While the blogosphere buzzes about Michelle Bachmann's crusade for freedom of choice for light bulb purchases, we think today's editorial in the Marshall Independent best addresses the underlying issue:
When we elect members to Congress, it’s with the hope that they will serve with a firm grasp on reality and with a mind open enough to at least try to solve even our most vexing of problems.
That doesn’t seem to be the case with U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., at least on the global warming issue. . . .
. . .Bachmann argues that she is trying to preserve homeowners’ and others’ rights to use whatever kind of light bulb they want — even if it costs them more in electrical expenses.
We’re not going to fight her on that, although it’s a little silly to discourage the use of more efficient bulbs. People probably should be able to have some choice in how they light their homes.
But there are things behind Bachmann’s bill — including ignoring sound industry advice plus her take on global warming — that make us question her credibility.
The Star Tribune reported Wednesday that Bachmann recently told a meeting of Sherburne County Republicans that any human connection to global warming is “voodoo, nonsense, hokum, a hoax.”
It is unfortunate to hear a congresswoman simply sweep aside reams of evidence under the rug of a conspiracy theory. It does not become her position, nor the debate.
In our view, it is nearly a lock that humans have contributed to global warming in the past three centuries, or since the onset of the Industrial Revolution and the emissions all kinds of machines have kicked into the air.
It is even more of a certainty that humans have contributed in the past half century, with troubling results. In February 2007, a United Nations panel on global climate change concluded humans have “very likely” contributed to the “unequivocal” climate changes of the past 50 years. We’ve done so in measurable ways — the release of carbon dioxide from smokestacks and tailpipes, the wiping out of forests. Other reports have said the amount of carbon dioxide in the air has exploded in the past 300 years, and continues to rise exponentially.
The results have been big and small: Mass calcification of all kinds of shellfish in the ocean, destruction of coral reefs, melting of the Arctic tundra, species of animals and plants being found farther north and at higher altitudes than ever before.
If you want to quarrel with the amount of man’s impact on the changes, fine — but it is irresponsible to dismiss it as voodoo or a hoax.
When Bachmann takes such a stance, she effectively eliminates herself from any credible aspect of the debate — much like a 15th-century Spanish courtier who kept arguing the Earth was flat even after Columbus had come and gone a couple times.
There is wide agreement among scientists, industry, politicians of both parties that man contributes and that we must act to limit our contributions to warming while we can.
Unfortunately, Bachmann isn't the only one touting this malarky. In the contest to capture the Republican nomination and the honor of being beat by Representative Walz in November, one contestant offered an energy policy in which global warming denial was a core belief. Sadly, the other two candidates chose to go down that path in their quest to capture the hearts (and votes) of party activists.
We're not so sure about the warming trend suggested by the Owatonna People's Press headline, GOP First District Convention heating up. The lead is more interesting:
When Republican delegates gather Saturday at the First District Convention, they'll not only endorse someone to run in a primary against state Sen. Dick Day, they'll also be doing some soul searching.
All will be there to determine the best candidate to unseat freshman U.S. Rep. Tim Walz. And for now, it's a mystery not only to the candidates, but to Republican activists like David McGuire, co-chairman of the Steele County Republican Party.
"I just don't have a handle on it," he said.
It's the convention that passeth all understanding. As in prior reports, neither Demmer nor Davis provides a delegate count. The local Republican has more to say about the GOPeapods:
McGuire said he hasn't spoken to anyone about which candidate has the best prospects of getting the endorsement. . . .
. . .The last time the Republican Party had to endorse a candidate was in 1994, when former Congressman Arlen Erdahl and then state Rep. Gil Gutknecht competed for the nomination. Former Congressman Tim Penny, a Democrat, decided not to seek re-election that year.
McGuire said the difference then compared to this year is that Davis, Day and Demmer are virtually identical with conservative views. The only difference between them is their years of political experience, with Day holding an advantage.
Meanwhile, Walz is listening to his constituents and trying to improve rail shipping for Southern Minnesota's transportation customers. The Star Tribune reports in Congress hearing new calls for more railway regulation:
A coalition of farm and rural business interests from across Minnesota has banded together with a national group challenging what they call the monopoly power of the nation's railroads.
The freight customers are supporting bills in Congress that would end an antitrust exemption for railroads and would foster competition, and they have turned to Minnesota's congressional delegation for help. . . .
. . . Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., has signed on to the bills in Congress. "I've heard time and time again from southern Minnesota's farmers, electric co-ops and small businesses how badly we need to restore competition to the rail industry," he said.
All but two members of Minnesota's congressional delegation have signed on to the legislation. Reps. Michele Bachmann and John Kline are still reviewing the bills.
We posted about this issues beginning in 2007; a 2008 post about the legislation can be found here.
In couple of interesting letters to the editor in the district dailies this morning. In the New Ulm Journal, Vietnam vet Al Boettger conflates Walz's criticisms of lack of real and effective federal level commitment to vets' programs with the possibility of criticism of the local vets service officer, Greg Peterson.
Safe to say that Boettger is absolutely right about the great work Greg Peterson does, but also that Boettger wasn't at the meeting. We attended the meeting. As we noted at the time, Greg offered a great suggestion on how to better count and serve each county's vets. If we're not mistaken, Peterson had helped Walz's staff get the very vocal vets in New Ulm to the meeting.
The congressman did thank Greg for all of his hard work. We had a chance to talk briefly to Peterson at the event, though his focus was rightly on the people he serves, and seeing him in action, we can understand why Boettger didn't want people to form the wrong impression.
In the Mankato Free Press, a reader counters Republican reverend Paul Ibisch's letter trashing Walz with Business is the biggest welfare recipent. Dan Conner notes:
. . .I believe Paul Ibisch’s anger, in his recent letter to the editor, is misdirected. He blames Rep Tim Walz when he needs to blame President Bush. . . .
Finally, local television news reports on Norm Coleman's campaign kick-off stop in Rochester show the press isn't giving him a free ride. In Coleman Campaigns, KTTC begins its report:
He calls Minnesota the 'land of 10,000 dreams', a place where Senator Norm Coleman says he has made progress throughout the last six years.
Now, he wants to accomplish even more.
The work began today, when Norm Coleman officially began his campaign for re-election.
But while he was at Rochester's Event Center this afternoon, promising to 'get things done for Minnesota', another group just down the road was already campaigning against the senator for not doing enough.
It was a battle of rhymes, that turned into a war of words.
Laura Askelin, SE MN Central Labor Council says, "We cannot continue on this path of putting the needs of the few over the needs of the many and unfortunately Senator Coleman is only concerned with the needs of a few corporate special interests."
It started early Wednesday morning, when DFL-ers, labor, and community leaders expressed their opinion about Senator Norm Coleman.
Wes Urevig, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union says, "He should be supporting the things that are important to Minnesota workers - reasonable health care, education for their family, good jobs." . . .
And in KAAL-TV's Coleman Kicks Off Campaign , we read:
U.S Senator Norm Coleman officially launched his re-election bid with a rally today.
Supporters turned out in Rochester to celebrate the kickoff as Coleman hit the road for a four-day, 15-city tour across the state.
The senator says he looks forward to running on his record of bringing people together and reaching across the partisan divide.
Also today, DFLers, labor and community leaders gathered to voice their concerns about Coleman’s record for putting corporate special interests ahead of middle-class Minnesotans.
"Working people want representatives that are more like them, with sense of humor. Because with this mess in Washington they're certainly going to need it,” says Wesley Urevig, a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Many at the rally voiced support for candidate Al Franken.
He's favored to be the democratic nominee.
Coleman has criticized some of the things Franken has said or written in his comedy routines and commentary.
Franken defends his previous work as that of a satirist.
Looks like Norm couldn't control the message on that coverage. There are video clips of the segments up at each station.
Below the fold, we've provided the complete statement from one Southern Minnesota labor leader, Laura Askelin.
Statement of Laura Askelin, President, SE MN Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO:
Norm Coleman is not on our side.
He has voted against measures that would have covered more uninsured Americans, including children. He supported Bush’s plan to give billions in tax giveaways to oil and gas companies and even voted against cracking down on gas price gouging during a period of record oil company profits.Coleman has voted at least six times to protect tax breaks for corporations and millionaires at the expense of increased funding for veterans.Norm Coleman voted against laws that help homeowners facing a financial crisis keep their homes.Norm Coleman consistently puts special corporate interests and the Republican Party ahead of the best interests of middle-class Minnesotans.
“Minnesotans are struggling with the realities of the Bush-Coleman economy,” job loss, mortgage foreclosures, rising college costs, and skyrocketing health care costs; “We cannot continue on this path of putting the needs of a few over the needs of the many, and unfortunately, Senator Coleman is only concerned with the needs of a few corporate special interests.”
But we’re determined to put a stop to the Bush-Coleman agenda. To create an economy that works for everyone, not just the few. We will fight for affordable, quality health care, fair trade, more transparent corporate policies–and a guarantee of the freedom to form a union.
Voters are ready to change the direction our country is headed. This November election is our opportunity to change the direction of the economy and the nation. We WILL TURN AMERICA AROUND!
Good catch on the NUJ LTE.
I read the paper yesterday and was surprised that Congressman Walz would not have acknowledged the work done at the local levels. But now rereading it, I see that the writer never said that he was in attendance. I can only hope that Mr. Boettger was making sure that Mr. Paterson got recognition for his work and that Mr. Boettger’s objective wasn’t to smear the Congressman.
I wish the rail issue would get more attention in Congress. The railroads were built for the 19th Century; Congress needs a comprehensive plan for the 21st Century. Congressman Oberstar proposed legislation last session entitled the Railroad Track Modernization Act of 2006 and Transit Rail Accommodation Improvement and Needs Act. It would promote Transit Use & Develop a Rail Infrastructure Program that would create a stimulus package of infrastructure investment that upgrades the pipeline for biofuels – the freight rail system – in order to get an affordable and reliable supply of biofuels to market. I am afraid that the intransitive nature of the Republicans on investing in infrastructure is at full strength again … even though many Farm State Republicans would benefit. It is pretty clear that the cost of the occupation of Iraq has hit the homeland again.
But maybe I am being to hasty in criticizing the Republicans, after all without the leadership of Congresswoman Bachmann on the critical Light Bulb Freedom issue, we would all be in the dark.
Posted by: MinnesotaCentral | March 27, 2008 at 01:25 PM