The political stability of our democracy is on life support as is the capacity of our planet to sustain our species. These are two issues the moderators of previous debates have either pretended didn’t exist or used questions about climate changes as time fillers toward the end of the debate.
Journalists have a responsibility to frame their questions to educate their viewers/readers as well as elicit responses from candidates that will truly inform their audience. If a candidate pays lip service to the question and starts spouting talking points, it’s the role on a moderator to interrupt, “Stop right now, your talking point avoids my question. Either answer my question or I will ask another candidate to answer it for you.”
These candidates need forums BUT they have to earn the air they are given during the forum. What does granting air time for access say about your ethics and integrity? The values that your parents instilled in you?
One the driving forces of today’s journalism is access. Journalists and executive producers control who gets access. It’s NOT the other way around. Use that power to get to the truth.
It about time the health of our democracy and global climate change were discussed in great depth. These are life and death issues that will determine the quality of life and longevity of everyone. The answers to these questions asked by Hallie Jackson will determine the health, quality of life and longevity of her unborn child. (Hallie I hope you and your husband have a healthy and happy baby but you get my point.)
I’m suggesting some questions about our democracy first because if we don’t correct our collective course promptly, we can’t possibly begin to deal the dangers of global climate change.
LH: Sen. Klobuchar from 2001 to 2016 you had the highest rate of staff turnover of anyone in the Senate according to a Politico story written by Nolan D McCaskill published on March 21, 2018. An annual turnover rate of 36 percent!
There many stories about your abusive treatment of your staff over many years. With your record of staff turnover and morale problems how we trust you to energize the federal workforce?
LH: Mayor Bloomberg you have a history of making crude remarks to women, especially pregnant women, denigrating African-American and other racial minorities as well as ignoring the needs of less affluent communities.
Given your past history how can Americans trust you rebuild the esteem of the federal workforce?
CT: VP Biden there have been allegations of serious wrongdoing at the Department of Justice, the Interior Department, Treasury and many other departments and agencies. It is been past practice not to investigate the previous administration. Will you continue this practice, or will you end this practice?
CT: Mayor Buttigieg how wil deal with the misdeeds of the Trump Administration should you be elected President?
HJ: Sen. Warren you have one of the lowest staff turnover rates of any serving United States Senator how will you use those skills raised to public respect for the federal workforce?
HJ: Sen. Sanders how will you want to deal with misdeeds of the previous administration should you be elected president?
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It’s time to turn to the preeminent issue of our time Global Climate Change.
VH: Sen. Sanders why you oppose fracking in the development of natural gas. (After Sen. Sanders answers this query.)
VH: Sen. Klobuchar why do you support fracking?
(Use a chyron to inform the audience that methane produced in the extraction of natural gas, increases the frequency of earthquakes in areas where natural gas is extracted and the danger to our water table vs. green gas reduction when burning natural gas. Also point out that methane traps 86 times more heat than carbon dioxide while lasting only about 10 years in our atmosphere while carbon dioxide last 200 lasts years. Display this chyron while the above two questions are being answered.)
You prepare your questions in advance; prepare to display chyrons to inform your audience.
Inform the DNC and each campaign that chyrons will be used to educate viewers during the global warming question hour. Candidate objections are meaningless; debate participation is not mandatory.
It’s about time the media ceased maybe this...maybe that...about climate change. How can you look your grandchildren the eye if you do not provide honest information today when it’s most needed?
JR: Sen. Warren executives and directors of fossil fuel producers and utilities using fossil fuels have a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders what is you plan to create incentives for individuals and small businesses to migrate to green energy within 3 years of your inauguration?
A chyron could inform viewers on the GHG emitted by individuals and small businesses every year, the estimated annual deaths and healthcare costs associated with GHG and the estimated additional property damages
JR: Mayor Bloomberg you have spent more of your money running for President and Mayor and supporting both Democratic and Republican candidates than on climate change. If you believe climate change to be such a threat to mankind, why haven’t you spent more of your money dealing with climate change?
Use a chyron to disclose Mayor Bloomberg’s election spending and global climate change philanthropy.