Are these just words?

CCC,

I didn't hear the quote in context, but I did hear of it.  I can only guess at where he was going with this, so I'll guess.  What the heck, I got my root canal & what a joyful & pleasant experience that was.  So at least my mind is a bit less fuzzy.  Please remember that this is my spin on only the info that you provided.

While Europe & other countries have been paying for a liter of gas what we are paying for a gallon, (for  a lot longer) we have no right to expect them to listen to us pontificate.  We are only @ 5% of the population of the world, yet we consume much more & add to polution, warming, waste & other factors all out of proportion to our population.

I hope that it hasn't come down to us seeking approval of our lifestyle from other countries.  But when we do so much pontificating, add so much to the detriment of the environment, we had better be prepared to explain ourselves when we start preaching to others.  I think it would come uunder the heading of practise what you preach or just who the hell do you think you are to tell the rest of us how to live when you're the ones screwing up the most?

I own  an F-150 pick up.  It will be 10 years old in Sept.  When it dies, I will definitely downsize for something more economical.  I covered the grass, front & back.  I have stones.  The neighbors think I'm a bit off center.  They don't pay my taxes, so I don't care.  But on the other hand, I'm not the one who has to replace sod every year because it died in the hot dry weather.  I'm not the one putting chemicals on it that leaches into the soil, then the aquifer & our drinking water.  I'm not the one who is out there every week, using gas to cut the lawn, trim it etc. 

I'm not preaching, just telling it as it is.  We have to change our mindset in a rather radical method.  Personally, I don't think anything short of a mental enema will do it.  Blame it on what you will.  Stupidity, shortsightedness, arrogance, it doesn't matter.  What does matter is that history has shown us that there are always better ways to do things.  We don't have to be stuck in the same old arrogant mindset.  Example:  This ship is unsinkable, so we don't need lifeboats for everyone.  TITANIC. 

That's my general thought @ this.  On the other hand, how about an 8 out 10 homestand for my CUBS?  HEY HEY!  Catch you on the flip side.  JATFUR.

RichK 

I don't find it scary that he's pointing out that the world will not want to listen to what we have to say about eliminating global warming if we are being more wasteful than 80-90% of the rest of the planet. I think that's realistic.

When I poll my students for their attitude about conservation, it's amazing to me how so many of them seem to think that it's perfectly just for us to use and use and use. Yes, we work and pay for it. But how much of what we use do we actually waste? It seems the ultimate in conceit as a nation to collectively believe we are entitled to such material indulgence simply because we are Americans and we figured it out first.

Being more mindful of what we use is not "throwing out the entire capitalist free enterprise system." Instead we could increse our free enterprise by developing and producing the most economical and efficient products for the rest of the world to use-- before someone else does. You know the old saying, "Build a better mousetrap..."

NCLB: No Chocolate Left Behind

Why do we care if they listen or not? 

I guess I am confused - the same people (liberal) who say we should not be policing the globe are convinced it is our job to clean it up? 

If we are 'interfering' or 'occupying', then aren't we doing the same by pontificating as the leader in the global waming SUV greenhouse gas fiasco (sorry, I still don't believe we are causing any temperature rises). 

Solo - Where did you get your statistics regarding us being only 5% of the population but contributing so much more out of proportion?  Yes, I am turning the tables on your request for data to back that up.  I've been to countries like China, Africa, and Japan - and when you have to wear a surgical mask and use daily eye drops - that is out of proportion.  I've never had to do that in this country.

Anyway - we always veer off the primary focus - my focus is Obama's slant towards bowing to global pressure and appeasement in all but apologizing for having our ACs at 72 degrees.  Well, last time I checked AC was pretty much available in every country.

CCC,

Sorry it took me so long to answer, but watching Geovani Solo's (no relation) inside the park home run, even though it was disputed, was a tad more interesting.  CUBS 7, Astros 2.  Go CUBS.

Back to stats.  The one source I kept was an article from a conference of scientists held in Paris.  The story was in the New York Times, 02.03.07, filed by Elisabeth Rosenthal & Andrew C. Revkin.  The scientists said, "The US, with @ 5% of the world's population, contributes @ a 1/4 of the greenhouse gas emissions, more than any other countries."  This isn't an isolated case.  It's been in numerous pubs.

Sorry @ you being confused.  Part of the overall problem, at least in this country, is caused by confusion on this & other issues.  Once again, I can't speak for Obama or any one else.  But if we don't stop being confused, among other things, we are doing nothing but making conditions worse for ourselves.

No worries @ not believing in our helping to raise temperatures.  "It doesn't matter what I believe.  It only matters what I can prove."  "A Few Good Men."  Good advise.  The proof is still coming in, or haven't you heard or read @ the effects of the industrial revolution?  The Burning of wood?  The burning of coal?  Ring a bell?  See a possible pattern? 

I agree that AC is, "pretty much available in every country."  Does that preclude the efficient use of them?  If everybody jumps off a bridge, will you jump also?  JATFUR.

RichK

This fact finding can be fun.  Check out this web site on data compiled in Denmark through a consortium of univerisities, etc... 

Some quick facts I gleaned but you can see for yourself, the possibilities are endless.

GDP per capita highest to lowest - Luxembourg, Norway, Ireland, U.S.

Greenhouse gas per capita highest to lowest - Australia, Lux, Canada, U.S.

Energy Consumption - U.S. is 10th

I just can't see where the U.S. is the evil capitalist polluter (no you didn't say that Solo so start breathing again) that Obama wants to make us out to be by his comments. 

Yes, we have high energy consumption, yes we might have higher greenhouse gas emission than other countries, but they don't have the quality of life we do. 

We could cut our greenhouse gas by 75% tomorrow if we all lived in grass huts and walked to work.  I've done that for 6 months and it wasn't too bad but I doubt this country is willing to make that sacrifice.

It just bothers me when a U.S. President to be spouts off comments that we can't drive our SUVs and sit in 72 degree AC and be taken serious by other countries. 

Why not?  We've earned it, we've worked for it.  Those comments are way too Marxist for my liking.

And regards your comment Solo above about jumping off a bridge just because others did, that is way too overused. 

Just because you might vote for Obama, doesn't  mean I will or others will.

http://globalis.gvu.unu.edu/indicator.cfm?IndicatorID=199

CCC,

I wish I could say that you never fail to amaze me, but by now, you don't.  The radical right wing conservative mindset usually manages to come to the surface.

F'rinstance, the common trend of ignoring facts from sources when called upon showing that you are either wrong or acknowleging your own request ala my stats on population & polution.

Quality of life.  If you would have said that 10 years ago or more, I might have agreed with you.  But in the past few years, the quality, in many areas, has gone down.  Is it better than in many countries?  Yes.  But it has gone down as daily headlines show.  Just because people in other countries have to wear a mask does not change the results.  Any arguements on that point, you'll have to take it up with the scientists who reported the facts, not me.

I agree with you that this country is "unwilling to make that sacrifice."  Problem is, since WWII, we haven't needed to make much sacrifice.  Gee, could that be just one of the reasons we're in this much trouble now?  I wasn't there, but I do read.  Oh, I heard today that a barrel of oil went to $125. or $130.  Not sure which.  In great Britain, a gallon of unleaded reg. is @ $8 a gal., deisel, @ $10. a barrel.  Funny thing though, they're not having the same problems with that as we are & they've had prices higher than ours for years.  Gee, I wonder why.

"Why not?  We've earned it, we've worked for it."  I'm not that up on Marx, but I find that a totally damning statement on the American mentality.  No mention of accountability.  No mention of responsibility.  Not one mention to the possible negative ramifications for present & future generations.  I worked for it & got mine.  Screw the rest of the world.  That's only a portion of how I read it.  Is that a radical right, right wing, conservative philosophy, or just plain back woods, old beer belly Joe six pack speaking?  I hope that you really don't listen to him.

You failed to reach the logical conclusion @ the old saying.  A little thinking goes a long way.  One of the reasons that it is so over used is because it's so true & there are so many people giving it the status of truism on a daily basis.  I thought you would have picked up on that.

As to your last sentance, I scrolled up & notice that I never said that I might vote for Obama.  Since this started as a 6 or 8 ring circus till now as a 2 1/2 ring circus, I've maintained that I was, & still am, undecided.  The only thing I've flatly stated was that I know for whom I won't vote.  But then, you do have a habit & history of putting words in my mouth.  But I'm unsure @ something.  Just what part of radical right wing conservative philosophy does putting words in ones mouth come under?  Denial?  Delusion or deceit?  Or is it a totally different area?  Watching  & reading the antics of Bush the last 7 1/2 years, it's all starting to blend together.

RK