I was watching the Daily Show interview with Al Gore the other day and an emotion popped to the surface more so than others. I was mixed emotionally watching the Daily Show, as usual. Happy cause I was laughing. A little sad, because of the obviousness of the points the Daily Show makes thru satire. I was optimistic and inspired, when seeing Gore. But a new emotion floated above the rest...Fear.
Stay with me...below the fold.
As demonstrated by the Bush Administration, Fear is a useful tool in manipulating the masses. They have used this time and time again...with references to 9/11, WMD, terror alert levels, mushroom clouds...heck even the fear of the destruction of the institution of marriage because a couple of loving monogamous homosexuals want to get hitched. The fear card has always seemed to work for this administration (and countless rulers/leaders/dictators throughout history). Some of the fear is legitimate or based on real facts, but most is exaggerated/contrived/cherry picked to maintain control.
Not to downplay 9/11, but only about 3000 Americans died as a result of terrorism on that day. I wonder how many Americans were killed by SUV's that day (on an out of date highway system)? I wonder how Americans have died as a result of not having proper health care since 9/11? It is true that there are many things to fear in this world (mostly a fear of death). Fear, as a human emotion, is good. It motivates us to react. Of all the issues out there today, of all the potential threats to our lives and well being, the Climate Crisis is the 800-lb gorilla in the room. I think the right knows this. That is why it is fought so hard.
Global Warming is a "Left" issue. It shouldn't be, of course, but it is. It has been painted this way by the Right (who are in bed with the Energy giants). If the masses are fearful of the climate crisis with the same fervor they are with terrorism, they will respond with their vote. This time has not come yet, but with the amount of CO2 being pumped into the atmosphere, this day will come sooner than we know. It really seems inevitable at this point. New reports, new effects are coming in almost daily now.
As we all know, the right can campaign, but can't govern. They (specifically this administration) can't seem to solve any of society's big problems, because they see the government as the enemy. The current admin would rather talk about how they are solving problems, than actually doing the hard work to come out with and implement real solutions. They will only do the hard work, like rebuilding New Orleans, in a manner that lines their (or their friends) pockets. And they don't do that well either (rebuild, not line pockets). Global Warming is a real problem and there should be some level of fear. It needs a real solution (or most likely solutions) and soon. You can't go to war with climate change (or terrorism or drugs for that matter). You can't solve the warming earth with bombs. The public will soon realize this...hopefully before it's too late.
So, is the climate crisis the left's 9/11? Will fear of climate change bring the masses to rally around the Democrats the way Bush was rallied around after 9/11 and the ongoing threat of terrorism? I think it is only a matter of time.