Tim DeChristopher’s Recent Comments

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  David, Do you really believe that political realities are unchangeable? You think there is no level of popular uprising which will impact the Senate? If this were true, it wouldn't matter where grassroots groups stood on ACES, because they couldn't possibly affect the result anyway! We could argue over what it might take to sufficiently change the political realities(marches vs. national strike), but to say that it is not possible is a hopeless and defeatist attitude. If the political realities don't allow for climate policy that will protect our survival, the only reasonable option is to change the political realities. Whether we want to pass Aces and strengthen it down the road or scrap it and start over, either way we will need a powerful social movement to overcome corporate interests. If that's not possible, learn to can and buy guns. If it is, why would we possibly want to wait? I know a little something about ignoring the political reality and believing that I could affect change. I'm glad I never listened to your condescending advice.On ‘No compromise’ faction attacks climate bill posted 1 month, 3 weeks ago 104 Responses

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  "As for the "radicals" at Powershift09, as I remember, they were demanding natural gas replace coal, so they didn't really get that fossil fuel thing all that much." No offense, Shelly, but what are you talking about? First, no one on here has referred to Powershifters as radicals. Energy Action Coalition supports the bill. I think my comment was the only one that referenced Powershift, and I said that those folks are trying very hard to play by the rules but have the potential to become more radical if they get a clear message that Congress isn't protecting them. I think you're also confusing Powershift with the Capitol Climate Action. Congress tried to preempt that event by switching from coal to natural gas, but the activists held the protest anyway to proclaim that such a small step is not really a solution.On ‘No compromise’ faction attacks climate bill posted 1 month, 3 weeks ago 104 Responses

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  "If people don't want politicians to handle this at all, then they need to get out there and start shutting down some coal mines, coal plants, etc., by force." In fact, many of those holding out for a stronger bill are those like Rising Tide and Greenpeace who are out there shutting down coal plants and taking direct action. And I don't think that's a coincidence. Most of those who believe a better bill is possible are those who are willing to go to great lengths to fight for it. None of us think it will be easy to get an adequate climate bill, we just think it's worth it.On ‘No compromise’ faction attacks climate bill posted 1 month, 3 weeks ago 104 Responses

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  Are you calling US CAP (and by extension, ACES) a workable climate plan? Workable for the coal industry, but not for the survival of our civilization. Should we be glad that Shell and Dupont are willing to promote their latest round of corporate handouts under the guise of a climate plan? Sierra Club and NRDC put a lot of effort into trying to bend corporate influence, but in the end it was the greens who got bent. Do we really want to rest our hopes on a benevolent corporatocracy? Perhaps we should see it as more of a cause for concern that corporations with a history of sociopathic behavior want to climb into bed with us.On ‘No compromise’ faction attacks climate bill posted 1 month, 4 weeks ago 104 Responses

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  David, First, here's how things might go down if the bill passes: Since most folks don't really understand the economics of cap and trade or why this bill is too weak, any efforts to strengthen it will be impossible until the reality of its failure sinks in around 2020, which will of course be too late. Now to your challenge, here is one scenario. Think of all the young people who worked for the Obama campaign, showed up for Powershift, and put so much hope into the belief that the system might work for us this time. If we get a half-assed climate bill, many will continue to hold onto the delusion that the corporate controlled Congress will take care of things. But if the bill goes down, it will be absolutely clear that Congress has failed to defend our future. All those young people will be pissed and will wake up to the reality that real fundamental change is necessary. Their investment of time and energy into the political process creates a strong sense of salience when that process sells them out. They will go well beyond phone calls and photo petitions and turn to direct action to demonstrate that if Congress won't reign in the fossil fuel industry, they will shut it down. Their actions will create the tension and social crisis which Martin Luther King taught us was necessary for change. Their outrage may combine with all the health care activists whose hopes for real reform were dashed by the interests of the insurance industry. They may come together to create fundamental changes like ending corporate personhood and getting corporate money out of politics, which opens up a clear road to an adequate climate bill. Is this a really long shot? Absolutely, but it's 2009 and we're trying to stop climate change. All we've got left are longshots, but that's a whole lot better than aiming low, which we know will fail. Does this scenario require a far more awakened and active citizenry than we've seen in recent memory? Yes, but if we're honest about the requirements of a livable future, that awakening has to happen. Would this require real sacrifices from a soft and lazy population? Certainly, but the first step of sacrifice shows us how empty the easy and comfortable life we are sold really is, and how fulfilling it is to find our potential for greatness in rising up to a great challenge. Anyone still working on climate issues in 2009 is holding on to an unlikely faith. Those supporting ACES are holding on to the faith that most of our scientists are wrong in the seriousness of their warnings. Those rejecting ACES for something stronger are holding on to the faith that the American people have an incredible potential for greatness. As "morally narcissistic" as it may be, I choose the latter.On ‘No compromise’ faction attacks climate bill posted 1 month, 4 weeks ago 104 Responses