Comments on: Climate Change and the Art of Protest

By: Jeffrey Goldfarb

Jeffrey Goldfarb — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:39:00 +0000

I agree – keep on rolling the rock up the hill, as you yourself demonstrate that the pipeline is not the major issue. But in order to do anything the public has to be aware of a problem, the problem has to be visible. For this I applaud the demonstrators depicted in the post, and the President who is paying attention. Not enough, you say. I agree. But despair leading to inaction is a significant danger.

By: geojos

geojos — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 00:04:00 +0000

Lost me there with the pipe line is a side issue. You might be right, but what is your reasoning: Canada will do it anywhoo, so the damage will be done? Will regulations get the job done? (There is also the issue of use in China and India). They may cut carbon use, may, but what about methane for fracking. Then you have countries fighting to see who can drill in the Arctic Moving forward with a green agenda in a modest way may just not be the way to solve the problem. In fact, some very reputable climatologists are saying it may already be too late.Heck, now there is geo-engineering ideas out there to address the inevitable. The times may call for a radical approach ( which will not occur). The same goes for the economic. Indeed the two are connected. Don’t mean to be so negative, but this just may be the reality for a number of reasons. Ya know, there is nothing that guarantees progress will occur, and we will solve problems. This does not mean you do not try, but it may be the brute reality. Still, you need to roll the rock back up the hill.

By: Jeffrey Goldfarb

Jeffrey Goldfarb — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 20:40:00 +0000

Obama is not a radical, and he will move forward a green agenda in modest ways. Yes.

I am not sure what he will do with the pipeline. I myself am ambivalent. It is a side issue, I think. More important are significant regulation (which he has executive power to enact) and moves to radically cut demand for carbon fuels. That said, it was Obama who revived mainstream attention on the environment, as I see it working in tandem with the protesters, and it is the role of social movements and critics to push him. In my judgment, better to push, than to denounce, geojos.

By: geojos

geojos — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:37:00 +0000

Wasn’t Obama golfing with oil executives the weekend for the protest? Obama may not care that much about public opinion and protest as some believe. I am not basing this on his golf weekend, but his overall approach up until now. He uses the social issues to pose as a progressive or forward thinking, while on economics he is Mr. Market- bank bailouts, fear of the deficit, car bailout where he made labor take a hair cut, neglect of labor’s agenda, and his state of the union “take a market approach” towards global warming. People say he has an organizing background. Bull. First, the organization he worked for was more of an advocacy, social service agency. It was a church based organization that primarily set up social service programs. These groups tend not to challenge the establishment as they are looking for program funding. He also was critical of Alinsky, primarily Saul’s views on class conflict. All good organizers recognize the reality of class divisions and struggles. It is war Charlie Brown.

By: klem

klem — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:22:00 +0000

Um so what are you going to say about the Pres when he greenlights the XL pipeline?