If global markets crash with the spread of a virus, imagine what will transpire when they finally have to reckon with the "cost" of addressing global warming. As for the claim we can "de-couple" emissions from economic growth, Carbon Brief says the economic effects of coronavirus has temporarily reduced China's emissions by a quarter. Which is precisely what needs to happen long term. Therefore we can consider this little market correction a preview of what we can expect when we stop burning fossil fuels.
What we are seeing this past week is a minor disruption of global supply chains, a reduction in air travel and some drop in personal consumption. Cruise lines taking a hit. Now imagine a permanent, massive drop in air transport, shipping, all types of manufacturing, basically every sector of the economy which requires fossil fuel energy (90%?). Add to this the hit to finance and investment when all those assets are frozen solid, all the fuel "reserves" that were being counted as collateral on debt
Friday, February 28, 2020
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Upending the Norms
Once again it seems our Dear Leader has upended established "norms", this time by interfering in the sentencing of his buddy Roger Stone. And pinning the Presidential medal of freedom on Rush Limbaugh.And firing disloyal aids. And extorting the Ukrainians. And grabbing pussy. Etc. etc.
"The Man" ( to use Rush's description) just doesn't give a shit about liberal "norms" of behavior. They go on and on about decorum and keeping up appearances but our Comedian in Chief relishes his role as "disrupter". We are supposed to be outraged because he calls the NY Times "fake news" but we all know the Times acts as the Empire's mouthpiece. Chomsky has been pointing out their capitalist, imperialist bias for decades but now I'm supposed to be upset because our precious "democratic" institutions are threatened by a psychotic ass clown? Sorry. That ship sailed long ago.
Trumpism ( and radical right-wing populism throughout the globe) exists because people are generally ignorant and don't give a shit. Weak, easily entertained citizens was always the primary goal of "democratic" capitalism and a Rodney Dangerfield impersonator as Pres. or a pompous, bigoted psuedo-intellectual with a radio show or blonde, big-breasted FOX bimbos all fill the void. I consume, therefore I am.
But this should not come as any surprise. Liberals who are SHOCKED, just shocked at the pornographic parade have conveniently forgotten their US history. Consider Reconstruction: slavery is abolished, Blacks begin to vote, and more importantly, own property and what does white society do? Go all terrorist and lynch the uppity niggers. Now let's recall Joseph Mc Carthy, Nixon and Trump's old pal Cohen. My point is- the "norms" and institutions and Constitution won't save you when the mob decides you are the source of their problems. Your "rights" and protections won't mean shit when they put the noose around your neck. The Law only protects the in-group at the time.
Here in Montana, "conservatives" are debating whether it is ok to shoot socialists on sight, some arguing it would look bad from a PR perspective, others undecided. Nothing motivates like resentment and the idea that people would get free stuff like medicine or education rankles the "ditto-heads",those who have grovelled their lives away making Trump and Bloomberg and Zuckerberg even richer.
"The Man" ( to use Rush's description) just doesn't give a shit about liberal "norms" of behavior. They go on and on about decorum and keeping up appearances but our Comedian in Chief relishes his role as "disrupter". We are supposed to be outraged because he calls the NY Times "fake news" but we all know the Times acts as the Empire's mouthpiece. Chomsky has been pointing out their capitalist, imperialist bias for decades but now I'm supposed to be upset because our precious "democratic" institutions are threatened by a psychotic ass clown? Sorry. That ship sailed long ago.
Trumpism ( and radical right-wing populism throughout the globe) exists because people are generally ignorant and don't give a shit. Weak, easily entertained citizens was always the primary goal of "democratic" capitalism and a Rodney Dangerfield impersonator as Pres. or a pompous, bigoted psuedo-intellectual with a radio show or blonde, big-breasted FOX bimbos all fill the void. I consume, therefore I am.
But this should not come as any surprise. Liberals who are SHOCKED, just shocked at the pornographic parade have conveniently forgotten their US history. Consider Reconstruction: slavery is abolished, Blacks begin to vote, and more importantly, own property and what does white society do? Go all terrorist and lynch the uppity niggers. Now let's recall Joseph Mc Carthy, Nixon and Trump's old pal Cohen. My point is- the "norms" and institutions and Constitution won't save you when the mob decides you are the source of their problems. Your "rights" and protections won't mean shit when they put the noose around your neck. The Law only protects the in-group at the time.
Here in Montana, "conservatives" are debating whether it is ok to shoot socialists on sight, some arguing it would look bad from a PR perspective, others undecided. Nothing motivates like resentment and the idea that people would get free stuff like medicine or education rankles the "ditto-heads",those who have grovelled their lives away making Trump and Bloomberg and Zuckerberg even richer.
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