December 05, 2004
12/6 - The Silliness of Smart People: As if congress is going to save the oceans
How in the world, given that Congress right now cannot even pass legislation for restructuring of the intelligence community -- THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IN THE NATION -- can anyone naively think that next year is going to be a banner year for ocean conservation? Admiral James Watkins, head of the U.S. Oceans Commission, has already publicly stated his pessimism that the current administration is not going to listen to much of their 200 recommendations for protecting the oceans.
Here is a "Brookings Briefing" on "The Future of Oceans Policy," that states, "Major new oceans legislation is expected in Congress next year."
What everyone needs to keep in mind are the surveys by the Biodiversity Institute (I think that is their name, I can't seem to find the study on-line that I came across last year) that showed something along the lines of 2/3 of the public in 1990 felt that "we have enough environmental legislation today," and that number rose to 3/4 by 2002.
The general public -- the average person on the street -- the people who elected the Republicans into majorities in both sides of Congress and the White House -- they just don't feel the need to clutter our society with more legislation protecting nature. How in the world can anyone be expecting that audience to suddenly catch fire on the oceans next year?
Just curious how some people can think this way.
Okay, all in favor of saving the oceans say, "haaayyyy" and gimme two snaps.