On climate change: Where is the left?

[ProSense]

Where is the left?

by David Roberts

<...>

And yet where are the protests? Where are the people in the streets? Where is the popular movement demanding an end to fossil-fuel addiction and promising to eject legislators who stand in its way? I don't see it. Sure I've seen Facebook petitions and the odd cluster of people outside the White House waving signs, but there's no uprising. No politician feels threatened or fears the consequences of voting against a clean energy bill.

<...>

For reasons I've never understood, lots of folks on the left fear that celebrating victories might make people apathetic. They might think the problem is solved, and why fight if you're not losing, right? I once asked a leader of a prominent progressive advocacy group whether he found the constant drumbeat of dissatisfaction and failure depressing and he replied, "I like uphill battles." They energize him! I wanted to ask: How many beyond the circle of lefty activists feel that way? It's not really a matter of speculation. Psychological research shows that the "facts" of failure are disempowering unless accompanied by a compelling and plausible alternative vision. If the situation is dire, everyone is corrupt, and nothing available is worth a spit, what is the route to success? Why bother?

Anyway, the sad-sack nature of the left has been on my mind because, to be frank about it, I've been hugely disappointed by its performance on climate change. I'm going to spend some time in the coming week arguing that the left should mobilize behind the Kerry-Lieberman climate bill and go all-out to get it passed. For arguing this I will no doubt catch all manner of sh*t. But the fact is, the American Power Act is a result of the balance of power in U.S. politics. The left rejecting the bill won't change the balance of power. Failure and status quo reinforce it. The left will change the balance of power by getting people out in the streets, writing their legislators, and voting for/against candidates based on their climate vision in sufficient numbers to pose a threat.

There's no sign that's happening now, but perhaps it will. Does it make sense to postpone legislation while we wait?

The left is busy cheering on these Senators:

Senator Byron Dorgan, who rocks.
Senator Russell Feingold, who rocks.
Senator Al Franken, who rocks.
Senator Sherrod Brown, who rocks.

Where are these Senators? Well, standing up for coal.

Still, Mary Landrieu and her ilk are worse.

I'm with Al Gore:

“New legislation to limit U.S. greenhouse gases and boost “clean energy” production will be released May 12, Senators John Kerry and Joseph Lieberman, the authors of the measure, said today.”

“Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat, and Lieberman, a Connecticut independent, said in an e-mailed statement they believe they can “secure the necessary votes to pass this legislation this year.””

We are on the road to passing the most important environmental legislation in a generation. That's why during the next few weeks I’ll be asking for your help to show the Senate that we demand they pass this vital legislation. This is our best opportunity to put America on the path to solving the climate crisis, and I know you’ll get the job done.

[politicasista]

1. Kick n/t

[politicasista]

2. **crickets** n/t

[karynnj]

3. I think it's a combination that the other than in the 1970s, environment

was not a huge issue and the fact that this is a bill designed to have a prayer of passing. The latter is less the issue than the former because there was no movement behind the House bill or Kerry/Boxer.

I suspect that most movements are fueled by anger. In the 1970s, the environmental movement targeted bad Congress people and was demanding change from Nixon. Now, with the Democrats in power in the House, Senate and President, the need is for a POSITIVE movement supporting those of the leaders leading. But, the nature of things is that there are more movements and they are more energized if they are negative.

That doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

(I suspect much of the energy that seemed to exist with Gore was because he should have been in the WH, not Bush, and he showed a justifiable angry side on many issues.)

[ChiciB1]

4. HEY, We On the Left Got The Message... We Don't Count... We're Retards!

PLUS, when we ask OUR VERY OWN Democrats to support what we want, they basically tell us to go POUND SALT!

That's how I feel, and in a sense, I'm out in LEFT field!! My frustration knows NO BOUNDS these days!

I've said enough, have been trying to hold my tongue on this for a long time, but I can't apologize for feeling a certain abandonment by people I once respected!

I don't know where I fit in anymore and I KNOW I'M NOT ALONE!!

Okay, I'm done... just had to say it! I'll leave now and return to my corner. I've been staying there for a while now and am trying very hard NOT to watch too much MSM!

[Blue_Tires]

5. I'm still trying to get my workplace to understand why it's important to recycle

i can't even get THAT through their heads...

[Cha]

6. I've been fortunate..always

around places that were very conscious of recycling and organic farming.

[TheKentuckian]

7. What clean energy bill??? Who's gonna take to the streets for more nukes, fake clean coal, and drill

baby, drill?

Seriously?

[ProSense]

8. At least one person who isn't mischaracterizing the bill:

Al Gore

“New legislation to limit U.S. greenhouse gases and boost “clean energy” production will be released May 12, Senators John Kerry and Joseph Lieberman, the authors of the measure, said today.”

“Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat, and Lieberman, a Connecticut independent, said in an e-mailed statement they believe they can “secure the necessary votes to pass this legislation this year.””

We are on the road to passing the most important environmental legislation in a generation. That's why during the next few weeks I’ll be asking for your help to show the Senate that we demand they pass this vital legislation. This is our best opportunity to put America on the path to solving the climate crisis, and I know you’ll get the job done.

[Prism]

9. The Left is still nursing wounds from the health care betrayal

We were certainly mobilized during that debate, only to watch the administration slip a knife between our third and fourth rib.

Do you honestly think, after the public option debacle, the Left is going to bat for another piece of major legislation this year?

Another episode of Ike Turner Democrats. Beat the crap out of people, and then explain "C'mon, baby. We love you! Why don't you come on home now?"

Given how health care went, if the Left turned out in that way again, we'd probably see coal-powered stoves mandated for every household by the end of the debate.

You can't slap people around and then expect them to pretend it didn't happen.

[ProSense]

10. "Do you honestly think, after the public option debacle,

the Left is going to bat for another piece of major legislation this year?"

No, the same shouting, distortion and doing nothing is expected while those who want progress work to shape it. You then get to reap the benefits of their efforts.

Subsequently, when a Democrat like Sestak, who voted for health care reform wins, you rejoice and the President gets to reap the benefits of another ally.

[Prism]

11. Who's "you" exactly?

I'm glad Specter's gone, and that's about the sum of it.

It's funny, but I thought of you this morning! I was out on my morning run and noticed someone had posted hot pink flyers for a yard sale on every. single. telephone pole in the neighborhood. Really, just everywhere you looked in every direction, hot pink hot pink hot pink.

I muttered to myself "My god, my block has been ProSensed."

I thought you'd appreciate that =)