On the way home from work last night I noticed people in some of the terraced houses along the old Merthyr Road in Cilfynydd, where I live, clearing after the flash floods. I felt terribly sorry for them.I know that the weather comes and goes and that I'm no scientist but only fools now believe that we aren't beginning to reap the bitter harvest of global warming. The UK simply hasn't had a summer this year.
I got rather scared today reading Leonard Doyle's article on Sarah Palin in The Independent. I don't usually get scared especially when I think journalists are trying to make me scared.
Writing from Anchorage Doyle claims that: 'the woman who could soon be a 72 year-old's heartbeat away from the US presidency has an environmental policy so toxic it would make the current incumbent, George Bush, blush.' I don't know about that and I have yet to read in detail what Barack Obama has to offer on the environment. I'll get on to that in greater detail but Al Gore's endorsement would not be given lightly I'm sure.
Beyond that, Obama's plans to re-engage with the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) -- the main international forum dedicated to addressing the climate problem seems good to me as does his intention to create a Global Energy Forum of the world’s largest emitters to focus exclusively on global energy and environmental issues. He also has some specific targets: one is implementing an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. I'll check with those who really know what all that means.
As everyone who knows anything about American politics expected, the slump in Obama's post Convention hike was entirely predictable. As things stand tonight, he is still slightly in the lead. That may change over the next couple of days. The campaign will now move on to a greater intensity around the economy and negative adds. The major TV debates, I suspect, will also be deal breakers during the build up to election day.
I know that only Americans will be voting in that election. As for the bit about it being nobody else's business - try telling it to the rain. Some have the right to vote: all of us have a right to be concerned. Perhaps, if The Independent is right, we may even have a right to be scared. I hope not.
P.S. I'm relieved that Wales beat Azerbaijan 1:0! I was there.
2 comments:
The way the US media are desparately trying to throw mud at Sarah Palin says they are scared for the first time.
This election is the Democrats' to throw away - but so was the last one. And the one before (especially). I cannot believe that some women who were Hilary supporters would consider backing McCain/Palin - but it is happening. As a spectator sport, it is hotting up.
All I hope is - that the real McCain, the one who is nothing like Bush, will re-appear if he wins in November, having fooled enough of his party to get the nomination, and that he will live to see his 77th birthday.
Cos the Democrats - Aled, they are really good at losing elections. By alienating the people who have most to gain.
Hi Marcus - good to hear from you again. I'm looking forward to church tonight.
Good to have your thoughts about the election - tend to agree about the losing thing. One of the things I hope to learn about while I am over in the States is how parties win and lose elections.
Whoever wins - I hope that McCain and Obama survive it all.
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