Articles by David Roberts

Bush’s new line on global warming

As global warming becomes a more and more salient political issue (thanks, Al!), Bush gets asked about it more often, and is forced to defend his (lack of) policy. Predictably, he's saying some pretty stupid things.

Consider this, from an interview with People:

Do you think Gore is right on global warming?
I think we have a problem on global warming. I think there is a debate about whether it's caused by mankind or whether it's caused naturally, but it's a worthy debate. It's a debate, actually, that I'm in the process of solving by advancing new technologies, burning coal cleanly in electric plants, or promoting hydrogen-powered automobiles, or advancing ethanol as an alternative to gasoline.

First, no, there's not a debate. And if there were ... how does one "solve" a debate? And if it were epistemologically possible to "solve" a debate, how would you do it with a series of subsidies to industry?

Anyhoo. Here he is on Larry King Live last night:

Atlantic @ Aspen

Via Ezra, I stumbled on the Atlantic @ Aspen blog, a chronicle of Atlantic staffers' attendance at this year's Aspen Ideas Festival, "a 'summer university' featuring discussions, seminars, and tutorials with some the most provocative thinkers, writers, artists, businesspeople, and leaders from around the world."

Three posts jumped out.

Sigh

Can you guess who said this?

Bulldozers in South Central

If you're up for it, go here to see some stomach-churning video of bulldozers taking down the South Central Community Farm, and L.A. police manhandling underage protestors.