap and trade!

I don't care what rumors fools push, personally... I'm thinking this climate bill must come now. What are we waiting for? More Glenn Beck mentality?

[Jennicut]

7. The answer is easy. Most Americans SAY they want to move away from oil but when confronted with the

actual hard work to do so, they get scared. We are a nation of cowards. Any little extra cost now will be small in comparison to continued environmental tragedies when trying to get oil, overall climate change, continued accidents with getting coal, continued polluting of the environment to get natural gas, and the eventual increase in gas prices as peak oil really sets in.
Plus, the economy has obviously not been doing well. In this kind of a situation, people are afraid of bold ideas and clam up even more.

[vaberella]

10. I don't know about that. After the drama in Louisiana I see they seem quite happy with oil.

Well I must say, it's in regards to the job security of it. Maybe if something else was offered it would be better. But then again, the climate change would offer that but as you say they are to scared to push for it. I read that at max it would provide 400,000 jobs a year and at least 200,000 jobs a year...that's amazing.

[Jennicut]

11. They are scared.....scared and clinging onto the types of jobs that will

eventually lead to our downfall if we don't move into alternative energy. It is the cowardly, easy way out over and over again. Push back what needed to be done since the 1970's. Just keep pushing it onto our children to make the hard decisions. Like I said, cowardly. No one forced these people to work for the oil industry. And even when the same industry kills jobs for fisherman and shrimpers and the tourist industry along the Gulf, these same people think that anyone daring to threaten those oil jobs is horrible. A screwed up way of thinking of things in LA, for sure. Not among all that live there, but a great amount. Sometimes, people get the govt. they deserve.

[Mimosa]

16. I expected more compassion from you, Jennicut

Jennicut, maybe you're comfortable. But some people in Louisiana and elsewhere are experiencing a new Depression. They are desperate for employment.

What is the government offering them to hang on to their homes now and feed themselves? Avondale Shipyards, for instance, is leaving and taking 5,000 good jobs away.

Democratic and republican elected officials in Congress have assisted big business to outsource manufacturing jobs. There used to be clothing, car parts and other manufacturers in Louisiana. Now when people go to shop at discount stores (not just Wal-Mart) the labels will say the clothes are made in Vietnam, Jordan, Pakistan, China....

And visit a Home Depot. People used to be able to get jobs making things.

[ProSense]

8. There is a wrap-around ad at D-Kos

Daily Kos

Seriously, talk about a last-minute effort.

[Catshrink]

13. Because the denial is deeply entrenched.

[Moochy]

14. because the people with the vested interest are controlling the narrative

[Mimosa]

17. Some people here are quick to demean the working class who can't find jobs

That's no way to make people think well of Democrats. :banghead: