The environmental groups that endorse this half ass bill are on the conservative edge of the environmental movement.  When groups like Greenpeace, Rainforest Action Network, Center for Biological Diversity, and sometimes Sierra Club -- the latter of which is right in the middle for green groups -- support a bill, then I know it's a good bill.

The problem with Lieberman-Warner is that it wouldn't reduce greenhouse gases nearly enough to actually stop climate change, according to what the credible scientists say needs to be done.  The conservative approach is that this is at least a step in the right direction, and we can move forward from here.  The other approach is that we should oppose legislation like this, because passing it would make people complacent by thinking that we've done all we need to do.  I'd like to see an analysis of whether movements have been successful by passing initially insufficient legislation that was strengthened later.  If so, this bill should be supported; if not, it should be opposed.

passing L-W (or similar) this year or next

does not insure progress, or failure, in the future.  We need to fight for 50 years, at least.  Even then, no guarantee we will win

Next year is more likely to see a more conservative bill, if L-W gets a bad vote

much more pressure to avoid anything that raises consumer prices than there is to save the earth.  Thus, the appeal of safety valve

the coming wave of political pressure is NOT for a more Green bill; just the opposite

This could change in 20 years, once we are completely doomed -- or not

purity means sitting on the sidelines

time is not on our side

Ce,

I didn't ask for any guarantees.  The idea was to get as much info as possible about past experiences in order to make an informed choice.  Without that info, one is just operating in the dark.

Tony,

I don't agree at all that the Clean Air Act (CAA) has been strengthened over the years to address emerging health risks.  Please cite some specific examples of this.  Environmental laws like the CAA actually ALLOW pollution, so long as the polluter has a permit.  Their goal is to allow as much pollution as possible without poisoning everyone.  That's why they're so complicated and convoluted.