Three Former Generals (inclu. Wes Clark) Back Up Martin O’Malley’s Climate And Conflict Connection

[bigtree]

Three retired generals, including Wesley Clark, visited Des Moines on Wednesday to make the case for the Renewable Fuel Standard, linking its success to America’s national security. On a trip through Iowa as part of the Vote Vets campaign, the three laid out the real world impacts they’ve seen caused by an over-reliance on foreign oil.

“My experience in Iraq has taught me that our addiction to oil is putting our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines at tremendous risk overseas,” said retired Brigadier General Steven Anderson, who coordinated logistical supplies in Iraq. He estimated that at least 1,200 American military personnel died in Iraq and Afghanistan while transporting carbon-based fuel.

Both Anderson and Clark asserted that the global climate change caused in large part by carbon-based fuel is exacerbating conflict in the Middle East and Africa. That’s a point that Martin O’Malley got into a high-profile tussle with several national Republicans this week after stating the well-researched idea that climate issues contributed to the Syrian conflict and ISIS.

“We know the conflict in Syria was caused in part by the impact of drought,” former four-star General Wesley Clark said. “If you look across the Sahel region of Africa, you can see changes in economic activity, you can see the migration of tribes, and you can see conflict. From the west to the east, from Mali, from Senegal, to Niger, all the way across to Somalia and Kenya. As drought has set in people move and are dislocated … They fall prey to conflict and especially to the seduction of terrorists. Climate change is a national security issue and it has to be addressed, and an important part of that is following through on the Renewable Fuel Standard.”

“We can see with our own eyes the impact of climate change,” stated Anderson, who noted he’s a conservative Republican. “Not only does it threaten us because potentially our energy sources might be in more hostile environments … but because of CO2 emissions it’s increasing instability all over the world. It’s setting conditions where for unrest, for discontent, for situations like in Syria. Did climate change drive the issue in Syria, cause the war? No, but it set conditions because of a lack of water, a lack of food … And when that happens, the opportunities for soldiers, air men, sailors and marines to go to fight and die somewhere is increased.”

read: http://iowastartingline.com/2015/07/24/former-generals-back-up-omalleys-climate-and-conflict-connection/

related:

Reacting with glee, conservatives thought they had an O'Malley gaffe. He blinded them with science
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251469523

Martin O'Malley ?@MartinOMalley
We sent this to supporters & guess what? A lot of them believe in science, too! You with them? http://omly.us/1Dw1svy



Lis Smith ?@Lis_Smith 24m24 minutes ago
Will @Reince @seanspicer continue anti-science crusade & attack former Generals? Would make sense 4 party of Trump!

[FSogol]

1. K & R. n/t

[FSogol]

2. Sorry GOP, the truth has a liberal bias.

[bigtree]

5. good one, FSogol

...and reality, as well.

-Colbert

[haikugal]

3. I'm happy to see this topic brought to the forefront of our national discussion this election cycle.

It's such an important topic that in my mind it overshadows all our other problems and challenges.

I'm glad O'Malley is in this race and has an intelligent approach to this topic, and such support as these generals. We either get a handle on this or we have more to worry about than just our decline.

We are failing and will continue to fail until we get real and address the real issues facing us.

Thanks for the OP.

[FSogol]

6. Yes, linking the enviroment to economic and national security issues isn't only smart,

it is a way to get people who don't care about the environment to think differently on the subject. I see a lot of businesses making good environmental choices (hybrid vehicles, lighter color roof materials, water saving fixtures, LED lighting) because they save money. The end result is better for everyone even if that wasn't their intent.

[bigtree]

7. it's a master stroke of an argument

...encompasses not only climate change, but it's relationship to poverty, hunger, societies. Moreover, the argument he's making redefines our national security in ways that compel us to address conflicts before they explode into armed aggression and unrest. All of that challenging us to confront and address the most compelling and consequential crisis of our time; of all our time here on Earth.

[JNelson6563]

4. Nice!

Well played Team O'Malley!

[NCTraveler]

8. Really excellent framing.

I had the chance to watch Clark speak for a little over an hour a while back. He was so solidly grounded on the topics he spoke about. It was a very positive experience. It was shortly before the "Don't Tase Me Bro" incident that was in the same auditorium. I was suppose to go to that even but had a couple too many. Was only a couple of blocks away in my apartment and a college buddy came over before we were suppose to go. Cracked one beer and it lead to another. We were both kicking ourselves later that night.

[FSogol]

9. +1. Agreed. n/t

[Peacetrain]

10. This is my number one priority...

Environment and climate change.. everything else spins off of that.. including peace and war..Martin O'Malley is standing on solid ground!!

[MH1]

14. This plus women's reproductive rights (which is also related)

are my two top issues as well.

I'm very pleased with O'Malley's grasp of the issue.

[beam me up scottie]

11. "He blinded them with science"!

So true, they didn't see it coming.

It's time to call out the science deniers, if history has taught us anything it's that religious crusaders are always on the wrong side of it.

GO'Malley!

[m-lekktor]

12. not a fan of Wes "internment camps" Clark but this is a good thing.

Should be a major priority issue!

Kudos to O'Malley

[elleng]

13. Please listen to this, m-lekktor, re: Wes Clark.

He DIDN'T say what many foolish media screwups said. This is an informative interview:

http://video.foxnews.com/v/4366510763001/alan-colmes-and-gen-wesley-clark-/?#sp=show-clips


And it SURELY is and should be a top priority issue.