Mantus

We often want our politicians to tell the truth. Yet if they always told the truth they would not be able to do their jobs as politicians. One major example that comes to mind is the Kyoto issue that came up early in Bush's first term and is rearing its head again as we come to the G8 summit.

Kyoto is an agreement that is full of hot air. Most countries that agreed to it are strugling or not even trying to meet their goals. Some countries are finding it extreamelly difficult to create a legal framework around the protocol (from what I read of the Canadian strugle of complying with the protocol). In the end, I feel that the Kyoto protocol was nothing more then a way for world leaders to create political capital. Much like promisses of undelivered aid to developing countries. Some countries, like China would even benefit from Kyoto because developing countries get an easier ride, despite the fact that China is the 2nd largest consumer or resources in the world. Infact the same China which was so proud of signing the Kyoto deal is plaining on building multiple coal power plants to deal with it's ever increasing energy demands.

Now I understand that even talk of global enviromental issues is a huge step forward in averting a major catastrope for our species. Thus the Kyoto protocol was certainly not useless. It put the issue of preserving the enviroment on the table. Which is an important first step, a political step.

So we are faced with a choice. Ratify the treaty like everyone else even though we would actually do prety much nothing yet look good politically. Or tell the truth and tell the world that the agreement is unrealistic and simply wont work for our economy.

Bush chose option B. As a result many people, including myself, saw him as a pawn for the major energy corporations. Yet whether he is a pawn or not, he told the truth and payed for it.

Thoughts?

Mephisto2

Kyoto is a first step. No one assumes it will fix the problem. But it will start to fix the problem.

Simply ignoring climate change and global warming, or blithely stating that it doesn't exist like many in the US argue, is not an environmentally sustainable option.

Bush seems to agree, in his most recent statements prior to the G8 summit, that something needs to be done. This is indeed a good step.

But the simple fact is that the Kyoto Protocol is now an internationally ratified treaty. It exists. It's processes, rewards and sanctions are in place and functioning. It's not perfect. And no one ever said it was.

Mr Mephisto

alansmithee

I think that you outline one of the great problems in politics today. To get votes, you often have to hide what you really think and speak in doubletalk and euphamisms. But then voters will turn around and say they value honesty, truthfulness, sincerity, etc. in their politicians.

So what ends up happening is you get alot of lip-service laws (like Kyoto) where it doesn't seem possible that those who write and vote on them expect the laws to do anything, but they also want to get looked upon favorably.

And this is also one of the reasons that I initially was very anti-Bush up until 02-03: I saw him as the talking head/stuffed shirt that many politicians are. I supported McCain in the primaries, and didn't vote at all in that election. I might have seriously considered voting for Dean had he run against Bush that year (and wasn't the cartoon character that he is now).

Although in the Kyoto instance, in the long run it won't be as bad politically simply because we won't have to fret so much about breaking it later.

Marvelous Marv

It's a shame that China gets political capital from the Kyoto protocol. They certainly have a long history of ignoring laws, particularly copyright laws.

But the world gives them credit for signing something they intend to ignore, rather than to us for saying it needs to be at least realistic.

filtherton

I agree that politicians walk a tightrope between what we pretend we want and what we'll accept.
This is just one more example as to how humans are unfit for self-governing.

Dbass

Bush speaks his mind consistently - it's called the Freudian slip and it's every time he says "there absolutely will not be an all-volunteer army...i mean will, will be." (paraphrase) Look at those sentences, that's where his truths are.
As for the Kyoto protocol, this is part of America's larger problem. Our economy is bad, but it certainly isn't Rwanda bad or Venezuela bad. And it's not like there isn't enough money floating around, it's just all wrapped up in CEO's and corruption. I don't mean all CEO's are corrupt, but it's mighty easy become corrupt and those are the ones we have to worry about.
As long as you aren't going to bed hungry and outdoors, our economy and yours could be worse.

seven7

I'm tired of some of these politicians pushing personal agendas, and trying to turn everything that happens these days into a "extreme situation" our founding fathers would be turning over in their graves.

Grey2000

So almost 5 years into his presidency, where is the predicted conscription ?

I find it amazing that to some people disliking Bush means you also have to subscribe to every wacky theory going. In every instance the government has denied even the remotest intention of instituting conscription, yet it's still held up as an example of the Bush 'regime's oppresive policies.


I know the anti-Bush brigade must be tired of having their asses kicked every time it matters by someone they view as an idiot, but it doesn't mean they should forgoe their own common sense.