I haven’t commented yet on the "Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and Climate" (APPCDC?), the new climate-focused tech-sharing agreement Bush signed with Australia, China, India, and South Korea. The details are still under wraps, so nobody knows very much about it. (Of course, that’s not stopping people from weighing in; Jeff’s got a nice wrap-up of reaction so far.) Frankly, I fear the details will just reinforce the cynicism that’s encrusted itself like bitter eye boogers around my once starry, hopeful eyes ever since 9/11 Changed Everything©. Our own Amanda Griscom Little will be writing on the treaty this week; until then I choose to remain ignorant and preserve what remains of my faith in the human spirit.
One thing I can say: I’m fairly suspicious of any analysis that starts like this:
It must be very strange to be President Bush. A man of extraordinary vision and brilliance approaching to genius, he can’t get anyone to notice. He is like a great painter or musician who is ahead of his time, and who unveils one masterpiece after another to a reception that, when not bored, is hostile.
