Clark and Boxer on climate change, Iraq, and more
Submitted by larry on April 24, 2006 - 9:14am.
Barbara Boxer | ClarkCast | Environment | Iraq
Just released! This week's podcast is a conversation between Wes Clark and MY Senator from California. They discuss this month's topic -- global climate change -- as well as other emergent issues like Iraq. This is a good one and longer than our normal 8-10 minutes. They went on for 18 minutes. We thought the conversation was so good that we kept the whole thing.
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Have a listen and tell us what you think.
It's clear that Wehru's appointment is part of the GOPs overall strategy to distort science and hurt policy, in order to fit the agenda of their special interests. It's like hiring that lobbyist guy from the movie, "Thank you for Smoking", as surgeon general.
Whatever the administration chooses to call their "initiatives", their intent has always been to remove protective legislation, whichassure safety measures that protect Americans. It's just part of their propoganda campaign, in order to protect the bottom line -- profits in excess of $100 Billion, but at the cost of American lives and livelihood.
From "Grist" last summer, KR
Equally objectionable to enviros is Bill Wehrum, who was tapped on Tuesday to temporarily assume Holmstead's position once he leaves, and who some expect to be nominated to take it over permanently in the fall. If that happens, enviros predict green-leaning senators will kick up a fuss. Said Walke, "It's common knowledge that Holmstead's agenda has been pro-industry and controversial, but for those in the know, Wehrum is Holmstead on steroids."
Like Holmstead, Wehrum was formerly a lobbyist for Latham & Watkins, a law firm that represents business interests, where he went to bat for the timber industry. "I have known Bill for years and have always admired his knowledge of the Clean Air Act," Holmstead wrote in a letter sent on Tuesday to EPA staffers. "Bill's skills and talents have been instrumental in many of our successes over the last four years."
Instrumental indeed, says Frank O'Donnell, president of Clean Air Watch: "Wehrum has been Holmstead's Rasputin -- the behind-the-scenes architect of all the most controversial initiatives that Holmstead took credit for." Wehrum was a lead author of the doomed "Clear Skies" legislation, O'Donnell says, and played key roles in making changes to new-source review and designing the rules governing the administration's market-based trading program for mercury emissions, which are now being challenged in federal court. "You mention his name to career staffers at EPA and they groan as if they have an abdominal problem," said O'Donnell.
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A Wes Clark Democrat
This is from the Philadelphia Inquirer... -------------------------------------------------------------
William Wehrum and the EPA Editorial | More foe than friend of clean airThe nation's top clean air cop should be an enforcer, not an industry apologist. He should write tough rules, not craft loopholes..."
snip...//
Wehrum joined EPA as chief counsel to former assistant administrator Jeffrey Holmstead. Both men had worked for the law firm Latham & Watkins, whose clients include utilities the EPA regulates.
During Holmstead's term, verbatim language from Latham & Watkins memos favoring industry appeared in a proposed EPA rule. Firm attorneys ... EPA general counsel said (it) violated the Clean Air Act. Lawsuits are pending.
In 2003, as chief architect of a mercury emissions rule, Wehrum canceled the usual scientific and economic analysis of competing ideas in favor of the administration's proposed legislation, spurring protests from EPA staff and Congress.
The General Accounting Office, the EPA Inspector General and the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals all have rejected Wehrum's five-year campaign to rewrite "new source review" rules governing upgrades of old power plants. Last month, federal judges disparaged the Bush administration approach as making sense "only in a Humpty-Dumpty world."
Earlier this month, seven of 10 regional EPA offices angrily objected to Wehrum's plan to allow refineries, steel mills, chemical plants and smelters to emit more toxic pollutants such as arsenic and lead. They resented being cut out of a process that could prove "detrimental to the environment."
snip...//
"...No return has been as great as the Clean Air Act - providing up to $119 billion in reduced emergency-room visits, hospitalizations, and lost workdays annually, compared to less than $9 billion spent on compliance. ..."
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I agree there really should be a major campaign against this appointment. However, I read a statement by Joe Lieberman, who's part of an effort to challenge his nomination. He's on the Environment and Public Works (EPW) subcommittee. Perhaps she should also release a statement, if she hasn't done so yet.
Excellent discussion from both parties. I'm impressed with senator Boxer; hope you Californians send her back to the senate for another term.
Global warming? "Climate crisis." Clarkcast: A conversation with Barbara Boxer http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/4/24/13511/1012
How great must our failure be until we turn in panic and disgrace to a Man of Honor? - Quigley
you did, too! You allowed the podcast to speak for itself, Sybil. Way to go! 
"COUNTRY before Party!" -- Wes Clark
Two exemplary voices no doubt...
How great must our failure be until we turn in panic and disgrace to a Man of Honor? - Quigley
What an engaging conversation!
By the way, I'm still having trouble with the iTunes path. I don't see the new ClarkCast in my list of ClarkCasts. I had to return to the MP3 version to listen.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
Cannot even tell you how thrilled I am to see this here!
Just getting to listen now & will be back later for comments!
I've been hanging out here - or at forclark.com - since- Sept. 2003.
Logging in here & seeing two of my favorite political movers & shakers in the entire world hunkering down for a conversation thrills me to no end!!!
Thrilled to see this- I mean- THRILLED! As a Clark admirer I've had many occassions to be thrilled here on this board but I gotta tell ya- This is a Top 10 for me!
The mutual respect was palpable, wasn't it?
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass.....Molly Ivins
Senator Boxer acknowledges all the work Wes has done for our country! She deserves our gratitude! I can't wait for my Clarksters here to listen to this.
I wish there could be a Clark Podcast moment twice a day on AAR, maybe once in the morning and evening play them!!!
Wesley Clark, the Voice of Reason!
that this is the best one yet! Fantastic! Engaging, respectful, interesting, clear, full of ideas and exchanges of mutual respect! Thank you WesPAC, General and Senator Boxer! :D
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
The informality and free-flowing nature of the discussion made it very engaging. I appreciated that they covered a such a wide and important range of issues including aquaculture, ocean health, homeland security, global warming, and health care.
I hope Clark does more Clarkcasts like this with other leading Democrats. I do enjoy the conversational Clarkcasts the best.
I have added the movie Clark recommended, "miracle planet" to my netflix queue!
"Dissent is the highest form of patriotism" - Thomas Jefferson
A great general discussion by General Clark and Senator Boxer on the current issues, regarding the environment, in the U.S. Senate and how the Bush Administration continues to roll back as many advances in saving the environment from previous Democratic efforts as possible. All in the name of big business. Hopefully this message will get out to the masses and translate to mid-term electoral victories for the Democrats this fall. Hang in there planet Earth.
I agree that the informality and the intelligent exchange made for a great podcast. I was most impressed, however, with Senator Boxer's respect for General Clark. You could tell throughout the broadcast that she was aware of Clark's knowledge on all the major issues. She was almost embarrassed to talk about the administration's handling of the war in Iraq, because she knew that she was talking to a foremost expert. She also recognized Clark's grasp of the issues and complimented him over and over for all he has done for America and the Democratic party. I certainly don't mean to take anything away from her, either. She is both smart and gracious, and those are compelling traits.
As one who thinks that the General gets shortchanged by a lot of Democrats, I was especially thankful to hear Senator Boxer's sincere admiration for all the great work Clark has done.
This puts a whole new spin on the question, chicken or fish? You heard him folks, we like to eat salmon!
Oh and on climate change and the Discovery Channel, I bought a Chillow cooling pillow for $29 at their store at our local mall. Instead of having to turn your ac on blast to sleep, try one of these things. I'm telling all my women friends who complain about sleeping hot to get one. You add water to it one time and follow the care instructions. It really does remain cool and what a relief on a hot night. It's just another way I'm trying to lower my carbon print by not having to turn up the ac and also sticking it to the man:)
When I downloaded the Clarkcast, on the right side of the screen there's a place that asks if you'd like to buy the CD from MSN. Are the podcasts being saved to CD somehow so we could actually play them for other people on a CD player? That would be excellent. It would be a twist to the conference call parites we used to have during the 04 campaign. A DVD would be better, but this would be good too as a fundraising house party tool for WesPAC or local candidates we are trying to help raise money for their races at various local, state and national levels.
Not that I know of. You can always burn it onto a MP3 CD player, I guess. What an interesting idea. Can you post the link where it takes you if you click that CD link?
I put it up this morning and am chiming in as I can from work-
It's been on the Recommended List but is now at risk of falling off there (Some guy named Hunter! ;P )
So here is the link:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/4/25/133021/231
If you've not recommended it yet, please do and we can get more to hear the podcast and to visit CCN from Kos! Thanx!
Thank you MS for doing this. Also, folks please feel free to jump in on the discussion on the post. Recommend and comment. That's how we keep it up on DailyKos.
ms in la has done it again. General Clark should be sure to give her a two hand hold when he sees her tonight. Of course, he has to hug Keith. It's tradition now.
We're all on pins and needles waiting for your report. I think I'll set an alarm for 3:00 a.m. (if I'm not still up) to read it.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
link on your blog entry. It takes you to windows media player (at least it does on my screen) and it's in the lower right hand corner. Burn some CDs larry, you've got a new business:)
very good in depth debate, I liked how they fed off each others energy and idea's very powerful and convincing. Most importantly they got to the real issues.
I post from time to time on the RealClimate web site (one of the best!) Someone today posted this comment:
In a letter in today's New York Times responding to the Revkin article, a New York advertising executive advises switching from the phrase _global warming_ to the phrase _global heating_.
Naturally, I chimed in, pointing out that Sen. Boxer suggests replacing "global warming" with "climate crisis," and Gen. Clark has emphasized that it's not just an environmental issue, it's a national security issue.
RealClimate is *not* the place to tout my support for Gen. Clark. But I was very glad for the opportunity to drop his name on a high-profile climate-change website.
I agree that "global warming" doesn't convey the seriousness of the issue that we now face. "Global Climate Crisis" works, because it affirms the seriousness of its impact and provokes a sense of urgency to act upon it.
pretty scary stuff...I missed the first part so didn't catch the title.
oh, and it seems that we could learn much from the Thais about aquaculture. It's part of their culture...now endangered.
I may never eat scampi or salmon again...
How great must our failure be until we turn in panic and disgrace to a Man of Honor? - Quigley
I wasn’t able to download the radio cast but I did print it out and read it, and what a beautiful dialogue between Gen. Clark and Senator Barbara Boxer… I am glad to get to know her and she seems like a wonderful lady and who is truly caring…
Mmm smoked salmon… and if the hybrid cars where allowed to be in the market long time ago we would have hybrid Hummers by now!
Because instead of a H1 like this ...
.... they'd be driving something like this,...
and with 50 salmon fisherman aboard,.. they'd be cooking so much salmon, that the grizzly bears would starve to death. 
LOL ooohh that would be wonderful and so many fisherman 
. Now that is called security!!!! especially from the grizzly bears 
.
And we can’t forget to take gallons of spring water that mother nature gives us
And that’s an actual military humvee… and it looks like 007 next to it… Watch out Republicans. Here we come!!! 
LOL ooohh that would be wonderful and so many fisherman . Now that is called security!!!! especially from the grizzly bears .
And we can’t forget to take gallons of spring water that mother nature gives us.
And that’s an actual military humvee… and it looks like 007 next to it… Watch out Republicans. Here we come!!!
MaryAnn, I think you need to conserve on these bytes,..'cause I'm pretty sure that you can cut your usage in 1/2. 
oh,..thanks for the science link above, of course you can blog it too. :)
Bytes as on the salmons or the pasting the link on this blog, or, and sorry, somehow I am duplicating my post... My computer is acting up as well... Thanks for letting me know. 
Knightrider,
Speaking, or writing, about cars, I cam across this article that maybe you and your team might be interested...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060426/ap_on_sc/britain_green_car_2
And the European Union has invested into this technology. We need commitment like this here in the US. I noticed that it uses natural gas, but it's efficiency high and CO2 footprint is low. There was a video available at the Guardian website, which showed how it operated up to 60mph, and how it tilted around turns. It looks like alot of fun to operate/commute, like a cockpit in a fighter plane. Your T-33s would be very envious.
....but it would be a death trap on I-95. ;)
This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass.....Molly Ivins
Very important is the Senate committee review this Wednesday on William Wehrum to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. As Boxer says, this is a very bad guy. As Wes says, this is an enemy of environmental protection.
Write to the media.
Write to Boxer. Back her up on this.
eMail Barbara Boxer
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A Wes Clark Democrat
WesDem's DU Journal