And, during this time, John Kerry works...

[Mass]

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,248752.shtml

Kerry, Snowe Push for Energy Efficiency Funding for Small Businesses
...
"There's no greater threat to the earth than global climate change, but by leaving small businesses out of the solution, the Bush Administration shows they are not serious about tackling the problem," said Kerry. "Small businesses can lead the way toward a cleaner, greener future, so the least the federal government can do is dedicate $2 million -- just 4 percent-- of Energy Star funds to help entrepreneurs reduce their energy costs and foster green innovation."

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-smallbiz3jan03,0,7277945.story?coll=la-home-business

Frustration with the Small Business Administration has turned to outrage among backers of a long-delayed program that would funnel more federal contracts to small companies owned by women.
...
The head of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship also announced a hearing this month at which the committee's chairman, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), said he would ask the administration to kill the proposal.

"The Bush administration's proposed rule is a slap in the face to women business owners," Kerry said in a statement.

http://kerry.senate.gov/cfm/record.cfm?id=290062

Kerry Opposes Bush Administration Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas Lease Sale

Following Announcement of February 6th Lease Sale, Kerry Warns Against Threat to Polar Bears, Endangered Species

Washington, D.C. – Senator John Kerry (D-MA), who has twice written to MMS urging the agency to hold off on new oil and gas leases in the Chukchi Sea for 3 years to investigate the threat to polar bears, today criticized the Bush Administration’s announcement of a new lease sale to be held on February 6, 2008. With the impending listing of the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, the Administration’s decision could well be both tragic and short-sighted.

“It’s the height of irresponsibility and short-sightedness for the Bush Administration to schedule lease sales in the Chukchi Sea, which represents critical habitat for polar bears, whales, walrus and threatened wildlife. Even as the Department of the Interior is finalizing its decision to list polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, the Bush Administration thinks it’s the right time for another power grab by the big oil and gas companies in the bear’s essential habitat,” said Senator John Kerry. “Just a few months ago, the government’s own scientists told us that polar bears may disappear from the United States and our waters entirely by 2050. We should be protecting their remaining habitat, not auctioning it off to the highest bidders. I could imagine few more tragic illustrations of who calls the shots in this Administration, than the way in which this Administration is willing to set the stage for extinction for polar bear populations.”

[MBS]

1. JK knows what's really important, and ACTS on that knowledge

. . which is why I remain a strong supporter and will always have his back.

I wish the same could be said of the media and the 2008 presidential candidates.

David Remnick, in this week's New Yorker:

Meanwhile, the American Presidential candidates of both parties spend their time promoting their “personalities.” They advertise their “narratives.” And yet what awaits a new President is Pakistan—that and a great deal more.

[politicasista]

2. Nice title

and nice way of framing this. Thanks. :hi:

[sandnsea]

3. I read about the Chukchi Sea yesterday

Did they really just move the oil drilling to a different location? It's quite incredible. They just won't stop. I don't know what in the world will get through to them.

[MBS]

4. "they just won't stop"-- oh, yeah

It's not even so much that they're not pro-environment. I really do believe they're taking REVENGE on the environment. Totally weird and despicable.

[Luftmensch067]

5. That is just twisted enough to be entirely plausible!

Their thinking is so full of impotent rage and so FAR from constructive...

[Mass]

6. Kerry on Bush's effort on AIDS in the world - a mixed bag

(which is what I have seen from respected organizations dealing with the issue)

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/05/washington/05aids.html?ref=world

The global AIDS program is a rare exception. So far, roughly 1.4 million AIDS patients have received lifesaving medicine paid for with American dollars, up from 50,000 before the initiative. Even Mr. Bush’s most ardent foes, among them Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, his 2004 Democratic challenger, find it difficult to argue with the numbers.

“It’s a good thing that he wanted to spend the money,” said Mr. Kerry, an early proponent of legislation similar to the plan Mr. Bush adopted. “I think it represents a tremendous accomplishment for the country.”

...
Despite the effort, there are still 33 million people living with H.I.V., and the United Nations estimates that there were 1.7 million new infections in 2007 in sub-Saharan Africa alone. Critics, including Mr. Kerry, are particularly incensed by the requirement that one-third of the prevention funds be spent teaching abstinence, despite a lack of scientific consensus that such programs reduce the spread of H.I.V.
...

I will surprise nobody that Bush, as usual, refuses to use science-based policies.

[beachmom]

7. I agree with Kerry on both counts. I used to try to be nice to people

who voted for Bush, and give them three things that I thought Bush did right (this was in '04 or early '05): that was setting up a do not call list for telemarketers, the decision to invade Afghanistan (obviously, that has gone to pot, but I am talking about deciding to topple the Taliban), and the money sent to Africa for AIDS. I can now add a 4th: signing that flawed Energy bill which raised CAFE standards to 35 mpg.