JK and Teresa speaking on environment

[Dr Ron]

Here's a post from what I suspect is the far looney left with an inane attack on Kerry but it has a bit of real news people here might be interested in:

http://www.poorandstupid.com/2007_01_07_chronArchive.asp#116871745888571655

Apparently Al Gore patented environmentalism and therefore Kerry should not be allowed to also write on this.

[Mass]

1. This is clearly from the far right, not the looney left.

Had you spend two minutes reading the previous poll, this would have been very clear.

[Dr Ron]

3. Didn't spend much time there

"Had you spend two minutes reading the previous poll"

I couldn't see spending as much time as two minutes there. I just read the Kerry item and then glanced at something which made me think it was from the far left, but it was a quick glance and if you spent a full two minutes there I'll defer to your evaluation of the blog. Often the kooks on the far left and right appear the same at quick glance.

[Mass]

4. Sure: I know a lot of looney lefties who advocate this

Chronicle of the Conspiracy
Join us as we discover, document, expose and challenge the bad people, the bad institutions and the bad ideas that stand in the way of wealth creation -- and show you how to fight back!

I understand that you called that a far left website just because it seemed to endorse Gore, but I know quite a few idiots who are not far from being left wing and do not know anything about Kerry's environmental record.

Consider that the fact our media are desesperately useless and that Gore has recently been a outspoken advocate and leader on these issues, while Kerry has been a lot more reserved, though not silent. There are advantages being out of office and focusing on an issue: see Edwards and Gore for this.

[cadmium]

2. I remember this web site from 2004.

Their main advocacy was against social/fiscal liberalism -- like the "welfare state".

JK and Theresa were ridiculed on a couple ostensibly progressive news outlets (Raw Story and the Boston Phoenix) regarding the upcoming book. They were making the ridiculous insinuation that Kerry's cared about the environment only to copy Gore. They were met with good solid arguement right back from some Kerry supporters and in the end our comments trumped theirs.

[globalvillage]

5. Obviously the writer is a moron

and knows nothing about Sen Kerry's environmental record. Not to mention the fact that the Senator's book was started, or at least the concept was there, well over a year ago, and this idiot writes as though he just pulled it together to trump Gore.
Al's books and film are great. I expect Sen Kerry and Teresa's will be as well.
Maybe this boob thinks there should only be one book about the war, too. And one about politics. Come to think of it, let's just have one book about every topic of interest and have it done with.
Sheesh.

[MBS]

6. the blogger in question is a jerk but that's a GREAT venue for their lecture:

The City Arts and Lectures series is a great , long-standing institution in SF, and Herbst theatre is a terrific locale for this. So, Bay Area people: JK and THK April 5, 2007, 8 pm: looks like the same kind of gig as the one at 92nd Y in NYC.
Looks like their book tour should make a splash.

GOD, I get mad when they try to portray JK as a copycat on environmental stuff. He's been a consistent supporter of the environment since 1970 for Pete's sake, and years ahead of the curve compared to almost all of his colleagues, except Al Gore. Al Gore deserves huge credit for what he's done on global warming, and I'm impressed by, and very grateful for all the good work he's done but, honestly, JK 's track record on the environment is even more broadly based, including thoughtful , forward-looking plans on conservation as well as alternate energy and climate change issues. It's the first thing about him that I noticed, and it's what first led me to support him in the primaries. . yet I continue to hear this nonsense. .I had to endure a fellow participant at the MoveOn Inconvenient Truth party last month expressing "surprise" that johnkerry.com was a co-sponsor of the event. Honestly, I think my country has lost its collective mind. What is wrong with our country these days? Can't anyone read or think anymore? Sorry, I just had a long talk with a cousin who got me worked up about yet another issue: the congressional approval of changes in our bankruptcy laws in 2006 , and the sad collusion of people like Dodd and Obama with the corporate interests. So I'm still steaming about that, too.

I hope the Kerrys get a large, enthusiastic audience in SF and in NYC. They totally deserve it; I can't wait to see their book.

[sandnsea]

8. They they better get the story out there

Because as of right now, most of America doesn't know it, not even the fickle environmentalist left.

[MBS]

9. yes, this drives me nuts

Sen. Kerry was endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters in both the primaries (early in the primaries, when he was nowhere in the polls: they were with him from the VERY beginning) and also in the general election. And with good reason: he totally earned that endorsement. I couldn't believe Dems who told me they were voting for Dean in the primaries because he was an "environmentalist" (Actually, Dean's record on environmental issues in Vermont was mixed, at best).

I think part of the problem is that the environment has NOT been a big concern of voters, pollsters or the media in the last two presidential elections: a tragedy because Gore and Kerry were both superbly qualified in this area, and both were anxious to talk about it, and to do something about it. On NPR this past year, Gore told of his frustration in 2000: whenever he spoke on the environment, journalists wouldn't report on the topic.Obviously, he needed journalists to write about his appearances, so gradually he talked about the environment less and less. Kerry also recently told of his own frustration in both the campaign and the debates: I remember him noting that in the 3 national debates in the general election, only about 30 seconds was devoted to environmental questions. When I answered internet (ie Zogby) polls in the 2004 cycle , "environment" was almost NEVER listed as an issue on those "which issues concern you most" questions.

We keep on blaming candidates and campaigns, but, really voters and the media share the blame for the situation . It feels like voters might finally be wiling to listen. Maybe even (I can always dream) the media, too.

[sandnsea]

11. All true

Except the environment has always been the one issue that I've heard Republicans express concern over. I think my brother in law has done more to change his lifestyle than I have, and he LOVES Bush. They just get concerned over different things, like two-headed frogs and such. We've finally moved the discussion from saving trees for the sake of having pretty trees, to saving the planet because we need to live on it. You can't get a logger to change practices because the water gets dirty, but you can when you show him it destroys the salmon habitat. I think we just haven't connected the dots correctly in the past. Anyway, Teresa has done a lot of work in Pittsburgh on green buildings and the like, so maybe this book is more solution oriented. Whatever it is, they need to get some buzz out in front of this or they're going to get framed before they ever utter their first word.

[sandnsea]

7. I saw that earlier

I actually think that's going to be a problem. They need to be laying some groundwork explaining their background on the environment before this book comes out. It does look like he's copying Gore at this point, even though we all know JK's environmental background is as strong or stronger than Gore's.

[Island Blue]

12. I don't really think it will be a problem.

JK's enviromental background isn't exactly a mystery to actual enviromentalists. Here is the Sierra Club's endoresment of him in 2004. This might be a nice article to keep handy for future use. :)

"John Kerry will provide the environmental leadership that has been sorely missing in the Bush White House," said Sierra Club President Larry Fahn. "His commitment to environmental progress stands in stark contrast to the Bush administration's all-out assault on the environment and its record of putting polluting corporations before the American public's health and safety.

"John Kerry has spent his entire career promoting real solutions aimed at ensuring that America's air, water, and natural resources are protected for future generations."

Kerry has demonstrated environmental leadership throughout his career in public service, from helping organize Massachusetts' first Earth Day in 1970 to opposing the Bush administration's efforts to dismantle environmental gains made over the last century. Highlights of Kerry's environmental record include:

* Advocated strict enforcement of the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, and opposed Bush administration efforts to weaken the laws in order to let polluters put more dangerous toxics into our air and water;

* Advocated restoration of Superfund's "polluter pays" trust fund to ensure that polluters, not ordinary taxpayers, pay to clean up abandoned toxic waste sites;

* Led the charge against the Bush administration's attempts to allow oil drilling in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge;

* Championed an energy plan that increases fuel economy to reduce the nation's dependence on oil and supports the development of clean, energy-saving technologies and renewable energy to reduce our dependence on other polluting sources of energy;

* And, advocated for the United States to take the lead in international efforts to cut global warming pollution, reverse ozone depletion, protect tropical rain forests, preserve biological diversity and press for sustainable development.

http://www.sierraclub.org/pressroom/releases/pr2004-05-11.asp

[sandnsea]

13. If he doesn't run for President

it won't be a problem. If he does, it'll be used against him because it's just too easy, like the 'botched joke'. Of course he has an impeccable environmental record, as does Teresa, but when has that stopped anybody from mocking him. If there's the slightest hint that someone can put their candidate in a better position by ridiculing Kerry, they'll do it. I don't know why anybody would even be surprised by it.

[JI7]

15. i agree , but this is also an opportunity to deal wiht other things

particularly his love of outdoors sports like windsurfing snowboarding etc. it ties in with how much the environment is a big issue for him.

but he does need to make sure he gets his record out and that the phony leftists who do nothing more than snark aren't the only ones out commenting on this.

[sandnsea]

16. That's a good point

We should probably all make a point of working in the story of his mother and love of the outdoors every chance we get. I really liked when he compared the cost of windsurfing and yachting in that interview. That's the kind of stuff we need to do.

[globalvillage]

14. Teresa as well.

Heralded by the Utne Reader in 1995 as one of 100 American visionaries, Teresa Heinz has long been recognized as one of the nation’s premier environmental leaders. In 1995, she announced one of the largest grants ever made to the environment, a $20 million gift to create the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment, a unique attempt to bring together representatives of business, government, the scientific community and environmental groups to collaborate on the development of mutually acceptable, yet scientifically sound, environmental policies. In addition to serving on the Center’s board, she was one of 10 representatives from non-governmental organizations attached to the U.S. Delegation to the U.N. Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit) in Brazil in 1992. Since 1995, she has sponsored annual conferences on Women’s Health and the Environment, bringing women together with health, environmental and policy experts to learn how the environment impacts their daily lives.

[sandnsea]

17. Received World Ecology Award in 2003

I was looking for her speech when she received the Schweitzer Humanitarian Award, when she talks about nature and spirituality and everything being connected. But holy criminy, look at this:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=2003+award+teresa+heinz&btnG=Search

[wisteria]

10. Thanks for posting. JK had discussed this during his B- party and

I was wondering how they were going to promote the book.

Now, that said, don't you think it is rather narrow minded to assume only one person has the expertise to speak on an issues such as our environment and global warming? Gore may have brought it to everyone's attention, but I would think he wouldn't mind others talking it up and making more people aware of the issues that face our planet. Besides, that, Gore didn't invent global warming he just had a concern and an interest in pursuing the cause and effect. And, we all know that JK and THK have been interested in issues such as these for a long, long time.